Omron partners with Techman to develop collaborative robots

Omron has announced a strategic alliance with Techman Robot, a Taiwanese manufacturer of integrated-vision collaborative robots (cobots).
Under the new agreement, Omron will market and sell Techman’s TM series of collaborative robots through its worldwide distribution network under a co-branded logo, starting in the second half of this year.
The two companies will also cooperate to develop a new generation of collaborative robots that will be easier to integrate with Omron’s other factory automation products.
As well as the TM series, Omron will also sell new “mobile-compatible” models which can be integrated with its LD family of mobile robots.
These robots, which move autonomously by avoiding people and obstacles, are already being used to automate material-handling operations around the world.
With a cobot mounted on top, they will not only be able to transport materials from one location to another, but will also be able to perform tasks such as the pick-and-place of parts onto trays, in each location.
“Since the acquisition of Adept Technology in 2015, Omron has been putting great resources in the development of the robotics technologies and market,” said Seigo Kinugawa, executive officer and senior general manager of Omron’s Robotics Business Development Project in its industrial automation business.
Adept Technology, which developed the LD series mobile robots, is a multi-national company focusing on industrial automation and robotics, including software and vision guidance.
“The alliance with Techman is aimed at advancing the collaboration between humans and robots in manufacturing environments,” Mr Kinugawa said.
“Omron’s entry into the collaborative arm robot market, in addition to the mobile robot market, will accelerate its goal of bringing innovation to factories through the collaboration of humans and machines.”