The new joint venture company, FARobot, is creating outstanding autonomous mobile robots (AMR) using the ground-breaking “swarm technology”, and will deploy them in Hon Hai’s factories (the world’s largest producer of iPhones) for factory production optimization.
Hon Hai and Adlink joined forces to form this robotic venture using ‘swarm technology’ for boosting communication, factory floor management and production efficiency.
Hon Hai is the world’s largest contract electronics maker and is also Apple Inc’s leading iPhone assembler. Adlink, on the other hand, is the leading supplier of industrial computers and IoT solutions.
A subsidiary of Hyield Venture Capital Co enables Hon Hai to own a 51% stake in AMR FARobot while Adlink holds the remaining 49%.
The two companies together invested USD $6.82 million for this capital venture in September 2020. FARobot General Manager, Ryan Chen confirmed with Taipei Times that ‘swarm autonomy’ is a developed concept in the field of robotics. It makes use of data distribution service technology, enabling robots for sharing data with each other in a decentralized manner.
Each individual unit receives constant feedback from other units and is always interconnected to ensure smooth operation. They work together as a team, says Chen.
They are enabled with the ability to adapt to change in real-time for optimizing productivity.
The future of the factory is full of changes and fast-moving. It ensures that the same production line is equipped to make different products throughout the day.
The biggest challenge on the factory floor is delivering the right raw materials and components to the proper place and at the correct time. FARobot’s autonomous mobile robots will be deployed in Hon Hai factories in 2 years. GM, Ryan also said that they want to test with Hon Hai first because they are the world’s largest factories. However, FARobot will expand further as well. Chairman, Young Liu, at the opening ceremony of FARobot said that the collaboration is for capitalizing the strength of each partner. The swarm technology along with the respective domain knowledge of Adlink and Hon Hai can enrich the foundation of robotic business in many industries.
Adlink Chairman, Jim Liu said that FARobot is set to provide smart factories and stopping at creating one machine is not enough.
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For more information please refer to the article in Taipei Times.
