Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 28, 2019

Elephant Robotics launches collaborative robot

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Elephant Robotics has unveiled a collaborative robot, called “Catbot”, saying it is one of the new generation of smart assistant robotic arms. The cobot is available for pre-order, with delivery scheduled for August. 

Human-robot collaborations are happening across factories worldwide, yet very few are using it for smaller businesses, due to high costs or the difficulty of customization, says the company.

Elephant Robotics, a startup from Shenzhen, China – or the “Silicon Valley of Asia”, as Elephant describes it – has set its sight on helping smaller businesses gain access to smart robotics. [Read more…] about Elephant Robotics launches collaborative robot

BD launches solution for high throughput molecular diagnostic testing

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Medical technology company Becton Dickinson and Co, has launched the CE-IVDD certification of the BD COR System in Europe.

The high throughput solution for infectious disease diagnostics sets a new standard in automation for molecular testing in core laboratories and other large centralized laboratories.

The BD COR System integrates and automates the complete molecular laboratory workflow from pre-analytical processing to diagnostic test result. [Read more…] about BD launches solution for high throughput molecular diagnostic testing

Bühler launches ‘Digital Cell’ for die-casting

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Bühler has launched what it describes as a “Digital Cell” for the die-casting industry.

Die-casting is similar to injection moulding, but while die-casting uses metals, injection moulding mainly uses plastics.

Bühler says its Digital Cell aims to deliver:

  • 0 per cent scrap;
  • 40 per cent less cycle time; and
  • 24/7 uptime.

Bühler says these benefits will make the die-casting industry “more profitable and efficient”. [Read more…] about Bühler launches ‘Digital Cell’ for die-casting

Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

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Nikon has invested $7.5 million in Wrnch – or wrnch, as the company prefers – a computer vision and deep learning startup.

Established in 2014, wrnch uses deep learning to develop and provide tools and software development kits (SDKs) that enable computers to see and understand human movement and activity.

Wrnch has also used its advanced work in pose estimation technologies to establish ties with major entertainment and communications companies. The company continues its operations in technical development, while raising funds continuously. [Read more…] about Nikon invests $7.5 million in computer vision and deep learning startup Wrnch

Inventory management using drones

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FlytBase, Inc., an enterprise drone automation company, has released a white paper highlighting the role of autonomous drones in the digital transformation of warehouses.

Driven by safety, cost and revenue benefits, warehouses across the world are adopting technologies such as Internet-of-Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Drones are playing a central role in the intelligent automation of warehouse operations – given their ability to fly and hover autonomously, avoid obstacles, navigate indoors without GPS, land precisely on docking stations, operate in fleets and be remotely managed.

[Read more…] about Inventory management using drones

Varner expands its AutoStore with Swisslog

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Varner, one of northern Europe’s largest fashion groups, has chosen Swisslog as its partner to expand its European warehouse in Vänersborg, Sweden.

The automated warehouse was built in cooperation with Swisslog and was put into operation in 2016. Three years later, the warehouse will be expanded with additional automation.

“When the central warehouse in Vänersborg was built, it was already designed to be further expanded within the warehouse’s four walls. Our rapid growth in e-commerce now makes it necessary to basically double our AutoStore facility,” says Anders Eriksson, Supply Chain Director at Varner.

[Read more…] about Varner expands its AutoStore with Swisslog

ABB launches Optimold Control for in-mold casting

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The recently launched ABB Ability Optimold Control system corrects metal casting problems in the mold and ensures that casting takes place under optimal conditions.

It works in real-time, using feedback from a high-resolution sensor system (such as ABB Ability Optimold Monitor) to actively control electromagnetic devices such as stirrers or brakes which can influence fluid flow.

Combining with ABB’s existing product suite for steel manufacturers, the controller is claimed to give instant and optimal process control in the mold, resulting in higher product quality, improved productivity and enhanced efficiency in the slab casting process while helping avoid quality downgrades.

[Read more…] about ABB launches Optimold Control for in-mold casting