Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for August 2018

UPS to test new electric vehicle

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UPS is collaborating with Thor Trucks, Inc. to develop and test a fully-electric class 6 delivery truck in Los Angeles, Calif. The truck is expected to be ready for deployment later this year.

UPS continues to work with a range of companies to test and deploy promising alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

The Thor electric delivery truck will have a driving range of approximately 100 miles powered by a Thor-designed and built battery that will be lightweight, durable and allow long-range driving distances.

[Read more…] about UPS to test new electric vehicle

Many manufacturers ‘falling behind’ in digital transformation, says Deloitte

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A large number of manufacturers are “falling behind” in the race towards digital transformation, according to a new study by Deloitte, one of the world’s largest management consultancies.

Deloitte says that even though the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, was “born in the factory, many manufacturers were falling behind in adopting broader digital transformation initiatives that span the entire enterprise.

To provide a quick overview, digitalization refers to the practice of integrating operations technology, such as robots and other machines, with information technology, such as sensors, networks and, of course, computers.  [Read more…] about Many manufacturers ‘falling behind’ in digital transformation, says Deloitte

Vector strengthens position in automotive software market with ArcCore acquisition

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Vector, the Stuttgart-based embedded software specialist for automotive embedded electronics, has acquired the Swedish embedded software specialist ArcCore.

The acquisition strengthens Vector’s portfolio of products and services in the field of AutoSar, the global automotive software standard for intelligent vehicles.

ArcCore was founded in 2006 and currently employs 80 people worldwide who work on developing and distributing products and services in the domain of embedded based solutions, primarily for the automotive market.  [Read more…] about Vector strengthens position in automotive software market with ArcCore acquisition

New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper

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New Scale Robotics, a newly-formed division of New Scale Technologies, has introduced an electric parallel gripper targeting precision assembly and inspection with collaborative robots.

New Scale says its NSR-PG-10-20 Precision Parallel Gripper is “the smallest, most precise smart gripper” available for collaborative robots including the UR3, UR5 and UR10 robots from Universal Robots.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We created this smart electric gripper specifically for agile automation with collaborative robots, using our extensive experience making small mechatronic motion systems.”  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper

DHL Freight wins contract extension with the BMW Group

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DHL Freight, provider of road freight services in Europe, has been awarded an extension of its contract with the BMW Group and will continue to manage the vehicle manufacturer’s overland transport in 17 countries covered by the companies’ previous contract.

As a result of the tender, DHL Freight also won an expansion of the collaboration, taking on supply chain management of the BMW Group in seven additional areas.

A new DHL Freight custom-made logistics solution was successfully put in place as part of the contract conclusion.

[Read more…] about DHL Freight wins contract extension with the BMW Group

OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

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Purple Robotics, which developed an innovative vacuum gripper within one year – the world’s first gripper specifically for cobots – has now been acquired by OnRobot.

The acquisition takes place just two months after the OnRobot merger of three robotics companies – Perceptron from the US, OptoForce from Hungary, and OnRobot from Denmark – to create one global player with a strong focus on the market for industrial robot accessories.

Now, OnRobot in Odense, Denmark, adds what it regards as another “trail-blazing technology” to its product mix.  [Read more…] about OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

GreyOrange opens US headquarters in Atlanta and plans to build 20,000 robots

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Warehouse robotics and automation provider GreyOrange is establishing its US headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

The company says this will help it to better serve local customers and meet market demands. Approximately 50 new jobs will be created in various departments.

In its first client site in the US, GreyOrange will deploy 740 robots in Atlanta, and create several thousand jobs across this and other initial client sites.  [Read more…] about GreyOrange opens US headquarters in Atlanta and plans to build 20,000 robots

Autonomous vehicle market projected to grow by 40 percent a year

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The global autonomous vehicle market is expected to be valued at $54.23 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $556.67 billion by 2026, registering annual growth of 39.47 percent from 2019 to 2026.

This is according to a recent report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Global Autonomous Vehicle Market by Level of Automation, Component, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast.

The predicted elimination of accidents caused due to manual errors and reduced carbon dioxide emission from autonomous vehicles are expected to fuel the growth of the market.  [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicle market projected to grow by 40 percent a year

Iridium and Rolls-Royce to target ‘all the world’s waterways’ with autonomous vessels

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Iridium Communications and Rolls-Royce Marine are to expand the reach and capabilities of autonomous vessels.

The companies say “all the world’s waterways” are an option for autonomous vessels, with the Iridium satellite network providing “pole-to-pole connectivity”.

Iridium has signed an agreement with smart shipping pioneer Rolls-Royce Marine, in support of their autonomous vessel development program.  [Read more…] about Iridium and Rolls-Royce to target ‘all the world’s waterways’ with autonomous vessels

Nidec records ‘highest-ever profit’ as it expands industrial motor division

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Nidec is already one of the world’s largest suppliers of components for industrial robots and machinery, and it’s expanding rapidly.

The company says it has just recorded its “highest-ever quarterly operating profit” for its appliance, commercial and industrial product segment.

And the company says it is planning to “further strengthen” these segments and its industrial motor division.  [Read more…] about Nidec records ‘highest-ever profit’ as it expands industrial motor division