SOUTHINGTON -- He might look like something out of "Star Wars," but he works in a Southington plastics plant.
Baxter is a type of collaborative robot who has joined the ranks on the assembly line at Vanguard Plastics.
Budnick purchased three Baxter Bots just over a year ago and has been pleased with the results. The robots use sensors and sonar to take on tasks like stacking and sorting. On its pedestal, the robot stands about 6 feet tall, and also has an animated screen for a head that shows expressions as it performs its work.
"He never calls in sick," Budnick laughed.
Budnick noted that adding robots to his assembly line has been crucial to remaining competitive.
"It's really helped our productivity,'' he said. "These (robots) are the types of tools that small companies need to compete with China and Mexico and other coutnries."
Budnick said the Baxter robots cost him about $25,000 each.
"We believe in American products and this keeps us on the cutting edge of manufacturing."
