Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for February 8, 2023

6 Things to Know About Computational Intelligence in Robotics Before Learning

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Studying different methods and strategies for building intelligent devices and systems is known as computational intelligence. It covers techniques like swarm intelligence, fuzzy logic, evolutionary computation, and artificial neural networks.

These methods can be used in various applications, such as robots, autonomous systems, natural language processing, image and audio recognition, and many more. Creating systems that can adapt, learn, and make judgments in complex and dynamic contexts is the general aim of computational intelligence.

In this guide, let’s check out the six things you should know about computational intelligence in robotics before learning it! [Read more…] about 6 Things to Know About Computational Intelligence in Robotics Before Learning

SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

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The SSI Schaefer Group, an international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions employing some 10,000 people, and DS Automotion, a provider of mobile robotics such as automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, have signed an agreement under which SSI Schaefer will acquire all shares in DS Automotion.

Through the new agreement, SSI Schaefer will expand the minority interest it has held since 2018 to reflect the growing importance of autonomous and mobile robotics and the AGV business in intralogistics.

The acquisition of the remaining shares will take effect on March 1st, 2023 and is subject to approval by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority. [Read more…] about SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

Swisslog delivers third AutoStore for Neoperl in China

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Swisslog has built the third AutoStore system for Neoperl, after the previous two facilities in Switzerland and Italy.

The Neoperl Group is an international company with globally oriented production and sales locations. Its product portfolio includes highly standardized components for the manufacture of sanitary products, such as bath and kitchen faucets, showers, fittings, water filters, water meters and valves. Neoperl acts primarily as a supplier to the sanitary industry.

In 2003, Neoperl, which is a German-Swiss company, took its first step into the Chinese market. [Read more…] about Swisslog delivers third AutoStore for Neoperl in China

Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

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Geek+, a provider of mobile logistics robots, has released its latest solution, RoboShuttle Plus, which looks similar to, and may compete with, the AutoStore system. 

Geek+ says its new RoboShuttle Plus system achieves one-stop storage and picking of all types of goods and delivers higher throughput and flexibility, adding that “this marks a significant advance in the interoperability of Geek+’s various robot models and a stride towards full warehouse automation”.

The upgraded solution fills the market gap for an all-in-one picking solution by coordinating of three types of robots around one centralized workstation: RoboShuttles handle vertical storage and retrieval of totes, P40 picking robots move smaller items, and P500 and P800 robots move medium to large items. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions partnership

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of AI-enabled robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, and logistics giant FedEx have expanded their strategic relationship.

As part of the expansion of this relationship, Berkshire Grey and FedEx have entered into an agreement for new development activities that will provide broader AI robotic automation capabilities to help improve the safety and efficiency of FedEx package handling operations globally.

The two companies also expect to execute a master system purchase agreement in 2022, which will streamline and expedite the procurement process for Berkshire Grey solutions across all FedEx operating companies globally. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions partnership

DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

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DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, is now operating a fully-automated robot picking system at a logistics center in the Lower Saxon municipality of Staufenberg for an important long-time customer, Peek & Cloppenburg, an international chain of department stores from Germany.

The system, AutoStore, is made by robot specialist Element Logic and covers 6,000 square meters, making it one of the largest fully-automated storage and order fulfillment systems in Germany.

It’s located in one of the five halls at the location, each of which offers 10,000 square meters of space and 50 loading bays. DHL Supply Chain operates this massive logistics center for a range of customers. [Read more…] about DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

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The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a huge challenge for global biodiversity and affects humanity by causing problems in food production. At Tampere University, researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot equipped with artificial muscle. Could this artificial fairy be utilised in pollination?

The development of stimuli-responsive polymers has brought about a wealth of material-related opportunities for next-generation small-scale, wirelessly controlled soft-bodied robots.

For some time now, engineers have known how to use these materials to make small robots that can walk, swim and jump. So far, no one has been able to make them fly.

Researchers of the Light Robots group at Tampere University are now researching how to make smart material fly. Hao Zeng, Academy Research Fellow and the group leader, and Jianfeng Yang, a doctoral researcher, have come up with a new design for their project called FAIRY – Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly. They have developed a polymer-assembly robot that flies by wind and is controlled by light. [Read more…] about Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

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A robot built by 4Ocean is cleaning up Florida beach as part of the startup company’s mission to clean up the entire world’s oceans.

An ambitious mission for sure, and one for which the company admits “there is no playbook”, but 4Ocean has already collected 28 million pounds of trash from the plastic-polluted salty waters of the world and its program is just getting started.

The robot 4Ocean has supplied to Florida beach is called the BeBot, which collects things like cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and other trash, according to a report on the Fox Weather website. [Read more…] about 4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

Kuka releases ‘one of the strongest and fastest delta robots on the market’

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Kuka has released a new delta robot, the KR 3 D1200, which is specially designed for pick-and-place of foodstuffs, among other applications, and carries up to 6 kg at high speed.

Part of the Kuka Hygienic Oil (HO) portfolio, the new KR 3 D1200 performs various pick-and-place tasks at “previously unattainable speeds” with maximum precision, according to Kuka, which adds that it now moves up to 6 kg of food, medicine or electronic parts.

Although the KR 3 D1200 has a rated payload of 3 kg, it is designed for loads of up to 6 kg. This makes it “one of the strongest delta robots on the market”. [Read more…] about Kuka releases ‘one of the strongest and fastest delta robots on the market’

Roundtable Discussion: Industry experts help you plan your approach to investing in AGVs and AMRs

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Article contributed by BlueBotics

A roundtable discussion with three industry experts’ answers some of the pertinent questions about investing in automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)

The market and interest in Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) are growing rapidly. These smart machines offer ways to increase production or warehouse efficiency, increase safety, and enhance productivity.

However, if you are thinking of investing, where do you start and what points do you need to consider? [Read more…] about Roundtable Discussion: Industry experts help you plan your approach to investing in AGVs and AMRs