Contract R&D
Contract R&D in robotics and machine vision
Cobotory (NPK COBOTORY LLC, Chelyabinsk, Russia) is a robotics R&D contractor. We take an industrial problem to a working prototype: machine vision, ROS 2 mobile platforms, tactile sensors, electronics and embedded software. You receive a tested prototype, R&D documentation and the rights to the resulting intellectual property.
Start-AI
FASIE-funded R&D project completed
No. 2024663972
Computer program registered with Rospatent
28–32 fps
Recognition rate in system trials
What we build
Machine vision
Real-time recognition of objects, operator hands and defects on edge hardware (Axera AX650 and similar) — no cloud, no video leaving the site.
Mobile robots and autonomous platforms
Wheeled platforms on ROS 2: SLAM, navigation, path planning, Ackermann and 4WS steering, hub motor wheels.
Tactile sensing and grasping
Silicone tactile skin measures temperature and tactile shear, so a gripper notices a part starting to slip.
Electronics and embedded software
Motor controllers, sensors and firmware: every unit, from the low-level controller to the sensor, is designed and assembled in-house.
How a project runs
1. Problem review
We look at the process or object and agree on what success means.
2. Specification and plan
Stages, timeline, acceptance criteria and deliverables — before the contract is signed.
3. Prototype
Hardware and software, with a review at every stage.
4. Trials
On our test bench and, where possible, on your site; trial reports included.
5. Handover
Prototype, source code, design documentation, R&D report and IP rights as agreed.
Completed project: monitoring assembly-line operations
Under a grant agreement with the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (Start-AI programme, No. 216ГС1ИИС12-D7/85756 of 11 July 2023) we built and tested a hardware-software system that watches manual operations on an assembly line, assists the operator and prevents incidents. In trials it recognised hands and objects at 28–32 frames per second with the line moving at 0.8 km/h. The software is registered with Rospatent as computer program No. 2024663972 of 14 June 2024.
System trials on video
Footage from the assembly-line monitoring test bench, July 2024: hand and part recognition, abnormal situations, light pointer and audio prompts for the operator.
Recognising operator hands on the line
Recognising parts on a moving conveyor, 0.8 km/h
Recognising boxes on a conveyor, 6 km/h
Detecting abnormal situations and collisions
Light pointer at the operator's workstation
Audio alerts for the operator
Contract R&D questions
How much does an R&D project cost?
It depends on the hardware scope, the number of stages and the testing and documentation required. We quote budget and timeline after reviewing the problem and before signing, broken down by stage in the specification.
Who owns the result?
Intellectual property is transferred to the client unless the contract says otherwise. What exactly is handed over — source code, documentation, prototype — is fixed in the specification.
Do you work with companies outside Russia?
Development and bench testing take place in Chelyabinsk. For international clients we discuss the format — including technology licensing — case by case.
What documents does the client receive?
An R&D report, trial reports, source code and design documentation for the prototype, to the extent agreed in the specification.
Describe your problem
We will come back with questions and a staged R&D proposal.