Ford Invests $100M in Robots With Special Vision

We cannot help but think of the 2004 I, Robot movie starring Will Smith, in which the community had the help of robots, but it turns out they cannot be trusted. American automaker Ford is going for a more and more futuristic approach when it comes to manufacturing its vehicles, and the latest gig is that is investing no less than $100 million in robotic plant laser inspection technology. This will be installed globally with the aim of improving quality through reduced wind noise and more refined fit and finish. The technology is already in use during the assembly of the 2012 Ford Focus at Michigan Assembly Plant and the Saarlouis, Germany, plant, and the Ford Explorer at Chicago Assembly Plant. The laser and camera systems that come as an upgrade to plant robots were developed in collaboration with minority business partner Gonzalez Production Systems. This is why Ford claims these robots have special vision, one that can help ensure car door panels fit more accurately and reduce wind noise. The technology builds on laser-guided, end-of-line robotic technology pioneered by Ford’s European team to measure points on each vehicle as it moves past the line to verify build quality. The robots are programmed to recognize any minute deviations from the correct specification and, if any errors are found, instruct the operator on the correct course of action. The laser vision technology also is being upgraded on the robots to help confirm the door quality margins once installed. The robots are even empowered to shut down the assembly line if the cameras detect a door does not fit Ford’s exacting quality measurements. Human error is also reduced, as the machines are tuned to measure point specifications on the vehicle, whereas previously it was determined by an operator making a subjective judgment on whether it was accurate. I, Robot (2004)