Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for November 2017

Infineon supplying chips for Audi A8, said to be ‘world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features’

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Infineon Technologies is supplying computing technology for the Audi A8, which is claimed to be “the world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features”.

Infineon says it supplies key components for the Audi A8 which gives the car level 3 automated driving capabilities.

The ability of cars to self-drive is split into a number of different levels, as defined by the international engineers’ association, SAE.  [Read more…] about Infineon supplying chips for Audi A8, said to be ‘world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features’

Omnicell launches ‘revolutionary’ new automated pharmacy system

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Omnicell, a provider of medication automation solutions, has launched the latest version of its pharmacy automation machine.

The Omnicell XR2 Automated Central Pharmacy System, designed with input from leading health system pharmacies, streamlines critical workflows to maximize inventory control, improve operational efficiency, and increase medication safety.

The system utilizes robotic technology to eliminate numerous manual tasks, freeing up time for more value-added work, says the company.  [Read more…] about Omnicell launches ‘revolutionary’ new automated pharmacy system

Swarm Technology to be awarded second patent for IoT and robotics applications

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Swarm Technology says the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a “notice of allowance” in connection with its patent application 14/340,332 relating to “intent-based automation” within the fields of internet of things, networking and robotics.

Alfonso Iniguez, the company’s founder and CEO, says: “We are thrilled to receive this Notice of Allowance from the USPTO.

“With respect to robotics, our technology enables adaptive collective behavior. We are currently developing swarm robots for autonomous landmine detection. [Read more…] about Swarm Technology to be awarded second patent for IoT and robotics applications

Rockwell launches new AI system for monitoring and managing industrial operations

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Rockwell Automation has launched a new artificial intelligence system which the company says “models, monitors and optimizes industrial operations”. 

The company says that the “novel” AI system learns specific applications and alerts operators to errors, and suggests solutions.

Creating diagnostic analytics solutions in industrial operations has long required expert data scientists with a deep understanding of the specific application to be analyzed, says Rockwell.  [Read more…] about Rockwell launches new AI system for monitoring and managing industrial operations

Chinese startup develops industrial robot for Foxconn for smartphone manufacturing

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A Chinese startup company called Megvii has developed an industrial robot for Foxconn to use in its smartphone manufacturing operations. 

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision, is the main supplier to Apple, making iPhones and iPads for the tech giant.

Foxconn is also said to be the world’s largest contract manufacturer, employing a massive 1.3 million people and generating revenues in excess of $136 billion a year.  [Read more…] about Chinese startup develops industrial robot for Foxconn for smartphone manufacturing

Horizons launches new investment fund for robotics and automation related technologies

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A company in Canada has launched a new investment vehicle for people interested in robotics, automation and related sectors. 

Horizons ETFs Management, which is a subsidiary of the Mirae Asset Financial Group, is partnering with Robo Global in offering the exchange-traded fund, which will be called Horizons Robo.

Horizons Robo says it seeks to replicate the performance of the Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index.  [Read more…] about Horizons launches new investment fund for robotics and automation related technologies

First NSK academy maintenance tutorial goes live

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Following the launch earlier this year of the NSK academy online training platform, the first in a new series of maintenance tutorial modules has now been added to the site.

The tutorials show how to use the innovative range of maintenance and service tools offered as part of NSK’s AIP+ Added Value Programme.

Providing a guide to best-practice bearing care, the tutorial highlights how the optimised and profitable operation of machinery and equipment can be achieved.  [Read more…] about First NSK academy maintenance tutorial goes live

Nord DriveSystems showcasing networked drive electronics and IoT technologies at SPS IPC Drives

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Nord DriveSystems is showcasing its new innovations in drive electronics at the ongoing SPS IPC Drives exhibition.

The new NordAC Link series of field distribution systems, designed for networked intralogistics facilities with many drive axes, provides an especially good user experience.

These frequency inverters and motor starters enable flexible configuration of features and functions to perfectly suit application requirements.  [Read more…] about Nord DriveSystems showcasing networked drive electronics and IoT technologies at SPS IPC Drives

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens launch electric hybrid plane

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Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have teamed up to for what they call an “electric future partnership”, and have launched the E-Fan X hybrid-electric flight demonstrator

The electric revolution shows no sign of cutting out. Indeed it is accelerating and intensifying. 

New electric planes may mean quieter skies and fewer complaints from people living near airports.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have formed a partnership which aims at developing a near-term flight demonstrator which they say will be “a significant step forward in hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft”. (See picture and infographic below.) [Read more…] about Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens launch electric hybrid plane

ABB unveils newest product in the YuMi industrial robot range – this one has a single arm

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ABB Robotics has unveiled a new single-arm collaborative robot at the International Robotics Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo.

The company says it is building on the success of YuMi, the dual-arm industrial robot which ABB describes as “the world’s first truly collaborative”.

ABB says the new single-arm collaborative robot “combines industry-leading capabilities with a much smaller footprint” (see video below).  [Read more…] about ABB unveils newest product in the YuMi industrial robot range – this one has a single arm