Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for August 2022

NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics

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NFI Industries, a supply chain solutions provider, has signed a $10 million agreement to deploy Boston Dynamics’ newest robot, Stretch, across its US warehousing operations.

The mobile robot will begin unloading trucks and containers as a pilot program at NFI’s Savannah, GA facility in 2023, with plans to outfit additional warehouse locations across North America over the next few years.

Supply chain demand remains near all-time highs. To support the flow of goods and increase operational capacity, NFI continues to invest in technology that supports a people-led, technology-enabled approach. [Read more…] about NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics

Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

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For the third-straight quarter, robot sales in North America hit a record high, driven by a resurgence in sales to automotive companies and an ongoing need to manage increasing demand to automate logistics for e-commerce.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), of the 12,305 robots sold in Q2 2022, 59 percent of the orders came from the automotive industry with the remaining orders from non-automotive companies largely in the food and consumer goods industry, which saw a 13 percent increase in unit orders over the same period, April through June, in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, A3 President, says: “While automotive entities have long been the frontrunner in deploying robotics and automation, the last few years have seen food & consumer goods, life sciences and other industries grow at even higher rates. [Read more…] about Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

3 Capabilities of an Electronic Manufacturing Services Company

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The process of manufacturing in-demand gadgets like phones and TVs follows several phases. In effect, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has to research and develop a design that meets current consumer needs.

Because of these current demands, most manufacturers build their products in-house or outsource related tasks. The latter has become a standard option for most OEMs as they focus on researching possible product improvements.

The subcontractors who handle these tasks do so in what’s referred to as electronic manufacturing services (EMS). Specialized engineering experts like Nortech Systems help OEMs attain their project goals.

The cost will depend on the complexity of the tasks and the current stage of product development. [Read more…] about 3 Capabilities of an Electronic Manufacturing Services Company

ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

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ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions division will present its latest range of future-ready automation technologies and expertise at IAA Transportation 2022.

This includes ZF’s innovative next generation Autonomous Driving Open Platform Technology (ADOPT) automated chassis control solution.

The advanced platform bridges autonomous vehicles’ virtual driver software with its actuation systems using standardized interfaces developed to automotive standards. [Read more…] about ZF to showcase autonomous commercial transportation system solutions

BMW’s idealworks partners with Linde Material Handling

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Cutting-edge improvements in technology, such as autonomous mobile robots, have been and continue to be the driving force behind automation.

Not least due to their flexible range of applications, AMRs have increasingly been taking over transport tasks in intralogistics. By collaborating with Linde Material Handling, idealworks – a business unit of auto giant BMW – is gaining an important international sales and service partner.

Linde Material Handling, a Kion Group company, is a globally active manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse technology equipment as well as a provider of services and solutions for intralogistics. [Read more…] about BMW’s idealworks partners with Linde Material Handling

Airbus to expand robotic usage at Rochefort logistics site

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Airbus, the world’s largest airplane manufacturer, is expanding its usage of robotic solutions at its Rochefort, France logistics facility.

Airbus expects to be manufacturing a staggering 1,000 aircraft a year by 2025, which would significantly increase its requirements for parts picking in its warehouses.

Airbus’ partners at the Rochefort warehouse are Blondel Group and Scallog. Specifically, logistics company Blondel manages the warehouse and has installed Scallog robotic systems to accelerate operations. [Read more…] about Airbus to expand robotic usage at Rochefort logistics site

Alstef unveils robot for baggage handling at airports

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Alstef has unveiled a mobile robot for handling baggage at airports. The new machine – the BAGXone – was launched by Nicolas Breton, Alstef Group’s CEO, at a recent industry event.

BAGXone is described as a high-speed automated guided vehicle designed to handle individual bags. It can cover short distances, from check-in to screening machines or from the screening machines to an early bag store, reconciliation room, make-up carousel.

It can also cover long distances – for example, link between two terminals. It is also “easily adaptable” to suit scalability and redundancy requirements. If there are increased capacity requirements or expansion of the baggage sorting system, new AGVs can be added to extend the fleet. [Read more…] about Alstef unveils robot for baggage handling at airports

What Are the Uses of Blockchain Technology?

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In the simplest terms, blockchain technology is a virtual ledger that keeps track of all cryptocurrency transactions. But what makes it so special? Unlike traditional banking systems, there is no central authority controlling the blockchain.

There are various blockchain certification training courses available for you to explore. This revolutionary technology has drawn the attention of businesses and investors around the world, who see its potential for revolutionizing a wide range of industries.

So, what is blockchain technology, and why is it causing such a buzz? Read this article to learn more. [Read more…] about What Are the Uses of Blockchain Technology?

Logistics giant GEODIS orders 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

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GEODIS, a global transport and logistics provider, and Locus Robotics, a maker of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, have reached a new expansion agreement to install a total of 1,000 LocusBots at GEODIS’ worldwide warehouse locations over the next 24 months.

This represents one of the industry’s largest AMR deals to date.

Eric Douglas, executive vice president of technology and engineering at GEODIS in Americas, says: “As we continue to navigate industry-wide challenges such as skyrocketing e-commerce demand and labor constraints, it is crucial we remain committed to implementing the most innovative and effective robotics automation solutions available into our warehouses to allow us to best serve our customers. [Read more…] about Logistics giant GEODIS orders 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

US retailer Meijer to launch beach and water cleaning drones in the Great Lakes

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US Midwest retailer Meijer is launching its participation in the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup Program with the use of two innovative technologies – the BeBot and Pixie Drone, partly based on the WasteShark produced by Ranmarine – to clean up Midwestern beaches and waterways in partnership with the Council of the Great Lakes Region. 

This initiative is supporting the single largest deployment of these types of eco-friendly and remote-controlled devices across multiple states in the Great Lakes, which encompass the largest surface freshwater system in the world.

Rick Keyes, Meijer president and CEO, says: “It is a privilege to live near the Great Lakes, which inherently comes with the responsibility to protect them. [Read more…] about US retailer Meijer to launch beach and water cleaning drones in the Great Lakes