HxGN Robotic Automation
A connected platform where engineers plan, program and execute robotic inspection, uniting digital-twin modelling, automatic path generation, virtual commissioning and live cell execution in a single intuitive workspace.
Problem & Context
Programming a robotic inspection cell used to mean stitching together vendor-specific tools, swapping files between systems, and discovering issues only after the real cell was built and powered on. The product set out to change that: bring the entire workflow (from modelling the cell as a digital twin, to generating robot paths automatically, to simulating and validating the program offline, to running it on the real shop floor) into one connected platform that scales across sensors, robot brands and metrology software.
Responsibilities
- Led the UI team for the engineer-facing desktop application: architectural direction, mentoring, code reviews and technical hiring
- Designed the modular shell that lets the platform integrate new sensors, robot brands and metrology software without rework
- Built the cell-modelling and layout tools where engineers drag and drop parts, fixtures, robots and sensors to compose a digital twin of their inspection cell
- Integrated the 3D engine that powers full-cell visualization, robot motion preview and real-time collision detection
- Delivered the path-programming workspace where engineers compose, validate and simulate inspection programs before execution
- Established the reusable control and theming system that gave the application a coherent look-and-feel across every workflow
Architecture & Stack
- Modular desktop shell with a plug-in model for sensors, robot brands and metrology integrations. Open by design
- Digital-twin foundation: drag-and-drop machine and cell modelling, CAD import, visual alignment between virtual cell and real shop floor
- 3D visualization engine for cell geometry, robot motion preview and real-time collision detection
- Backed by simulation, data and control services that handle the heavy compute off the UI thread
- Direct interface to live cell hardware for online execution, plus a fully offline simulation mode for virtual commissioning
- GPU-accelerated simulation loops for fluid interaction with large cell models
Outcomes
- A single connected workspace replaced the patchwork of vendor tools. Engineers plan, program and execute inspection from one application
- Digital-twin modelling and offline simulation enable full virtual commissioning, so issues are caught before they reach the shop floor
- Automatic path generation cut the time from inspection plan to ready-to-run program from days to minutes
- Plug-in architecture made the platform genuinely scalable across new robots, sensors and metrology software as the product grew
- Vendor-agnostic execution gave manufacturers freedom to use their preferred robot brands and Hexagon's sensor portfolio without lock-in
Demo
Learn More
Official product page: hexagon.com ↗