Atomrobot and Tianjin University of Technology Jointly Launch the First Mobile Collaborative Troweling Robot

● A robot capable of autonomous mobility, precise troweling, and efficient polishing is redefining flexible manufacturing in the industrial sector.

In the wave of “smart manufacturing,” industrial robots are evolving from traditional stationary, rigid, single-function machines toward a new generation characterized by mobility, collaboration, and multifunctionality.

Recently, Atomrobot, together with the Key Laboratory of Advanced Electromechanical System Design and Intelligent Control of Tianjin University of Technology, unveiled a brand-new product — the Atomrobot Mobile Collaborative Troweling Robot.

This system integrates an autonomous mobile robot, a collaborative robotic arm, and troweling/polishing operations into one platform, aiming to address the pain points of small-batch, multi-variety, and flexible production.

It is not a simple function stacking, but a system-level architectural innovation.
 

Tackling Industry Pain Points:

Why a Mobile Collaborative Troweling Robot?

In traditional cement troweling work, handheld tools are commonly used, leading to low efficiency, poor precision, and high labor intensity. Meanwhile, conventional rigid production lines are difficult to adjust, occupy large spaces, and cannot adapt to today’s demand for “small batches with fast response.”

Existing collaborative robots, while flexible, are typically fixed installations with limited working range. Mobile robots (AGV/AMR), on the other hand, are mostly used for logistics and transport with single functions.

So, can we deeply integrate a mobile platform, a collaborative robotic arm, and troweling operations to create a truly meaningful “mobile operation robot”?

This joint team between Atomrobot and Tianjin University of Technology presents a new answer.

Technical Integration & Innovation:

How to Achieve 1 + 1 + 1 > 3?

This solution realizes efficient coordination of mobility, vision, and operation modules through modular hardware and intelligent system control.

• High-Freedom Mobile Collaboration Platform
  Built on an autonomous mobile chassis with laser-SLAM navigation, the robot achieves high-precision localization and path planning without environment modification. A 6-axis collaborative arm is mounted on top, supporting a 20kg payload and a 1700mm reach — suitable for cement troweling, polishing, and beyond.

The five modular subsystems — mobility, robotics, control, vision, and polishing — feature standardized interfaces, allowing quick module replacement for different tasks.

• Vision Perception & Real-Time Correction
  Equipped with multi-camera systems, including a positioning camera and a 3D arm-mounted vision sensor, the robot performs visual servoing to dynamically correct arm trajectories and adapt to deviations or part deformation.
• Force-Controlled Polishing & Adaptive Operations
  With joint torque sensors and end-force devices, the robot performs constant-force grinding, surpassing manual consistency. Modular end-effectors enable quick tool change for multiple applications.

Usability & System Design:

Professional yet User-Friendly

The system interface is designed with operators in mind:

• Simple core controls (“Start,” “Stop,” “Next Step”) minimize errors and display real-time module status.
• Parameter settings and process choices are integrated into a “Parameter Configuration” module, supporting presets, quick recall, and batch import/export.
• A layered modular system allows experts to fine-tune vision, robotics, and AGV subsystems while keeping front-end operation intuitive and reliable.

For operators with basic automation knowledge, quick training suffices for independent operation.

Core Breakthroughs:

System-Level Synergy & Intelligent Maintenance

The key innovation lies in multi-module synergy and smart interaction. Algorithms based on multi-sensor feedback enable online compensation, ensuring arm precision despite mobile platform movement.

An intelligent task scheduler lets users issue commands via a graphical interface or voice instructions, with the system automatically coordinating mobility and operation sequences.

For maintenance, a built-in fault diagnosis system provides clear alerts and remote diagnostic support, significantly improving service efficiency.

Application Value:

Quantifiable Benefits & Scenario Expansion

Thanks to its mobility, modularity, and adaptability, the mobile troweling robot extends beyond cement finishing to broader applications, such as:

• Furniture & Home Manufacturing: surface treatment of customized furniture and sanitary hardware.
• Aerospace: deburring and finishing of small-to-medium components.
• New Materials: flexible handling and fine processing of composite parts.

Compared with manual polishing, it improves efficiency and consistency while reducing labor intensity. Compared with rigid dedicated machines, it offers cost advantages and flexibility.

From an industry perspective, its significance is more than functional innovation: it marks a shift — robots evolving from tools to system partners.

It breaks traditional boundaries between logistics and operations, between handling and processing, building a “manufacturing-as-a-service” cell-level solution. With one mobile, multi-skill robot, production units can be deployed and adjusted rapidly, enabling a new level of flexible, high-mix manufacturing.

Atomrobot’s team states that future plans include opening system interfaces to third-party ecosystems, expanding process packages for spraying, inspection, assembly, and building a general-purpose mobile operation platform.

The system is already in pilot applications in the cement industry. While it may not fully replace dedicated machines or fixed robots, in fields requiring flexibility, multifunctionality, and rapid response, it delivers a completely new efficiency experience.