telepresence avatar robot(*Hereinafter referred to as Telerobo), among other things, "Dual3” is actually used in the manufacturing factory.
It seems that many companies are finding barriers to remote factory management amidst restrictions on long-distance travel during the COVID-XNUMX pandemic.
This time, as an introduction example of a manufacturing factory, we will tell you how Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (hereinafter abbreviated as a company) is using Double3 based on interviews with the person in charge.
We hope that it will be helpful for companies that are considering introducing it in their factories.

Utilizing Double3 for factory production management, etc.│Komei Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., which introduced Double3 from our company (iPresence), is operating one Double2,500 in a manufacturing factory of about 1 m3.
It is mainly used for production control, quality control, safety control, etc., and it seems that other departments are calling for expanded use. We will introduce an example of how Double3 can be used effectively to improve productivity and improve operational efficiency.

Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., a long-established detector company

Established in 1947Komyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.is a company that mainly manufactures and sells detectors and chemical products, and has been deeply involved in the safety of workplaces and working environments such as government offices and the safe living of ordinary households.
Kitagawa-type gas detectors, which we have been manufacturing since our company was established, have been installed in many government agencies and companies, so many people may know them.
The head office is located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Aizu Koumei Co., Ltd. is located in Fukushima Prefecture as a manufacturing plant.

Reason for introducing Double3

Before the introduction of Double3, managers regularly visited the factory (Fukushima) two to three times a month for the five-hour journey from the head office (Kanagawa) to the factory (Fukushima).
The original burden of moving and the restrictions on movement due to the coronavirus pandemic overlapped, and when he was looking for a remote management method, Double3 caught his eye.
Another reason is that when the previous earthquake occurred in Fukushima Prefecture, the problem that the person in charge could not immediately check the equipment was confident that Double3 could solve it.

How Double3 is used in factories

By teleporting to the factory using Double3 as an avatar, the person in charge was able to perform remote management, which greatly reduced the number of visits.Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo's main utilization methods are these three.

• Handover of new products
• regular patrols
• Emergency response

Handover of new products

When handing over a new product, we will share the work procedure manual in advance and give a lecture on the work procedure from Double3 at the site.
Double3 can move independently and give precise instructions near the worker you want to talk to, so remote management is often sufficient.

regular patrols

Double3 can access all locations and workers in the factory, so it is used for regular patrols during normal times.
Even if maintenance and minor equipment troubles do not come directly to us, we often use Double3's remote control to sort them out.

Emergency response

Double3 is used as a temporary response as an emergency measure in the event of trouble such as machine failure.
If remote measures cannot be taken, the person in charge will go directly to the factory, but since the site can be confirmed in advance, prompt measures can be taken upon arrival.

Things to keep in mind when using Double3

What the staff keep in mind when using Double3 is not to give workers stress from monitoring.
We decide the date and time for Double3 to patrol, and let the workers know in advance.Basically, it is a patrol of about 30 minutes, and it does not operate for a long time. (It may take 4 hours when taking over a new product)
Normally, the screen of Double3 is facing the wall side, so as not to make the workers feel nervous as much as possible.

[Voice of the person in charge] Changes since the introduction of Double3 and future issues

We were able to hear from the person in charge at Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo about the benefits and challenges of introducing Double3 in the management of the manufacturing plant.

[Benefits] Benefits from introducing Double3

Originally, the person in charge had been visiting the factory regularly, so it seems that the ease of communication was almost the same in both real life and Double3.Being "there" as an avatar of the person in charge saves me the trouble of traveling five hours each way.
Even in the production management scene, it is convenient to use the camera's zoom function to capture parts that are difficult to see with the naked eye as images.
In some cases, we were able to respond to equipment failures by giving instructions to on-site workers using Double3.

[Issues] Valuable opinions received from introducers

A person in charge of Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo gave us a valuable opinion that "It would be better if Double3 had such a function."

• i want a laser pointer
• I want more resolution
• Convenient if you have a camera behind you

We received an opinion that it would be nice to have a laser pointer so that we can pinpoint the location when giving a lecture on the work process.It is true that Double3, who has no fingers, has no choice but to communicate verbally.
Such valuable opinions lead to future product improvements, so they are very helpful.

We also received feedback that they would like to have a higher resolution screen call.Certainly, the resolution of Double3 is the same as video calls such as ZOOM, so it may be unsatisfactory for checking detailed work processes. (Characters can be displayed by typing)
Although it is possible to leave high-resolution screenshots with the "camera function", it is hoped that high-resolution video calls will be possible with the evolution of future communication standards.

In addition, we received the opinion that it would be convenient if there was a behind-the-scenes image, although we would not call it a 360-degree camera.If you are a human, you can feel the presence from behind, but Double 3 does not know unless you turn around.
If there is an assistant nearby, you can use the "satellite camera function" to project the surroundings of Double3 on the screen.In addition, a 360-degree camera called "RICOH THETA" can be attached as an extension function, so it is possible to meet your needs.

Introduction of Double3 reduces physical movement!Expand the scope of use in the future!

Komyo Rikagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., which introduced Double3 to its manufacturing factory, has increased the amount of work that can be completed only remotely, greatly reducing the time and effort of moving to the site.
Originally, the person in charge had built a good relationship with the people at the site, so the change to Double3 did not upset the site.Even robots are human avatars, so we must not forget the importance of communication.
In the future, we are considering expanding its use for internal audits and factory tours, as well as for external audits such as ISO maintenance audits.
iPresence is not only Double3,temi,OhmniWe handle a wide variety of telerobots and develop systems, so we can provide solutions tailored to your company.
Please feel free to use iPresenceInquire through the contact form.

Click here to download the case study flyer
https://ipresence.jp/casestudy/cs-202112/
"Factory management" written articles can be downloaded from here
https://ipresence.jp/casestudy/cs-202202-1/