SIXAI, the parent company of 634AI, the developers of MAESTRO, announced plans for the worldwide deployment of an advanced AI-powered mobile robot system within the next few years.
MAESTRO is an AI-enabled autonomous mobile robot management platform that will direct autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). North America is among the regions under consideration for early distribution of the AMRs. The worldwide deployment is part of an initial plan to place 200 autonomous mobile robots across 35 global manufacturing facilities owned and operated by the Tier 1 auto parts manufacturer Musashi Seimitsu.
The MAESTRO-orchestrated AMRs will help automate Musashi's operations. MAESTRO features a control tower that provides a bird's eye view of the manufacturing floor and a central AI-powered processing unit that enables a fully coordinated operation-from tracking and tracing the movement of goods and equipment to identifying hazards and obstacles. This new technology creates a safer workforce, where AMRs carry out rigorous and repetitive tasks, while humans handle specialized jobs. The goal is to realize the vision of Industry 4.0, where robots and humans complement one another, freeing up employees to take on jobs that are more fulfilling.
"This marriage of man and machine will help solve one of today's most vexing workplace challenges: staffing shortages. MAESTRO has been developed by 634AI to create more automated intra-logistics operations and to better coordinate activity, creating environments where man-driven forklifts, employees and robots can operate in sync and with greater safety," said a spokesperson.
"The future is a hybrid job market with robots and AI working in harmony with humans," said SIXAI founder and CEO Ran Poliakine. "COVID-19 has exposed workforce and supply chain vulnerabilities and has revealed the need for better ways to serve humanity. However, well before the pandemic, we understood the importance of incorporating robots to address workforce shortages and advance manufacturing. What SIXAI and Musashi are doing today will increase productivity and safety in industries worldwide."
The deployment of AMRs comes after two years of developing and testing MAESTRO in Musashi Seimitsu's manufacturing facilities in Japan. Musashi is a major shareholder in 634AI.
The robots will be deployed in phases, first as a pilot, followed by ramped-up integration over the course of the next few years. "The AMRs require low maintenance and cost far less than competing models, making them the optimal choice for companies facing labor shortages and looking for cost-effective solutions," said the spokesperson.
"We have been heavily investing in automation and AI capabilities over the past few years, with a vision to create a more humane workplace where people no longer carry out tedious, repetitive, unrewarding tasks," said Isaku Takeshi, CIO of Musashi Seimitsu. "634AI's distinct approach for industrial floor management and control allows people and machines to effectively work side-by-side in a much safer environment. We look forward to a fruitful deployment of this next-generation technology across our global manufacturing sites."
SIXAI, together with its partner company Musashi, is also investing in a company that sells AI-enabled Visual Control Inspectors to automotive and other manufacturers in Japan to boost their productivity and the accuracy of the inspection process. Manufacturers will have the option to "hire" robots as well.
"We are thrilled to work with Musashi Seimitsu to help innovative companies realize better, more reliable and safer ways to handle their products," said Poliakine. "We are pioneering the way forward for manufacturing and distribution. The possibilities are endless; airline baggage and cargo, semiconductors and general freight industries could all benefit from our robots."
To see the technology in action, go to vimeo.com/748830373.
For more information contact:
SIXAI
www.sixai.tech
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd
www.musashi.co.jp/en
634AI
www.634.ai