Archives for January 11, 2018

Top celebrities most likely to be remade as robots and androids

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

There’s probably an awful lot of lonely people out there who yearn for companionship, for intimacy, comfort, or for whatever reason.

And at least some of those people may be more than happy to buy a walking, talking, physical likeness of whoever is the most desirable celebrity of the day perhaps. [Read more…] about Top celebrities most likely to be remade as robots and androids

Suning launches its smart retail ‘Biu’ store to global markets

January 11, 2018 by Anna

Suning, second largest of China’s top non-state-owned enterprises, has showcased its unmanned, automated ‘Biu’ store at CES 2018.

Suning’s ‘Biu’ store concept is big-data driven and powered by Facial Recognition and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), bringing together the company’s experience and technology applications in “O2O” retail.

Since launching its first self-service store in Nanjing in August 2017, Suning has unveiled a further four cashier-less stores in China, with new stores in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and Xuzhou, along with the inaugural store, proving a huge success with consumers, claims the company.

Brain-controlled industrial robot: BrainCo debuts BMI technologies at CES 2018

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

BrainCo, a brain-machine interface (BMI) startup incubated in the Harvard Innovation Lab, has revealed a BMI integrated robotic arm at CES 2018.

BMI technology allows direct communications between the human brains and external devices.

Since its inception in the early 1920s, this technology has gradually matured over the past 100 years and has gained support from governments around the world. [Read more…] about Brain-controlled industrial robot: BrainCo debuts BMI technologies at CES 2018

3D printed parts keep production flowing at chocolate factory

January 11, 2018 by Anna

Dutch 3D service bureau, Visual First, is using FDM Nylon 12CF carbon-filled thermoplastic, supplied by applied additive technology solutions company Stratasys, to replace metal machine parts for its customer, The Chocolate Factory.

Using 3D print machinery replacement parts has significantly reduced machine downtime, ensuring production line continuity for the company.

Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Chocolate Factory runs a network of packaging machines, with the company’s daily throughput relying on the smooth operation of a simple, yet crucial, hook-shaped metal part that lifts wrapped bars onto a conveyer belt.

Dassault Systèmes launches Global Entrepreneur Program

January 11, 2018 by Anna

Dassault Systèmes has launched a Global Entrepreneur Program to accelerate the development of breakthrough innovations by startups, entrepreneurs and makers.

The program, which leverages Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience platform, applications, expertise, and community of mentors and services, delivers a full portfolio of tailored solutions and different types of engagement to accompany innovators at every step of their development, from seed to late stage.

More than 1,000 startups, entrepreneurs and makers have already embarked with Dassault Systèmes on digitally developing real-world products and experiences.

Yaskawa Motoman sells 60,000 more robots since last count

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

Yaskawa has sold 60,000 Motoman industrial robots since Robotics and Automation News last did a count.

The company has been commenting on its tremendous success in recent months, saying that in China it has received so many orders it is having to expand its facilities.

Yaskawa, which is a Japan-headquartered company, says it is increasing its production capacity by 25 per cent in China. [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman sells 60,000 more robots since last count

Astounding growth at Universal Robots sees company sell 20,000 industrial robots

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

Universal Robots, one of the first companies to launch a collaborative industrial robot, says it has sold 10,000 more units since Robotics and Automation News last did a count.

In a statement to the website, a spokesperson for the company says while Robotics and Automation News has been reporting that it has so far sold 10,000 units, the actual, most recent figure is in fact 20,000.

This means that if each robot is sold for between $23,000 and $45,000 then the company has generated additional revenues of between $230 million and $450 million since last count. [Read more…] about Astounding growth at Universal Robots sees company sell 20,000 industrial robots

Seat shows off intralogistics robots at Spain factory

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

Automaker Seat, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has been showing off its autonomous and collaborative intralogistics robots at its factory in Martorell, in Spain.

The company uses 125 automated guided vehicles at the Martorell facility, and the robots share the workspace with 7,000 human employees.

As such, Seat – and others – call these vehicles collaborative robots, because they work alongside humans (video below).

The internal logistics robots were manufactured by a company called Kivnon. Other robotic and autonomous logistics vehicles at the Martorell plant are from Aristeril and Rari.

ABB to sponsor Formula E championship

January 11, 2018 by Sam Francis

Industrial giant ABB has agreed a deal to sponsor the Formula E racing tournament.

ABB and Formula E call it a “ground-breaking partnership to champion e-mobility for a sustainable future”.

Since its first race in Beijing in September 2014, Formula E has established itself as the number one all-electric international motor sport. [Read more…] about ABB to sponsor Formula E championship