Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for February 2, 2022

BlueBotics acquired by Zapi Group

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BlueBotics, a developer of navigation systems for automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, has been acquired by Zapi Group.

Zapi is a global provider of electrification and manufacturer of electronic speed controllers, electric motors, battery chargers, and associated products for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Zapi’s acquisition includes the shares held by investor Forestay Capital. The transaction was closed on December 21, 2021, but no financial details have yet been disclosed. [Read more…] about BlueBotics acquired by Zapi Group

Yaskawa launches two new collaborative robots for industrial applications

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Yaskawa Motoman, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots, has launched two new collaborative robots – HC10DTP and HC20DTP, each of which has six axes.

The company describes them as “highly reliable robots (that) enrich easy capability for Yaskawa’s HC-series line”.

Hand-guided programming allows users to direct teach points without a pendant, and an ISO standard tool flange and electrical connections facilitate a plug and play approach for easy deployment of the robot system. [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches two new collaborative robots for industrial applications

TuSimple to operate nation’s first autonomous trucking route between Tucson and Phoenix

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TuSimple, an autonomous driving technology company, says that the Union Pacific Railroad, the largest Class I railroad in the US, will become the first customer to move freight on TuSimple’s fully-automated trucking route between the Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona metro areas.

Union Pacific is leveraging Loup Logistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to coordinate the freight shipment and support seamless movement between rail and the critical first and last mile.

Starting this spring, TuSimple plans to carry Driver Out freight for Union Pacific, utilizing groundbreaking autonomous vehicle technology to deliver goods to their destination faster and more cost-effectively. [Read more…] about TuSimple to operate nation’s first autonomous trucking route between Tucson and Phoenix

Swiss university shows brain-computer interface for controlling robots

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A Swiss university called the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne has showcased a new brain-computer interface that can be used to control robots. (See video below.)

Unlike previous BCI’s famously demonstrated to former US president, Barack Obama, the EPFL brain-computer interface does not require a hole to be drilled in the user’s head.

Two EPFL research groups teamed up to develop a machine-learning program that can be connected to a human brain and used to command a robot. [Read more…] about Swiss university shows brain-computer interface for controlling robots

Industrial robot sales have ‘strongest year ever’ in 2021

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Industrial robot sales in North America have had their “strongest year ever in 2021”, according to a new report by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

Propelled by a surge in non-automotive sectors, the number of robots sold in North America set a new record in 2021, with 39,708 units sold at a value of $2 billion, a 14 percent increase over the previous high in 2017.

A3 says the number of robots sold in 2021 rose 28 percent over 2020. Record robot sales in the fourth quarter of the year – up 9 percent over Q4 2020 – demonstrated the strong momentum already realized through the previous nine months as more industries look to automation to increase productivity and alleviate ongoing labor shortages. [Read more…] about Industrial robot sales have ‘strongest year ever’ in 2021

How to Level up Your Marketing Strategy in 2022

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The year 2021 is fast drawing its curtains. Businesses are fast closing end-of-the-year deals and are applying finishing touches to their calendar for 2022. If you’ve not finished setting up your brand or business calendar for 2022, you might as well get started.

With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses worldwide had to shut down and devise means to work online and from home.

This means that your business can’t afford to remain offline, now is the time to launch full-scale online and do all your can to ensure that your business is thriving online. The year 2022 is projected to see a lot more online activity, and that’s where your marketing focus should be. [Read more…] about How to Level up Your Marketing Strategy in 2022

Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the award of a contract to build a first in the United States public wireless in-road charging system allowing electric vehicles to charge while in motion and stationary.

A company called Electreon has been selected to build an electric road system in Detroit as part of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program.

Governor Whitmer says: “As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

STIHL acquires stake in line-marking robot maker TinyMobileRobots

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German industrial group STIHL, a manufacturer of chainsaw power tools, forestry machinery and robotic lawn mowers, has made a significant investment in the Danish robotics company, TinyMobileRobots.

STIHL says its robotic lawn mowers “share a strong technical kinship” with the advanced and fully autonomous line-marking robots produced by TinyMobileRobots, which are intended for use in sports fields, road construction, agriculture and other sectors.

STIHL Group has been closely following TinyMobileRobots’ rapid international growth in recent years, as the company has doubled in size each year. [Read more…] about STIHL acquires stake in line-marking robot maker TinyMobileRobots

Epson signs Heitek Automation as distributor in western US

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Epson Robots has signed Heitek Automation, a distributor of automation products and solutions, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions.

Heitek caters to a range of customers in the medical machine building, automotive, semi-conductor, packaging, industrial laundry, food and beverage, printing, and machine integration industries in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

With an uptick of automation across the Western region, Epson’s partnership brings exceptional value and easy-to-integrate solutions to meet the automation needs of Heitek’s customers. [Read more…] about Epson signs Heitek Automation as distributor in western US