Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 14, 2016

DHL launches robotics challenge to build self-driving delivery cart

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DHL sidewalk delivery robot
DHL sidewalk delivery robot

Logistics giant DHL has launched a robotics challenge in which it is “calling all inventors and visionaries” to develop a prototype of a self-driving delivery cart. 

It’s not the first time DHL has organised a robotics challenge, but this one comes soon after the company announced that it is completely reorganising its entire global supply chain around robotics and autonomous systems.

The company has been increasing the number of robots it uses globally. In its DHL Singapore hub, which it opened in April, the company says it started by using 130 robotic shuttles.

DHL has also more than doubled the capacity of its Japan distribution capacity by opening a new facility which uses the latest highly automated systems.

The first prize for the DHL robotics challenge is €10,000.

Robots being employed as receptionists and office managers

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betty robot strands project
Some robot to watch over the workers

Japanese people may have become somewhat accustomed to the sight of a robot greeting them when they enter a store or some such place since robots have been employed as receptionists in Japan for some time now. 

However, Europe is catching up, with new reports of two separate instances of robots being employed as receptionists.

In one report, the Guardian highlights the employment of Pepper, the SoftBank robot, now greeting visitors and patients at hospitals in Liege and Ostend, in Belgium.

In another report, the Telegraph showcases Betty the robot, who is employed managing an office in Milton Keynes, UK. Developed by the Strands Project, Betty may not be as aesthetically pleasing as Pepper, but she has more responsibilities, such as checking to see if staff are working late and if doors are closed and so on.

Onshape introduces programming language to its online 3D design application

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onshape
Onshape says FeatureScript is the first open programming language for adding new parametric CAD features

Onshape, the online 3D design software, is introducing a programming language to its application which the company says will enable designers to “create their own features that look, feel and behave just like Onshape’s built-in features”.

Onshape says it recognizes that the design challenges for each industry and every company are different. And this is one of the main reasons why Onshape is introducing FeatureScript, a new open programming language that lets CAD users create their own built-in parametric features or modify existing ones.

The company says FeatureScript will enable designers to change the way Onshape works. FeatureScript is the same language used to develop all of Onshape’s current features (Extrude, Fillet, Shell, Loft, and so on) and has already been used millions of times by Onshape users, perhaps without realizing it.

By making FeatureScript public – available to all Free, Professional and Enterprise Customers – full-cloud Onshape says it is now offering “the first truly customizable parametric CAD feature set”.  [Read more…] about Onshape introduces programming language to its online 3D design application

Robocom launches voice solution for warehouse management

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Robocom Systems has released the newest version of R-Voice, which is now powered by the AccuSpeechMobile Intelligent Voice+ Automation Solution. 

The software enables warehouse management systems voice productivity.

Robocom and AccuSpeechMobile have completed an OEM agreement that enables the embedding of the mobile-intelligent AccuSpeechMobile solution into Robcom’s warehouse management system, providing its customers the most cost-effective voice solution on the market.  [Read more…] about Robocom launches voice solution for warehouse management

Robore Cuts tests Husqvarna’s demolition robot

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husqvarna dxr 140
The Husqvarna DXR 140 demolition robot tears down the Bloomsbury Theatre

Company puts Husqvarna DXR 140 demolition robot through its paces on a construction site 

Robore Cuts – a diamond drilling, cutting and controlled demolition specialist – has put its expertise to precise effect by demolishing a fire escape within the University College of London – Bloomsbury Theatre.

Strict noise and vibration controls were being enforced, therefore they turned to Husqvarna’s DXR 140 Demolition Robot to complete the work on time and within the restrictions stipulated.

Robore Cuts provides a specialist diamond drilling, sawing and controlled demolition contractor service to the construction industry both nationally and internationally.  [Read more…] about Robore Cuts tests Husqvarna’s demolition robot

Kuka robot constructs pavilion by sewing parts together

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kuka quantec
Like an oversized sand dollar: the completed research pavilion at the University of Stuttgart. Photo: ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart

Sewing may be one of the oldest technical activities of humankind but it’s not one that robots have yet fully mastered. 

The complexity of sewing, whether it’s sewing by hand or using a machine, is such that robots – or sophisticated sewing machines – can only perform some relatively simple stitches.

But those stitches that the robots or sewing machines can perform are actually very impressive and would be difficult – though not impossible for a human.

On the other hand, a lot of things a human can do – such as stitch together a sleeve and cuff or some other part of the garment, or even sew together the entire garment – is way beyond the realms of possibility for even the most sophisticated robots of today.

Nonetheless, the university in Stuttgart has used Kuka robots to perform a sewing job which can only be described as impressive. Perhaps weird as well, since they stitched together some wood – not a material usually associated with sewing.  [Read more…] about Kuka robot constructs pavilion by sewing parts together

Autonomous vehicles ‘major attraction’ at CeMAT logistics fair

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cemat 2016

Autonomous vehicles were a major attraction for visitors this year at the annual logistics trade fair, CeMAT

Deutsche Messe, which owns and organises CeMAT, says this year’s event was one of the biggest and most successful ever, and certainly the most innovative in the sense that there was a huge amount of interest in new technology such as autonomous vehicles.

The motto for this year’s CeMAT was “Smart Supply Chain Solutions”, and the fair organisers say there was a “substantial growth in the number of foreign visitors”.

From 31 May to 3 June, roughly 1,000 exhibiting companies from 44 countries (exhibitors from outside Germany: 55 percent) presented solutions for efficient and intelligent management of logistics chains.

During the four days of the show, visitors saw for themselves that the intelligent warehouse is already reality. Stephan Weil, Premier of Lower Saxony, opened the trade fair.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles ‘major attraction’ at CeMAT logistics fair

Stratasys to launch universal design-to-3D print application

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Stratasys, a maker of 3D printers, has embarked on an ambitious plan to become more of a software company by launching a design application built using open source standards

Stratasys says GrabCAD Print is built on a proven, cloud-based SaaS platform and a “new business intelligence environment”, which will make designing and making 3D printing “easier, more intuitive and readily accessible”. 

Stratasys is known as 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company – it’s a hardware company. But the new software strategy is designed to make 3D printing significantly easier, more intuitive and highly accessible – which, in turn, will expand the company’s market into the software sector.

Stratasys’ application is powered by a new, open architecture “design-to-3D print” workflow application, GrabCAD Print – residing on the popular GrabCAD SaaS platform and supported by a community of more than 3 million designers, engineers and students.  [Read more…] about Stratasys to launch universal design-to-3D print application