OMRON tackles safety and cybersecurity with innovative, human-centric robotics

By Staff Report November 30, 2024 5:47 pm IST

Automated manufacturing is vulnerable to safety risks and cybersecurity threats. OMRON addresses these with secure robotics solutions, predictive maintenance, and collaborative robots, focusing on innovation and human-centric automation for future competitiveness.

What are the most common vulnerabilities in automated manufacturing environments?

In automated manufacturing environments, several common vulnerabilities can pose significant risks. Safety related to industrial robots is a common stress. While robots enhance efficiency, they can also introduce risks if not properly secured. This includes unauthorised access to robot control systems and potential physical harm to workers. Cyberattacks often target Automated manufacturing systems, which can disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data. Common threats include ransomware, unauthorised access, and data breaches. 3D printing and other additive manufacturing techniques can be vulnerable to intellectual property theft and sabotage.

How does the robotics and automation of OMRON solve these issues?

We address these vulnerabilities through comprehensive robotics and automation solutions like our Integrated Control Systems. These systems enhance security by centralising monitoring and control, reducing the risk of unauthorised access, and ensuring consistent operation. Our Robotic Integrated Controller solution seamlessly integrates control equipment, addressing cybersecurity and operational efficiency challenges.

Mobile and Collaborative Robots are used for areas where safety issues are critical. They are designed to work safely alongside humans, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall safety. OMRON offers safety sensors and drives that create a harmonious interaction between humans and machines for safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

We also include solutions with predictive maintenance capabilities, which use real-time data to monitor equipment conditions and predict potential failures, thereby preventing unexpected downtime.

These solutions help mitigate the risks associated with automated manufacturing environments, ensuring a safer and more efficient operation.

How is OMRON leveraging robotics in its long-term strategy?

Robotics is a key component of our long-term strategy for the industrial automation sector, particularly under our “Shaping the Future 2030” vision. We aim to leverage robotics to address various social issues and improve human capabilities through automation. We offer a diverse range of robots in India for industrial needs, such as Collaborative Robots (Cobots) to work safely alongside humans without the need for safety fences; Mobile Robots like Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles (AIVs) that assist with routine, labour-intensive material handling tasks and Industrial Robots like SCARA, Articulated and Parallel robots delivering speed and precision at the shop floors to enhance productivity and flexibility in manufacturing and other industrial processes.

What strategies are you employing to stay ahead in the robotics industry?

We are focused on creating automation technologies that empower people. This involves developing robotics that can work alongside humans for their safety and increase productivity, all the while creating a sustainable society with improved quality of life.

OMRON is also creating Innovative-Automation, a concept with three innovations: “integrated” (control evolution), “intelligent” (development of intelligence through ICT), and “interactive” (harmonisation between people and machines). These form the bedrock of our innovations and solutions under the industrial automation portfolio, which aims to create more harmony between people and machines for a smarter and connected manufacturing world.

To stay competitive, we continuously evolve our robotics technologies by co-creating with partners, enhancing data-driven operations, and shifting from product-based to service-based value creation. This approach makes our solutions remain relevant and effective in addressing future challenges.