Comau at ETFA 2025: Showcasing AI in Industrial Systems
At ETFA 2025 in Porto, Portugal, Comau presented its vision on the strategic role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in transforming industrial systems. The conference brought together experts and companies to explore cutting-edge factory automation technologies, emphasizing AI’s potential to reshape manufacturing.
Harnessing Industrial Heritage for Advanced Robotics
Giovanni Di Stefano, Head of Advanced Robotics at Comau, delivered a presentation titled “Industrial Heritage For Training Advanced Robotics Neural Networks.” He highlighted how Comau leverages over 50 years of industrial automation expertise, using historical data from PLM systems to train AI models on real-world use cases. This approach ensures the development of highly tailored AI solutions capable of optimizing complex industrial applications across multiple sectors.
My insight: By integrating historical operational data into AI training, Comau demonstrates that legacy industrial knowledge is a goldmine for creating intelligent, adaptive robotic systems. This strategy balances innovation with reliability, a lesson often overlooked in modern AI deployment.
AI-Driven Enhancements in Robotics and Automation
Comau is actively applying AI to improve the performance and design of robotic systems. Proprietary AI tools now calculate joint stiffness to optimize movement quality, while robotic welding grippers are designed automatically, reducing costs and design time. These AI solutions enhance efficiency, demonstrating that intelligent automation can deliver tangible ROI without reinventing the wheel.
Intelligent Vision Systems: MI.RA Family
The MI.RA family of AI-powered vision systems illustrates Comau’s commitment to smart automation. MI.RA/OnePicker enables robots to autonomously pick heterogeneous objects, boosting operational productivity. MI.RA/Thermography provides in-line quality control for welding processes, crucial for next-generation battery assembly.
My insight: AI in vision systems is a paradigm shift for manufacturing. Beyond replacing human observation, it enables continuous process optimization, predictive adjustments, and real-time quality assurance.
AI as a Strategic Business Opportunity
Di Stefano emphasized that AI is not a threat but a business opportunity for industrial automation. By leveraging proprietary AI models trained on extensive industrial data, companies like Comau can enhance productivity, reduce operational costs, and maintain competitiveness without creating costly new algorithms from scratch.
My insight: Companies that integrate AI with domain expertise unlock higher value than those relying solely on generic AI models. Tailored AI solutions grounded in industrial realities provide sustainable competitive advantages.
