Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for May 10, 2016

Logistics robots market set to grow more than 30 per cent in the next four years, says study

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The market for logistics robots is set to grow by more than 30 per cent by the end of this decade, according to a report by Big Market Research.

The analysts listed the prominent global logistics robots market players, business environment and industry scenario.

The most noteworthy factors assessed during the study includes market overview and top vendor offerings in the sector for 2016-2020.

“As the robotic sector experiences more competition than ever and new enterprises keep popping up worldwide, the report captures some key drivers, restraints as well as opportunities shaping the industry’s future,” the authors of the report.  [Read more…] about Logistics robots market set to grow more than 30 per cent in the next four years, says study

Fiat Chrysler Pacifica to include Google driverless car technology in software giant’s first auto partnership

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Google driverless car technology set to take to the streets next year

The Google Self-Driving Car Project and Fiat Chrysler have entered into what they are calling a “first-of-its-kind collaboration”, saying that they will integrate Google’s self-driving technology into all new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to expand Google’s existing self-driving test program.

This marks the first time that Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its self-driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle.

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be used later this year for Google’s self-driving testing, more than doubling Google’s current fleet of self-driving test vehicles. Engineering responsibilities will be shared based on each company’s respective expertise. [Read more…] about Fiat Chrysler Pacifica to include Google driverless car technology in software giant’s first auto partnership

Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost

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worm gears

Tony Young, director of electrical and automation maintenance company, CP Automation, explains the benefits of worm gearboxes

Worm gearboxes are low cost solutions for producing high torque from relatively small electric motors. Their output shaft is at a 90 degree angle to the motor input shaft and higher reduction ratios are obtained compared to conventional gearbox designs.

It would be hard to imagine how violin or guitar strings could be tuned without the use of worm gears, where each thumb screw is effectively a worm that turns a gear, the shaft from which in turn tightens a string.

A complete turn of the thumb screw results in a much smaller turn of only a few degrees at the string shaft, and therefore much higher torque. More importantly, it provides precise tuning of the guitar string.  [Read more…] about Worm gearboxes produce high torque at low cost