Fujitsu eyes greater human-robot collaboration in new manufacturing era

FUJITSU is setting its sights on a next-generation manufacturing ICT environment where all forms of manufacturing data are connected to allow greater collaborative work among humans, robots, and other machines.  

 

Leveraging its in-house implementation as a reference model, Fujitsu will begin rolling out new solutions starting this October. The company will also tap into its track record of developing robotic systems with autonomous control that can respond to variations in components and generate control programs automatically to respond to process changes. It uses Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology to monitor manufacturing facilities and studies characteristics of components and humidity to predict manufacturing quality. 

 

In line with efforts to deliver to its worldwide customers high-quality products on a tight schedule, Fujitsu continues to improve its development environment and production techniques. It has been offering products and services using know-how gained from experiences via a systematic approach called "Monozukuri Solutions," in reference to solutions for manufacturing. It is now advancing into the next generation of manufacturing with greater use of IoT manufacturing sites and linking manufacturing-related data and analysis with hopes of further strengthening Japanese manufacturing. It is also actively establishing partnerships with companies in the areas of robotics and control systems, where it hopes to strengthen its presence.

 

Fujitsu is setting up the Manufacturing Solution Operations Promotion Office on April 1. This specialized internal group aims to enhance the company’s manufacturing capabilities and promote developments to customers in the manufacturing industry. The company is also collaborating with robot manufacturers for the deployment of robots, which were previously used mainly by large-scale business, to small and mid-sized customers.  

 

Besides working with companies in the domestic manufacturing industry to employ ICT in boosting global competitiveness, Fujitsu will promote ICT, automation, and networking among customers in Japan's manufacturing industry. This will ensure know-how continuity, appropriate quality, and shortened development and manufacturing lead times toward the creation of new value. 

 

As the Japanese government explores programs to boost the economy and manufacturing competitiveness through initiatives such as the "New Robot Strategy," the firm is launching its own programs to help customers achieve next-generation manufacturing.

 

Automated and networked production is promoted in the German concept of "Industrie 4.0" or the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It promises improvements in manufacturing and reductions in costs by linking the various manufacturing-related information and production facilities. To achieve a sustainable recovery to production in Japan's manufacturing sector, however, it is imperative to respond quickly to supply and demand fluctuations, cut development and design-to-manufacture lead times, maintain and improve quality, and bolster Japanese manufacturing for global competitiveness. All these point to the need to build an era of next generation manufacturing to set up systems that can collect and analyze manufacturing-related data and establish collaborative production between humans and machines at a higher level.