GuideNOW Enhances Flexibility and Precision for Robot Guidance

03 Solution

GuideNOW is a vision-based robot guidance solution that uses advanced 3D vision and AI to guide industrial robots more intuitively and efficiently. This reduces the need for mechanical constraints, enhances manufacturing flexibility, and lowers production costs. The GuideNOW family includes two products - GuideNOW Real-Time and GuideNOW High Precision - compatible with industrial robots from UR, FANUC, and ABB, and integrable into static and dynamic production lines. GuideNOW High-Precision uses the Zivid 2+ 3D camera and algorithms to recognize parts, enabling robots to adapt to changes in object position, orientation, or shape without needing costly jigs and fixtures.

GuideNOW integrates a flexible Eye-in-Hand setup, where the camera is attached to the robot’s end-effector. This allows the camera to see exactly what the robot sees, providing a flexible view for accurate guidance.

Chosen for their exceptional accuracy, high resolution, dimensional trueness, and compact size, Zivid 2+ M60 is ideal for robot-mounted applications. The development of GuideNOW and its integration with Zivid cameras was carried out entirely in-house to maintain full control over the process. The Zivid SDK facilitated a smooth integration with its comprehensive documentation, and the support from Zivid was beneficial, especially in optimizing camera functionality. The system also includes a miniPC used for algorithm computation and connected via Ethernet to the robot and the Zivid camera.

04 Results

The implementation of GuideNOW has led to significant improvements in assembly and robot guidance systems. Notable results include:

• GuideNOW’s capabilities simplify operations on assembly lines, allowing robots to adjust trajectories dynamically.
• Programming new references takes less than 15 minutes without needing cloud access, making it accessible for both SMBs and large industries.
• Customers are pleased with the efficiency and effectiveness of the solution. GuideNOW has expanded the possibilities for industrial robot applications, with precise point cloud data from Zivid cameras enhancing product capabilities.
• GuideNOW is available globally, with deployments lined up in various regions. The solution is versatile and scalable, designed to adapt to diverse industrial environments.