Haigh’s Chocolates to install an interactive production robot

Haigh’s Chocolates will be the first in Australia to install a Baxter robot, which is designed make automation accessible and affordable to Australian Manufacturers.

Until now, production robots have been separated from people by protective cages, programmed by specialised engineers, and affordable by only large scale manufacturers.

Baxter, a ‘collaborative robot’ works alongside people uncaged to complete repetitive production tasks that are typically difficult or expensive to automate, freeing up human operators to focus on more value-added jobs,

Baxter was created by Adelaide born Rodney Brooks in 2012, who had a vision to make robotics more accessible, usable and practical. Baxter has fast become part of the fabric of the American manufacturing industry.

Pullman Learning Group is the regional distributor for the Baxter Robot and has appointed SAGE Automation as authorised integrator for the Baxter Manufacturing Robot in Australia. SAGE Automation CEO Adrian Fahey, sees the technology as an enormous opportunity for our manufacturing Industry, “It is putting automation into the reach of all manufacturers, enabling them to achieve new efficiencies and remain competitive”, he said.

“Baxter’s low-cost and high return provides a compelling alternative to offshoring by enabling manufacturers to ramp up production more cost effectively, protect intellectual property and create a more productive, satisfied workforce,” he said.

Baxter is intelligent and intuitive; any worker can simply teach Baxter how to carry out a required task, which is stored in its memory to perform again in the future. Furthermore, Baxter is mobile and can be retrained and deployed as required throughout a manufacturing facility.

Baxter works with sensors to provide one of the safety elements which enable Baxter to work collaboratively alongside people. Baxter’s face acknowledges when someone is now close by and also indicates where he is about to move.

When considering Baxter for a company, SAGE first undertakes a review of the current situation of their operations, considers which tasks could be completed by Baxter to optimise their effectiveness, and provides analysis and costing of how Baxter can be integrated and supported within their business. SAGE can also integrate Baxter with other control systems, and providing ongoing support and training.

The first industrial implementation of a Baxter robot in Australia will be at iconic South Australian, family owned chocolate maker Haigh’s Chocolates.

Chief executive of Haigh’s Chocolates Alister Haigh said “Haigh’s Chocolates is a proud South Australian manufacturer. We place great emphasis on service and the finest traditional chocolate making. Our vision is that the Baxter robot will enable us to grow our business and maintain our traditions as we increase employment and move employees to higher skilled activities.”

The project for Haigh’s is being supported by the Department of State Development’s Business Transformation Voucher Program, an initiative of the State Government’s Manufacturing Works strategy.

Manufacturing and Innovation Minister Kyam Maher said the project was recommended for funding based on its potential to improve Haighs’ manufacturing performance and expand production capability and diversity to meet the growing demand of local and export markets using high-tech processes.

“Technology is a powerful tool for business innovation, and when combined with the right business models has the potential to create and capture new value for existing manufacturers,” he said.

“Transforming South Australia’s economy will be built on the ability of manufacturers to adopt new techniques using advanced technology, so that they can develop high-value products and services.

“The Baxter robot is a great example of innovation in action.”

What makes Baxter different?

Baxter is a solution for manufacturers of all sizes. In addition to its uniquely low price point, Baxter offers six fundamental differences that distinguish it from traditional industrial robots.

No programming: Line workers can train Baxter in minutes, with no expertise in software, robotics or engineering required. In addition, Baxter retrains quickly for fast line changeovers.
No safety cages: Baxter was designed with a comprehensive safety system which makes it feasible for working without barriers and in close proximity to people in a production environment.
Streamlined integration: Baxter is a complete system (hardware, software, controls, UI, safety, sensors) that can quickly and easily be set up, integrated and trained to do its first task.
Works intelligently: Baxter is designed and programmed to perform a wide range of manufacturing and production tasks; it is aware of its environment, and automatically adjusts to changes.
Versatile and capable: Baxter was designed to perform simple, repetitive tasks quickly and efficiently, freeing people to focus on higher-level, more value-added activities.
Extendible platform: Baxter is a complete, yet fully extendible platform which includes all necessary software, with updates provided regularly to enhance capabilities and performance.