Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 2016

Omron launches its first IO-Link-compliant factory automation devices

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Omron says its IO-Link-compliant factory automation devices will make production equipment smarter 

Omron is launching the IO-Link-compliant Photoelectric Sensors E3Z, Color Mark Photoelectric Sensors E3S-DC Series, Proximity Sensors E2E and E2EQ Series, and IO-Link Master Units GX and NX Series all at once as a first step of integrating sensors into the internet of things (IoT). 

The company says its new technologies are “ideal for use at manufacturing sites”.

Omron says the launch of the IO-Link-compliant sensors is a “big step” in making production equipment smarter to add various information and communication functions to over 100,000 specifications of control components for factory automation devices and achieve integration of factory automation and information and communications technology.  [Read more…] about Omron launches its first IO-Link-compliant factory automation devices

Kuka’s monstrous robotic vehicle manoeuvres gigantic Airbus components with ‘millimetre precision’

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Kuka claims its humungous robotic vehicle can move with utmost exactness as it manoeuvres massive aircraft components within small spaces at Airbus 

Robot-maker Kuka is boasting about how precise its omniMove robotic vehicle has been during a job at Airbus where it was used to manoeuvre supersize aircraft components. 

Airbus uses two powerful Kuka omniMove heavy-duty mobile transport vehicles for the construction of its A380 flagship in Hamburg.

With their Mecanum wheels, they are able to transport aircraft components weighing up to 90 tonnes with “millimeter precision” in confined spaces, claims Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka’s monstrous robotic vehicle manoeuvres gigantic Airbus components with ‘millimetre precision’

LeddarTech on a mission to master the auto electronics and software components markets

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leddartech

LeddarTech unveils its masterplan for ending automakers’ domination of the electronics and software components markets 

LeddarTech has unveiled key insights about its LeddarCore integrated circuits roadmap, which the company says is set to enable low-cost, high-performance solid-state LiDARs  for multiple automotive safety applications – from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to autonomous driving.

During the Sensors Expo held in San Jose, LeddarTech’s management confirmed that two LeddarCore IC programs are in the works: the LC-A2, targeting the automation layers 1 to 3, with the first samples scheduled for the second half of 2017, and the LC-A3, which will meet the specifications for automation layers 2 to 4, with an expected sample availability in 2018.  [Read more…] about LeddarTech on a mission to master the auto electronics and software components markets

PixMap launches ‘revolutionary’ 3D vision system for drones and robots

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PixMap says its “Reality Capture” technology takes robotics from 2D to 3D perception, enabling many new applications for robots and drones 

PixMap has launched what it says is a “revolutionary” 3D real-time robotics localization and mapping technology. 

This new technology, named Reality Capture, enables robots and drones to robustly map their environment in 3D and in a photorealistic manner and to know their position within the world with a millimetric accuracy, according to PixMap.

The company says that by using this technology, robots can, for the first time, see the real world by accurately capturing its geometry and colours. Reality Capture technology will enable many new applications for robots and drones, adds PixMap.  [Read more…] about PixMap launches ‘revolutionary’ 3D vision system for drones and robots

Universal Robots opens new US West Coast headquarters

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universal-robots-new-hq-in-irvine copy crop

Universal Robots is widening its US presence with a 3,000+ sq ft new West Coast base in Irvine.

For the past three years, Universal Robots has doubled sales each year and now has more collaborative robots – or cobots – deployed worldwide than all competitors combined.

Craig Tomita, area sales manager of Universal Robots’ western division, will head up the new team in Irvine providing expanded West Coast operations.

Emphasizing the “ideal” location of the Irvine office, Tomita says: “This office will be key in sustaining our growth. Our cobots are already deployed in a wide range of industries here in Southern California; from medical device manufacturers to machine shops. Having a local presence brings us closer to our end users and sales channel partners, enabling us to offer unmatched service and support.”  [Read more…] about Universal Robots opens new US West Coast headquarters

Market for automated material handling equipment to reach $45 billion by 2022

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Research and Markets released data suggesting that the automated material handling equipment market is expected to reach $44.68 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.9 percent between 2016 and 2022.

According to the analysis, market growth is propelled by increasing demand for automated solutions; the need to ensure a safe working environment; and reduction in labor cost through advanced robotics. Unit load material handling systems are estimated to hold a large share and grow at a high CAGR in the automated material handling equipment market during the forecast period.

Unit load material handling systems are widely used in various industries as they are cost effective and have many advantages such as the ability to handle several items simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of trips, time required for loading and unloading, and the cost of handling.  [Read more…] about Market for automated material handling equipment to reach $45 billion by 2022

The size of things to come: An exciting time for medical robotics

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In this exclusive article for Robotics and Automation News, Chris Wagner, head of advanced surgical systems at Cambridge Consultants, takes a microscopic look at the developments in medical robotics

This is an exciting time for medical robotics, as there is a proliferation of systems on the market or in development.

Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci, the long-time market leader for robotic laparoscopic procedures, now has potential competition from Medtronic, Verb Surgical (backed by Google and J&J), Auris Surgical, Transenterix’s ALF-X, and Titan Medical’s Sport system.

Similarly, the orthopaedics robot market is active with Stryker’s Mako platform, Think Surgical’s TCAT system, Mazor Robotics Renaissance system for spine surgery, and Blue Belt Technologies (now owned by Smith & Nephew) Navio system.

One interesting observation is of the physical size of the various systems as compared to the active operating volume of the robot.  [Read more…] about The size of things to come: An exciting time for medical robotics

FDA approves Auris robotic endoscopy system

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Though Auris has not unveiled its much awaited endoscopy system, the recent approval from the Food and Drug Association has got many industry experts and principal investigator sharing their opinion

How many of us would actually trust a robotic surgeon operating on us? Not many. But the new precise and dexterous medical robot approved by the FDA shows they could soon take over the operation theater.

Within the next 10 years, scientists believe computer-assisted surgery will be a popular and a standard feature in many operation rooms and critical extension of modern medical professionals, say research analysts at Allied Market Research.

Researchers analysing the growth, demand, size, and share of the Medical Robotics and Computer-Assisted Surgery Market say that areas such as Silicon Valley rank among the most active regions in the United States for medical robotics and Auris Surgical Robotics has managed to gain much recognition.  [Read more…] about FDA approves Auris robotic endoscopy system

The obstacles self-driving cars must navigate before being allowed on the roads

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self-driving cars
Picture: Courtesy GazetteReview.com

Charles Bell reports on the progress of self-driving cars

We hear a lot about self-driving cars these days, and there are occasional reports that major tech companies and auto manufacturers are getting close to mastering the concept.

But the truth is that there remain some significant hurdles for such companies to overcome before self-driving cars can achieve regulatory approval and widespread adoption.

Here are some of the issues that need to be dealt with.  [Read more…] about The obstacles self-driving cars must navigate before being allowed on the roads

ABB opens large, integrated new facility in Silicon Valley

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abb silicon valley campus

ABB says its new Silicon Valley Campus will help company usher in the next industrial revolution with connectivity and smart data

ABB is expanding its presence in Silicon Valley, which the company considers the heart of the world’s technology economy.

ABB has brought together robotics, solar, gas analyzers, software development, and wireless communications under one roof for better integrated development and customer interaction.

The new 94,170 square foot office and lab facility is 20,000 square feet larger than the previous cumulative locations and will ultimately house nearly 200 employees when at full capacity.  [Read more…] about ABB opens large, integrated new facility in Silicon Valley