Oxipital AI partners with Stäubli Robotics on food-safe picking

By The Robot Report Staff | December 7, 2024

Oxipital AI, a developer of machine vision technologies for robotic automation and product inspection, is teaming up with Stäubli Robotics. Formerly Soft Robotics, Oxipital is targeting food processing, agriculture, and consumer goods production for its technology.

Stäubli Robotics’ product portfolio contains 4- and 6-axis industrial robots, cobots, mobile robots, and automated guided vehicles. The Duncan, S.C.-based company said its robots can work in a variety of industrial sectors, including automotive, metalworking, photovoltaics, food, pharmaceutical, and more. 

“Stäubli Robotics is honored to become Oxipital AI’s first Preferred Partner,” said Mathias Konne, North American business head at Stäubli Robotics. “This milestone recognizes the previous joint efforts and existing collaboration between our two industry-leading organizations while paving the way for an even brighter and bolder future. With this official recognition, and along with our common partners, we continue to deliver robotic systems offering the highest value and technological advancements to our clients.”

The companies said that by combining Stäubli’s hygienic robots and Oxipital inspection and picking solutions, the two companies can help ensure consistent and food-safe production without depending on human labor for profitability.

“This partnership with Stäubli solidifies our joint efforts in helping manufacturers overcome some of the most difficult challenges in food processing by utilizing AI-enabled vision solutions paired with hygienic, high-speed robotic solutions,” said Harley Green, VP of strategic accounts.

Oxipital AI spins out from Soft Robotics

In August 2024, Soft Robotics divested its soft robotic gripper business and spun off its mGripAI 3D vision and artificial intelligence technologies into Oxipital AI. Oxipital focuses on visual inspection tasks such as defect detection, volume estimation, SKU classification, attribute segmentation, and conveyor counting. It will also on robotic picking in various industries, starting primarily in the food business where Soft Robotics has built its reputation.

Last month, Oxipital AI launched its VX2 Vision System, which uses AI for inspection and high-speed picking applications across food-grade and industrial sectors. Built on the company’s proprietary Visual AI platform, the VX2 comes in a more compact package at a more accessible price than its predecessor.

The VX2 has enhanced capabilities for inspection, high-speed picking, and high-speed picking with inspection, said Oxipital. It asserted that the system ensures optimal efficiency and precision in a wide variety of environments.