Methods to reduce manpower in nighttime factory patrols: The reality of automated robotic patrols.
This article provides a detailed explanation of the challenges of nighttime patrols, mechanisms for reducing manpower, and cost-effectiveness.
① What is the combination of FieldLog and temi?
The autonomous robot "temi" is a next-generation robot equipped with a LiDAR sensor and an AI camera, capable of autonomously navigating pre-set routes without human intervention. It can automatically avoid obstacles and patrol reliably day and night, and its adoption in manufacturing sites is rapidly expanding.
On the other hand, "FieldLog" is a cloud-based management app specifically designed for factory inspections and works in conjunction with temi. It provides a system that records images taken by temi at each checkpoint to the cloud in real time, allowing users to view, search, and download them anytime from a web management screen.
"Why this combination?" — Because it's not just about introducing robots, but a total solution that includes data utilization. temi acts as the "legs" running around the site, while FieldLog manages the information as the "eyes and memory." By working together, these two can completely automate and digitize patrol inspections that previously could only be done by humans.
② 5-step flow of factory tour
Automating factory inspections using FieldLog and temi can be completed in the following five steps. Initial setup is done only once, and thereafter it can be run repeatedly unattended.
Step 1: Route setting
You set up the factory patrol route on the FieldLog management screen or the temi app. Because it uses a teaching pendant method where you actually operate temi and "teach" it the route, no specialized programming knowledge is required. It automatically learns the width of aisles and the location of obstacles, mapping the optimal travel path. Setup usually takes 1-2 hours.
Step 2: Register the checkpoint
You can register "locations requiring photography" along your patrol route as checkpoints. You can arbitrarily set points that require monitoring, such as equipment operation status checkpoints, hazard area boundaries, and inventory shelf condition checkpoints. You can also specify the shooting angle, number of photos, shooting timing, and OCR settings for each checkpoint.
Step 3: Execute automated cycle
The temi automatically travels along the set schedule. If it detects an obstacle, it will automatically avoid it; if the path is impassable, it will skip to the next checkpoint and notify the administrator upon completion. When the battery level is low, it will automatically return to the dock and begin charging.
Step 4: Automate shooting and recording
Upon reaching each checkpoint, temi automatically begins taking pictures in conjunction with FieldLog. The captured images are immediately uploaded to the cloud and recorded along with metadata such as date, time, location, and robot ID. To improve image quality, AI-powered image stabilization and automatic brightness adjustment are also performed automatically.
Step 5: Data Verification and Analysis
The following morning, administrators access the FieldLog web management screen to review the overnight patrol data. They can filter searches by date, time, location, and checkpoint name, and download images in bulk as a ZIP file. If an anomaly is detected, real-time email notifications are sent, allowing for early detection and response to problems.
See all FieldLog features in detail →
This article explains the implementation process, initial setup, and detailed costs. You can also request a demo or consult about a Proof of Concept (PoC) from this page.
③ Actual application example: A metal surface treatment manufacturer
Here, we will introduce how FieldLog×temi is being used based on actual implementation sites.
Case Studies
🏭 Metal surface treatment manufacturer (with fewer than 100 employees)
Company Overview and Background of Implementation
Monitoring water temperature gauges is a crucial aspect of on-site management. While existing water temperature gauges have upper limit alarms, there's no mechanism to "not miss the warning zone before the alarm sounds," requiring people to regularly visit the site for visual checks. The need on-site to automate patrols, including nights and holidays, was the impetus for considering implementation.
Setting the patrol route and shooting points
During implementation, we first created a map of the factory while actually operating temi, and registered locations requiring monitoring, such as water temperature gauges, as checkpoints. Because the FieldLog management screen allows for individual settings for shooting angle, number of images, and OCR reading for each checkpoint, detailed customization to suit the actual conditions on site is possible.
Patrol schedules can be freely set to suit on-site operations, and can be flexibly arranged in terms of both time of day and frequency, including nights and holidays.
Setting up and managing predictive alerts
The core of this case is a mechanism to "notice before the alarm sounds." FieldLog sends an email notification when a set threshold is exceeded based on the captured images. The person in charge set the notification condition to "the warning zone before the alarm value."
Upon receiving the alert, the person in charge can take the following actions, for example:
- - Email notifications allow you to quickly check the captured image, location, and time.
- - You can remotely view the camera feed from temi on your smartphone or PC.
- - If necessary, the patrolling temi can be remotely controlled from a remote location, allowing for real-time monitoring of the site situation.
- - The following morning, you can review the changes from the previous night using chronological shooting data.
Instead of reacting only after the alarm sounds, we can make a decision beforehand. This allows us to limit on dispatching personnel to the scene only when absolutely necessary.
🔗 Methods to reduce manpower required for nighttime factory patrols
🔗 Field Log Sales Launch Article
④ Key features and usage of FieldLog
FieldLog is a dedicated app designed to automate factory inspections. The main features and specific usage instructions are explained below.
Fixed-point photography and cloud recording
Images automatically captured by temi at each checkpoint are uploaded to the FieldLog cloud server as soon as the capture is complete. The images are automatically tagged with the date and time, GPS coordinates, checkpoint name, and robot ID, allowing you to instantly identify "when and where the image was taken" later.
Email notification when an anomaly is detected.
Based on AI-powered image analysis and pre-set thresholds, if an anomaly (such as equipment discoloration, liquid leakage, or intrusion into a restricted area) is detected, an immediate notification will be sent to the registered email address. The notification email will include the captured image, location, and time, allowing the person in charge to understand the situation before heading to the site.
Search and check via the web administration screen.
All shooting data is centrally managed through FieldLog's web management screen. You can filter your search using multiple criteria such as date/time range, checkpoints, and robot ID, allowing you to extract necessary data from a vast number of images in under 5 seconds. For audits, filtered data can be downloaded in bulk as a ZIP file for submission.
Support for managing multiple devices
It can accommodate factory expansion and deployment to multiple locations. The FieldLog management screen allows for centralized scheduling and monitoring of multiple temi robots, enabling real-time monitoring of each robot's operating status, battery level, and patrol completion status. It also flexibly accommodates future increases in the number of robots.
⑤ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We will answer frequently asked questions from customers considering the introduction of a mobile inspection robot app.
How do temi and FieldLog work together?
temi handles the hardware (autonomous driving and photography), while FieldLog handles the software (data management, analysis, and notifications). By installing the FieldLog app on temi, automatic photography and immediate cloud uploading will be performed when checkpoints are reached. The integration settings only need to be done once during the initial setup, and it will operate automatically thereafter.
What are the differences between this and existing IoT systems and fixed cameras?
While fixed cameras are limited to the field of view of their installation location, temi+FieldLog covers the entire factory while moving. Furthermore, while IoT sensors can only measure specific physical quantities (temperature, vibration, etc.), image-based recording allows for flexible information acquisition that closely resembles human observation. Moreover, it requires no modification of existing equipment and can flexibly adapt to changes in factory layout.
Where are the images I take saved?
Captured images are encrypted and stored on FieldLog's cloud servers (domestic data centers). Access permissions for image data can be set by the administrator, ensuring robust protection against unauthorized access. Storage capacity varies depending on the plan, and integration with external storage is possible for long-term storage.
What happens if an anomaly is detected?
An alert email containing images, location, and time of detected anomalies will be immediately sent to the pre-registered email address. Personnel can then view the images on their smartphones or PCs to determine if on-site action is required. To reduce false positives, it's possible to fine-tune the notification threshold and exclude specific areas.
How difficult is the implementation?
No specialized IT skills or equipment installation are required. Our support team will handle the initial setup (route registration and checkpoint setting) on-site. For a standard factory size (5,000 m² or less), it takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks from the start of implementation to stable operation. You can also conduct a trial implementation beforehand with our PoC rental plan.
Is customization possible?
Patrol schedules, checkpoints, and shooting conditions are all customizable. We also provide APIs for integration with existing production management systems (MES/ERP). For special factory environments (clean rooms, high-temperature environments, etc.), please contact us first. We will consider your request on a case-by-case basis.
Summary
This article explains how to automate factory inspections by combining the autonomous robot "temi" with the factory inspection management app "FieldLog". By utilizing manufacturing DX robots, it is possible to achieve unmanned inspections at night and on holidays, real-time data recording, anomaly detection notifications, and centralized management in the cloud.
FieldLog x temi's solution can solve many factory management challenges, such as reducing the cost of securing nighttime personnel, standardizing inspection quality, and streamlining audit responses. We recommend starting with a trial implementation using our PoC rental plan.
Inquire or request a free demo →
Please feel free to contact us for a consultation. After hearing about your specific situation, we will propose the most suitable implementation plan for you.
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