Techman Robot Inc., formerly a business division of Quanta Storage Inc., is an independent company under Quanta Computer[1] established in 2015. The company is most recognized for its cobot with a built-in vision system: the TM Robot series. This robot series previously won the COMPUTEX D&I Gold Award.[2] Techman Robot Inc. is also among the first companies to receive the TARS certification.[citation needed]

Techman
IndustryAutomation and robotics
Founded2016
HeadquartersTaoyuan, Taiwan
Area served
Global
Key people
Shi-chi Ho, Haw Chen (CEO)
ProductsCollaborative robots (cobots), automation software and solutions
Number of employees
400+(2021)
Websitewww.tm-robot.com/en

Techman Robot Inc. is headquartered in Taiwan and has overseas branches in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Busan, and Alblasserdam.[3] The company also partners with distributors in the United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.[citation needed]

Overview

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According to Nikkei Asia they are "a leader in the field of collaborative robots."[4]

Founded as a subsidiary of Quanta in 2016 Techman is based in Taoyuan's Hwa Ya Technology Park. Quanta head Barry Lam has a mobile Techman robot in his office which serves refreshments to guests.[5]

History

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Techman Robot Inc., a former business division of Quanta Storage Inc. (TWSE 6188), was founded as an independent subsidiary in 2015.[6]

Mr. Shi-chi Ho, General Manager of Quanta Storage Inc. at the time, established a robotics laboratory as a business division for the company in 2012. The laboratory developed the first collaborative robot (cobot) with a built-in vision system – the TM5[7]

In 2014 the TM5 was subsequently unveiled at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) held in Tokyo, Japan, in 2015.[citation needed]

The first commercial TM5 was shipped at the end of 2016, and the company became the world's second-largest cobot brand by 2018.[citation needed]

Techman Robot signed an MOU with automated product giant Omron in Kyoto on 11 May 2018,[8] committing to the promotion of cobots to various industries worldwide.[9]

At the end of 2019, the TM AI+ software solution was introduced to expand cobot applications from pick-and-place to product inspection. The TM AI+ has now been widely incorporated in the semiconductor and logistics industries.[10]

By 2019 it was the world's second largest manufacturer of cobots after Universal Robots.[5] As of 2021 they were still the second largest manufacturer of cobots with 10% of the market share to Universal Robotic’s 50%.[4]

In 2021 Omron and Techman announced that Omron would be acquiring a 10% stake in Techman.[11] The value of the investment was undisclosed.[4]

Leadership

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Haw Chen is the CEO of Techman.[12]

Collaborations

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Techman is working with Vincennes University and Telamon Robotics to develop a cobot training curriculum.[13]

Products

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  • TM Robot Series[14]
  • TM Operator Series[15]
  • TM Smart Factory Series[16]

Industrial Applications

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Manufacturing

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TM Robot is suitable for manufacturing a range of products, including automobiles, electronics, semiconductors, machinery, home appliances, furniture, toys, and apparel. It can also be applied to streamline the production lines of metal and plastic products, parts, and accessories.[citation needed]

Catering

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TM Robots can be applied in restaurants and kitchens to streamline catering processes.[citation needed]

Warehousing

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TM Robots make up for the lack of transporters and movers in the logistics and warehousing industries. They can be equipped on AGVs or AMRs to facilitate logistical operations.[citation needed]

Entertainment

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TM Robots can be used to carry heavy camera equipment and manoeuvred through narrow spaces, providing the freedom and flexibility for videographers to capture unique or fast-paced shots.[citation needed]

Education

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Students and researchers can use TM cobots to learn about robotics and programming. TM cobots support manual programming instruction for students to move the arm manually or remotely while recording or saving relevant coordinates, which is used at a later stage to recreate certain motions.[citation needed]

Major Milestones

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2012~2013

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  • Robot Laboratory is established as a new business unit at Quanta Storage Inc.[citation needed]
  • First SCARA Robot and Dual-Arm SCARA are developed.[citation needed]

2014

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2015

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2016

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2017

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  • Techman Robot Inc. attends the Hannover Messe exhibition and expands into the European market.[17]

2018

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  • Techman Robot Inc. becomes the second-largest cobot brand in the world.[18]
  • Techman Robot Inc. attends the IMTS exhibition and expands into the US market.[citation needed]
  • TM5 is awarded the 2018 Red Dot Design Award, iF Design Award, and 2018 Taiwan Excellence Award.[citation needed]
  • TM12, TM14, and TM Manager are officially announced.[19]
  • Techman Robot Inc. signs an MOU with Omron.[citation needed]

2019

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2020

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  • TM AI+ is officially announced.[20]
  • Overseas branch offices are established in South Korea and the Netherlands.[citation needed]
  • TM12 is awarded the 2020 Taiwan Excellence Award.[21]

Awards

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Award Year Product
Taiwan Excellence 2020 TM12
Red Dot Design Award 2018 TM5
iF Product Design Award 2018 TM5
Golden Pin Design Award 2017 TM5
COMPUTEX D&I Gold Award 2017 TM5

International Certification and Patents

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Techman Robot Inc. has secured patents in Taiwan, the United States, and China. Its cobots have received TARS,[22] ISO10218-1, and ISO/TS15066 certification,[23] and its factories comply with ISO9001 and ISO14001 specifications.

References

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  1. ^ 全球協作機器人大洗牌!廣達旗下達明機器人晉升二哥,插旗中國深圳龍華
  2. ^ Techman Robot has Won the COMPUTEX d&i Gold Award 2017
  3. ^ Techman Robot headquarters and office locations
  4. ^ a b c "Omron to invest in Techman Robot, a unit of Taiwan's Quanta". asia.nikkei.com. Nikkei. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b Huang, Elaine. "This Made-in-Taiwan Robot Is Drawing International Attention". english.cw.com.tw. CommonWealth. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  6. ^ Huang, Elaine (12 June 2019). "This Made-in-Taiwan Robot Is Drawing International Attention".
  7. ^ Techman Robot Ready for International Robot Exhibition 2017 in Japan
  8. ^ Techman and OMRON Partner to Produce Co-branded Cobot
  9. ^ "Omron partners with Techman to sell TM cobots". Robotics & Automation News. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  10. ^ 《電腦設備》自動化工業展 達明秀3亮點
  11. ^ "Japan's Omron to invest in Taiwan robot maker Techman". Mainichi Daily News. The Mainichi. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  12. ^ Turner, Adam (17 August 2021). "Smart Machinery Made in Taiwan". emag.directindustry.com. Direct Industry. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  13. ^ Orr, Susan (8 October 2021). "Telamon founder Albert Chen launches firm to put 'cobots' in factories". www.ibj.com. Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  14. ^ Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS
  15. ^ Techman Robot unveils new ‘all-in-one’ palletizing solution
  16. ^ Techman Robot unveils AI vision and TMmanager at 2019 iREX
  17. ^ Red Dot Design Award: TM5
  18. ^ WELCOME TO IMTS AND CIIF 2018
  19. ^ Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS
  20. ^ "Techman Robot Unveils TM AI Cobot". Robotics 24/7. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  21. ^ Taiwan Excellence - Official
  22. ^ 台灣第1張機器人標章 達明等5台廠獲頒
  23. ^ Techman Robot TM5-700 | TM Series Robot from Cobot Intel