Archives for May 23, 2018

Plus One Robotics exits stealth mode, launches picking system and enters funding round

May 23, 2018 by Sam Francis

Plus One Robotics, a 3D vision and controls developer for robotic automation in the logistics and e-commerce markets, has exited stealth to announce the commercial release of the PickOne Perception system, an integrated 3D vision solution for imaging parcels and generating robot pick points.

Plus One Robotics has partnered with leaders in robot manufacturing, system integration, and e-commerce to develop this technology for the order fulfillment and parcel shipping markets.

Rising consumer demand for shorter delivery times has increased the need for improved efficiency in sortation, induction, and singulation of the millions of packages which must be handled each day. [Read more…] about Plus One Robotics exits stealth mode, launches picking system and enters funding round

Deliver: Europe’s biggest e-commerce and logistics marketplace

May 23, 2018 by Sam Francis

It’s been called the “Davos for logistics in e-commerce”, and Robotics and Automation News is very pleased to be an official media partner for the event.

Davos is, of course, the mountainous place in Switzerland where every year the world’s most powerful and influential leaders from politics, business and other sectors meet and discuss the future of the world.

Similarly, the e-logistics event Deliver gathers together global leaders from the world of logistics and e-commerce. [Read more…] about Deliver: Europe’s biggest e-commerce and logistics marketplace

Plex launches mobile app for manufacturing management

May 23, 2018 by Sam Francis

Plex Systems, a provider of cloud enterprise resource planning and manufacturing execution system software for manufacturing, has released Plex Mobile, a new, native mobile app which the company says is “purpose-built to address the needs of manufacturing professionals”.

The app works as a seamless extension of the Plex Manufacturing Cloud, enabling a manufacturer’s workforce to handle key business-critical shop floor and administrative responsibilities, and access and share relevant information real-time from mobile devices.

Plex Mobile will be available for download through the Apple Store, Google Play and Windows Marketplace in July 2018. [Read more…] about Plex launches mobile app for manufacturing management

Opinion: How artificial intelligence can help the food industry

May 23, 2018 by Sam Francis

By Stephanie Duvault-Alexandre, consultant at software provider FuturMaster

There’s a lot of talk about artificial intelligence as the best thing since sliced bread. But what does AI really mean for the food industry and what are the implications?

According to a report by Accenture, 85 per cent of organisations have planned to adopt digital or AI technologies in their supply chains during the last year. It’s clearly becoming big business across industries. The value of AI is estimated to be worth $36.8 billion globally by 2025 predicts US market intelligence firm Tractica.

AI is not necessarily a concept that’s all that new. Various names refer to more or less the same thing. For example, machine learning is used to steer self-driving cars. AI is proving instrumental in healthcare for identifying and diagnosing complicated ailments. [Read more…] about Opinion: How artificial intelligence can help the food industry

Omron partners with Techman to sell TM cobots

May 23, 2018 by Anna

Omron Corp. and Techman Robot Inc. have signed an agreement to form a strategic alliance on collaborative robots under which Omron will globally market and sell Techman’s TM series of collaborative robots via its worldwide distribution network under a co-branded logo, starting in the second half of FY2018.

In addition, Omron and Techman will cooperate in developing the next generation of collaborative robots that will be easier to integrate with Omron’s other factory automation products.

Factories worldwide are facing major challenges in having to manufacture a high mix, low volume of products to meet their customer demands, combined with shorter product life cycles and labour shortage issues.

Panasonic shows off smart city parking technology

May 23, 2018 by Anna

Panasonic North America highlighted some of its latest parking and safer roads technology at Smart Cities New York earlier this month, an event looking at future technologies for the urban space.

The company highlighted its IoT-connected Smart Parking Meter, which enables people to search and book vacant parking spaces on their smartphones, alongside another solution for cities to use parking space operational data for future transport and development planning.

In addition, Panasonic introduced the “Smart Street solution” which combines security camera and image analysis of pedestrian traffic with AI.

Yamaha Motor debuts at Hannover with digital production lines

May 23, 2018 by Anna

Yamaha Motor booth made its debut at Hannover Messe last month, showcasing fully-digitalised production lines, including transport processes. Its stand featured an operational demonstration of the Advanced Robotics Automation Platform.

This new robotics system enables automation of complex advanced production facilities, integrating control of multiple robots and peripheral devices necessary for production facilities in one unit.

The company also highlighted the YK400XR SCARA robot, which features both high quality/functionality and excellent cost-performance, according to Yamaha.