Robotics Design Inc

Robotics Design Inc.
Type Private
Industry Robots
Founded 1997
Founder(s) Charles Khairallah
Headquarters Montreal, Quebec
Products Mobile robots
Industrial robots
Modular robots
Hyper-redundant robots Ergonomic arms
Website www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca

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.

Contents

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 ETS 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[1] 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.[2]

Technology

Invented by Charles Khairallah in 1995,[3] ANAT technology allows the creation of self-reconfiguring modular robots 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.[4][5][6] ANAT technology was recognized as a nominee for the 2010 Manning Innovation Awards.[7]

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.[8]

Robot Manipulators

The AMI-100 is an industrial manipulator consisting of prismatic joints 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 lb) and carry 100 kilograms (220 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.[14][15]

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.[16]

Manual Arms

The ANATERGOARM AEA-15, winner of the gold medal at the 31st international Geneva Exhibition[17] and a finalist in IDM,[18] 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.[19] It incorporates an automatic safety brake system which allows the arm to remain stationary at will.[20]

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.[21] Like the ANATERGOARM AEA-15, it features an automatic safety brake system. This snake arm can carry payloads of 500 kilograms (1,100 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.

Special Projects

Bixi

Main article: Bixi

Named 19th best invention of the year 2009 by Time magazine.[22] Bixi utilizes Robotics Design Inc.’s modular docking station.[23][24][25][26] Bixi is solar powered 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.

ADC

ADC (Automated Deployable Container) is an invention that allows the transportation and deployment of habitable units. ADC helps humanitarian aid workers easily install housing, hospitals, and schools, making it possible to construct a temporary city in less than a week. The container is deployed automatically with a button control, and can change shape from a standard container compartment to a three compartment unit including kitchens and sanitary rooms. It is equipped with heating and air conditioning systems.[27]

See also

  • Robotics portal
  • Companies portal
  • Montreal portal
  • Quebec portal

References

  1. ^ "PRECARN directory of Canadian Intelligent Systems Companies". precarn.ca. http://precarn.ca/_files/file.php?fileid=fileSNWvMNqiSW&filename=file_2003_07_30_IS_Directory__CE_.PDF. Retrieved December 17, 2009. 
  2. ^ "Edison Awards 2010 honoring innovation in the development and launch of new products and services". Edisonawards.com. April 1, 2009. http://www.edisonawards.com/Winners2009.php. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  3. ^ "Centech promotional brochure" (pdf) (Press release). centech.etsmtl.ca. http://centech.etsmtl.ca/centre_information/brochure/10ans_10etoiles.pdf. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  4. ^ "Technology". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://roboticsdesign.qc.ca/our-technology/. Retrieved September 28, 2011. 
  5. ^ Scanlan, Steve, Robotics Design Inc., Montreal (November 2009). "Modular Robotics". Rogers Publishing. http://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/design-engineering/motion-control-10/modular-robotics-10379. Retrieved November 9, 2009. 
  6. ^ Deschamps, Ing., Isabelle (August–September 1997). "Un belle Example D'innovation" (in French). roboticsdesign.qc.ca/news.html (Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec). http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/Uploads/PDF-content/InThePress/Un-Bel-example-d-innovation.pdf. Retrieved October 18, 2009. 
  7. ^ News & Events » Robotics Design Inc
  8. ^ Sud Ouest, Magazine (December 6, 2010). "Climatisations et locaux confinées : de l'air pour nos intérieurs" (in French). http://www.sudouest.fr/ (http://www.sudouest.fr/). http://www.sudouest.fr/2010/12/06/de-l-air-pour-nos-interieurs-259170-3220.php. Retrieved February 4, 2011. 
  9. ^ "The ARI-100". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/mobile-robots/hvac-cleaning-and-inspection/ari100/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  10. ^ Construire, Magazine (March–April 2007). "L'ANATROLLER fait le ménage" (in French). roboticsdesign.qc.ca/news.html (http://www.acq.org). http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/mobile-robots/hvac-cleaning-and-inspection/ari100/. Retrieved December 7, 2009. 
  11. ^ Plumbing and HVAC, Magazine (April 2010). "Duct cleaning robots". roboticsdesign.qc.ca/news.html (http://plumbingandhvac.ca/). http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/Uploads/PDF-content/InThePress/HVAC/Pluming+HVACmagazineapril2010.pdf. Retrieved April 29, 2010. 
  12. ^ "The ARI-50". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/mobile-robots/hvac-cleaning-and-inspection/ari50/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  13. ^ "The ARE-100". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/mobile-robots/aducation-and-research/anatroller-are-100/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  14. ^ "AMI-100". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/manipulators/industrial-manipulating/anat-ami-100/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  15. ^ Scanlan, Steve, Robotics Design Inc., Montreal. "Modularity in robotics provides automation for all". Digital.ept.ca. http://www.ept.ca/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000348213. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  16. ^ "Technology". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/manipulators/industrial-manipulating/anat-aei-100/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  17. ^ "Des designers québécois remportent des Prix à Genève" (pdf) (Press release). http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/NewsEvents/geneve2003.pdf. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
  18. ^ "Prix de l'IDM 2003 Finalistes". Infodesigncanada.com. http://www.infodesigncanada.com/infodesign/fr/institut/prix/2003/finalistes/8_ana.html. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  19. ^ Montreal, Robotics Design Inc. (November 2009). "Flexible Robot Eases Mould Changes". Rogers Publishing. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/Uploads/PDF-content/InThePress/PlasticsinCanadaMag.pdf. Retrieved December 23, 2009. 
  20. ^ "AEA-15". Roboticsdesign.qc.ca. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/manual-arms/anatergoarm-aea-15/. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  21. ^ Montreal, Robotics Design Inc. (May 26, 2011). "Arm Allows Brake Unit Repair at Hydro-Quebec Facility". PennWell Publishing. http://www.gslb.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/0760318054/articles/hydro-review/volume-30/issue-4/departments/sticky-wickets-arm-allows-brake-unit-repair-at-hydro-quebec-facility.html. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
  22. ^ "19. Montreal's Public Bike System – TIME's Best Inventions of 2008". TIME. October 29, 2008. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854146,00.html. Retrieved October 16, 2009. 
  23. ^ Marc Tison. "Le Volksvélo". La Presse. http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/Uploads/PDF-content/InThePress/BIXI/LeVolksvelo2008.pdf. Retrieved September 28, 2008. 
  24. ^ "Robotics Design Inc. News & Events." Accessed October 2011.
  25. ^ Lamoureux, Sébastien (November 2009). "Robotics Design à l’origine d’innovations audacieuses du Bixi" (in French). ÉTS. http://www.uquebec.ca/webuq/actualites/nouvelle.php?newsid=8571. Retrieved November 6, 2009. 
  26. ^ "BIXI, la création québécoise sur deux roues" (in French). roboticsdesign.qc.ca (http://montrealmetropoleculturelle.org/). http://www.roboticsdesign.qc.ca/assets/Uploads/PDF-content/InThePress/BIXI/Coup-Doeuil2009BIXI.pdf. Retrieved May 8, 2010. 
  27. ^ ADC » Robotics Design Inc

External links