Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for August 13, 2018

Honda begins HondaJet Elite deliveries

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Honda claims its HondaJet is the “most-delivered aircraft in its class” in the first half of 2018

Honda Aircraft Company says it has begun deliveries of its new advanced aircraft, the HondaJet Elite, at its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. 

Deliveries of the HondaJet Elite begin as the HondaJet marks the first half of 2018 as the most delivered aircraft in its class, based on information provided by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

Michimasa Fujino, Honda Aircraft Company president and CEO, says: “We are proud to announce that deliveries of the HondaJet Elite have begun.  [Read more…] about Honda begins HondaJet Elite deliveries

Human-robot collaboration combines human and robot strengths, says Schunk

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Schunk is one of the leading suppliers of components to industrial robotic arm manufacturers and other industrial machinery makers. The company held an open day recently in which it outlined its vision of human-robot collaboration, or collaborative robotics, which the company says combines human and robot strengths. 

Schunk starts by asking, and then seeking to answer, the following questions:

  • How can human-robot collaboration be used in everyday production?
  • What safety concepts are there?
  • How can a successful start be made?

These and other concerns were the focus of the second Schunk user and technology dialog on the topic of “Successfully introducing human-robot collaboration in the company”.  [Read more…] about Human-robot collaboration combines human and robot strengths, says Schunk

Atoun introduces powered exoskeleton into food recycling business

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Atoun, which seems to be a business unit of Panasonic, has introduced its powered exoskeleton into a food recycling business, saying that it is targeting the supply of 20 units this year. 

Atoun produces an exoskeleton called “Powered Wear Atoun Model Y”, which it describes as a “wearable robot” for the waist designed to reduce work-induced burdens from the backs of workers and improve work efficiency.

This product was recently introduced to one of the recycling centers of Hamada Kagaku, a company engaged in environmental businesses such as the recycling of used cooking oil and food residue.  [Read more…] about Atoun introduces powered exoskeleton into food recycling business

Hitachi’s advanced driver assistance system used in Mitsubishi’s eK Series

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Hitachi Automotive Systems says its advanced driver assistance system’s electronic control unit was selected for use in Mitsubishi Motors’ eK Series vehicles.

The eK series refers to three models: the eK Wagon, eK Custom and eK Space.

The eK Series now comes with “improved preventative safety functions” and is a mini vehicle that went on sale recently.  [Read more…] about Hitachi’s advanced driver assistance system used in Mitsubishi’s eK Series

BMW and Great Wall Motor establish joint venture to build Mini electric vehicles in China

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The BMW Group and the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor have signed an agreement to produce Mini electric vehicles through a new 50:50 joint venture based in China. 

During a recent event for autonomous and connected driving attended by China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor committed to founding a new joint venture, “Spotlight Automotive Limited”, for the development and production of electric vehicles in China.

As well as Mini electric vehicles, the joint venture will also produce electric vehicles for Great Wall Motor.  [Read more…] about BMW and Great Wall Motor establish joint venture to build Mini electric vehicles in China

Atlas Copco acquires niche machine vision solutions provider

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Atlas Copco, a provider of sustainable productivity solutions, has acquired German Quiss Qualitäts-Inspektionssysteme und Service AG. The company specialises in machine vision solutions for quality inspection and robot guidance, and is mainly used in the automotive industry.

Quiss is based near Munich in Germany. The company had revenues of approximately 8.4m euros in 2017 and 45 employees.

Quiss’ core competence is image processing, algorithms, as well as system design including hardware and software. The products are mainly used for quality inspection of adhesive dispensing applications within the automotive industry.

[Read more…] about Atlas Copco acquires niche machine vision solutions provider

Kuka wins multimillion-dollar automotive contract with GAC in China

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Kuka has received an order to supply industrial robots to Chinese automotive manufacturer GAC NE, subsidiary of GAC Group.

The order value lies in the “high double-digit million euro range”, says Kuka, and was booked in the second quarter of 2018.

The automotive manufacturer GAC Group is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, and is a Fortune “Global 500” company.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins multimillion-dollar automotive contract with GAC in China