Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for September 19, 2017

Chowbotics prepares to unleash salad-making robot on the world, while RotiMatic rolls its way to making 6 million rotis

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Chowbotics is gearing up for a major marketing push to find space for its salad-making robot in every home in the world – and maybe quite a few catering businesses too. 

The company – which manufactures a salad-making robot called Sally (main picture) – is expanding its operation and hiring new people. A key recent appointment is Dorothy Cudia as vice president of engineering.

Cudia’s previous experience includes time at food giants such as Nabisco, McDonald’s and Darden Restaurants.  [Read more…] about Chowbotics prepares to unleash salad-making robot on the world, while RotiMatic rolls its way to making 6 million rotis

Spanish farm produce supplier reduces human workers from 500 to 100 using robots

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Spanish farm produce supplier El Dulze has reduced its human workforce from 500 down to just 100 with the use of robots, according to a report on FruitNet.com. 

The company is said to be using Fanuc robots – LR Mate 200iB models – which use vision systems to even out the production line so the vegetables are not bunched up too close together for packing.

The robots also appear to be picking heads of lettuce and placing them in containers, or plastic packaging.  [Read more…] about Spanish farm produce supplier reduces human workers from 500 to 100 using robots

ABB integrates Amazon and Sonos technology into its smart home products

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ABB has partnered with Amazon and Sonos to add new functions to its home automation range of products, collectively called free@home. 

ABB claims to be the leading home automation company in the German market, and the company is apparently looking to expand into new geographies, possibly including the US.

Its free@home range includes a variety of devices and hardware, all based on its digital platform, ABB Ability.  [Read more…] about ABB integrates Amazon and Sonos technology into its smart home products

Columbia University develops soft actuator three times stronger than human muscle to make robots more lifelike

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Columbia University says it has developed a self-contained soft actuator that is three times stronger than natural muscle, without the need of externals.

The researchers say the development means robotic motion will be more lifelike, and that it signals a breakthrough in soft robotics.

The creation of untethered soft robots whose actions and movements can help mimic natural biological systems have been a long-standing issue, and the scientists at Columbia Engineering say they have solved it.  [Read more…] about Columbia University develops soft actuator three times stronger than human muscle to make robots more lifelike

Yamaha Motor opts for Siemens product lifecycle management to digitalise industrial processes

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Yamaha Motor has selected Siemens to provide product lifecycle management software to support its digitalization initiative.

Yamaha will deploy the Siemens’ Teamcenter portfolio across all development divisions of their key business, motorcycle products.

Siemens claims Teamcenter is “the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software”.  [Read more…] about Yamaha Motor opts for Siemens product lifecycle management to digitalise industrial processes

Itron buys Silver Spring Networks for close to a billion dollars

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Energy technology company Itron is to acquire industrial internet of things company Silver Spring Networks for more than $800 million.

The two companies have signed a definitive agreement for Itron to acquire all outstanding shares of Silver Spring for $16.25 per share in cash.

The transaction is valued at approximately $830 million, net of $118 million of Silver Spring’s cash.  [Read more…] about Itron buys Silver Spring Networks for close to a billion dollars