Montreal-based industrial automation developer Vention showcased its latest advancements in AI technology during its annual Demo Day 2024 event. The company unveiled several significant updates to its cloud-based Manufacturing Automation Platform (MAP), highlighting a new era in industrial automation driven by artificial intelligence.
The centerpiece of the announcement was the third-generation MachineMotion AI controller, a state-of-the-art device designed to control various automated-manufacturing applications, including robots, conveyors, and computer-vision systems. This new controller represents a major leap forward, bridging the gap between traditional programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and modern robot programming environments.
MachineMotion AI is powered by the Nvidia Jetson platform, which is renowned for its edge AI and robotics capabilities. The new controller is designed to simplify the development and deployment of factory robots, catering to manufacturers of all sizes. Vention emphasizes that this AI-enhanced hardware brings their signature simplicity to advanced robotics applications, democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.
“MachineMotion AI brings Vention's hallmark simplicity to AI-based robotics applications,” said Francois Giguere, Chief Technology Officer at Vention. “This democratized access to AI-motion-controlled technology will help benefit all manufacturers, from small to large.” The AI-enabled robots equipped with MachineMotion AI will benefit from Nvidia graphics processing unit-accelerated path planning, enabling them to run 2D/3D perception models trained in both synthetic and physical environments. This capability significantly streamlines the development process.
The MachineMotion AI controller is compatible with most robot brands in use today, including Universal Robots, Fanuc, and ABB. It can be integrated with a variety of Vention’s plug-and-play sensors and motion devices, such as conveyors, actuators, safety devices, computer-vision systems, and telepresence cameras.
In addition to the hardware advancements, Vention introduced AI-powered updates to two of its MAP software programs: MachineBuilder and MachineLogic.
MachineBuilder now features a generative AI-powered design assistant that can automatically suggest and add the appropriate components to a robot cell based on the developer’s design needs. This tool enhances the design process by providing intelligent, context-aware component recommendations.
MachineLogic has been upgraded with a Python programming assistant, which uses generative AI to help programmers generate code more efficiently. This update aims to simplify the programming process, making it easier for developers to create and implement control logic for industrial machines.
Vention's latest innovations are set to transform the landscape of industrial automation, offering enhanced capabilities and simplifying complex processes for manufacturers. The MachineMotion AI controller is available for pre-order and is expected to be delivered in early 2025, marking a significant step forward in the integration of AI technology within manufacturing environments.
