Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for September 7, 2016

Exclusive: Nasa scientists set to revolutionise oil and gas business with robotics and automation technology

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space shuttle

Houston company says it is bringing advanced technology from Nasa to elevate oil and gas operations through robotics and automation

A Texas business grounded in aerospace experience and space technology is changing the face of oil and gas.

Houston Mechatronics, a company founded by former Nasa roboticists, is incorporating intelligent automation and robotics into the energy industry in ways that streamline operations, improve both costs and quality, and remove workers from hazardous environments.

The recent focus on oil and gas was a natural one, says Matthew Ondler, Houston Mechatronics’ co-founder and president. Although the company works with clients across a range of industries, energy is feeling a pinch.  [Read more…] about Exclusive: Nasa scientists set to revolutionise oil and gas business with robotics and automation technology

Fugitive robot found holed up on comet. Scientists demand the truth

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philae esa

An escaped space robot has been found holed up inside a cave on a comet after going on the run for more than a year. 

Philae, a tiny robotic spacecraft, was sent by the European Space Agency as part of the Rosetta mission.

Philae was designed to autonomously explore and send back data to the main Rosetta spacecraft, but it apparently ran off and scientists have not been able to find it until now.

Matt Taylor, ESA’s Rosetta project scientist, is quoted by CNN as saying: “This wonderful news means that we now have the missing ‘ground-truth’ information needed to put Philae’s three days of science into proper context, now that we know where that ground actually is.”

Full story on CNN

Yaskawa to showcase new customer machines at IMTS

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arc cutting industries

Giant robot maker to provide platform to innovators using Yaskawa technology in their solutions

The banners and graphics of Yaskawa booth E-4154 at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) will clearly display the logo of Yaskawa America, but the most notable features of the company’s 2016 exhibit will not be operating under the Yaskawa name.

The focus will be on two machines from companies that are doing a particularly impressive job of putting the features of Yaskawa motion automation components to use.

MachMotion of Newburg, Missouri will be showing an engraver that makes use of Yaskawa’s new Sigma-7 servo systems and the latest MP3300iec motion controller.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa to showcase new customer machines at IMTS

Metal belts are driving robotics industry growth, says metal belts company

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belt technologies belts-drivetape

Belt Technologies, which claims to be the leading provider of stainless steel belts, drive tapes, and conveyor systems, says metal belts are driving the growth in the robotics industry.

Recently, the company says it has seen an increase in the number of OEMS in the robotics industry seeking metal drive tapes and belts for their automated equipment.

Belt Technology’s president, Alan Wosky, says: “Robotic technology typically requires a high level of precision and cleanliness.  [Read more…] about Metal belts are driving robotics industry growth, says metal belts company

Industrial internet: Infineon wins new converts to its IoT and smart factory solutions

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Infineon has been busy welcoming new converts to its chip and systems technologies, with two new deals done in recent days. 

In one deal, EScrypt and GlobalSign have decided to join the Infineon Partner Network to develop smart factory solutions.

In the other, Infineon has reached a partnership agreement with Moncana on its “Security of Things” platform.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: Infineon wins new converts to its IoT and smart factory solutions

Kespry says its new drone is twice as capable as its previous model

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kespry drone 2.0

Kespry, which designs automated drone systems for commercial use, has launched its new Kespry Drone 2.0.

The company says its new lighter-weight drone flies twice as long, covers twice the ground area, and has double the wind resilience, due to the new airframe, battery, and flight system improvements.

Based on requests from commercial customers, the new Kespry Drone 2.0 now flies over 30 minutes per flight, covering up to 150 acres at a 400 foot altitude, and can operate effectively in up to 25 mph sustained winds and 35 mph wind gusts.  [Read more…] about Kespry says its new drone is twice as capable as its previous model

Industrial internet: Maxim uses Arduino and ARM components to build system to identify false sensor data

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Maxim Integrated has developed a system which makes it easier to authenticate sensor and avoid false readings 

Maxim Integrated says it has developed a system which provides protection against counterfeit sensor data, guaranteeing its authenticity and integrity along the entire data chain, from transducer to the cloud.

The company says its system addresses the many issues related to system security in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) installations.

The Arduino-compatible MaxRefDes143# Reference Design consists of a protected sensor node with a DS28E15 secure authenticator, DS7505 temperature sensor, and MAX44009 light sensor, all connected to the ARM mbed technology shield with its DS2465 secure coprocessor (SHA-256), 1-Wire and I2C interfaces, Wi-Fi module, and LED/LCD/pushbutton user interfaces.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: Maxim uses Arduino and ARM components to build system to identify false sensor data

Industrial Internet: Ubisense launches new tracking solution for logistics

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Ubisense has released a new version of its “precision zone tracking product”, AngleID, with a range of additional features including the ability to network multiple readers.

These updates increase the area that can be covered to whole buildings and enable even more sophisticated zones to be created.

AngleID was launched in May to offer real-time precision zone tracking, offering a completely new product that sits between passive RFID proximity tracking and real-time location systems (RTLS) exact location tracking.  [Read more…] about Industrial Internet: Ubisense launches new tracking solution for logistics

Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report

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The market for robots and drones in the agricultural sector is predicted to grow to $10 billion by 2022, according to a new study. 

The report by IDTechEx Research, Agricultural Robots and Drones 2016-2026: Technologies, Markets and Players, says there is already a $3 billion market in 2016, and will rise to $10 billion by 2022.

Some of the promising technologies that are available to help farmers increase yield without negative environmental factors, are to be discussed at a NIAB and Agri-Tech East event – Innovations for Sustainable Intensification, on 14 September in Cambridge, UK.  [Read more…] about Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report

Renishaw to present latest in advanced manufacturing technology at IMTS

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renishaw am 500 3d printing machine

Renishaw, one of the world’s leading engineering and scientific technology companies, will present the latest thinking and developments in metal additive manufacturing at the 2016 Additive Manufacturing Conference (AMC), September 13-14, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. 

Marc Saunders, director of Renishaw’s global solutions centres, will deliver a talk on industrialising additive manufacturing at 11am, on Wednesday 14th September, Room W375B.

Marc will explore the chains of linked processes and tools that are required to create an integrated manufacturing process with AM at its heart, and the controls that must be employed to make AM a mainstream manufacturing process.

This year’s AMC is co-located with the International Manufacturing Technology Show (ITMS), where Renishaw will be exhibiting its additive manufacturing systems and metrology products on Booth E-5509.  [Read more…] about Renishaw to present latest in advanced manufacturing technology at IMTS