A new painting robot that sees and learns

FLUPOL is the first Portuguese company to adopt a robotic painting system that uses artificial vision to reproduce the movements performed by a specialised worker in a robot (industrial manipulator). This technology, developed by a Portuguese consortium, will spare skilled workers of repetitive manual tasks and minimise contact with aggressive environments (paints, solvents). By saving the eight years required to train a skilled worker, FLUPOL will accelerate the internationalisation of production units to Brazil.

Robotic painting system uses artificial vision to reproduce the movements of specialised workers

The robot, developed in Portugal in a collaboration involving national R&D and industry, learns each complex movement (in three dimensions, including speed and acceleration) by demonstration using artificial vision. Each robotic manipulator is programmed and directly prepared by the skilled worker, saving eight years of training. This patented technology will spare humans of repetitive tasks and continued contact with aggressive environments (paints, solvents).

FLUPOL already exports more than 75% of its production. The company’s CEO, José Bandeira, sees this investment as "an opportunity for further growth in overseas markets and we plan to internationalise new production units", he explains. The control process is done remotely by computer and no confidential information is shared with foreign elements. FLUPOL also hopes to increase competitiveness in international markets because the price of the product will include distribution costs and customs fees. "The latter, in key markets such as Brazil, can make all the difference", José Bandeira concludes.

Project SIIARI

This robot was developed as part of the SIIARI project (System to Increase Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Robotics). This project is being developed by a national consortium led by FLUPOL in close collaboration with INESC Porto. The CEI – Companhia de Equipamentos Industriais (Industrial Equipment Company) and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), which was responsible for the learning system, are also part of this consortium.

FLUPOL

The FLUPOL is a Portuguese company located in the Municipality of Valongo that operates in the field of Surface Engineering, performing functional anti-adhesion, anti-corrosion and lubricating coatings.

Joana Ferreira

Communication Service | Media Advisory

T +351 22 209 4214
M +351 93 422 4331
F +351 22 209 4050
joana.ferreira@inescporto.pt
www.inescporto.pt

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A new painting robot that sees and learns

Robotic painting system uses artificial vision to reproduce the movements of specialised workers