The Japanese robotics pioneer combines mechatronics and ICT with artificial intelligence, Big Data, and IIoT technologies in its i3-Mechatronics concept, which Yaskawa presented at the Hannover Messe 2018 . This now also includes the new Yaskawa cockpit software , which enables real-time monitoring of connected machines via a visualization function as well as the collection and analysis of process and system data. In addition, the approach allows different data sets to be related to each other, such as planned production quantities. Data forwarding to other ERP, MES, big data, and AI environments is also possible.

The combination of proprietary control and drive solutions as well as the collaborative robots from the Motoman series opens up further possibilities, such a as sensor-less checking of installed filter systems based on the recorded flow of current. Yaskawa relies on the open interface, OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) for platform- and vendor-independent communication with industry 4.0-compatible machines which is also preferred by VDMA .