Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for September 6, 2018

GreyOrange raises $140 million in new funding, claiming ‘the biggest fundraising round in industrial automation sector’

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GreyOrange, a provider of warehouse robotics and automation systems, has raised $140 million in Series C funding, claiming it marks “the largest round ever raised by an industrial robotics company”.

Mithril Capital, co-founded by Ajay Royan and Peter Thiel, led this round, which included Binny Bansal and other existing investors including Blume Ventures.

They join Mitsubishi, Flipkart, and Project Verte as investors in the company.  [Read more…] about GreyOrange raises $140 million in new funding, claiming ‘the biggest fundraising round in industrial automation sector’

Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

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Robotiq, a company which makes grippers for industrial robots, has launched new software for the embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ new e-Series of collaborative robots.

The company says utilizing the new sensor “makes force control easy” when used with Force Copilot, the related software application.

Robotiq says Force Copilot is an “intuitive” software application which operates Universal Robots e-Series’ embedded force torque sensor.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches software for embedded force torque sensor in Universal Robots’ e-Series

Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic

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A small autonomous vessel launched by a Norwegian company called Offshore Sensing has crossed the Atlantic, sailing from Newfoundland in Canada to north Ireland.

It is claimed that this is the first Atlantic crossing made by an autonomous vessel.

Offshore Sensing says the vessel, called Sailbuoy Met, was designed and “field proven” to stay at sea for months.

It navigates the oceans autonomously – transmitting back data at regular intervals.  [Read more…] about Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic

IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

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ABB says its robots are helping machine shops meet the challenges of high-mix, low volume production – or the “new normal”, as the company puts it.

The company will showcase solutions to increase machine tool utilization and unlock the full potential of the flexible, connected and collaborative factory at IMTS, the world’s largest industrial technology show, due to be held in Chicago next week.

With more efficient and advanced machine tools entering the market, the demand for more intelligent and flexible robotic automation for machining applications is ever increasing.  [Read more…] about IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

iRobot launches new robotic vacuum cleaner that empties itself

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iRobot has launched a new robotic vacuum cleaner to add to its Roomba range – this one can be told verbally when connected with smart home devices.

The new iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum is said to learn a home’s floor plan and is capable of emptying itself.

iRobot says the new Roomba i7+ robot vacuum can “not only remember a home’s floor plan and clean specific rooms by name – but also automatically empties itself”.  [Read more…] about iRobot launches new robotic vacuum cleaner that empties itself

Primetals Technologies to build wire rod mill for Indian company JSW Steel

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To keep up with growing market demand, JSW Steel Limited has signed a contract with Primetals Technologies for the supply and installation of a two-strand wire rod mill in India.

The third mill purchased from Primetals Technologies, JSW Steel previously installed a single-strand wire rod mill and a bar mill. The new mill will be built in Toranagallu, India. Start-up is expected at the end of 2019.

Primetals Technologies will supply the complete wire rod mill with all mechanical and electrical equipment for two-
strand production from a single stand roughing mill.

[Read more…] about Primetals Technologies to build wire rod mill for Indian company JSW Steel

Siemens and Bentley Systems raise investment fund to €100 million

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Bentley Systems and Siemens have decided to further strengthen their strategic alliance and extend their existing agreement, increasing the joint innovation investment program from the initial €50 million funding to €100 million.

In addition, as a result of the continuous investment of Siemens into secondary shares of Bentley’s common stock the Siemens stake in Bentley Systems now exceeds 9%.

Klaus Helmrich, member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, said: “We are investing in the next collaboration level with Bentley, where for instance we will strengthen their engineering and project management tools with Siemens enterprise wide collaboration platform, Teamcenter, to create a full Digital Twin for the engineering and construction world.”

[Read more…] about Siemens and Bentley Systems raise investment fund to €100 million

Aisin and Denso agree joint venture on electrification driving modules

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Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd and Denso Corporation today announced that they have reached a basic agreement to establish a new joint venture company to develop and sell electrification driving modules. The company will be capitalised with the participation ratio of Aisin 50% and Denso 50%.

The automotive industry is in an era of profound transformation, particularly in technologies for electrification, automated driving and connected driving. Electrification is one of the key disrupters impacting the automotive industry.

Details are still being discussed and the plan is for the new company to launch in March 2019.

[Read more…] about Aisin and Denso agree joint venture on electrification driving modules