ARISE Experiments
KIRO
Redefining Manufacturing with AI-Driven Robotics
KIRO revolutionizes manufacturing with AI-driven voice and vision HRI and autonomous robotics, streamlining tool handling. It enhances worker efficiency, safety, reduces costs and offers reusable modules to drive innovation across industrial ecosystems.
The Challenge: Tackling Inefficiencies in High-Mix, Low-Volume Production
In high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing, like IKH’s custom battery assembly, workers juggle over 20 tools to handle components such as cells, wiring, and microelectronics. Manually managing and transferring these tools creates significant inefficiencies—delays, bottlenecks, and increased worker stress. These disruptions pull skilled workers away from high-value tasks, hindering productivity. KIRO was introduced to address this challenge, automating tool handling to empower workers and optimize workflows in dynamic, unstructured environments.
Our Solution: KIRO — Your AI-Powered Robotic Partner
KIRO (Key Intelligent & Interactive Robotic Operator) is a mobile robotic manipulator designed to transform HMLV production. Built on ROS2 and powered by advanced AI, KIRO enables workers to request tools using natural voice commands, like “Bring me the electric screwdriver.” Equipped with computer vision and Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) positioning, it autonomously navigates complex environments, identifies tools, and delivers them precisely where needed — whether handed directly, placed on a workstation, or set at a designated spot. Dynamic safety zones and collision-avoidance algorithms ensure safe, seamless collaboration, making KIRO a true partner in the factory.
Key Features:
- Voice-Controlled Interaction: Large Language Models (LLMs) enable intuitive commands for instant tool retrieval.
- Real-Time Navigation: UWB and LiDAR ensure precise movement in dynamic settings.
- Tool Recognition: Computer vision identifies tools in trays or boxes with high accuracy.
- Adaptive Safety: Dynamic safety zones adjust based on worker proximity for maximum safety.
Human Centricity: Empowering Workers, Enhancing Lives
KIRO embodies Industry 5.0 by putting workers at the heart of innovation. It automates repetitive, low-value tasks like tool fetching, freeing workers to focus on creative, skill-intensive assembly. The intuitive voice interface requires no technical expertise, making it accessible to all, including those with limited training or physical abilities. Workers can customize delivery preferences — direct hand-off or workstation placement —reducing physical and cognitive strain.
Real-time feedback via a mobile app and safety alerts enhance worker confidence, while UWB tracking ensures precise, safe interactions. KIRO fosters inclusivity by supporting diverse workforces, reducing onboarding time by 30%, and creating equitable, safer workplaces where robots augment human potential, not replace it.
The ARISE Contribution: Driving Open Innovation with ARISE
KIRO contributes to the ARISE ecosystem by delivering reusable, open-source ROS2 modules, ensuring scalability and interoperability across industries.
Our contributions include:
- Social Navigation Module: Path planning, localization, and collision avoidance for dynamic environments.
- Tool Recognition Module: Computer vision for precise tool identification in unstructured settings.
- Close-Proximity HRI Module: Real-time safe zone adjustments using ROS4HRI for seamless human-robot interaction.
- FIWARE-Powered Monitoring Module: Real-time data visualization and anomaly detection for workflow optimization.
Built on ARISE frameworks like FIWARE, Vulcanexus, and ROS4HRI, these modules are environment-agnostic and interoperable, with at least one node in the Vulcanexus distribution for the ARISE catalog. By sharing these tools, we’re fostering open innovation, enabling broader adoption in manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
Impact & Scalability: Shaping the Future of Collaborative Robotics
KIRO taps into the booming €2.14 billion collaborative robot market, projected to grow at a 31.6% CAGR through 2024 and beyond. Its modular, scalable design suits industries like electronics, automotive, logistics, and healthcare, addressing inefficiencies in dynamic environments. For IKH, KIRO delivers €32,250 in annual savings through a 15-20% productivity boost, 15% error reduction, and 30% faster onboarding, with ROI in just 1.8 years.
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