What if making robotics intuitive and accessible became the new revolution in the industry? In any case, innovations have been multiplying in recent years to democratize access to robotics. This primarily involves simplified programming, considered as the first obstacle to the implementation of robotics. With the current labor shortage, finding skilled programmers is becoming complicated. Simplifying robot programming is one way to overcome this challenge. A new company, Niryo, aims to make cobotics accessible through their new software, Niryo Studio.
Niryo is a French company that manufactures the NED2 cobot, a collaborative robot for educative and prototype applications. They are launching Niryo Studio today, an application exclusively designed for use with Niryo robots that they say will simplify the use of robots “like never before”. Their goal is to simplify the interaction between humans and machines.
No Need to Be a Tech Expert
Niryo Studio is a component of an ecosystem: a 6-axis robot, a platform for courses and programs, and software that allows using robotics from novice to expert levels.
According to Thomas Aubert, Marketing Director,
“This means you can control a robot with “freemotion” buttons without a computer, use the block system, or directly code in Python on Niryo Studio. It is also possible to switch from Blockly to Python in just a few clicks to enhance learning. Unlike other companies, Niryo has chosen to master both the hardware and the software.”
The integrated Python IDE in Niryo Studio marks a significant advancement in simplifying the programming process as it is the world’s most widely used programming language.
A library is available to upload programs and download learning materials, and many robot data are transmitted to understand the robot’s status and operation.
“Niryo Studio is not just a no-code tool; it is software that enables using robotics and automating tasks, regardless of one’s level of expertise in robotics.”
In other words, with this new software, there is no need to be a technology expert to implement a robotics strategy.
Intuitive UX
It is even possible to connect all external devices related to the robot to manage them from the application.
Beyond enabling robot control, Niryo Studio offers a 3D visualization of all previously connected components with its Unity tool. Combined with the Direct Move tool, this feature allows for precise adjustment of robot positions, simplifying object manipulation and, more generally, providing the most accurate use of the robot.
This new feature promotes a faster and easier connection to the robot. Combined with the Blockly tool in the application, creating complex programs “becomes child’s play“. A much wider audience could access collaborative robotics.
Besides, the ability to save, play, modify, and replay created programs allows for unmatched flexibility for users.
Applications
For the moment, Niryo’s clients range from middle schools to doctoral students. Professionals in manufacturing are already showing interest in the solution.
“We will make new announcements during the year 2024, with new solutions to meet the needs of professionals: SMEs, laboratories with even more automation values, MTTF, precision, pre-programming within NiryoStudio, etc. Our goal is to democratize robotics through simplified installation, use, and mastery.”
Revolution of Robotics?
“What we’re witnessing is an ongoing democratization of robotics enabled by a perfect storm of economic and technological factors”, wrote our journalist Andrea Nepori last March.
B2B startups all over Europe are looking at ways to simplify how we teach a robot how to perform a task.
igus, Fuzzy Logic or Wandelbots’ Teaching App are all taking their shots. Niryo is another one.
“We believe that accessibility and simplification of usage make robotics more accessible and revolutionize work. Just as computer manufacturers have done by developing laptops, we believe that the “desktop robotic arm” will become the tool of the future to support manual professions every day.”
The robotics revolution has already started.
