Rainbow Robotics Adds AI to RB-Y2 Humanoid for Voice Control

Simple tasks first

Heo was candid about the limits. Simple motions, such as forming a heart shape with the arms, can be understood in one go. Complex missions still require detailed explanations from a person, who must specify which action to take when a given sensor detects something. Operators therefore need to know the hardware, including which sensors and grippers are fitted.

From research to the factory floor

RB-Y2 succeeds RB-Y1, which was used for research, and was designed for real production processes. It places two arms and a lift structure on a wheeled mobile base, adjusting its height to the task and driving to where work is needed. Payload per arm doubles from the previous model to 6 kg, and controlling the upper body together improves stability. Samples are already being made, and Heo said mass production should begin around June next year.

Business update

Rainbow Robotics also outlined its business. It develops five robot form factors, namely collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, mobile manipulators, mobile humanoids and quadrupeds, across four divisions reorganized in the first half of this year.

Heo stressed the cobot business, saying the company aimed from the start to build components in-house. It developed its own motors, encoders and brakes, while a reducer is still in development. In-house parts cut costs and allowed continuous improvement, he said.

Its cobot range covers payloads from 1 kg to 35 kg, and cumulative sales have reached 3,500 units, mostly in South Korea. The robots are used in logistics, assembly automation and restaurants.