Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for March 19, 2018

Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

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One of China’s largest home appliance manufacturers is planning to increase its use of robotics and automation technologies in an effort to become more productive. 

Gree, which must be a competitor of home appliances giant Midea, another Chinese company, is said to be “setting up unmanned factories”, some of which are already established.

This is according to China.org, which seems to be a government-connected news website.  [Read more…] about Large Chinese home appliance manufacturer to increase use of robotics and automation

Startup Built Robotics raises $15 million to develop technology to enable autonomous construction

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A startup company called Built Robotics has raised at least $15 million to develop technology that would enable construction equipment such as bulldozers, earth diggers and excavators to operate themselves. 

Self-operating construction equipment would obviously save a significant amount of the costs associated with construction as humans would not need to be driving those vehicles any more.

It might also make the industry safer.

Speaking to USA Today, founder Noah Ready-Campbell, says: “The idea behind Built Robotics is to use automation technology make construction safer, faster and cheaper.”  [Read more…] about Startup Built Robotics raises $15 million to develop technology to enable autonomous construction

Toyota’s basketball robot is why humans should give up and go home

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If you find being confronted by a 7-foot human basketball player somewhat intimidating, wait ’til you see the new Toyota basketball-playing robot. 

Luckily, the 6-foot-3-inch monstrosity doesn’t move around at all and only throws the ball into the hoop – but it does so with 100 per cent accuracy. (See video below.)

According to Asahi Shimbun via CNBC, ZDNet and others, the robot – named “Cue” for some reason – threw 200,000 hoops with almost perfect accuracy.  [Read more…] about Toyota’s basketball robot is why humans should give up and go home

FedEx stepping up robotics operations to see off Amazon

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Logistics company FedEx is reportedly increasing its robotics operations to see off the challenge from Amazon, according to the New York Times. 

The company has been testing a number of robotic vehicles in its warehouses since last year and is said to be ready to take the next step.

FedEx is said to be partnering with Vecna, a supplier of logistics robots, to automate its warehouses and take the load off human employees.

FedEx also seems to be employing Savioke robots (unit in main picture) for work in the repair and maintenance department.

[Read more…] about FedEx stepping up robotics operations to see off Amazon

Custom earbuds made possible with 3D

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Formlabs and 3Shape are partnering to create a full lifecycle for creating on-demand custom earbuds, with the Form 2 3D printer and Phoenix in-ear scanner.

The human body is one of the most custom and unique shapes, and the ear canal is no exception, a truly custom-fit earbud can provide long-term wear, comfort, stability, noise reduction and noise cancellation from the environment compared to current comfort headphones.

“We’re seeing 2018 as the year custom earbuds will be available to most consumers,” said Dávid Lakatos, chief product officer at Formlabs.

[Read more…] about Custom earbuds made possible with 3D

3D printing gives design flexibility for bathroom manufacturer

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Kitchen and bath product maker Kallista has made a the spout of a tap produced using 3D Systems’ 3D printing materials and technology.

“Designers usually need to consider a manufacturing process and they have to design around that process,” said Bill McKeone, design studio manager, Kallista.

“3D Systems’ breadth of materials and technologies allowed us the freedom to create a unique, functional faucet (tap) which would not have been possible with a traditional manufacturing process.”

[Read more…] about 3D printing gives design flexibility for bathroom manufacturer