Automatic for the people: How robots are becoming versatile problem solvers

Lending a hand

Canada has a shortage of skilled welders, creating bottlenecks in manufacturing projects. Cobots — robots designed to work alongside humans — could help fill the gap. Vancouver’s Novarc has created the world’s first robot to assist human pipe welders. The cobot automates parts of the process, allowing the welder to focus their expert attention on trickier areas that need it most. Novarc says that welders using a cobot can tackle far more projects, increasing productivity as much as five fold.

Tending to solar farms

Plants aren’t always green — especially when they’re slowing clean energy production by shading solar panels. So solar farms are turning to robot mowers. Kitchener-based Swap Robotics manufactures one that looks a bit like a Zamboni with a long, lawnmower-like appendage. Once the self-driving robot has been taught the layout of the farm, it can rove through the rows of solar panels keeping vegetation in check with minimal supervision.

Helping around the house

Robots are increasingly being deployed to help people with disabilities live independently. Quebec-based Kinova has a suite of assistive robots that are designed to help people with mobility issues perform tasks like opening doors or scratching itches. It manufactures a device for people who typically rely on a caregiver to feed them that enables the user to control food selection and the pace of eating.

Tackling odd jobs

Many small businesses lack the budget or expertise to make use of robotics. But Toronto company Taiga’s versatile robotic arm is designed to be within reach. Called PTeR, the machine can swivel in all directions and can be equipped with attachments, such as a suction device to pick things up. PTeR can be rented out by a business and trained to do any number of tasks, including sorting mail and packing vegetables.

 
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Photo credit: Novarc