Market trends and business perspectives
by Sam Francis
A robotics- and automation-related investment fund says it now has $1.5 billion under management.
The Robo Global Robotics & Automation exchange-traded fund (ROBO) is celebrating four years on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Robo Global is said to be the first robotics-related investment fund, and says so far this year, it has delivered a total return of 37.73 percent. [Read more…] about Robotics-related investment fund reaches $1.5 billion worth of assets under management
by Sam Francis
Siasun Robot & Automation Company, which claims it is China’s leading industrial robot manufacturer, has reported a revenue increase of 82 per cent for the period from July to September, compared with the same period last year.
Siasun says in its filing that the company’s third-quarter revenue “surged this year as it benefited from China’s industrial rally”.
ShanghaiDaily.com, which is reporting the story, adds that Siasun generated annual growth of 50 per cent in new orders of its industrial robots and for its logistics offerings since December last year. [Read more…] about Top Chinese robot maker Siasun reports revenue increase of 82 per cent
by Editor
A company called Kindred AI has launched a new range of warehouse robotics systems powered by artificial intelligence.
In one system, Kindred appears to be using a Fanuc robot, and in another, an arm that looks like it’s from Universal Robots.
The company, which says it is building “human-like intelligence in machines”, says “major global retailers” have started pilot programs integrating Kindred Sort, the company’s first commercial offering, in their existing fulfillment centers.
Kindred also says it has raised $28 million in Series B funding led by Tencent, bringing the total amount raised to $44 million. Previous investors Eclipse Ventures and First Round Capital participated in the new round. [Read more…] about Kindred AI launches warehouse robots already in use by ‘major retailers’
by Editor
Teijin Aramid has increased its production capacity at a new production line at its Technora production facility in Matsuyama, Japan.
The company says that, as of now, extra Technora capacity is available for Teijin Aramid’s customers globally.
Teijin specializes in producing a fiber known as aramid, which is used in a variety of products, such as car and bicycle tires. [Read more…] about Teijin Aramid increases production capacity with a new line at Technora facility
by Sam Francis
Mexico used to be an attractive place to invest in building manufacturing facilities. It still is.
The country of 120 million people is still part of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which makes importing and exporting to the US easier than it would otherwise be.
And even as US President Donald Trump pushes for a renegotiation of Nafta, manufacturing companies are continuing to choose Mexico as an investment location. [Read more…] about Auto companies still moving to Mexico despite Nafta uncertainty
by Sam Francis
Güdel has launched a pre-configured robot track motion module for arc welding applications, called ArcTrack.
The company says the new systems delivers “the highest flexibility and reduces lead time by 40 percent”.
Güdel says it has pre-engineered a TrackMotion Floor configuration with an auxiliary shelf to carry welding equipment, large wire spools and torch cleaning and reaming devices with the robot. [Read more…] about Güdel launches ‘pre-configured’ track-based robotic welding solution
by Sam Francis
Fanuc has unveiled a new palletizing robot which it claims is the fastest in its class.
Fanuc is believed the be the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, and debuted its new robot at Pack Expo a few days ago.
The company says the Fanuc M-410iC/110 is “capable of performing 2040 standard palletizing cycles an hour, making it the fastest palletizing robot in its class”. [Read more…] about Fanuc claims its new palletising robot is ‘fastest’ in its class
by Sam Francis
Apple suppliers “continue to struggle with low yield rate” because the smartphone giant is integrating advanced technologies, requiring investment in new and expensive manufacturing processes, which affect the suppliers’ profit margins, according to Nikkei.
Apple is planning to launch its $1,000-dollar iPhone X to consumers in the coming months, but the new device includes functions not found in other phones, which is requiring manufacturers to change their processes and invest in new equipment.
Among the features in Apple’s high-end iPhone X will be facial recognition and organic light-emitting diode screens, both of which are new technologies and not found in current Apple devices. [Read more…] about Apple manufacturing partners ‘struggle with low yield rate’
by Sam Francis
Yaskawa Electric says it has achieved a staggering 150 per cent growth in net profit for the period from April to September, compared with the same period last year, according to a report on Nikkei.
Nikkei says Yaskawa’s profits for the period were $184 million, beating its own previous records.
Yaskawa, which also owns the Motoman brand of industrial robot, says most of the growth was due to increased orders for automation equipment from China, Japan and the US. [Read more…] about Yaskawa Electric reports stunning 150 per cent more profits with robotics and automation leading the way
by Editor
Instructables is probably the most popular website for the maker community, and contains thousands and thousands of guides on how to make things.
The website was bought by the Autodesk group, which owns the AutoCad and Fusion 360 range of software, and is offering free software to the education sector.
A few weeks ago, Instructables launched a competition which it called “Design for Robotics”, in partnership with GE Appliances, which makes washing machines and similar household goods. [Read more…] about Final call for Instructables ‘Design for Robotics’ competition
Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.
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