Optimization of Robot Tasks by Intelligent Objects Using RFID Technology

The paper investigates useful applications of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology in combination with industrial robots, because these automation devices are very important in the context of the term Industry 4.0. In industrial automation, RFID transponders can be placed on tools and workpieces. Besides, the identification of objects, it is also possible to store information locally on the object. Such an object may be regarded as an intelligent object, because its supports the decentralization of decisions. The paper makes proposals about what kind of data can be stored in workpieces and how this information can be used to optimize the robot task. Room for improvement is found with respect to, e.g., the path accuracy of the robot motion, force/torque control and collision avoidance. Selected algorithms relating to the proposals are verified successfully by practical experiments.