Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for November 2019

Industrial robotics companies to watch out for in 2020

by Leave a Comment

In the last decade, there are few industries in which robotics have not been a disruptive force. From food production to aerospace, autonomous technology is everywhere and the prevalence of robotics is growing at an exponential rate.

Though there have been many companies that have opened their doors to ride the robotic wave into the future, there are a few stalwart firms that have been at the forefront of innovation from the beginning.

The list below consists of some of these tech leaders, all of which should be on your radar for 2020. [Read more…] about Industrial robotics companies to watch out for in 2020

City of Rotterdam and Lightwell launch multifunctional smart city units

by Leave a Comment

Smart city technologies are many and varied, and are generally initiated by the local authorities, whose main responsibilities tend to be street lighting, waste disposal, and traffic management, as well some crime.

In this example, the Netherlands city of City of Rotterdam has partnered with Lightwell, a supplier of street lighting equipment, to launch what they describe as “multifunctional smart city units”.

The two partners say the new units are “ready for smart city applications of the future”. [Read more…] about City of Rotterdam and Lightwell launch multifunctional smart city units

ABB technology in 40 Vattenfall electric vehicle fast-charging stations across Sweden

by Leave a Comment

ABB says its technology is integarted into in 40 Vattenfall fast-charging stations across Sweden.

ABB is supporting European energy company Vattenfall develop a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network in Sweden, with a complete solution that includes both the fast-charging station and all the necessary grid connection hardware.

The technology from ABB is now charging EVs at almost 40 public locations across Sweden for Vattenfall. [Read more…] about ABB technology in 40 Vattenfall electric vehicle fast-charging stations across Sweden

Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

by Leave a Comment

Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC.

The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a smaller space”, while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest smart factory applications.

Mitsubishi Electric launched its first range of micro controllers, the FX family of PLCs, over 35 years ago as part of the MELSEC-F series. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

Omron unveils ‘industry’s fastest’ 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands

by Leave a Comment

Omron has introduced what it claims is the “industry’s fastest” 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands.

The compact vision sensors can three-dimensionally recognize the position and orientation of target objects.

Incorporating this technology with robots will enable fast and accurate assembly of bulk parts by automating the conventional human-intensive process. [Read more…] about Omron unveils ‘industry’s fastest’ 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands

Doosan Robotics to open new US headquarters to expand distribution in the Americas

by Leave a Comment

Doosan Robotics, a manufacturer of collaborative robots, says it plans to establish its first US office in Buford, Georgia by the end of 2019 to accelerate its distribution efforts.

The new office will serve as the headquarters for sales, marketing, training, and customer service in the Americas.

Doosan produced the first generation of cobots in 2018 and immediately grew into multiple channels. The company quickly solidified its global presence with the help of its parent company, a large industrial conglomerate. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics to open new US headquarters to expand distribution in the Americas

Hanwha opens collaborative robotics centre in Europe

by Leave a Comment

Hanwha Robotics has opened a collaborative robotics centre near Frankfurt, Germany. The company’s new Technical Centre will also highlight its other precision machinery offerings.

Hanwha Precision Machinery’s president, Ki-Nam Lee, officially launched the facility an a grand opening ceremony recently. The Technical Centre is part of Hanwha’s efforts to accelerate the company’s growth in the European market.

Hanwha is aiming to increase sales in Europe by “at least €30 million” and make Europe account for more than 15 per cent of its total sales. [Read more…] about Hanwha opens collaborative robotics centre in Europe

Cleveron launches its ‘most compact’ robotic parcel store

by Leave a Comment

Cleveron has launched the new Cleveron 403, a compact parcel robot specifically designed for smaller format stores.

The compact size and affordable price make the robotics-based click and collect solution an effective alternative to manual parcel handout and to traditional parcel lockers.

Cleveron 403 saves expensive store space – the smallest model holds 157 parcels on just 6 sq m. It acts as a self-service pickup, issuing a parcel to the client in 10 seconds. [Read more…] about Cleveron launches its ‘most compact’ robotic parcel store

Siemens and Qualcomm set up ‘first private standalone 5G network in an industrial environment’

by Leave a Comment

Siemens and Qualcomm Technologies have implemented what they say is the first private 5G standalone network in a real industrial environment using the 3.7-3.8GHz band.

Siemens is providing the actual industrial test conditions and end devices such as Simatic control systems and IO devices and Qualcomm Technologies is supplying the 5G test network and the relevant test equipment.

The 5G network was installed in Siemens’ Automotive Showroom and Test Center in Nuremberg (main picture). Automated guided vehicles are displayed here which are primarily used in the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Siemens and Qualcomm set up ‘first private standalone 5G network in an industrial environment’

Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors

by Leave a Comment

Bosch says it is poised to make a technological “leap” in electric mobility as a result of developing new silicon carbide semiconductors.

The vast majority of semiconductors today are made using common silicon, which makes up 25 per cent of Earth’s crust, but silicon carbide is generally made from an extremely rare mineral called “moissanite”.

Bosch is secretive about its technology, but Harold Kroeger, member of the Bosch board of management, says: “Silicon carbide semiconductors will transform e-mobility.” [Read more…] about Bosch ‘poised for leap’ in e-mobility with new silicon carbide semiconductors