Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for May 12, 2016

Stäubli to host series of events about robotics in automotive industry

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stäubli robotics suite
Screenshot of Stäubli Robotics Suite 2016

Stäubli will be hosting Automotive Technology Days 2016 in Novi, Michigan at the Suburban Collection Showplace from May 24th to the 25th.

The company says its Automotive Technology Days will be an “exciting event geared towards those automotive professionals who want to maximize profit and value in their workflows”.

Stäubli’s industry experts will be present to demonstrate how their top of the line robotic technology can improve productivity with clean, consistent, high performance robots. 

The company also wants to show off the latest version of its Stäubli Robotics Suite 2016, a PC software suite for robotics application development and maintenance.

[Read more…] about Stäubli to host series of events about robotics in automotive industry

Autonomous car technology could reduce insurance premiums by $20 billion

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volvo autonomous car
Volvo XC90 Drive Me autonomous drive technology test vehicle

The multi-billion pound motor insurance industry faces a period of radical restructuring as a result of the advent of autonomous car technology, says Volvo. 

The number of vehicle crashes is set to drop by 80 per cent by 2035 and insurance premiums set to plummet. These were among the issues raised at a high-level panel discussion organised by Volvo Cars and Thatcham Research.

Research by Swiss Re and Here released earlier this month calculated that autonomous drive technologies could wipe $20 billion off insurance premiums globally by 2020 alone. At present, motor insurance generates 42 per cent of all non-life gross premiums, the largest single slice of global premiums.  [Read more…] about Autonomous car technology could reduce insurance premiums by $20 billion

Kuka to unveil three ‘innovative’ research projects at ICRA event

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kuka youbot
The Kuka youBot, an omnidirectional, mobile platform, on which a five-axis robot arm is mounted with two-finger gripper

Kuka says it will be presenting “three innovative corporate research projects” at one of the world’s largest robotics conferences.

The International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Stockholm offers researchers from across the globe a platform to present innovative solutions. Kuka is a sponsor of ICRA.

Dr Rainer Bischoff, head of Kuka corporate research, says: “At ICRA, we will not only be showcasing our latest technological developments, but we will also be taking a broader view to discuss new scientific approaches for developing innovative ideas in the future as well.”

Stefan Lampa, CEO of Kuka Robotics, adds: “Innovations are the driving force for the growth of a company. They strengthen the product portfolio and help to open up new markets.”  [Read more…] about Kuka to unveil three ‘innovative’ research projects at ICRA event

SSI Schaefer presents a new shuttle system for bins and cartons

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schaefer cuby

SSI Schaefer has unveiled a new shuttle system for bins and cartons in time for CeMAT

Schaefer has launched its Cuby shuttle system just in time for CeMAT 16, which takes place from 31 May to 3 June in Hannover, Germany.

Schaefer’s one-level shuttle system Cuby is designed for bins and cartons up to 35 kg, which rounds out their product range in this segment.  [Read more…] about SSI Schaefer presents a new shuttle system for bins and cartons

Apex Automation and Robotics uses 3D vision to inspect food jars

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apex 3D Vision

Apex Automation and Robotics has introduced 3D vision systems to inspect food jars on production lines

A popped lid in a food jar is a serious problem. It indicates that the seal is broken and vacuum inside the jar was breached and can result in spoilage of the product. It is therefore crucial to detect these jars before they leave production and make their way to the supermarket shelf.

Inspecting the lid on every jar by an operator is not very reliable since it is not always easy to distinguish between a popped lid and a good one especially when the production rate is high. [Read more…] about Apex Automation and Robotics uses 3D vision to inspect food jars

RE2 delivers two-armed robot to US Army

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resquared robotics

RE2 Robotics has delivered a two-arm Highly Dexterous Manipulation System (HDMS) to the US Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) under an Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II extension contract. 

Robotic systems for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) typically include a single manipulator to perform critical tasks such as inspection, detection, and neutralization of explosive devices. These manipulators are often limited in their dexterity, reach and lifting capacity.  [Read more…] about RE2 delivers two-armed robot to US Army

Detroit to host experts in automotive robotics trends

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Tesla auto industrial robots

The US automotive manufacturing sector buys one in every two industrial robots, according to the International Federation of Robots. 

Therefore, being able to spot emerging the trends in the use of robots in the automotive industry is important to industrial robot manufacturers.

Robotics and Automation News is partnering with LBCG, a company which is organising a new automotive event, scheduled to take place in Detroit, mid-August.  [Read more…] about Detroit to host experts in automotive robotics trends

Logistics companies utilising robotics and automation at ports to optimise operations

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This season’s CeMAT Port Forum is themed Seaports as Opportunities for Logistics Chain Optimization and will feature high-power speakers from government, port companies and port customers.

Keynote topics this year include shippers’ rising expectations of the quality and punctuality of international and intermodal logistics chains and the growing capacity shortages in hinterland infrastructure, as well as robotics and automation. Intralogistics topics will also be on the agenda.

Port operators are increasingly meeting these challenges through ongoing investment in modern handling, warehousing and IT technology. Moreover, logistics companies are increasingly exploring new robotics and automation technology for ports and warehousing operations.  [Read more…] about Logistics companies utilising robotics and automation at ports to optimise operations