Schunk 2D Grasping Kit triumphs at Hannover Messe 2024

April 22, 2024 1:52 pm

Schunk’s 2D Grasping Kit project won the Hermes Award 2024 at the Hannover Messe. The application kit has a camera, an industrial PC, AI software, and a gripper. It models component changes using AI, reducing recognition learning times.

A distinguished panel led by Prof. Dr. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, chose Schunk’s 2D Grasping Kit project for this year’s prize. The application kit includes a camera with lens, an industrial PC, AI software, and an application-specific gripper. The project’s novel aspect stems from the general, AI-based modelling of component variations and the transfer to a smaller training data set, which reduces recognition learning times. Even in shifting light, colour, or background conditions, the easy user interface allows for the accurate pickup and handling of randomly ordered and non-positioned pieces from an infeed conveyor belt, tray, or preparation table. This enables repetitive sorting or shipping chores to be automated with minimal investment.

“Automation is the key to the future of supplying people and industry in our country. Only with sustainable innovations, especially in the spheres of production and logistics, can we successfully master the economic and social challenges of tomorrow,” said Prof. Dr. Holger Hanselka. “Besides ease of use, the robustness of the development for many of the upcoming automation solutions was a particularly decisive factor behind our decision to select the 2D Grasping Kit for this award. On behalf of the entire jury, I am delighted to congratulate Schunk on winning the Hermes Award 2024!”

The Hermes award for more than 20 years, Deutsche Messe has presented the HERMES AWARD to a firm at each HANNOVER MESSE edition. This is the most prestigious worldwide industrial prize, and it recognises a product or solution that exemplifies a high degree of technical innovation. Market maturity is a critical factor in the jury’s judgement.

The Hannover Messe is the world’s premier trade exhibition for industry. Its main topic, “Industrial Transformation,” brings together exhibitors from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and digital sectors, as well as the energy sector, to offer ideas for future production processes and energy supply. Key subjects include Industry 4.0/Manufacturing-X, Energy for Industry, Digitization/Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Carbon-Neutral Production, and Hydrogen and Fuel Cells. A variety of conferences and discussions supplement the exhibition programme. The next edition of the event will take place in Hannover, Germany, from April 22 to 26, 2024. Norway is the partner nation.