Yokogawa Electric Corporation announced that it has developed a software application called OpreXTM Robot Management Core, which belongs to the OpreX Asset Management and Integrity series products. The product will be launched for sale on March 22, 2024.
The OpreX robot management core is a key product in Yokogawa Electric’s robot operation solution. Multiple types of robots can perform traditional human factory maintenance tasks, and this software can integrate and manage these robots, helping customers maintain facilities safer and more efficiently. In addition, when connected to the control and safety systems of the factory, it can utilize the manufacturing site data obtained by the robot and issue program instructions to the robot, thus taking the first step towards achieving autonomous factory operation.
Development background
In oil and gas, chemical and other manufacturing factories, some routine tasks need to be carried out in high-risk areas, such as facility inspections in high-altitude, enclosed spaces, and hazardous environments. The shortage of factory equipment and facility operators is also a problem. Therefore, the demand for robots is increasing, as they can autonomously move around factories, take over data collection tasks previously performed manually, and undertake other tasks beyond human limits.
Meanwhile, in factories designed around humans, it is necessary to effectively manage different types of robots to perform various tasks. In order to meet this demand, Yokogawa Electric began discussions with robot manufacturers in 2019, and the following year developed a prototype of a robot management and operation platform, which was used for concept validation on-site testing with multiple clients. By utilizing the experience gained from these tests, Yokogawa Electric has developed this software to make robots easier to apply in factories.
Product features
OpreX Robot Management Core is a software application that enhances the safety and efficiency of factory maintenance operations by promoting the use of robots. According to customer needs, it can be deployed locally or in the cloud.
1. Integrated management of different types of robots
This software can uniformly register, manage, and operate various types of robots. It supports Boston Power’s Spot quadruped robot and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ EX ROVR autonomous explosion-proof factory inspection robot. The management screen of this software can be viewed through a web browser, and users can check the status of each robot to achieve remote operation.
Users can pre register tasks and choose to have robots perform factory patrol inspections manually or according to plans. The images, videos, audio, and other such data collected by robots during patrols and inspections are stored in a database and can be used by other applications. When using the OpreX factory image analyzer, the OpreX robot management core can automatically complete inspection tasks that were previously manually performed by factory personnel, such as visual confirmation of instruments and data recording. The OpreX factory image analyzer is a new product that can perform AI based analysis on the images of analog instrument displays and level gauges, and automatically record them as process data.
2. Connection with other systems
This product can be connected to Yokogawa Electric’s OpreX Collaborative Information Server (CI Server). In this way, the data collected by robots can be combined with data from control systems, safety instrument systems, and integrated asset management systems to achieve centralized management. This means that not only for maintenance tasks, but also for other operational tasks, application development and data analysis can be easily carried out. If a robot utilization interface is built on the OpreX collaborative information server, the robot can be scheduled to the factory site and security checks can be conducted based on detected alarms.
The development of the OpreX robot management core enables Yokogawa Electric to fully launch robot operation solutions aimed at improving workplace safety. Yokogawa Electric can provide consulting services to assist customers in selecting and purchasing hardware and software from strategic partners and other sources, and provide engineering, operational support, and other services. It can help customers solve problems encountered in their business and can develop specific robot and drone applications. By providing a one-stop solution, Yokogawa Electric will ensure the reliability, availability, and sustainability of robot operations, helping to achieve autonomous factory operations.
In the future, this software will provide support for a wider range of robots and drones. Yokogawa Electric will also develop applications utilizing AI technology and enhanced functionality to issue commands related to the control system’s working program to the robot.