Man-Machine Collaboration: Safety Sensors

Oct 30, 2014 Join us for a FREE webinar: Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, 1 p.m. EST

Automation and the use of robotic systems has increased factory output and efficiency dramatically over the last few decades. Automated systems handle tasks that are repetitive or dangerous, allowing workers to focus on tasks that require dexterity and critical thinking. As these manufacturing facilities become more complex, humans will need to work in conjunction with robotic systems in certain manufacturing processes.

Safety application engineers have aimed to design systems that isolate robots from humans. While this practice promotes maximum safety, it can also lead to inefficiency. The solution is to use advances in decision-making algorithms, as well as automation hardware, to create an environment where humans and machines can work together in tandem.

The Man-Machine Collaboration: Safety Sensors webinar will focus on the new technologies enabling this shift. Machine vision,  sensors, safety scanners and safety light curtains are just a few of the enabling technologies that are being deployed in man-machine collaborative manufacturing projects. As this trend develops, new and innovative solutions will emerge such as 3-D bubble safety and faster machine-learning algorithms. This webinar will explore some of the business opportunities within this space, as well as discuss the remaining technological hurdles that must be overcome.

Presenter Frank Bertini is a senior analyst at VDC Research Group's Automation and Sensors Practice. Prior to joining VDC, he served in strategic industry sales roles at Keyence and SICK. At Keyence, Bertini was a leader in promoting next-generation digital microscopes to quality and R&D teams across the Northeast. At SICK, he focused on electronics and solar OEMs. This experience has helped Bertini bring value to his research and spot trends before they materialize. In his spare time, he enjoys mountaineering and is an avid follower of global financial markets. Bertini graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in physics, as well as a minor in mathematics.

To read his follow-up blog post about the webinar, click here.