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Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are making significant waves in the realm of industrial automation, particularly in the realms of mobile robotics and drones. Xaba Inc. has announced its commitment to pioneering this shift by developing what it describes as “synthetic brains for industrial robots without requiring coding.” The Toronto-based company has recently raised $6 million in a seed extension round aimed at promoting the integration of AI-driven robotics and cognitive industrial control systems.
Despite advancements, the industrial automation landscape is still fraught with inefficiencies. Xaba points out that existing systems are burdened by outdated controllers and inflexible programming, demanding substantial human oversight. The costs associated with programming and deploying industrial robots reach a staggering $7 billion each year, with a significant portion attributed to the manual development of systems logic.
“Conventional robotic systems often require extensive programming and suffer from challenges due to real-world variability,” explained Massimiliano Moruzzi, CEO of Xaba. “Our approach is focused on redefining automation, allowing robots to self-optimize and perform complex tasks with minimal programming input.” He emphasized that this innovation can lead to substantial cost reductions, cutting waste and automating processes more efficiently.
Innovative Applications of AI in Industrial Automation
Founded in 2022, Xaba is at the forefront of combining generative industrial AI with robotics, granting machines the capability to autonomously adapt and optimize their operations. Central to their strategy is the xCognition platform, which aims to streamline the deployment of collaborative robots and enhance overall automation efforts.
Xaba likens xCognition to “an Open AI for industrial automation,” capable of automating the programming tasks that traditionally require significant human input. The technology generates task-specific programs and logic for programmable logic controllers (PLCs), allowing machines to autonomously execute complex functions like welding, drilling, and 3D printing.
This real-time intelligence integration aims to slash deployment costs while enhancing manufacturing quality and operational flexibility. Manufacturers need only define their automation goals or production metrics in straightforward terms, after which xCognition and PLCfy can autonomously produce the necessary code for robot and production line operation.
Xaba’s platform promises faster implementation and a more adaptive manufacturing process through features such as:
Physics-informed machine learning model: This technology acts as a digital twin, accurately mimicking real-world settings to optimize machine performance in real time.
AI code generation: The proprietary AI can autonomously construct robotic and PLC programs by interpreting workflow requirements, significantly reducing setup times.
Real-time process learning module: Utilizing advanced data frameworks, this module maps and understands complex interactions between machinery and processes to ensure ongoing optimization.
Cognitive control framework: This universal platform is compatible with most robotic systems and CNC machines, making it versatile for both modern and legacy equipment.
Xaba claims its AI capabilities are already yielding impressive results in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and precision manufacturing:
Automotive manufacturing: The AI enhances aluminum casting and machining processes, leading to substantial reductions in production costs and rework.
Large-scale robotic drilling: Companies have reported tenfold increases in production speeds while also reducing capital costs through the flexible automation offered by Xaba’s technology.
Robotic welding: The AI ensures high-quality output in welding processes, optimizing production timelines effectively.
Large-scale 3D printing: The xTrude product revolutionizes 3D printing for large parts, enhancing reliability and minimizing material waste.
Seed Funding and Future Prospects
Xaba’s recent seed round, led by Hitachi Ventures and supported by several other investors, has brought the total funding to $8 million. This investment is seen as critical in enabling Xaba to advance its mission of transforming factory automation.
“Industry 4.0 promised intelligent, autonomous factories, but regulations and complex coding systems have hindered growth,” noted Gayathri Radhakrishnan of Hitachi Ventures. “Xaba is poised to overcome these barriers by empowering machines with self-learning capabilities.”
Marco Andriano, CEO of Fives Cinetic Corp, praised Xaba’s contributions, stating, “With xCognition, we’re reshaping manufacturing into agile environments, effectively addressing longstanding programming challenges in the industry.”
Source
www.therobotreport.com