Robots Weblog | Get an inexpensive robotics system even quicker: New AI robotic advisor for RBTX.com is on-line

Interactive AI advisor uses application database and shortens the search for components for cost-effective robot solutions

Cologne, December 11, 2024 – igus has expanded the online platform RBTX.com with a new AI chatbot. The interactive consultant is intended to enable companies with little previous experience and technological know-how to quickly and safely put together low-cost automation solutions in order to strengthen their competitiveness. The first users are enthusiastic about the intuitive AI solution.

Many companies already know that automation offers enormous potential for meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing working world. But the crucial question remains: How do you implement it? RBTX provides the answer: There are over 500 robot solutions on the online marketplace, 95 percent of which cost less than 12,000 euros. Here, even companies without prior knowledge of robotics can put together cost-effective low-cost automation solutions (LCA) using the plug-and-program principle. “With RBTX, we want to step by step remove all the barriers that stand in the way of companies getting started with automation,” says Alexander Mühlens, authorized representative and head of the low-cost automation division at igus. What is crucial here, for example, is to ensure guaranteed interoperability of all components offered, which makes bad purchases almost impossible. “A further step on this path is now the introduction of a new AI advisor who interacts with interested parties in order to shorten the search for components in an ever-growing range.”

AI-Berater works with empirical data from hundreds of successful LCA projects

The new AI chatbot https://chat.rbtx.de supports users to find suitable LCA components through written interaction. The artificial intelligence draws on empirical data from hundreds of projects that companies have already successfully automated using RBTX. The answers are correspondingly targeted. An example: A small workshop is suffering from a labor shortage and would like to automate the loading of its CNC machine with blanks. The company’s technology manager uses the new AI chatbot and asks it the question: “Which robot is suitable for loading my CNC machine?” Within a few seconds, the AI provides the answer: “The robolink robot arm from igus would be a suitable solution here . The arm moves over five axes, has a reach of 790 millimeters, a speed of seven picks per minute and can perceive the position of the components using a 3D camera. The price starts at 2,766 euros.” After this answer, the user asks which gripper would be suitable. The AI consultant answers: “A parallel gripper from Zimmer would be a suitable choice.” In such a natural-looking dialogue, users successively put together their individual LCA solution.

“The first users are enthusiastic about the new AI advisor”

Companies that are experimenting with automation are excited about the new AI chatbot. “Many customers have already given us feedback that they have entered into a dialogue with the AI robot advisor. “It gave them a better feel for the possibilities of low-cost automation and significantly accelerated the search for the right components,” says Mühlens happily. “We are therefore planning to expand the AI consultant with additional functions in the future.” For example, it should be possible for the consultant to embed images and video material of references in his answers and to be able to develop complete LCA solutions with a target price.