IXON Empowers Binghamton Students to Win Award with Advanced Pharmacy Automation Project

This project examined how cloud computing, big data analytics, and simulation enhance cobot performance in automated pharmacy settings.

Five Binghamton University students received a prestigious award for their senior capstone, which integrated IXON’s cloud‑enabled solution to upgrade the Universal Robot UR5 cobot’s functionality in pharmacy automation.

We spoke with the team to learn more about their research and collaboration with IXON.

Science in Industrial & Systems engineering students, from left to right: Daniel McGrath, Shazid Khan, Francesca Cassano, Zachary Calabrese and Robert Nicosia.

Could you please describe your project in short?

“The purpose of this project was to combine three Industry 4.0 pillars—cloud computing, big data analytics, and simulation—with an automated pharmacy cobot to assess how these technologies impact packaging performance. We also leveraged autonomous robots, AI, and IIoT to further augment the UR5’s capabilities.”

What prompted your project?

“During the COVID‑19 pandemic, high‑demand health products ran out of stock, and Johnson & Johnson struggled to meet demand. By deploying cobots, the company could fulfill orders efficiently, so we chose this as the focus of our study.”

The IXrouter connected to the Universal Robots UR5.

What exactly did you research during your project?

“We implemented simulation and cloud computing to evaluate whether enhancing the UR5’s functionality would yield measurable benefits. We created assembly and packaging programs that were replicated in RoboDK, aiming to reduce cycle times. Cloud control of the UR5 was achieved via the IXON IXrouter3, cutting setup time and its variability.”

Remote access via VPN enabled us to operate an entire smart‑factory of robots from a single workstation.

Zachary Calabrese
Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering graduate at Binghamton University New York

How did you use IXON’s solution for your project?

“The IXrouter and IXON Cloud gave us secure VPN access to the UR5, letting us run pick‑and‑place programs remotely from our laptops. This approach can scale to teleoperate multiple cobots or even an entire smart factory from one computer. IXON also enabled a custom service portal for monitoring connected machines and provided no‑code remote access to data analytics and predictive maintenance.”

UR5 picks and places pill bottles.

What were the most important findings of your project?

“Simulation and cloud computing markedly improved the UR5’s performance, significantly lowering cycle times and boosting throughput. We bridged the gap between cobots and the simulation pillar by creating eleven pick‑and‑place simulations in RoboDK, and leveraged IXrouter to integrate IIoT and cloud computing. These results demonstrate that pharmacy cobots can be effectively enhanced through simulation and cloud solutions.”

Daniel McGrath
Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering graduate at Binghamton University New York

How did you perceive your collaboration with IXON during your senior project?

“Working with IXON was exceptional. Their advanced technology allowed us to showcase cutting‑edge capabilities, and their support team answered every query promptly despite the time zone difference. We would gladly collaborate with IXON again.”

The group of five won the prestigious Process and Modeling Analysis Track at the 2021 General Donald R. Keith Memorial Capstone Conference. On behalf of everyone at IXON, we congratulate all five students on their graduation and the award they received.

Experience the benefits of IXON Cloud for cobotics

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