Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for December 1, 2017

Fanuc launches new SCARA robots

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Fanuc has launched a new range of SCARA robots. (See pictures and video below.)

Fanuc says its new SCARA robots represent the next level of speed and precision for assembly and material handling applications.

Fanuc, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNC and factory automation introduced the new SR-3iA and SR-6iA SCARA robots at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo, Japan.

Fanuc’s new SCARA robots feature high-speed, precise operation for pick and place, assembly, testing / inspection and packaging processes in a wide range of industries including consumer electronics, auto component, plastics, food and beverage, lab automation, appliances and medical device manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new SCARA robots

Fanuc marks production of 500,000th industrial robot

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Fanuc has produced half a million robots, and plans to nearly double its robot production capacity in 2018

Fanuc, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNC and factory automation has announced the production of its 500,000th robot.

Mike Cicco, president and CEO, Fanuc America, says: “Automation and robotics are key drivers of manufacturing competitiveness.

“More companies are using automation to overcome inefficiencies, lower costs, increase productivity, and gain market share.  [Read more…] about Fanuc marks production of 500,000th industrial robot

Mipi Alliance releases new specification to streamline integration of image sensors

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The Mipi Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has released a new specification that provides a standardized way to integrate image sensors in mobile-connected devices.

The new specification, Mipi Camera Command Set v1.0 (MIPI CCS v1.0), defines a standard set of functionalities for implementing and controlling image sensors.

The specification is offered for use with Mipi Camera Serial Interface 2 v2.0 (MIPI CSI-2 v2.0) and is now available for download.  [Read more…] about Mipi Alliance releases new specification to streamline integration of image sensors

Semtech launches ‘industry’s first’ disposable LoRa-enabled nano-tag for IoT applications

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Semtech, a supplier of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has launched new nano-tag reference design – a disposable, ultrathin and low-cost tag that can be integrated into disposable systems or attached to assets to communicate a specific trigger of an event.

The LoRa-based nano-tag can be deployed across numerous internet of things verticals that utilize the event data to enable smarter decision making.

The nano-tag is equipped with an ultra-thin printed battery and is designed to be integrated into products or systems that send messages to the Cloud when a simple event is detected.  [Read more…] about Semtech launches ‘industry’s first’ disposable LoRa-enabled nano-tag for IoT applications

Midea goes from home appliance giant to Fortune 500 company

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Midea is evolving from a home appliance manufacturing giant into one of the world’s top 500 technology companies

The 2017 Fortune Global Forum will be held in Guangzhou, China from December 6-8.

Attended by leaders and CEOs of the world’s top companies, the event is in its 22nd year and is deemed one of the most influential economic development forums in the world.

Midea, which in recent months emerged as a “dark horse” due to its impressive transformation into a global technology group, will be partnering the Fortune Global Forum for the very first time.  [Read more…] about Midea goes from home appliance giant to Fortune 500 company

Korea Smart Factory Foundation prepares for growth

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Organisers of the Smart Factory Expo 2018 and Korea Smart Manufacturing Industry Association, along with venue providers Coex, say they are preparing for record attendance and participation at next year’s event.

Their forecasts are based on the general trend in the industrial sector in South Korea as well as this year’s event.

The organisers say there was a record number of exhibitors at this year’s event, with a total of 1,193 booths occupied by 397 companies this year – the “highest in history”, they say.  [Read more…] about Korea Smart Factory Foundation prepares for growth

Specim launches ‘world’s first’ mobile hyperspectral camera

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Specim claims it has launched the world’s first mobile hyperspectral camera. The company says the new device enables analysis of material samples “anywhere, in seconds”.

Specim adds that the new camera – Specim IQ – “sets a new standard in usability and information availability.”

Hyperspectral cameras collect information from across the electromagnetic spectrum, with the aim of obtaining the spectrum for each pixel in the image of a scene.  [Read more…] about Specim launches ‘world’s first’ mobile hyperspectral camera

Chinese company launches new range of collaborative robots

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A Chinese company called Han’s Robot has launched a new range of collaborative industrial robots. 

Han’s Robot is a subsidiary of Han’s Laser, also linked to Han’s Motors, and the new collaborative robot is called Elfin.

The robot is available in three variations according to payload – 3 kg, 5 kg and 10 kg.  [Read more…] about Chinese company launches new range of collaborative robots

NXP launches new version of the Linux operating system customised for industrial operations

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NXP has launches what it describes as a “community-based industrial Linux distribution for Industry 4.0”.

Open Industrial Linux, or OpenIL, provides immediate access to industrial time-sensitive networking technology, says NXP.

NXP Semiconductors is best known for making computing chips but also has a big business in connectivity solutions, which is what Industry 4.0 is about – connecting machines to the internet.  [Read more…] about NXP launches new version of the Linux operating system customised for industrial operations

Emerson launches ‘scalable automation technology’ for renewable power and microgrid markets

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Emerson, a global technology and engineering company, has launched automation technology for utilities and independent power producers that rely more and more on diverse renewable energy sources and that serve the fast-growing microgrid market.

Its new, modular Ovation OCC100 controller extends Emerson’s Ovation control technology by managing the flow of energy from various sources to ensure continuous, reliable generation for these emerging industries.

This small footprint, scalable technology is also well-suited to critical water and wastewater applications.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches ‘scalable automation technology’ for renewable power and microgrid markets