Bookmark 04-23-2014

Keba Wins German Robotics Award

On Tuesday April 8th 2014 the fourth "Robotics Award" ceremony took place at the Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany, one of the world's most important trade shows.

Prize Ceremony for the Robotics Award 2014 (figure: Deutsche Messe)

Keba AG, Linz, Austria, received the first prize for their KeTop T10 directMove handheld control unit. The KeTop T10 directMove handheld device, now complete with its Robotics Award, permits a totally new and highly intuitive type of robot operation. To teach a robot its movement sequence - known as the "teach-in" process - is no easy task. Repeatedly conceptualizing the three-dimensional movement options for a robot, mapped in the form of a coordinate system, and programming the movement paths, represents an extremely complex task. It really can take a very long time depending on skill level. Thanks to the intuitive operation concept of the KeTop T10 directMove where you simply show the robot the path in effect, both experienced users and novices save around one fifth of the time required for the teach-in process.

The winner of the 2014 Robotics Awards: KeTop T10 directMove (figure: Keba)

Using inertial sensors of the 6D Inertial Measurement Unit (6D IMU), the KeTop T10 directMove detects its position and direction in the three-dimensional space. The operator therefore can easily specify the required movement or rotation by indicating the direction of motion and then operating a small joystick – regardless of his/her position relative to the robot. This means that no in-depth knowledge of coordinate systems is required. The motion speed can be changed via the intensity of the joystick operation. Practical studies show that time savings of up to 20% are possible, even for experienced robot operators. New users profit even more and are able to work reliably using the robot in shortest time.

The Robotics Award is awarded by the Hannover Messe together with Industrieanzeiger and the Robotation Academy. This prize recognizes innovative robotic solutions with high practical relevance.

For more than 20 years, Keba has been developing and producing mobile handheld terminals for industry at its main site in Linz, Austria. 20,000 of these mobile control units are shipped from Keba headquarters each year, both under the Keba brand and white-labeled for customers.