Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for October 30, 2018

Schnuck to expand integration of Simbe Robotics’ shelf-auditing robot to ‘at least 15 stores’

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Schnuck Markets and Simbe Robotics have agreed to expand the integration of Tally, the autonomous shelf-scanning robot, to at least 15 select Schnucks’ stores.

Schnucks and Simbe kicked off a pilot in July 2017, when Tally began capturing deeper, real-time insights into on-shelf operations in three Schnucks locations.

As a result of the initial pilot’s success, Schnucks is increasing the scope of the partnership to bring at least 15 Tally robots to key stores, giving the retailer a tech-forward competitive advantage.  [Read more…] about Schnuck to expand integration of Simbe Robotics’ shelf-auditing robot to ‘at least 15 stores’

MSNBC’s Michael Rogers to join Intelligent Automation Week Austin

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Intelligent Automation Week Austin has announced Michael Rogers from MSNBC as its keynote speaker.

His address, titled “Taking the Fear out of Man and Machine”, will discuss how new technology is impacting the workforce and the employee change management initiatives that should be developed in order to avoid any fear or disruption.

Rogers’ address will take place on main conference day one, December 4th, at 9am.  [Read more…] about MSNBC’s Michael Rogers to join Intelligent Automation Week Austin

Alibaba and Cainiao open China’s ‘largest’ robot-operated warehouse

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Supply chain robotics company Cainiao has installed 700 robots at China’s largest robot-run warehouse to process orders on Singles Day, according to a report on CNBC. 

The warehouse, located in Wuxi, near Shanghai, is owned by e-commerce giant Alibaba, which is also majority-owner of Cainiao, and Singles Day is said to generate more than $25 billion in sales.

CNBC reports that last year, on Singles Day – November 11, Cainiao processed over 800 million packages, and this year, Alibaba expects that figure to surpass 1 billion.  [Read more…] about Alibaba and Cainiao open China’s ‘largest’ robot-operated warehouse

Nvidia says its deep learning research is putting robotic picking within reach

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Picking the right items from a disparate range of objects is a difficult challenge for a robot, but Nvidia says it is making progress. 

As another step toward enabling robots to work effectively in complex environments, robotics researchers from Nvidia says it has developed a novel deep learning-based system that allows a robot to perceive household objects in its environment for the purpose of grasping the objects and interacting with them.

With this technique, the robot is able to perform simple pick-and-place operations on known household objects, such as handing an object to a person or grasping an object out of a person’s hand. 
[Read more…] about Nvidia says its deep learning research is putting robotic picking within reach

China-US trade dispute causing industrial robot makers to forecast lower earnings

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The ongoing trade dispute between China and the US has caused three of the world’s largest industrial robot makers to lower their earnings forecasts, according to a report on Nikkei.

Yaskawa, Kuka, and Fanuc have all “downgraded their full-year earnings forecasts”, reports Nikkei.

Fanuc predicts net profit of $1.26 billion for the year ending March 2019, which is approximately $26 million lower than its previous forecast.  [Read more…] about China-US trade dispute causing industrial robot makers to forecast lower earnings

Omron launches TM Series collaborative robot

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Omron has announced the global launch of the TM series collaborative robot family in 40 countries in order to “realize an innovative manufacturing environment where humans and machines work in harmony”, says the company.

As changing consumer trends continue to shorten product life cycles, manufacturers are increasingly looking to quickly and flexibly set up production lines to meet frequent product change-overs.

In addition, as labor shortage become more “real” manufacturers are striving to automate the simpler and monotonous tasks, making it increasingly necessary to create a workplace where people can contribute with more creative tasks.

[Read more…] about Omron launches TM Series collaborative robot

Infineon releases ‘intelligent power module’ for industrial motor drives

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Infineon Technologies has added a new product to its range of intelligent power modules.

The CIPOS Maxi IM818 series integrates various power and control components to increase reliability, optimize PCB size and system costs.

The IPM is packaged in a DIP 36x23D housing. This makes it the smallest package for 1200 V IPMs with the highest power density and best performance in its class.  [Read more…] about Infineon releases ‘intelligent power module’ for industrial motor drives

Magna acquires Haptronik to advance ‘touch control’ features in cars

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Drivers and passengers will enjoy a more intuitive experience thanks to technology which relies on motion and the sense of touch inside and outside of the car.

To continue developing these advanced technologies for the automotive market, Magna has signed a deal to acquire Haptronik GmbH, further investing in advanced motion-control software and adding to Magna’s mechatronics products.

Haptronik is a technology company that specialises in software to control the motion of mechatronic products. Based in Dresden, Germany, the company develops algorithms that enhance motion control and the touch and feel of power systems such as doors and liftgates.

[Read more…] about Magna acquires Haptronik to advance ‘touch control’ features in cars

Nachi-Fujikoshi launches the CZ10 collaborative robot

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Nachi-Fujikoshi has launched the CZ10, a compact collaborative robot offering improved safety and operability. The company says the robot “will satisfy automation needs across a wide range of fields, including customers who have been unfamiliar with robots to date”.

The firm made its full-scale entry into the compact robot market in 2013. In the time since, it has continued to expand and update its lineup, amassed expertise in the utilization of compact robots and worked on the development, improvement and functional enhancement of collaborative robots.

The CZ10 is claimed to feature exceptional safety performance, with a safety design that meets the ISO10218-1 and TS15066 international safety standards, making it possible for a person to work side-by-side with the robot without the need for a safety barrier.

[Read more…] about Nachi-Fujikoshi launches the CZ10 collaborative robot