OSARO and INNOTECH are collaborating to build a demonstration AI picking robot system for Japanese pharmaceutical manufacturer Rohto. The new AI-driven robot system is intended for an advanced smart factory that Rohto is building.

The two companies are jointly providing picking robots and jointly building a system for their introduction into a new Rohto factory production line, scheduled for completion in 2022. OSARO will take the lead in providing AI software to improve the efficiency of robot operations, and INNOTECH will provide support from demonstration testing to integration of the AI software.

San Francisco based OSARO is a developer of robotics automation. Its systems incorporate machine learning for object recognition as well as adaptive control software.

Yokohama City based INNOTECH develops software for customer product development and manufacturing.

By automating the picking of bottle products, one of the most labour-intensive tasks in the production process, with robots, the collaboration aims to reduce the workload and improve productivity at the Rohto factory. Rohto produces OTC medicines, beauty products and supplements. In the eye care category, sales of OTC eye drops account for more than 40 percent of the Japanese market.

OSARO CEO Derik Pridmore said: “We are honoured to have OSARO’s picking technology recognised by the next-generation smart factory of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. We believe that the ability to integrate with existing equipment is a great advantage to create a new model case for Japan’s future factories and warehouses.”

Yosuke Kaburaki, Director, INNOTECH CORPORATION said: “We have been conducting basic experiments with Rohto Pharmaceutical using robots that incorporate OSARO’s AI software. In the future, INNOTECH will continue to speed up the integration of OSARO’s software technology into Rohto’s production process to make it more effective and efficient.”