The robots that will streamline the transition to Industry 4.0

Ford will conduct experiments on four-legged robots at the company’s Van Dyke transmission plant to scan the plant with a laser, and help engineers update future plant equipment needs. The robots, named Spot and Fluffy, were leased from Boston Dynamics

Ford will begin testing four-legged robots at the company’s Van Dyke transmission plant in August to laser scan the plant, and help engineers update a future need for plant equipment.

Puppy-like robots have four legs, can sit, shake hands and roll. They can also perform 360-degree camera scans, deal with 30-degree inclines and climb stairs for hours at a time. This is because they are actually robots that weigh 70 pounds and have a significant mobility just like a dog’s. They are part of Ford’s pilot program to find solutions designed to save time, reduce operating costs and increase efficiency.

Fluffy, the name given by the robot admirer, is one of two models that Ford leases from Boston Dynamics, known for creating sophisticated mobile robots (Ford’s other robot, named Spot after the product’s real name).

The robots, which Ford operates at the Van Dyke transmission plant, are light yellow and easily recognizable. They can travel up to 3 km / h on a two-hour battery and will be used to scan the factory floor to help engineers update their original computerized designs to update future equipment needs at the company’s plants. The old road was also expensive – costing nearly $ 300,000 to scan a single facility.

The key to Fluffy and Spot’s success is their agility, and operating safety. The robots have three operating frames – walking on stable ground and uneven terrain conditions and have a special speed mode for stairs. They can change themselves from armchair position to stretch, can handle tough terrain, stairs and slopes of 30 degrees. If they fall, they can fix themselves. They maintain a constant and safe distance from objects to prevent collisions.