In context
In September 2023, industrial automation was increasingly focused on flexible, vision-guided solutions to handle unstructured tasks like bin picking, which had long been a bottleneck for manufacturers seeking to automate complex material handling without rigid fixtures.
What was reported
Comau introduced MI.RA/Picker, an intelligent automation solution for perception-based random bin picking. The system is hardware-agnostic, adaptable to any commercial robot, customized bin, or gripper, and integrates two high-resolution laser sensors with a central camera to recognize, locate, and grasp randomly placed objects at speeds up to 40 pieces per minute.
The solution uses virtual simulation tools and predictive algorithms to ensure optimal path management and collision-free trajectories, reducing costs and risks. It eliminates the need for manual sorting, improving productivity and operator well-being. Designed with technology partners, it combines 3D vision, dual sensors, and an intuitive programming interface for precise picking from single or multiple bins containing unorganized rigid parts.
MI.RA/Picker is part of Comau's MI.RA family of intelligent vision systems and targets industries such as food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, plastics, electronics, metal, machinery, and automotive. It simplifies logistics by allowing products to be dumped into bins, reducing upstream process times.
Why it mattered
This launch underscored the growing market for random bin picking, which Comau estimated could reach $1.2 billion by 2025. By making complex technology more accessible, MI.RA/Picker represented a step toward cost-effective automation of unstructured tasks, potentially accelerating adoption across mid-sized manufacturers.
“Our novel approach to intelligent random bin picking for machine tending, pick and place and kitting operations, among others will undoubtedly help our customers increase both their process quality and production capacity.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-09-05 · “Comau unveils new ‘perception-based’ robotic picking solution”