Tend Introduces Smart Cloud Robotics Platform for Manufacturing

According to a recent announcement, Tend has introduced a hardware-agnostic, smart cloud robotics software platform that is designed to allow manufacturers to remotely control, monitor and analyze the performance of manufacturing robots and production equipment from mobile devices. The Tend in.control software will reportedly make smart manufacturing simpler and more accessible for companies of all sizes, Tend said, allowing users to monitor and control any robot, tending any machine, from any location.

Through a secure application, in.control allows users to manage production lines remotely, from the simple mobile interface. The solution allows customers to extend the flexibility of existing automation equipment by enabling robots to read and respond to HMI screens, perform QA inspections, monitor part status, and more. Analytic dashboards provide a real-time view into the status of robots, machines and specific jobs with the goal of ensuring that plant managers have control and visibility over their production lines at all times.

The release says Tend in.control takes a unique approach in that it can leverage basic USB cameras to allow robots to interface visually with machines, without the need for networking or integration.

“The one thing that all industrial machines have in common is that they were designed to interface visually with human beings,” said Mark Silliman, CEO, Tend. “So while we're all looking forward to the day when machines can communicate more directly with one other, visual cues provide the best way for us to make those connections today, while creating a path forward to an IIoT reality.”

Tend is introducing in.control at the Automate 2017 show in Chicago

This is a great way to help move manufacturing toward “dark factories” where automation finds efficiencies in operations, and better safety in processes. Tend’s approach, using hardware-agnostic, smart cloud software, lowers barriers to entry and should encourage rapid adoption.