We're 20 years into the 21st century, and Industry 4.0 is well under way. Some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/industry-4-introduction" target="_blank" title="An Introduction To Industry 4.0">initial concepts</a> which seemed so revolutionary a few years ago are now well understood and adopted. The capabilities offered by quantum computing, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cognitive technologies are leading to enhanced industrial performance. This has significant impact in areas ranging from nanotechnology and robotics, to advanced materials and 3D printing, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/3d-printing-in-manufacturing" target="_blank" title="3D Printing In Manufacturing">additive manufacturing</a>.Forward-thinking industrialists have already invested in these new technologies to enhance their productivity and streamline their modes of production. The IoT (Internet of Things) has progressed rapidly to the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), and industry leaders the world over are moving forward.So what exactly are the benefits of Industry 4.0? They include:<ul><li>Greater Flexibility</li><li>Improved Agility</li><li>Improved Efficiency</li><li>Better Communicability</li><li>Enhanced Productivity</li><li>Increased Profitability</li><li>Better Customer Experience</li></ul><h2>Greater Flexibility</h2>One of the advantages of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/7-manufacturing-ai-benefits" target="_blank" title="7 Benefits Of AI In Manufacturing">AI and big data analytics</a> is that these systems allow much greater flexibility than previously envisaged. Data is gathered constantly and in real time, taking in anything from the movements of the global economy, to microscopic alterations in the supply chain and consumer demand. Industry 4.0 amalgamates traditional manufacturing practices with sophisticated technology which allows for constant recalibration and decision-making. It enables the complete value chain to be visible in real time, and can provide immediate and rapid responses to change. Further, it enables a much greater degree of customisation, allowing customers a more personalised service.<h2>Improved Agility</h2>Industry 4.0 also offers improved agility in production and reduced lead-in times. The level of production can be more easily scaled up or down, and new products may more easily be introduced to the production line. Fully automated systems also provide opportunities for customisable manufacturing runs, and optimisation of high-mix, low volume (HMLV) manufacturing.As your understanding of the new technologies increases, you'll gain a greater overall knowledge of the manufacturing business. Mobile control devices will provide greater transparency in supply and distribution chains, manufacturing processes and business performance. This ability to see the whole picture will highlight opportunities to innovate, develop new products, optimise distribution, or otherwise improve business processes.<h2>Improved Efficiency</h2>Another benefit of Industry 4.0 technologies is improved efficiency. Many of the traditional processes are being automated, with machine learning loops that constantly adjust performance in accordance with received data reports. This will result in less machine downtime, as well as enabling faster batch changeovers and introduction of new products.Additional benefits include the use of virtual or augmented reality in product development, together with the capacities of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/an-introduction-to-digital-twins" target="_blank" title="An Introduction To Digial Twins">digital twins</a>. These advanced capabilities allow designers to explore and resolve issues in a proposed design before it goes into production, thus saving enormously on pre-production tests and modelling. More efficient business decision-making will result from machine monitoring and better data analytics, with enhanced quality control via automatic track and trace processes and RFID tagging.<h2>Better Communicability</h2>In the world of IoT and IIoT, everything is connected, and communicates rapidly and in real time. Traditional channels of knowledge sharing are superseded by automated connections and mobile device controls, ultimately enabling a much greater degree of connection and collaboration. Time zones, physical locations and types of platform are immaterial when data from machine performance and multiple types of sensor can be relayed instantaneously across the globe.One of the additional benefits of Industry 4.0 communicability is that it requires no human intervention. While this may cause concern to those who envisage an AI global coup, machine and system data communications can function 24/7 without interruption across multiple production facilities worldwide. This enables them to act on sensory data and make continuous adjustments to automated production, without reference to human control.<h2>Enhanced Productivity</h2>Industry 4.0 technologies such as AI and machine learning enable faster and greater production by each piece of equipment, and by the system as a whole. Advanced monitoring and predictive maintenance will ensure that systems are kept running at optimum capacity, and maintain a steady, quality-controlled output.At the same time, you'll be optimising the allocation of resources, reducing both wastage, and downtime through machine failure. The use of AI in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/ai-warehouse-management" target="_blank" title="6 Ways AI Will Transform Warehouse Management">warehouse management</a>, collaboration with robots, and track and trace technologies will combine to streamline supply and delivery, and thus increase overall productivity.<h2>Increased Profitability</h2>Increased profitability is the ultimate result of reducing costs and increasing production. The upfront investment is going to be significant, and the benefits of Industry 4.0 won't be immediate. However, you will see long-term improvements in scale and rate of output. Manufacturing costs will fall dramatically at your facilities when you introduce integrated automated systems and make use of data management. You'll find that resources are used more effectively, manufacturing and distribution processes speed up, and overall product quality improves. Downtime will be reduced, along with wastage and overall operating costs.<h2>Better Customer Experience</h2>Industry 4.0 technologies enable the production of higher quality products at a higher profit margin. They can also allow a greater degree of flexibility for innovation, such as using HMLV processes to offer customised products. Traditional methods of mass production can still be used to make those products, but additive manufacturing and nanotechnology can allow for a higher degree of individualisation.One of the greatest benefits of Industry 4.0 is the opportunity it offers to enhance your customers' experience and improve the service you offer them.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/rfid-in-manufacturing" target="_blank" title="RFID In Manufacturing">RFID tagging</a> and track and trace capabilities, for example, will help you resolve supply and delivery problems much more quickly. In addition, you'll see improvements in product quality and availability, and will be able to offer customers a great deal more choice.<h2>Return On Investment</h2>While the ROI opportunities offered by the adoption of Industry 4.0 are significant, it's not all about the bottom line. A decision to adopt new technologies will require an up-front investment that may not give you an immediate payoff, but will provide other substantial benefits. Increased and faster communications, more informed decision-making, and enhanced manufacturing oversight will all result from adoption of IIoT technologies and advanced automation.

We're 20 years into the 21st century, and Industry 4.0 is well under way. Some of the initial concepts which seemed so revolutionary a few years ago are now well understood and adopted.

Benefits of Industry 4.0

This is the sixth article of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eight-part series</a>&nbsp;that explores how collaborative robots or cobots are transforming industrial workspaces. It will survey the technologies that have converged to make robotic influence possible, unpack the unique engineering challenges robotics pose, and describe the solutions that are leading the way to the influential robots of the future.The articles were originally published in an e-magazine, and have been substantially edited by Wevolver to update them and make them available on the Wevolver platform. This series is sponsored by Mouser, an online distributor of electronic components. Through their sponsorship,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mouser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>&nbsp;supports spreading knowledge about collaborative robots.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-4-0">Introduction</h2>Motion control of today's sophisticated robotic arms, regardless of their size or power, often requires simultaneous management of multiple axes. Modern electronics—including motors, device drivers, control systems (formerly all analog, but now digital), feedback sensors, and power-switching devices such as metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs)—now make achieving precise motion control easier than it was just a few years ago. At the same time, however, the demands on system performance have increased dramatically, so the overall project of implementing motion control is as difficult as ever.Nonetheless, there's one unavoidable fact: <a href="http://www.mouser.com/applications/robotics-technology/" target="_blank">Robotics</a> is largely a mechanical function, so in reality mechanical systems must be configured into the control loop. These systems include gear backlash, mechanical tolerances, vibration, motor performance, mass inertia rotation, momentum, mechanical structure flexibility, variable loads, and more. For these reasons, it’s important to choose the type of motor that best suits the robotic operation you’re trying to achieve—usually the best choice is a <a href="http://www.mouser.com/applications/motor-control/" target="_blank">brushless DC motor</a> or stepper motor in low to moderate power situations.Another vital decision relates to sensor-based feedback. Most robotic applications use some type of feedback sensor to accurately gauge the end-effector's position and thus its velocity and acceleration (recall that velocity is the time integral of position, and acceleration is the time integral of velocity). This feedback transducer can be a Hall-effect sensor, a synchro/resolver, or an optical encoder. While it’s easiest to put the encoder on the motor, because of the mechanical issues noted above, placing it there may not produce sufficiently accurate data about the end-effector's actual situation for the application. Therefore, the sensor may need to be mounted closer to the load endpoint.Some motion-control applications operate without a sensor, which reduces the cost and mechanical complexity. Rather than using a sensor for feedback, sensorless field-oriented control (FOC, also called vector control) uses precise, synchronized readings of the current and voltage at each phase of the motor windings; FOCs then perform complicated frame-of-reference transformations and matrix calculations in real time to determine a motor's position. Eliminating the sensor reduces the hardware cost, but it necessitates significant computational capability and more complex programming. Many robotic designs still prefer to use sensors because FOC doesn’t provide the same level of confidence, credibility, and robustness that using a direct-sensor readout offers.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-5-0">Understanding Basic Robotic Configurations</h2>While the general public may associate the term "robot" with a mobile, lifelike servant or assistant, most robotic systems in the industrial domain are stationary and use a variety of mechanical arms and configurations to perform tasks. Among the most common arrangements are:The Cartesian robot, which has three linear motion axes, one for each of the x-, y-, and z-planes. This robot is used for pick and place machine operations, sealant applications, and basic assemblies.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDcwNDc4NjIwLWNhcnRlc2lhbi5wbmciLCAiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA5NTAsICJmaXQiOiAiY292ZXIifX19">Figure 1: The Cartesian robot is the easiest to comprehend and control because it has the simplest &nbsp;equations and works in the x-, y-, and z-planes. Image: MachineDesignIn a cylindrical robot, all motion is confined to a cylinder-shaped zone. It combines linear motion in the y-plane, linear motion in the z-plane, and rotational motion around the z-axis. This robotic arrangement is used for assembly, tool handling, and spot welding.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDcxNDg4OTMwLUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAxNSAtMDEtMDEgY3JvcHBlZC5qcGciLCAiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA5NTAsICJmaXQiOiAiY292ZXIifX19">Figure 2: The cylindrical robot has motion along two linear axes and around one rotational axisThe spherical or polar robot combines two rotary joints and one linear joint, and the arm is connected to the base with a twisting joint (Figure 3). Its motion is defined by a polar coordinates system and confined to a spherical zone. This robot is found in welding, casting, and tool-handling applications.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDcxNjU5NTk3LUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAxNyBGaW5hbC0wMSBjcm9wcGVkLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=">Figure 3: The spherical or polar robot combines motion around two rotary axes and along one linear axis, and it requires numerous calculation-intensive transformations between coordinate frames of referenceThe robotic approaches cited here offer three degrees of freedom, using a combination of linear and rotary motion. However, some applications need only one or two degrees. More advanced robotic arms, or articulated robots, combine additional linear and rotary motion for almost human-like dexterity and flexibility (Figure 4). Some high-tech arms provide six, eight, or even more degrees of freedom.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDcyNDYzODExLUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAyMCBGaW5hbC0wMSBjcm9wcGVkLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=">Figure 4: The articulated robotic arm combines multiple rotation and linear motion modes for many&nbsp; degrees of freedom, but it also requires careful coordination among the actuators and arms.Other designs use special combinations of linear and rotary motion for application-specific situations, such as the parallelogram implementation, an implementation used for precise and rapid motion over short distances (for example, to pick and place tiny components). As the number of degrees of freedom increases, achieving rapid, smooth, accurate, and synchronized control along each of these degrees grows exponentially more challenging.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-6-0">Considering Trajectory Profiles</h2>The motion-control objective in robotics seems simple enough: Have the end-effector optimally reach its target position as quickly and accurately as possible with the supported load. Of course, there are trade-offs involved, as in all engineering decisions, depending on the priorities associated with the optimum result in the given application.For example, is it acceptable to accelerate and decelerate quickly to rapidly reach a higher velocity if the result is overshot and if there is even possible oscillation at the endpoint? Is it worth trading accuracy for speed, and to what extent? How are the choices of acceleration, velocity, and position related to the desired transition from position A to position B? What are the priorities and parameters that define "optimum" in a particular application?Specialists in motion control for robotics and other motion applications have developed standard trajectory profiles that provide various ways to implement the desired trade-off solution for a given application. All choices involve significant real-time calculations based on the present situation and feedback signal, but some impose a more substantial, high-resolution computational burden. These profiles include:<ul><li>The simple trapezoid, where the motor accelerates at a fixed rate from zero to a target velocity, stays at that velocity, and then ramps down at a fixed rate to zero velocity at the desired position (Figure 5). Higher rates might speed up the entire positioning cycle, but they might also induce sudden changes in acceleration motion (called the jerk) that, in turn, adds inaccuracy and overshoot.</li></ul><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDczMTM5Mzc1LUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAxNiBGaW5hbC0wMSBjcm9wcGVkLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=">Image 5: The simplest motion-trajectory profile is the trapezoid, which has constant acceleration to the target velocity, constant path velocity, and constant deceleration between the start and endpoints.<ul><li>The S-curve, a frequently-used enhancement to the trapezoid, where the acceleration rate ramps up from zero then decreases as the target velocity is achieved (Figure 6). As the target position is reached, the deceleration rate is ramped up and then reduced as the endpoint is near. The S-curve has seven distinct phases, in contrast to the three phases of the trapezoid.</li></ul><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDczNjMyOTc3LUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAxOCBGaW5hbC0wMS5qcGciLCAiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA5NTAsICJmaXQiOiAiY292ZXIifX19">Figures 6: S-curve path is more complicated than the basic trapezoid, but it eases the jerk (change in acceleration) at each transition point of the path.<ul><li>The&nbsp;contoured motion, where the user establishes a set of desired positions, and the motion controller directs a smooth, jerk-free transition profile through all these positions (Figure 7). This allows the ultimate flexibility and control, which is necessary for advanced-motion situations. The required control-direction calculations to achieve smooth curve-fitting are complex and must be accomplished without the loss of resolution due to rounding or truncating errors, despite the many calculations.</li></ul><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk5NDczNzk3MjU0LUlMTFVTVFJBVElPTiAxOSBGaW5hbC0wMSBjcm9wcGVkLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=">Figure 7: The contoured-motion path allows the user to define a series of position-marker points between the start and endpoints, and the controller must guide the end-effector through these points in a smooth curve.There are other profiles in use, some of which are associated with specific application groups or industries. Regardless of the desired profile, it's one thing to want it and another to make it happen. The well-known, highly effective proportional-integral-derivative (PID), closed-loop, control algorithm is the most common approach used to drive a motor and end-effector to do what one desires with a high-enough-level of accuracy and precision.<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/designing-collaborative-robots-maximizing-productivity-and-safety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Effective control</a> of a single axis is a manageable project, but robotic control becomes far more difficult when this control extends to two, three, or even more motors and degrees of freedom, which must be closely coordinated and synchronized, with the performance one element dependent on the status of the others.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-7-0">Determining Standard versus Custom Motion-Control Applications</h2>For standard motion-control applications, a dedicated, fixed-function, embedded controller integrated circuit (IC) offers ease of use and rapid time-to-market. In contrast, if a nonstandard, customized profile is necessary or if the correlation between the various axes is complicated and must accommodate unusual or unique events, then the Design team may consider a fully user-programmable processor. This solution is implemented using a processor with digital-signal processor (DSP) capabilities for the computation-intensive aspects or with a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). When considering programmable devices, the vendor, third-party tools, and available software modules are factors of importance in addition to the hardware functions of the IC itself in making a specific selection.Be aware that these controllers are generally not the same as motor drivers, which are the MOSFET/IGBT drivers and devices that control motor power. This is the case for two reasons: First, these power devices must be sized to the motor, independent of the controller. Second, the high-density, complementary, metal-oxide-semiconductor-based process technologies used for these digital controllers are very different than the processes for power devices. For smaller motors, however, it is possible to integrate a controller with a driver and power device. Despite the fundamental differences, the term "controller" often refers to the power-device functional blocks, which can lead to confusion in keyword searches.<h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-8-0">Conclusion</h2>Motion-control options for robotics range from basic, dedicated-function ICs to highly integrated, extremely flexible microcontroller units (MCUs) with a large array of auxiliary-processing and support functions. Although embedded devices may seem limiting, some of them allow a selection of a variety of motion profiles and the setting of critical parameters, and they are quite adequate, low in cost, and easy to use. For advanced designs with unique or extremely sophisticated requirements or for designs needing additional levels of connectivity along with control, MCUs offer effective solutions with evaluation and development kits supported by verified code packages, debug and code-development tools, and validation suites.This article was originally written by Bill Schweber for Mouser and substantially edited by the Wevolver team. It's the sixth article of a series exploring collaborative robots.&nbsp;Article One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introduces collaborative robots.</a>Article Two&nbsp;describes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/a-history-of-industrial-robots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the history of Industrial Robots.</a>Article Three&nbsp;gives an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-complexities-of-mimicking-humans-is-just-the-beginning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">overview of collaborative robots sensor technologies.</a>Article Four&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/designing-collaborative-robots-maximizing-productivity-and-safety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">examines the balance between cobot safety and productivity.</a>Article Five <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/technologies-converge-to-help-drive-manufacturing-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the development of cobot applications in manufacturing.&nbsp;</a>Article Seven l<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/cobots-are-collaborators-ai-will-make-them-partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ooks at the potential of AI in cobots.</a>Article Eight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/social-impact-of-robotics-in-the-workplace-the-arrival-of-the-perfect-coworker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the social impact of cobots.</a><hr><h2 data-element-id="headingsMap-9-0">About the sponsor: Mouser Electronics</h2><a href="https://www.mouser.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>&nbsp;is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 800 industry-leading manufacturers. They specialize in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Their extensive product offering includes semiconductors, interconnects, passives, and electromechanical components.<img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNjAwODYzNDkxOTQ3LW1vdXNlciBsb2dvIGZvb3Rlci5qcGciLCAiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA5NTAsICJmaXQiOiAiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 788px;">

Article 6 of our Cobot Series: Motion control of today's sophisticated robotic arms is as difficult as ever.

Programmable Versus Fixed-Function Controllers: Alternatives for Complex Robotic Motion

Article 4 of our Cobot Series: Collaborative robots are becoming invaluable for industry, as they improve safety and increase productivity, but there are still improvements to be made in design and regulation.

Designing Collaborative Robots: Maximizing Productivity and Safety

This is the third article of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eight-part series</a>&nbsp;that explores how collaborative robots or cobots are transforming industrial workspaces. It will survey the technologies that have converged to make robotic influence possible, unpack the unique engineering challenges robotics pose, and describe the solutions that are leading the way to the influential robots of the future.The articles were originally published in an e-magazine, and have been substantially edited by Wevolver to update them and make them available on the Wevolver platform. This series is sponsored by Mouser, an online distributor of electronic components. Through their sponsorship,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mouser.electronics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>&nbsp;supports spreading knowledge about collaborative robots.<h1>Complex Sensing Requirements</h1>Developing collaborative robots requires creating many complex systems to sense, communicate, and move alongside humans safely and effectively. To assist humans, cobots use a combination of technologies that mimics the basic human senses of sight/vision, hearing, taste, and smell, to complete its tasks and understand its environment. Additionally, cobots must communicate and move, requiring yet another set of systems with which to talk, understand, and assist their human co-workers.<h2>Sensing Their Environment: Exteroception</h2>To be useful to humans, cobots must have a range of environmental sensors to perform their tasks and stay out of trouble. These sensors belong to the realm of exteroception&mdash;that is, sensitivity to stimuli outside of the body. Common exteroceptive sensors in cobots include vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, temperature, acceleration, range finding, and more.<h2>Sensing Their Internal State: Interoception</h2>To be self-maintaining, robots must also be able to know their internal state. This corresponds to interoception in humans, or the ability to perceive innate statuses of the body like digestion, breathing, and fatigue. For example, a cobot must know when its batteries need charging and reactively go seek a charger. Another example is a cobot&rsquo;s ability to sense heat when its internal thermal temperature is too high to work next to humans. Other interoception examples involve optical and haptic mechanisms, which we&rsquo;ll cover later in this article.<h2>Sensing Their Relative Position: Proprioception</h2>Awareness of the external and internal is critical for the operation and maintenance of a cobot, but to be useful to humans most cobots must also have proprioception. It is proprioception that allows the human body to move and control limbs without looking at them, thanks to interactions and interpretations from the brain.In humans, this results in an awareness of the relative position of human body parts and the strength and effort necessary for motion. Human proprioceptors consist of muscles, tendons, and joints. In cobots, the functions of proprioceptors are mimicked mostly by electromechanical actuators and motors. Proprioceptive measures consist of joint positions, joint velocities, and motor torques.<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" frameborder="0" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B9ex-ZcZjDI?enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" width="1280" data-gtm-yt-inspected-8="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><h2>Communicating with Humans</h2>Voice and motion are not senses but are necessary for humans and robots to communicate and perform tasks. Voice communication is needed by cobots to clarify what is heard and to alert humans to potential dangers. Speech synthesizing hardware and software are used to artificially reproduce human speech.Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to enable actual conversations between humans and cobots. Robots can understand the nuances in human speech, such as chatting, half-phrases, laughter, and even when noncommittal responses like &ldquo;uh huh&rdquo; are uttered. Sharing resources, like conversational floors, is another concept that robots are learning. To prevent talking over one another, robots are taught that only one person can &ldquo;seize the floor&rdquo; and talk at a time.<h1>Complexities of Collaboration</h1>Humans use a combination of senses to move, operate, and communicate. One common example is body language through hand gestures that is accompanied by voice commands. For cobots, this type of collaboration requires vision for gesture recognition, speech recognition to perceive commands, and some level of AI to interpret the context of human communication.Continuing this point is the example of combined sensory input through vision and haptic (or &ldquo;touch&rdquo;) feedback. Consider the real-world example of a surgeon running a simulation of an operation before the actual event. The simulation can create a virtual reality (VR) where the surgeon can see and test the operation procedure. However, he or she has no way to sense the feeling of the scalpel&rsquo;s contact with human tissue. This is where haptic feedback would help because it mimics the sense of touch and force during a computer simulation.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzMxNDM4NzQxLUhhcHRYLUdsb3Zlcy1BdXRvbW90aXZlLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=">&nbsp;An example of haptic touch gloves in use with a VR driving simulation. Image:&nbsp;<a href="https://haptx.com/" target="_blank">HaptX</a>How can a machine communicate through touch? The most common form of haptic feedback is accomplished using vibration, such as the feeling created by a shaking, but silent, mobile phone. In the case of the surgeon, a linear actuator might replace a vibration motor. As the surgeon puts pressure on the simulated scalpel, a linear actuator that moves up and down places greater pressure on a portion of his body via a headband. This pressure corresponds to the pressure on the simulated scalpel.In the case of a cobot, a parallel example of haptic feedback is found in the cobot&rsquo;s grippers (or hands). These grippers will often contain a wrist camera for recognition of a grasped object along with force-torque sensors that provide input for a sense of touch.Most workers communicate and control cobots by using buttons, joysticks, keyboards, or digital interfaces However, just as they are for humans, speech and haptics can be effective communication mediums for cobots.Haptics and eye movement are another way sensory combinations can improve interplay between humans and cobots. As humans point toward an object, they first look in the direction of the object. This anticipatory action can be picked up by a cobot&rsquo;s vision to provide a tip-off regarding the intention of the human collaborator. Similarly, technology can help a cobot communicate its intentions to humans. Robots now have projectors that highlight target objects or routes that the cobot will take.<h1>Summary</h1>As with any emerging technology, there are still many challenges that face the world of collaborative robots as they work side-by-side with humans. Will humans sometimes find cobots more frustrating than useful?Today, most robots have gotten pretty good at combining voice and visual recognition to assist humans. However, what is lacking is the cobot&rsquo;s ability to understand context and respond to complex situations. AI will be essential to enable cobots to truly interact, anticipate, and communicate, especially when they need to hand-off certain complex tasks to humans. Among its other abilities, this level of AI will also go some way to build a type of trust between humans and cobots that will further increase the potential of their collaboration.<img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3OTA3NDQ5NDY3LUlsbHVzdHJhdGlvbiAyMi0zLTAxLmpwZyIsICJlZGl0cyI6IHsicmVzaXplIjogeyJ3aWR0aCI6IDk1MCwgImZpdCI6ICJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 788px;">This article was originally written by John Blyler for Mouser and substantially edited by the Wevolver team. It&#39;s the third article of a series exploring collaborative robots.&nbsp;Article One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introduces collaborative robots.</a>Article Two&nbsp;describes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/a-history-of-industrial-robots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">the history of Industrial Robots.</a>Article Three&nbsp;gives an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-complexities-of-mimicking-humans-is-just-the-beginning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">overview of collaborative robots sensor technologies.</a>Article Four&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/designing-collaborative-robots-maximizing-productivity-and-safety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">examines the balance between cobot safety and productivity.</a>Article Five <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/technologies-converge-to-help-drive-manufacturing-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the development of cobot applications in manufacturing. </a>Article Six&nbsp;explores the <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/programmable-versus-fixed-function-controllers-alternatives-for-complex-robotic-motion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">challenges of motion control of robotic arms.</a>Article Seven l<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/cobots-are-collaborators-ai-will-make-them-partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ooks at the potential of AI in cobots.</a>Article Eight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/social-impact-of-robotics-in-the-workplace-the-arrival-of-the-perfect-coworker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the social impact of cobots.</a><hr><h1>About the sponsor: Mouser Electronics</h1>Mouser Electronics is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 800 industry-leading manufacturers. They specialise in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Their extensive product offering includes semiconductors, interconnects, passives, and electromechanical components.<img class="fr-fic fr-dii" data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzE0NzU0MjA0LTE1OTczMTQ3NTQyMDQucG5nIiwgImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogOTUwLCAiZml0IjogImNvdmVyIn19fQ=="> &nbsp;

Article 3 of our Cobot Series: Advances in sensor technologies have enabled the cobot to sense its environment, internal state, relative position, and more, yet the complexity of human-machine collaboration is a puzzle still unfolding.

The Complexities of Mimicking Humans is Just the Beginning

This is the second article of an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">eight-part series</a>&nbsp;that explores how collaborative robots or cobots are transforming industrial workspaces. It will survey the technologies that have converged to make robotic influence possible, unpack the unique engineering challenges robotics pose, and describe the solutions that are leading the way to the influential robots of the future.The articles were originally published in an e-magazine, and have been substantially edited by Wevolver to update them and make them available on the Wevolver platform. This series is sponsored by Mouser, an online distributor of electronic components. Through their sponsorship,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mouser.electronics" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a>&nbsp;supports spreading knowledge about collaborative robots.<h2>Introduction</h2>In recent decades, as automation has emerged as the central competitive factor in manufacturing operations across the globe, the use of industrial robots has grown substantially. In 1970 the total number of industrial robots in use in the US was 200. By 1980, that number had risen to 4,000, and by 2015, it was 1.6 million. There are estimated to be more than 3 million industrial robots in use today. [1]<h3>Industrial Robotic Beginnings</h3>Industrial robots are often discussed in the context of 21st-century&nbsp;innovations. However, their roots date back much further to the 1950s, when George Devol developed the first industrial robot—a two-ton device that autonomously transferred objects from one place to another with hydraulic actuators. Since that time, as sensors, electronics, and computer software have advanced, the capabilities of industrial robots have greatly expanded to include complex tasks such as welding, painting, assembly, packaging, palletizing, inspecting, and testing—all accomplished with speed, precision, and repeatability.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzEzNjM5ODY4LTAxMDEuanBnIiwgImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogOTUwLCAiZml0IjogImNvdmVyIn19fQ==">Image: Bob MaloneRobots were first used commercially on assembly lines in the early 1960s. Most featured hydraulic or pneumatic arms and were primarily used for heavy lifting. Although the devices were primitive, sensorless, and featured limited programmability, they proved to be an invaluable tool for increasing production in manufacturing facilities and set the stage for what would be a prolonged period of robotics development.Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, as the need for automation of manpower-intensive tasks in manufacturing increased, the focus of industrial robotics shifted away from heavy lifting to materials handling and precision work. This gave birth to the development of smaller electric robots with advanced controls, microprocessors, miniaturized motors, gyros, and servos, which made them ideal for lighter assembly tasks, such as bolt and nut tightening.By the late 1970s, the capabilities of robots expanded even further to include tasks such as material transferring, painting, and arc welding. They also began taking over dangerous tasks in manufacturing facilities. In steel mills, for instance, robots were used to move parts and materials in high-temperature environments that were inhospitable for humans. This significantly improved facility safety and drove increased workforce productivity by freeing up skilled labourers to direct their focus to more important manufacturing operations.<h3>Robotic Technology in the 1980s: Laying the Foundation for the Future</h3>The mid-1980s saw increased interest and excitement in robotics. In understanding robots as the “machines of the future,” engineers began pushing the frontier forward to support industrial development and achieve greater manufacturing competitiveness. It was during this period that the foundation of the present-day industrial robot was laid, as they began incorporating advanced sensors and rudimentary machine vision systems.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzE0MTU0ODk1LTAxMDIucG5nIiwgImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogOTUwLCAiZml0IjogImNvdmVyIn19fQ==">The Unimate 500 and Puma 560 industrial robots in 1986. Image: Wiki Commons&nbsp;The emergence of these technologies, coupled with a substantial reduction in costs of computer hardware, like microprocessors, resulted in a steep change of advancement in industrial robotic capabilities. Using precision force sensors and lasers, industrial robots were given the ability to detect and follow manufacturing components along assembly lines. These lasers and sensors provided the robots with a human-like sense of sight and touch and revolutionized their interactions with the industrial environment. As a result, robots were transformed from simple mechanical devices that were programmed to perform repetitive tasks to more elaborate machines that possessed what many categorized as “limited intelligence.<h3 dir="ltr">Industrial Robots of Today and Tomorrow</h3>Since the early 2000s, developments in industrial robotics have largely been driven by advancements in software. Emerging fields, such as machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), are now pushing forward the frontier of what robots can do—giving them the ability to learn, improve, and make decisions without direction or guidance from humans.Most industrial robots in use today are equipped with a multitude of advanced sensors that gather immense amounts of data. When integrated with advanced analytics and ML software, the robots can interpret this data and use it to adapt, alter mechanical motions, and better complete the task at hand. This quest to provide robots with “real intelligence” is now the primary focus of robotics engineers.In the coming years, as industrial robots become smarter, they will be able to take on more complex tasks and execute them with an efficiency that far exceeds human capabilities. They will also be able to safely work alongside humans in the manufacturing environment. This is something that is already occurring today with the emergence of <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/industrie.40.deep.dive.part.4.evolving.industrial.robots" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">collaborative robots</a> or cobots.Cobots are a relatively new type of robot designed to safely operate in close proximity or even in direct contact with humans. They utilize advanced technology, including force-limited joints and computer vision to detect the presence of humans in their environment. Cobots are often much smaller and lighter than traditional industrial robots, easily moveable, and trainable to perform specific tasks.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzE0MzgxNTY5LTAxMDMucG5nIiwgImVkaXRzIjogeyJyZXNpemUiOiB7IndpZHRoIjogOTUwLCAiZml0IjogImNvdmVyIn19fQ==">A factory worker with cobots. Image: FaudeEarly cobots were passive without their own power source. Human workers provide the force needed to move an object, while the robot-guided its trajectory and eliminated some of the physical strain. Cobots have since rapidly advanced to a point where they can lift and move objects with precision and gather and deliver information about their environment.Together, humans and cobots offer a unique level of skill that neither can offer on their own, which results in manufacturing products far better and faster than would be if either were working without the other. The cobot market is valued at close to $1 billion—with an estimated 40,000 machines in operation across the globe, according to ABIresearch®.<h3>End of arm tooling</h3>The final and critically important step in industrial robots' ongoing history and development is what is at the end of the robotic arm. End of arm tooling has advanced from basic grippers capable of handling hard materials to soft robotic grippers embedded with sensors that allow the robot to adapt its grip according to the object's surface material and weight. The development of end of arm tooling plays a key role in the value a robot can bring its end-user and will contribute highly to the wide adoption of industrial robots to new industries.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiAid2V2b2x2ZXItcHJvamVjdC1pbWFnZXMiLCAia2V5IjogImZyb2FsYS8xNTk3MzE1MDU4MTk1LWVuZCBvZiBhcm0gdG9vbGluZy5qcGciLCAiZWRpdHMiOiB7InJlc2l6ZSI6IHsid2lkdGgiOiA5NTAsICJmaXQiOiAiY292ZXIifX19">A soft-actuating robot gripper and a collaborative conveyor system enable safer human-robot interaction. &nbsp;Image: &nbsp;Shuttleworth, LLC/RIA&nbsp;<h2>Conclusion</h2>Industrial robots have come a long way from the hydraulic arms and bolt turners of the 1950s and 1960s. Today, these smart mechanical devices can work safely alongside humans to perform a wide array of complex tasks, such as painting, welding, complex product assembly, and even surgery. In the coming years, as automation continues to drive competition among manufacturers across the globe, the robotics market will continue to expand, and the role robots play to help drive efficiency and throughput within industrial environments will grow in importance.This article was originally written by Alex Misiti for Mouser and substantially edited by the Wevolver team. It's the second article of a series exploring collaborative robots.&nbsp;Article One&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/what-is-a-collaborative-robot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introduces collaborative robots.</a>Article Three&nbsp;gives an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-complexities-of-mimicking-humans-is-just-the-beginning" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">overview of collaborative robots sensor technologies.</a>Article Four&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/designing-collaborative-robots-maximizing-productivity-and-safety" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">examines the balance between cobot safety and productivity.</a>Article Five <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/technologies-converge-to-help-drive-manufacturing-applications" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the development of cobot applications in manufacturing.&nbsp;</a>Article Six&nbsp;explores the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/programmable-versus-fixed-function-controllers-alternatives-for-complex-robotic-motion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">challenges of motion control of robotic arms.</a>Article Seven l<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/cobots-are-collaborators-ai-will-make-them-partners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ooks at the potential of AI in cobots.</a>Article Eight&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/social-impact-of-robotics-in-the-workplace-the-arrival-of-the-perfect-coworker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">discusses the social impact of cobots.</a><hr><h2>About the sponsor: Mouser Electronics</h2>Mouser Electronics is a worldwide leading authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 800 industry-leading manufacturers. They specialise in the rapid introduction of new products and technologies for design engineers and buyers. Their extensive product offering includes semiconductors, interconnects, passives, and electromechanical components.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE4NTY0NTcxNzM3LU1vdXNlciBiYW5uZXIgYXJ0aWNsZS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> <hr><h1>References</h1>1. Industrial Robotics Report [Internet]. International Federation of Robotics; 2019 [cited 29 July 2020]. Available from: <a href="http://ifr.org" target="_blank">http://ifr.org</a>

Article 2 of our Cobot Series: Driven by advances in software, sensors, and electronics, the market for industrial robots has greatly evolved over the past half-century. In today’s industrial workspaces, the evolution continues with collaborative robots—or cobots—working side-by-side with humans.

A History of Industrial Robots

Article 1 of our Cobot Series: Collaborative robots are light, inexpensive industrial robots designed to work closely with humans to bring automation to tasks that had previously been completed solely with manual labor.

What is a Collaborative Robot?

With the advent of Industry 4.0, and the smart revolution that's taking place in all aspects of our lives, the rate of change has become much greater. The techniques required to keep up are correspondingly more complex.Safety in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/industry-4-introduction" target="_blank" title="An Introduction To Industry 4.0">Industry 4.0</a> is not just about keeping people safe while operating machines. It's about introducing new practices that guarantee the safe interaction of humans and machines. Machines themselves are being designed with more safeguards, both in their physical build and in their control systems, requiring a constant intake of information about their use. Both owners and end users of complex industrial systems must be informed, trained and continuously updated about changes in these technologies, especially when it comes to integrating new elements into an existing system.Instituting an entire new automated system is essentially a design challenge, but most industries will be looking instead at gradual upgrades to existing plant. This means that safety must be reconsidered in the light of new modes of working, as well as in the operation of the machinery itself.<h2>Safety Strategy</h2>The rapid cultural changes resulting from emerging technologies are demanding an entirely new safety strategy, and it may well be necessary to appoint in-house personnel who are specifically dedicated to this issue. Most companies will need to field an IT department who can devote more time to safety challenges – and to networking via workshops, conferences and forums in order to keep up to the minute on developments. Alternatively, it may make more strategic sense to outsource safety efforts to professionals who are familiar with new products and systems. Safety records such as past accident data can be analysed. This can help to show which new technologies can be adopted to reduce the severity and number of potential accidents. Risk assessments can be carried out on new installations or upgrades.<h2>New Tech</h2>Collaborative robots, or cobots, represent the new generation of industry that is assisted by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rowse.co.uk/blog/post/7-manufacturing-ai-benefits" target="_blank" title=" 7 Benerfits of AI in Manufacturing">artificial intelligence</a>, and are specifically designed to work closely with human beings. This feature of Industry 4.0 is increasingly common in the factory environment, and has brought with it corresponding new safety solutions. Collaborative AI concepts eliminate the previously required combination of safety devices, such as position switches, safety relays and light curtains. Instead, advanced electronics allow robots and humans to work safely and simultaneously using inbuilt safety features. These combine the flexibility and intuitive responses of human beings with the speed, strength and precision of robots.Changes in safe factory environments also include proximity sensors for vehicles, and worker wearables, including smart PPE. AI-enhanced personal protective equipment adds electronic components or enhanced materials to traditional helmets, eyewear, footwear, gloves, and more. Smart PPE can collect and monitor continuous data on the work environment, the user, or its own functioning. This promises greater comfort and safety for workers, especially those working in extreme or hazardous environments.<h2>Smart Systems</h2>Complex automated systems can use machine learning to find patterns in data, without being explicitly instructed to do so. Once correctly programmed, machine learning can monitor a system continuously, and adapt to optimise situations as conditions change. It can also learn from encountering unsafe scenarios, and adapt procedures to prevent their repetition.In addition, machine vision is being introduced which uses image processing to enable automated decision-making. This concept is very useful for automated inspections of machinery to ensure that it's running optimally. It can also reduce the likelihood of dangerous events occurring. Examples of machine vision include thermal imaging systems, and process control using real-time product information.Continuous monitoring means that problems can be detected before any failures occur. Not only is production downtime prevented, but many hazardous situations can also be avoided, such as the build-up of dangerous gases. Using such inbuilt safety systems obviates or reduces the need for human beings to work in hazardous environments or with extreme temperatures.<h2>Safety Culture</h2>To advance traditional culture towards safety in Industry 4.0 will demand a technology and training revolution. Training will be vital and constantly evolving. Leaders will need to understand new technologies sufficiently to implement appropriate safety training. They may need professional help with new safety systems, and may need to employ safety-dedicated personnel. It will no longer be sufficient for industry leaders just to install new equipment. They will also have to learn it quickly themselves, in order to be able to pass on that knowledge for the safety of their workers.

Safety in the modern workplace demands a fluid learning curve, where continuing technological advances require constant updating of safeguards and safety procedures.

Safety In Industry 4.0

Sensory motion tracking enabled by smart MEMS-based inertial sensors is at the forefront of our fourth industrial age, pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and machine learning further than we could have imagined. Already widely used in animation productions, elite athletes now use motion sensors to enhance their performance and sports enthusiasts to improve their tennis serve or golf swing. In healthcare, motion tracking is helping people to monitor their heart rates, sleep patterns and fitness levels.MEMS-based inertial sensors provide affordable information and using this information further for human-tracking applications is quite intricate and complex. Calibrated proprioceptive sensor measurements have to be processed using sophisticated sensor fusion algorithms that should be mathematically correct and supported by robust modelling relevant to a specific application.Less than five decades ago sensory motion tracking involved huge and prohibitively expensive inertial-based systems mostly used for navigation. The industry needs influenced the MEMS-based technology which, in its turn, has driven the evolution of the sensory motion tracking technology. Now MEMS-based inertial systems dominate the motion capture market and drive innovations in different industries.Just half a year ago the sensory motion tracking technology aiding tele-medicine was a nice-to-have, now, with the “new normal”, it has become a necessity. Our physical, biological and technological worlds are merging like never before, and the potential of sensory motion capture is only restricted by the extent of our imagination. This ground-breaking technology is opening the possibilities for entrepreneurs and innovators to transform their own industries.<a href="https://www.xsens.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Xsens</a>, the global leader in 3D motion tracking technology and pioneer of the <a href="https://www.xsens.com/xsens-dot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Xsens DOT</a> development platform, is holding a webinar to discuss the latest trends in Wearable Tech on July, 14 and July, 15. &nbsp;If you are a developer, entrepreneur, innovator or business decision maker and would like to know more about how you can use this ground-breaking technology within your field of work, please register <a href="https://www.xsens.com/webinar-dot" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

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