Industrial Robotics & Automation

Advances in robotics are unlocking new possibilities in automating complex, high-variability tasks that were once deemed too challenging for conventional programming methods. At Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), we are pushing the boundaries of robotic dexterity through the use of innovative imitation learning techniques powered by diffusion models and vision-language-action (VLA) architectures. Vision-language-action models combine large language models (LLMs) with vision tools, enabling robots to learn through interactions with multimodal datasets of images and video.

Algorithms enhance weld sequence optimization to minimize distortion and residual stress

Accuracy and efficiency are becoming ever more critical in robotic welding as designers of structures seek to push the limit in design and the what manufacturing processes can deliver. As manufacturers seek to expand robotics automation into shipbuilding and heavy industry, engineers on both the product design and manufacturing sides need advanced tools to predict weld distortion and stress, which can affect structural integrity.