Robotics Design
Encyclopedia
Robotics Design Inc. is a company that designs and builds modular robots, founded and incorporated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1997. The company produces mobile robots, robotic manipulators and manual arms as well as custom solutions using modular robotic technology. The company developed the Bixi
bike dock, a public bike system, and the ADC (Automatic Deployable Container), a deployable structure container for quick deployment of housing, hospitals and other buildings.
university for research purposes. In 2003 Robotics Design Inc. became a member of the Canadian Intelligent Systems Companies, and published in the that directory by PRECARN By 2004 the ANATROLLER line of mobile robots was introduced to the market with the arrival of the ARI-100 and, by 2006, the ARE-100 and ARI-50 joined the roster. Several new patents were introduced by Khairallah in 2008 with the release of BIXI which was named 19th best invention of 2008 by Time magazine
, and winner of the 2009 Gold Edison award for Energy and sustainability.
using U and H shaped modules, which are claimed to be more durable then previous L shaped modules. This allows any robot to be formed from connected identical modules, reducing the cost of manufacturing these products and increasing their work efficiency. It has led to the creation of several families of modular robots which have been used primarily for industrial purposes. ANAT technology was recognized as a nominee for the 2010 Manning Innovation Awards
.
mounted on a fixed base, and a series of identical modules linked in an articulated
SCARA
configuration, which forms a snake-arm. It can be used for assembly, objects handling, maintenance, repair and further applications where a stationary arm with attached tools are used. It is completely programmable and reconfigurable, so it can be reconfigured for different uses. Basic models weigh 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) and carry 100 kilograms (220.5 lb), while larger models using hydraulic actuators can be designed to carry several tonnes. It can also be designed with dual or quadra-arm configurations.
A portable tele-operated
version of the AMI-100, the AEI-100 is an industrial manipulator, used primarily for materials handling from a distance. It is based on a modular redundant design which allows basic models to carry high payloads.
A portable ANATERGOARM model, the ANATERGOARM TMA-500 (Turbine Maintenance Arm) is a specialized arm for the maintenance and manipulation of hydro-electric turbines. The first TMA-500 arm was deployed in 2010 at Hydro Quebec's Robert-Bourassa generating station
for breaker box repairs. Like the ANATERGOARM AEA-15, it features an automatic safety brake system. This snake arm can carry payloads of 500 kilograms (1,102.3 lb). The arm transports the payloads along a circular aluminum rail attached to the turbine's rotor. The ANATERGOARM TMA-500's modularity also allows it to manoeuvre around obstacles while carrying its payload through limited work-spaces without damage or staff safety concerns.
ed and can be removed and replaced quickly allowing entire stations to be deployed or removed in minutes. Bixi currently functions as the Montreal public bike system, and has also been sold internationally.
BIXI
Bixi is a public bicycle sharing system developed by the Public Bike System Company , which itself was set up by the parking authority of Montréal to create a modular bicycle sharing system for Montréal....
bike dock, a public bike system, and the ADC (Automatic Deployable Container), a deployable structure container for quick deployment of housing, hospitals and other buildings.
History
Robotics Design was founded in 1997 by Charles Khairallah M.ing after his invention of ANAT Technology. In 2000, Robotics Design Inc. released the first AMI-100 which was sold to the ETSÉcole de technologie supérieure
Founded in 1974, the École de technologie supérieure is part of the Université du Québec system. Specialized in applied teaching in engineering and technology transfer to companies, it teaches engineers and researchers who are recognized for their practical and innovative approach...
university for research purposes. In 2003 Robotics Design Inc. became a member of the Canadian Intelligent Systems Companies, and published in the that directory by PRECARN By 2004 the ANATROLLER line of mobile robots was introduced to the market with the arrival of the ARI-100 and, by 2006, the ARE-100 and ARI-50 joined the roster. Several new patents were introduced by Khairallah in 2008 with the release of BIXI which was named 19th best invention of 2008 by Time magazine
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, and winner of the 2009 Gold Edison award for Energy and sustainability.
Technology
Invented by Charles Khairallah in 1995, ANAT technology allows the creation of self-reconfiguring modular robotsSelf-Reconfiguring Modular Robotics
Modular self-reconfiguring robotic systems or self-reconfigurable modular robots are autonomous kinematic machines with variable morphology...
using U and H shaped modules, which are claimed to be more durable then previous L shaped modules. This allows any robot to be formed from connected identical modules, reducing the cost of manufacturing these products and increasing their work efficiency. It has led to the creation of several families of modular robots which have been used primarily for industrial purposes. ANAT technology was recognized as a nominee for the 2010 Manning Innovation Awards
Manning Innovation Awards
The Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation has been recognizing and encouraging innovation in Canada since 1982. By means of a nomination, Canadian resident citizens, who have demonstrated recent innovative talent in developing and successfully marketing a new concept, process or procedure, may be...
.
Mobile Robots
The ANATROLLER series of robots are a family of mobile robots based on modular ANAT technology. The first was the ANATROLLER ARI-100 which was launched in 2003 in North America. In 2010 the Kel'air duct cleaning company, a French company based in Bordeaux, acquired one of these, the first in the European market.- ANATROLLER ARI-100 is an industrial robot used primarily for duct cleaning. Weighing 8 kilograms (17.6 lb), it can climb obstacles of 13 centimetres (5.1 in), slopes of 45°, tow 45 kilograms (99.2 lb) and carry 50 kilograms (110.2 lb). It can support a number of accessories allowing it to be used for welding, nuclear reactor maintenance, and materials handling. These accessories can be attached to its articulated arm which can bend in four directions. Its symmetrical design allows it to continue driving when flipped on either side.
- ANATROLLER ARI-50 is a smaller sized industrial duct cleaning robot, the ARI-50 can fit into 6 square inches (38.7 cm²) spaces, climb obstacles and slopes, and carry loads. This robot's arm is stationary, although accessories can still be attached. Its modular design is made from half of the ARI-100, and can be connected to other ARI-50 robots like LegoLegoLego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...
blocks to form new robots.
- ANATROLLER ARE-100 is a wireless industrial robot whose base is constructed from a mono-block module and weighs 8 kilograms (17.6 lb). It can climb obstacles, slopes of 45° and tow 45 kilograms (99.2 lb). A basic modular mobile robot with an open architecture, the ARE-100 is used primarily for research purposes. Researchers can use the ARE-100 to develop specialized intelligent robotic projects for security applications. Such applications as human-machine interaction, mobile system navigation, robot behavior, image processing, object recognition, voice recognition, tele-operation, remote sensing, and autonomous navigation/patrol map building and localization.
Robot Manipulators
The AMI-100 is an industrial manipulator consisting of prismatic jointsPrismatic joint
A prismatic joint provides a linear sliding movement between two bodies, and is often called a slider, as in the slider-crank linkage. A prismatic joint is formed with a polygonal cross-section to resist rotation...
mounted on a fixed base, and a series of identical modules linked in an articulated
Articulation (architecture)
Articulation, in art and architecture, is a method of styling the joints in the formal elements of architectural design. Through degrees of articulation, each part is united with the whole work by means of a joint in such a way that the joined parts are put together in styles ranging from...
SCARA
SCARA
The SCARA acronym stands for Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm or Selective Compliant Articulated Robot Arm.In 1981, Sankyo Seiki, Pentel and NEC presented a completely new concept for assembly robots. The robot was developed under the guidance of Hiroshi Makino, a professor at the University...
configuration, which forms a snake-arm. It can be used for assembly, objects handling, maintenance, repair and further applications where a stationary arm with attached tools are used. It is completely programmable and reconfigurable, so it can be reconfigured for different uses. Basic models weigh 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) and carry 100 kilograms (220.5 lb), while larger models using hydraulic actuators can be designed to carry several tonnes. It can also be designed with dual or quadra-arm configurations.
A portable tele-operated
Teleoperation
Teleoperation indicates operation of a machine at a distance. It is similar in meaning to the phrase "remote control" but is usually encountered in research, academic and technical environments...
version of the AMI-100, the AEI-100 is an industrial manipulator, used primarily for materials handling from a distance. It is based on a modular redundant design which allows basic models to carry high payloads.
Manual Arms
The ANATERGOARM AEA-15, winner of the gold medal at the 31st international Geneva Exhibition and a finalist in IDM, is a manual arm co-designed by Robotics Design Inc. and Michel Dallaire Design Industrielle. It mimics the bio-mechanical movement of the human body which allows workers performing repetitive tasks to simplify their work, especially when using heavy tools. It incorporates an automatic safety brake system which allows the arm to remain stationary at will.A portable ANATERGOARM model, the ANATERGOARM TMA-500 (Turbine Maintenance Arm) is a specialized arm for the maintenance and manipulation of hydro-electric turbines. The first TMA-500 arm was deployed in 2010 at Hydro Quebec's Robert-Bourassa generating station
Robert-Bourassa generating station
The Robert-Bourassa generating station is a hydroelectric power station on the La Grande River that is part of Hydro-Québec's James Bay Project in Canada...
for breaker box repairs. Like the ANATERGOARM AEA-15, it features an automatic safety brake system. This snake arm can carry payloads of 500 kilograms (1,102.3 lb). The arm transports the payloads along a circular aluminum rail attached to the turbine's rotor. The ANATERGOARM TMA-500's modularity also allows it to manoeuvre around obstacles while carrying its payload through limited work-spaces without damage or staff safety concerns.
Bixi
Named 19th best invention of the year 2009 by Time magazine. Bixi utilizes Robotics Design Inc.’s modular docking station. Bixi is solar powerSolar power
Solar energy, radiant light and heat from the sun, has been harnessed by humans since ancient times using a range of ever-evolving technologies. Solar radiation, along with secondary solar-powered resources such as wind and wave power, hydroelectricity and biomass, account for most of the available...
ed and can be removed and replaced quickly allowing entire stations to be deployed or removed in minutes. Bixi currently functions as the Montreal public bike system, and has also been sold internationally.