Mr. Mühlens, from Igus' point of view, what is needed to ensure that even robotics amateurs can quickly get to grips with automation?

Alexander Mühlens: Robots in general are increasingly finding their way into companies. While it is impossible to imagine large factories without them, more and more small and medium-sized companies are also venturing into automation. However, the entry-level prices of classic industrial robots can exceed the entire development budget - this is not affordable for many companies. Our answer to this is low-cost robots and components made of plastic, such as the new 'ReBeL mini', a 5-axis cobot starting at 3,999 euros.

But high costs are not the only hurdle: Getting started with automation often fails due to the complexity - especially if you have no prior knowledge. And this is where we come in: We want to make it as easy as possible for interested parties to put their individual automation solution into operation and achieve a quick return on investment. The online marketplace 'RBTX', where compatible components for successful low-cost automation - i.e. hardware, software and electrical connections - can be found at transparent prices, is helpful here. The free expert consultation, the 'RBTXpert', also helps to find an individual automation solution together with the customer via video chat; in addition, we then create a list of the required components and a fixed price offer. The focus is on affordable applications between 7,000 and 15,000 euros.

However, we not only simplify the configuration, but also the control of low-cost automation in terms of barrier-free entry: with intuitive software, for example, motion sequences of the ReBeL robots can be defined within 15 minutes using digital twins with just a few clicks - even without programming knowledge.

What is the idea behind 'play before pay'?

In principle, it's nothing different from what you see in the big consumer electronics stores: I can try out games consoles, smartphones or tablets and get excited before I buy them. That's exactly what we do: I familiarize myself with robots, try out how a robot works in a protected virtual space and do exactly what I want it to do. This gives me additional security and shows me how easy low-cost automation is. Only when I'm really convinced do I invest. The 'igus robot control' software is available to download free of charge.

What specific tools are included and what can they do?

By using newly developed digital tools, we help companies to configure, integrate and control robotics hardware quickly and easily. With the help of the 'RBTXperience' software, users can use a 3D model to combine and test automation system components such as cameras, grippers and robots, as well as machine frames and conveyor belts - as easily as in a computer game. The components and superstructures can be adapted as required using the drag and drop function, always with a compatibility guarantee and live price. CAD files for integrating the automation solution into your own planning software can be downloaded with a single click.

Do these tools work exclusively with Igus low-cost robots?