Market trends and business perspectives
A senior executive at industrial giant Omron foresees a time in which cars virtually build themselves in factories. (See interview below.)
Bruno Adam, director of Omron’s mobile robot business director in Europe, says that in the future, factories will operate completely differently.
The current process sees car bodies moved along a linear, straight production line where different robots and people work on their assembly.
[Read more…] about Omron robotics boss envisages cars building themselvesLufthansa Technik has been showing off what it claims is the world’s first airplane cockpit panel testing robot, which it calls “RoCCET”.
RoCCET checks the functionality of LED lights and switches, says Lufthansa Technik, which is part of the Lufthansa Group.
The Robot-based procedure is currently in the integration phase.
[Read more…] about Lufthansa Technik shows off ‘world’s first’ plane cockpit-testing robotAutonomous electric vehicle developer Einride and logistics giant DB Schenker have launched a driverless electric truck in Sweden.
The vehicle – called “T-Pod and intended for logistics operations – is believed to be the first cab-less electric truck to go into operation on a public road.
The world premiere and inaugural run took place at DB Schenker’s facility in Jönköping, Sweden. The T-pod will transport goods between a warehouse and terminal at the facility, as part of a commercial flow.
[Read more…] about Einride and DB Schenker launch driverless electric truckMicrosoft is developing what it describes as “an end-to-end toolchain to help make it easier for every developer and every organization to create autonomous systems for their own scenarios”.
The tech giant offered a glimpse into one of the components of the new robotics platform at the company’s recent Build conference for developers.
The “limited preview” talks about autonomous systems, motion control, machine teaching, and smart buildings and homes, among other things.
[Read more…] about Microsoft developing new robotics platformby Mai Tao
Computer manufacturer Lenovo is showcasing a preview model of what it claims is “the world’s first foldable” personal computer. In other words, it’s a laptop with a foldable screen.
Unveiled within days of Samsung announcing a recall of its Galaxy Fold smartphone because of technical problems, the new foldable laptop will be part of Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 range.
Lenovo says the “unprecedented portability” of the folding laptop will not compromise productivity and reliability.
[Read more…] about Lenovo showcases ‘world’s first’ laptop with foldable screenby Mai Tao
Europe is continuing to construct 5G networking infrastructure using Huawei equipment, according to Nikkei, despite the Chinese company being effectively banned from doing business in the US.
The administration of President Donald Trump has been vocal in its criticism of what it sees as Chinese companies using communications technology as a way to potentially spy on the US.
After days of speculation, Trump signed an executive order which, although does not name Huawei, effectively prevents the company from selling its products in the US, and even buying components from the US.
[Read more…] about Europe continues to build 5G networks with Huawei despite US banby Anna
Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers are already reality, but can the same idea be applied to a 7-ton machine clearing snow from an airstrip?
To show it can, Valtra and Nokian Tyres partnered up with three other Finnish companies in March 2019 for a joint proof-of-concept project at the European Union’s northernmost airport.
Two Valtra T254 Versu equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI tyres and each pulling a 4.5 m wide sweeper blower autonomously cleared the runway at Ivalo airport in Finnish Lapland.
[Read more…] about ‘Snow-how’: Finns develop autonomous snow removal vehiclesby Anna
HP and Siemens have announced an expansion of their strategic alliance in industrial additive manufacturing (AM).
The two companies will incorporate new systems and software innovations including overall product life-cycle management (PLM), AM factory optimisation and industrial 3D printing.
The expanded additive manufacturing solution from Siemens and HP integrates hardware, software, data intelligence, and services to optimise the efficiency of the entire manufacturing process.
[Read more…] about HP and Siemens deepen additive manufacturing allianceby Anna
XPO Logistics, the largest last-mile provider for heavy goods in North America, has announced the launch of extensive last mile capabilities on its XPO Connect digital freight marketplace.
The company’s last mile business unit specialises in the delivery of heavy goods, many of which require assembly and installation inside the home.
In 2018, XPO arranged approximately 40,000 last mile deliveries per day on average.
[Read more…] about XPO Logistics expands XPO Connect into last mileKBMax, a company which provides mass customization services to the manufacturing sector, says it has been named “visual configuration leader” by G2 Crowd, a website which collates and presents reviews from users of software.
KBMax mainly offers its services through its website, and primarily categorizes itself as a “CPQ” platform, a well-known term in sales and marketing which stands for configure, price, quote.
Traditionally, CPQ platforms have not included visual configurators, which enable the customization of a product using online 3D computer-aided design software.
[Read more…] about Mass customization platform KBMax named ‘visual configuration leader’Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.
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