Robotic hand rocks manufacturing cradle

TAL shows off indigenous industrial robot that matches human labour functions

April 12, 2017 12:01 am | Updated 07:13 am IST - Mumbai

Brabo can handle payloads of up to 10 kg, mapping it to human lifting potential.

Brabo can handle payloads of up to 10 kg, mapping it to human lifting potential.

It looks like any other industrial automation machine, but ‘Brabo’ is more than just that. Designed and manufactured by TAL, a Tata Motors subsidiary, it is touted as India’s first indigenously made industrial articulated robot for micro, small and medium enterprises. Part of the Make In India drive, it took TAL three years to develop it, but the Pune-based firm, which unveiled the robot to the public on Tuesday, says it already has 55 Brabos out in the market: 25 installed after an outright sale, while the remaining 30 are in factories and manufacturing units on a six-month trial basis.

Brabo can handle payloads of up to 10 kg, mapping it to human lifting potential. Its arm length was also chosen to compare well with that of a human. TAL representatives said in Mumbai that it can manage raw material as well as product packaging in the final stage. The manufacturer has released two variants for payloads of 2 kg and 10 kg.

R.S. Thakur, non-executive director and chairman of TAL, said, “The introduction of India’s home-made robots will take ‘Make in India’ to a new level. The robots will ensure product quality is maintained, and this, in turn, will improve competitiveness. As a consequence, Indian industry at the small and medium enterprise level will grow.”

Ashish Gandhi, director of CPG Industries, a manufacturer of two-wheeler components and someone who has purchased these robots, said, “We wanted robots to do the work that humans cannot. The component industry is precision-oriented. Therefore, robots make a significant difference. Our obvious choice was the Brabo, because it is also cheaper than imported robots.”

At ₹5 lakh to ₹7 lakh, it is up to 40% cheaper than imported robots. Mr. Thakur told The Hindu , “Since it is indigenously developed, the spare parts and annual maintenance will be cheaper. Both the machines are available with a payback period of 15-18 months .” Except for the driver and motor, all other components are made in India.

TAL says it has applied for intellectual property certification, and “we will get it soon,” according Amit Bhingurde, Chief Operating Officer. He added that TAL has inked a collaboration with R.T.A. Motion Control Systems to further indigenise the robot and develop newer variants.

From the time it has been launched, TAL has found buyers such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Diebold, CPG Industries, Hydromatik, SGK Industries, BITS Dubai Campus, Suparna Plastics, Micromax Systems, Twin Engineers, AM Ecosystems Kaziranga University, and Tata Motors.

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