Page 6 - CFCM Nov-Dec-2020 Final_Neat

in the NEWS

AI Startup Omnirobotic Raises $6.5m
Omnirobotic, a robotics automation startup, announced in September it
closed a seed round of $6.5 million CAD to further develop and commer-
cialize its AI platform for factory robots.
Fonds de solidarité FTQ (the “Fonds”) and Export Development
Canada (EDC) led the round with participation from Real Ventures and a
joint venture including the company’s current employees. The funding
enables Omnirobotic to continue building autonomous robotic capabili-
ties for high-mix production environments, allowing industrial robots to
see, plan and execute high-value-added processes like painting, welding
and machining with limited human oversight.
Founded in 2016, Omnirobotic says its platform has already allowed
high-mix manufacturers to overcome skilled labor shortages and reduce
the environmental impact of their production processes. Omnirobotic
believes autonomous industrial robots will not only be more capable of
adapting to constantly changing manufacturing environments, but can
also help displace physically dangerous or unpleasant jobs the sector is qualified workers - even more essential in the wake of additional work-
still challenged to fill. force challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, adds Simard. “This
“Our AI platform shows potential for significant productivity gains, is both critical for individual firms and also reflects a growing consensus
along with substantial energy and consumable savings per part produced among many robot and process equipment manufacturers.
that are meaningful to all kinds of industrial manufacturers,” says “We started with industrial paint, but paint is just the beginning. Our
Omnirobotic CEO & Founder Francois Simard. “The technology itself is investors believe in our plan to build the definitive AI platform for factory
transformative because these manufacturers will finally be able to use robots,” he adds. “This won’t just unlock robotics for the entire manufac-
industrial robots for value-added tasks on never-before-seen parts within turing industry, but will also make costly, extensive, painstaking robot
unstructured environments.” programming a thing of the past, paving the way for a new era of
Manufacturers are looking for their own ways to automate tasks for autonomous manufacturing.”
which they otherwise have difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled, www.omnirobotic.com

Design Center, we help our customers bring the inspiration from the past and future. With tactile,
forecast to life through the creation of custom, pro- sensorial finishes, Continuum fuses technology
prietary finishes that meet consumer demand.” with nature, blending whites, charcoals and pops
of color found in the natural environment.”
Industrial Wood 2021 Colormix
Trend Forecast Collections TAPESTRY
“Vivid hues and finishes influenced infuse color
SANCTUARY through layers of pattern and texture. Maximalist
This range uses calming colors to “nurture well- metallics and jewel tone finishes.”
ness and serenity. Scandinavian simplicity was a www.wood.sherwin-
key influence for soft, matte neutrals with rich, williams.com/colormix2021
well-worn textures and sunbaked tones.”
Sun Chemical Releases
ENCOUNTER 2019 Sustainability Report
The Encounter collection’s earthy finishes Sun Chemical released its 11th annual Corporate
“embrace heritage lux and global inspiration. Sustainability Report in late October, for the year
Varying levels of gloss and sheen, balanced by ending 2019.
dark, textured finishes enhance the natural beau- The report describes how the company devel-
ty of wood. Rustic and tribal hues breathe life ops, manufactures and distributes its products • waste reduction programs focused on improv-
into burnished, charred stains.” while also showing how it works with customers ing the utilization of incoming materials, pro-
and suppliers to improve sustainability goals. moting recycling and optimizing the end of life
CONTINUUM Key research and development highlights of a product or material
This range is described as a hybrid of synthetic include: • a silver corporate social responsibility rating by
and natural influences. “These finishes pull • a long-term strategic target to reduce manufac- EcoVadis, a third-party organization that meas-
turing CO levels by at least 30 percent by 2030 ures a variety of categories, including environ-

6 CAnADIAn FInISHInG & COATInGS MAnuFACTuRInG nOvEMbER/DECEMbER 2020