ETRI Honored for Mobile Collaborative Robot Teach Pendant

ETRI, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, achieved success in the User Experience (UX) category at the prestigious iF Design Award 2024 held in Germany. The award was granted for their innovative work on MOBY, a comprehensive robot platform that seamlessly integrates autonomous mobility and manipulability. This cutting-edge platform features 'IndyEye', an AI-based vision system, and 'Indy', a collaborative robot.

In collaboration with Neuromeka and the research team led by Professor Seung-Heon Yoo from Korea University's Department of Art and Design, ETRI was acknowledged for their excellence in UX design with the 'MOBY SW'. This particular product is a teach pendant designed for a manipulator based on mobile robots, showcasing ETRI's commitment to user-centric design.

A teach pendant is a crucial device used for instructing industrial equipment and robots, including collaborative robots. It is specifically tailored for user convenience in industrial environments where traditional input devices like monitors and mice may not be practical. Typically, a teach pendant features essential buttons and an LCD display in a compact form, ensuring ease of use for operators.

ETRI spearheaded the entire UX design and development process for the Teach Pendant (MOBY app), while Korea University focused on the UX/UI design for the mobile manipulator's Teach Pendant app, and Neuromeka handled the hardware and framework development for the mobile manipulator. This collaborative effort resulted in a groundbreaking product that addresses the evolving needs of the robotics industry.

A mobile manipulator combines the capabilities of a wheeled mobile robot for navigation with a robotic arm for performing various tasks. This unique setup allows for seamless control over both movement and manipulation operations, enhancing efficiency and versatility in industrial settings.

One of the key advancements introduced by the MOBY SW is the streamlined control it offers to users. Unlike traditional teach pendants that required separate instructions for mobile robots and manipulators, the MOBY SW enables simultaneous control of both components through a single software interface. This breakthrough significantly enhances operational efficiency and user experience in robotic applications.

Researchers at ETRI highlighted the enhanced capabilities of the teach pendant, emphasizing its ability to set destinations and paths for autonomous mobile robot navigation while also instructing manipulators for object manipulation tasks. This integrated approach simplifies complex processes and boosts overall user convenience in industrial automation scenarios.

The development of a teach pendant capable of seamlessly integrating mobile robots and manipulators marks a significant milestone in the robotics industry. ETRI's achievement in this area underscores their commitment to innovation and user-centric design, setting a new standard for teach pendant technology in Korea and beyond.

The user-friendly interface and program accessibility based on the Behavior Tree (BT) approach make the MOBY SW teach pendant accessible to a wide range of users, including those with limited programming experience. This democratization of robotics programming is expected to drive adoption across various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics and beyond.

ETRI's commitment to usability was validated through a user study conducted at Keimyung University's Usability Evaluation Research Center, focusing on tasks such as Pick and Place operations. The positive feedback received from general users underscores the teach pendant's intuitive design and ease of use, even for individuals without specialized coding skills.

Looking ahead, the MOBY SW teach pendant is poised to make a significant impact in the rapidly growing mobile robot market, which is projected to reach a size of 1,500 billion dollars by 2044. The technology's versatility and user-friendly design position it as a valuable asset for diverse industries seeking to leverage robotics for enhanced efficiency and productivity.

Dr. Jeyoun Dong from ETRI emphasized the role of user-friendly technology in expanding the accessibility of robotics to a broader audience, stating, "As robots continue to evolve, our goal is to empower both experts and the general public to harness the potential of robotics with ease." This inclusive approach underscores ETRI's commitment to driving innovation and accessibility in the robotics sector.

Professor Seung-Heon Yoo from Korea University highlighted the importance of user-centered design in robotics, emphasizing the need for seamless integration of technology and user experience. The collaborative efforts of ETRI, Neuromeka, and Korea University exemplify a shared commitment to advancing robotics through human-centric design principles.

ETRI's decision to transfer the MOBY SW technology to specialized robotics companies for commercialization signals a new chapter in the product's journey towards widespread adoption. By focusing on enhancing features such as mobile robot-generated maps within the app, ETRI aims to further improve user experience and functionality for a diverse range of applications.

The iF Design Award, known for its global recognition of design excellence, solidifies ETRI's position as a leader in innovative robotics solutions. This prestigious accolade underscores the impact of ETRI's work on the global stage and highlights the significance of user experience in shaping the future of robotics technology.

Image: iF Design Award. Credit — Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). Visit ETRI's official website for more information.