Making robots more accessible to business
by Cynthia Kinnunen
The idea was to develop higher speed robots for use in automation. When Amir Khajepour (PhD 1996, Mechanical) developed his DeltaBot, he not only addressed the issue of inertia, but he packaged the more efficient machine with an easily integrated controller and a great price point.
Dr. Khajepour first came to Canada from Iran in 1992 to pursue his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo. He remained with UW following his post-doctoral year and is now a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering as well as the Canada Research Chair in Mechatronic Vehicle Systems. Amir notes the ability to connect with a variety of departments on campus makes UW unique and very attractive to researchers. “One of the key reasons for success here at UW is the collaborative work within many different areas.”
Amir specializes in modelling and control of dynamic systems which he applies to a number of areas such as automotive, robotics, laser fabrication and micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). The latest incarnations of his high-speed robot have garnered him attention in industry, such as coverage in Design Engineering and PC-Control magazines.
His latest machine, the DeltaBot, is not only fast, it’s packaged to be attractive to a variety of markets. “It’s very cost-effective, mostly due to its steel cable arms which are very lightweight and efficient. But it also uses commercially available controllers which makes it much easier to introduce and use in different environments. It also has a zero footprint which makes it attractive to any industry.”
The Ontario Centres of Excellence and, more recently, the Accelerator Centre in UW’s Research & Technology Park, have been helpful as AEMK Systems - created in 2006 to commercialize this robot - required help in accessing the marketplace and assistance with their own marketing efforts. “There are a lot of industries where this technology can be applied: automotive, manufacturing, packaging and the food industry. While we have all of the technical expertise, we needed help with the marketing and that is why we have approached the Accelerator Centre.”
What does Dr. Khajepour see in the near future for robots? “With labour costs rising, food and other standards increasing, there will be more automation. We’ll see more embedded intelligence such as vision systems so robots can see what they’re handling.” Amir and his team at UW have their work cut out for them as they continue to develop better designs and new innovations.
