YuMi robot | photo ABB

Innovation platform, The IdeaHub, is once again recruiting robotics and software innovators worldwide to take on the challenge of improving the way we work and interact with the next generation of industrial robots. Working on behalf of ABB Robotics, IdeaHub will help successful applicants pitch their ideas and secure uniquely tailored support packages to maximise their venture’s commercial potential, including funding, mentoring and access to cutting edge hardware.

The IdeaHub is a cross sector, open innovation platform that connects visionaries worldwide with funding and support from global corporations. In 2015 they ran their first programme for ABB Robotics, attracting over 130 applicants with 12 finalists selected for a pitch day in London with 6 ventures receiving an offer of support and collaboration. For 2016, they are partnering with ABB Robotics once again to find more solutions to three core challenges to the next generation of industrial robotics.

Simplicity

As robots become increasingly ubiquitous in the workplace, the number of people that will work with them is also increasing. Everyone cannot be fully trained roboticists, so for robots to be effective they need to be as easy to work with as a human colleague. This may require natural means of interaction such as speech and gesture or a completely new way for robots to work and interact with their new human colleagues. A large team of robots will also need to be efficient to maintain, so commoditization and simplification of components in another key area of interest for the programme.

Intelligence

The usefulness of robots can only extend so far if every action they take has be explicitly given, no matter how natural the interface or eloquent the request for new information. Robots of the future will adapt to new environments and tasks with little interaction. With smart devices in our homes and in our pockets, we are closer than ever to contextually aware and adaptive machine learning but translating this to a fast moving industrial environment raises new and even more exciting challenges.

Digitalization

The factory of the future will be intelligent, fully networked and seamlessly connect things, services and people. Mechanical and production engineering will fully integrate with information technology, logistics supply chains and other factories. With such a vast spectrum of devices and requirements, harmonizing the various protocols and interfaces will present huge challenges but also huge rewards for those who can create the most effective solution.

Much more information can be found at: www.theideahub.co.uk/challenges.

The IdeaHub platform launches today and is open for applications until 30^th June 2016. Successful applicants will get the chance to pitch their ideas directly to ABB Robotics at an IdeaHub event in August 2016. There is no limit to number of offers that might be made, which can include funding, access to robots, technology and commercial support as appropriate to the needs of their business.

Students, academics, entrepreneurs and businesses who have an idea, concept or technology that can address any of the challenges, in whole or in part, are invited to apply to the IdeaHub for the opportunity to further develop their ideas with ABB Robotics.

Simon Blair, from the IdeaHub describes the programme; “This is a great opportunity for robotics and software innovators and entrepreneurs around the world to collaborate with a leading robotics company and take their idea to the next level.  We provide a markedly different approach to other programs. All negotiations are directly between successful applicants and ABB Robotics, so outcomes can be structured to their specific needs. We have found that collaborating with a large, respected company like ABB Robotics can also validate concepts and ventures in the eyes of the market and lead to further opportunities. Our programme aims to compliment ventures that apply and not restrict them in any way – we don’t operate an incubator period, we don’t set any pre-defined terms and we don’t insist on equity sacrifice as part of any deals borne out of the programme.”

Last year’s winners included early stage start-ups as well as research projects and offers made ranged from hardware loans to funding and technical collaboration.

The IdeaHub recently announced the launch of a robotics accelerator programme, run on behalf of ABB Robotics, to deliver solutions to some of the biggest issues facing robotics today and in the future. The accelerator is composed of three broad but distinct challenges: ‘Simplicity’, ‘Deep learning’ and ‘Ecosystem’. Running until July 2015, the challenges offers students, academics, entrepreneurs and businesses the chance to collaborate with ABB Robotics to take their concept or business to the next level of development.

Simplicity

Under the heading of ‘Simplicity’ the challenge asks, ‘How could the next generation of robots interact with humans?’ By 2017 the number of installed industrial robots worldwide is expected to exceed two million and they will be working increasingly closer with people in their workplaces and homes. This presents a huge opportunity for innovation as robots come to new industries, to new environments and work with a wide range of people – both trained and untrained.

One example of this change is ABB Robotics’ new collaborative robot, YuMi®, which can operate in very close collaboration with humans thanks to its inherently safe design. This design opens up completely new ways for robots to work and interact with their new human colleagues and be truly transformational. The question for roboticists is whether they and their idea could benefit from some collaboration with ABB Robotics to reach the next level?

Deep Learning

The second challenge seeks to bring the huge strides being made in artificial intelligence to the future workplace with robots capable of learning on the job. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere these days – in devices like your phone, your car and even your thermostat. Meanwhile robots are moving from making cars to driving them. But what could this mean for connected robots working and learning in industrial environments? How will the industrial robot of the future learn from its experience, or from that of its robot colleagues, to make decisions and do things differently?

Ecosystem

The final challenge reflects the fact that, in today’s connected work environments, while no man is an island, no robot is either. Robots operate within a commercial and technical ecosystem of infrastructure, sensors, accessories, technicians, operating systems and software. When this ecosystem works well, productivity is optimised – but how can we move to the next level, where productivity is multiplied? This requires an ecosystem where industrial robots that traditionally work in line, step out and collaborate with each other and their human colleagues in new and different ways.

Students, academics, entrepreneurs and businesses who have an idea, concept or technology that can address any of these challenges, in whole or in part, are invited to apply to the IdeaHub for the opportunity to further develop their ideas with ABB Robotics.

Example entries could include collaborative technologies, sensor applications, decision-making software and environmental awareness systems. In fact, the only limitations are that all ideas and concepts should have an applicability to industry of any type and something tangible about them, capable of being demonstrated at the pitch day event.

The best ideas submitted will be selected during July for the opportunity to pitch directly to ABB Robotics with the winners receiving an offer from ABB Robotics which could include funding, access to robots, venture support or market access based on your needs.

To get in on the action, potential applicants need to complete the simple online form at the IdeaHub website and upload a short webcam or phone video about their idea. Applicants need only provide information already in the public domain and which they are happy to share.

Applications will be accepted until the 7^th July with shortlisted candidates contacted later that month to pitch their ideas at the IdeaHub event in August.

The IdeaHub is an accelerator platform operated by Venturebright, a growth consultancy consisting of three partners Tanvir Mufti, Cristina Warren, and Simon Blair, who between them have a little under 50 years cumulative experience innovating within the corporate environment.

Tanvir from Venturebright describes their business model: “We specialise in bringing together entrepreneurs, start-ups and corporates. We combine the capabilities, energy and agility of start-ups with the assets, market insight and reach of corporates to launch valuable new ventures. While we think the VC funding model is great, there are other things that entrepreneurs might be looking for, aside from just funding. Some may be looking for access to technology to build their product, for customers willing to test their products or for access to markets to sell their product. These are things a corporate can often provide and we use the IdeaHub platform to make connections and then translate between entrepreneurs and corporates in order to make really interesting things happen for both.”