Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for March 1, 2018

Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry

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The automotive industry’s demand for industrial robots is forecast to treble in the next seven years, according to a new report. 

The auto industry has always been the biggest buyer of industrial robots, accounting for almost half of all units sold in North America, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

Now, a forecast by Grand View Research suggests the automotive robotics market will grow to $13.6 billion by 2025.  [Read more…] about Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry

European scientists show off humanoid robot that can put out fires

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Scientists in Europe have demonstrated a humanoid robot which can put out fires and do similar kinds of dangerous work in the aftermath of an industrial accident. (See video below.)

The research project was led by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, and was conducted in collaboration with University of Pisa in Italy, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

The humanoid robot is called Walk-Man, and was funded within a project of the same name by the European Union through the European Commission.  [Read more…] about European scientists show off humanoid robot that can put out fires

New ABB products premier at Data Center World 2018

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ABB will unveil two of its latest products on Stand D1130 at this year’s Data Centre World, at ExCel London, March 21-22.

The first product – TruONE – is an automatic transfer switch (ATS) with connectivity and monitoring functions for critical power applications.

TruONE is the world’s first true ATS to package all necessary sensors and controllers into a single, easy-to-install device that helps improve protection and makes installation 80 percent faster, claims the company. [Read more…] about New ABB products premier at Data Center World 2018

ArcelorMittal furthers its work with startups with Plug and Play

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To explore innovative ideas in new technologies for its steelmaking and mining activities, ArcelorMittal has partnered with Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play, the world’s largest ‘Innovation EcoSystem’ which helps connect technology focused startup companies with corporate partners.

The purpose of this partnership is to further develop and expand upon the various initiatives which ArcelorMittal is developing and deploying in the areas of digitalisation, big data and Industry 4.0. It is also an opportunity to explore further ideas in new materials, mobility and other emerging technologies.

“We are very excited about this partnership. Our aim is to identify new ideas from startups that may accelerate the transformation of our company and help us develop superior products, processes and services.”, explains Greg Ludkovsky, Vice-President of ArcelorMittal and Head of Global Research and Development.

[Read more…] about ArcelorMittal furthers its work with startups with Plug and Play

Yaskawa Electric invests in Transphorm

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Transphorm Inc., which designs and manufactures 650V gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, has received a $15 million investment from Yaskawa Electric Corporation.

Yaskawa’s integrated Σ-7 F servo motor relies on Transphorm’s high-voltage (HV) GaN to deliver unprecedented performance and power density. Transphorm intends to allocate the funds to various areas of its GaN product development.

The integrated Σ-7 F products resulting from the companies’ co-development serves one of the core target markets that can benefit most from HV GaN: servo motors.

[Read more…] about Yaskawa Electric invests in Transphorm

Naver Labs and Here team up on autonomous indoor mapping technology

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Naver Labs, the ambient intelligence arm of Korea’s leading internet company Naver Corporation, and Here Technologies, a global leader in mapping and location services, have signed a preliminary agreement to collaborate on autonomous indoor mapping technology.

The collaboration aims to combine Naver Labs’ Scalable & Semantic Indoor Mapping (SSIM) technology, autonomous robots, and AI-based image recognition capabilities with the Here Open Location Platform to create, maintain and publish 3D maps of indoor environments such as airports and train stations.

Such maps are useful in various ways, from helping people find their way at complex transit interchanges to supporting last mile guidance and more efficient logistics. [Read more…] about Naver Labs and Here team up on autonomous indoor mapping technology