Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Archives for May 3, 2018

The evolution of robots: From single-task machines to backflipping robots

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By Dennis Spaeth, CTEMag.com

The history of robots combines the best of science fiction and real-life technology. From Isaac Asimov to modern industrial robots, keep reading to explore the fascinating history of robotics.

When many Americans think of the word “robot”, years of science fiction portrayals and action movies immediately come to mind. And while science fiction often misses the mark, the history of robots actually owes quite a debt to science fiction masters like Isaac Asimov.

However, to truly understand the history and evolution of robotics, we have to define the term. That’s surprisingly difficult to do.

For our purposes, we’re going to define a robot as a machine that’s capable of carrying out routine or complex actions that are programmed by engineers.  [Read more…] about The evolution of robots: From single-task machines to backflipping robots

Chassis Brakes predicts changes In automotive brake technology

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Five major trends in the auto industry will affect car and light-truck brake technology in the future, according to automotive components supplier Chassis Brakes International.

A gradual shift to electric and hybrid electric vehicles is just one of the trends that executives at Chassis Brakes believe will have a major impact on future brake technology.

Dennis Berry, president for the company’s Americas region, says: “We’ve identified five areas of innovation that will transform our industry in terms of how brake systems are designed and developed.

“The only way to survive in this new ecosystem will be for new and traditional players to cooperate in defining future vehicle architectures.”  [Read more…] about Chassis Brakes predicts changes In automotive brake technology

Opinion: China and US share similar enterprise culture

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

The looming trade war between the US and China is front-page news around the world.

On the surface, it looks like US President Donald Trump following up on his campaign rhetoric of “America first” and part of his strategy to treat China as a “strategic competitor”.

However, it’s possible to trace the roots of the current impasse to a fundamental mistrust between the West, in particular, the US, and China.  [Read more…] about Opinion: China and US share similar enterprise culture

Sony partners with Carnegie Mellon on artificial intelligence and robotics

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Initial efforts to focus on cooking and delivery

Sony has entered into an agreement with Carnegie Mellon University to collaborate on artificial intelligence and robotics research.

Initial research and development efforts will focus on optimizing food preparation, cooking and delivery.

This area of research and development was selected because the technology necessary for a robot to handle the complex and varied task of food preparation and delivery could be applied to a broader set of skills and industries.  [Read more…] about Sony partners with Carnegie Mellon on artificial intelligence and robotics

Camille Bauer says it’s strengthening Switzerland’s manufacturing base through digitisation

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People and digitisation work together in a new manufacturing environment, says industrial measurement technology provider Camille Bauer

Swiss industry contributes significantly to the country’s innovation, full employment and competitiveness, according to Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann.

The company says Switzerland’s manufacturing base is “indispensable”, but adds that industry must seize on the opportunities of digitisation.

Camille Bauer Metrawatt, based in Wohlen in the Swiss canton of Aargau, says it is following precisely this objective, by building on its strength, namely the competence of company’s internal workforce.  [Read more…] about Camille Bauer says it’s strengthening Switzerland’s manufacturing base through digitisation

Variohm expands its range of pressure sensors

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Variohm EuroSensor has expanded its range of pressure sensors with the new low-cost EPT2105 series for a 0.5…4.5 V ratiometric output in two measurement range options of 10 and 12 bar.

With its silicon pressure cell design based on Variohm’s EPT2100 series, the new sensor replaces the 2100’s stainless steel casing with a moulded glass fibre reinforced Polyamide housing.

With IP66 sealing, this cost-competitive sensor integrates an M18 x 1.5 pressure port and a Packard connector – for installation convenience.  [Read more…] about Variohm expands its range of pressure sensors

Balluff releases new magnetostrictive linear position sensor for explosion hazard areas

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Balluff has released a new magnetostrictive linear position sensor for explosion hazard areas.

Control and shut-off valves are used for oil and gas transmission in refineries and petrochemical plants.

The valve position is regulated using the position measuring systems, because they are extremely reliable, especially in very harsh environments.  [Read more…] about Balluff releases new magnetostrictive linear position sensor for explosion hazard areas

New research: Robots create jobs

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New research from the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) suggests that the rapid spread of industrial robots hasn’t made a dent in employment figures, instead, new tasks have been created for the workforce alongside ones performed by machines.

At 309 units per 10,000 employees, robot density in German manufacturing industry is the third highest worldwide. At the same time, the number of people employed in Germany reached 44 million in 2017, the highest figure since reunification.

“The results of the ZEW study on the labour market confirm what we’re observing in leading industrial nations across the world,” comments Junji Tsuda, president of the International Federation of Robotics.

[Read more…] about New research: Robots create jobs

The Companion: Romancing the android

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Human relationships can be difficult, especially when they involve sex and romance. 

The emotional investment people make in each other is often not repaid. Unrequited love is an age-old concept and a reality for many people.

In this film, The Companion, the lead character is a writer whose partner cheats on her.  [Read more…] about The Companion: Romancing the android

ESMERA project to fund robotics innovation

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The European Commission has launched the project ESMERA (European SMEs Robotics Applications), a starting block for European SMEs designing and developing robotic solutions.

To unlock the innovation potential of these SMEs, ESMERA promotes applied robotics technology developed for industrial challenges set by key European companies, so the SMEs get a chance to realise new technologies that address real life problems and thus already have a market.

ESMERA offers direct financial support to the solution-providing SMEs, through a cascade funding mechanism.

[Read more…] about ESMERA project to fund robotics innovation