Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

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

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

Hannover Messe planning to be a ‘showcase for artificial intelligence’ this year

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Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade shows for industrial technologies, is planning to make this year’s event a “showcase for artificial intelligence”.

From 17 to 21 April 2023, Hannover Messe, held in Germany, will be shining a spotlight on the topic of “AI in manufacturing”.

Along with the subject of process optimization, exhibitors will be focusing on the role of AI in simulation, testing and product development. Generative AI is also making major inroads into industry. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe planning to be a ‘showcase for artificial intelligence’ this year

Abu Dhabi’s SkyGo invests in commercial drones provider Airobotics for goods transportation

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Airobotics and Sky Go Transport of Goods, a UAE-based company with commercial license to provide unmanned aerial transport of goods and services across the city of Abu Dhabi, have agreed a joint venture to provide aerial drone services to the city of Abu Dhabi.

Airobotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary Ondas Holdings, a provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions.

As a part of the partnership, Airobotics, subject to the finalization of required formalities, has received an initial multi-system purchase order for $3.5 million from SkyGo. The purchase order is conditioned by the completion of proof of concept. [Read more…] about Abu Dhabi’s SkyGo invests in commercial drones provider Airobotics for goods transportation

Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

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Apptronik, a maker of general-purpose robots, exoskeletons and humanoids, has received an equity investment from Terex Corporation and has reached an agreement with Terex to co-develop “first-of-a-kind robots” to work alongside workers to support safety, productivity, and efficiency of industries that power the economy and are essential to building infrastructure.

Robots have long held the promise of solving labor shortages and productivity issues, but until recently have been limited to performing repetitive tasks within structured environments such as warehouses or factories.

While robots have proven useful at completing dull and repetitive tasks in controlled environments, they have not been leveraged for more complex tasks in unstructured environments. [Read more…] about Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

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BMW Group Plant Leipzig’s first cell coating line has gone into series operation as e-component production at the site continues to gain momentum.

By 2024 the two existing module assembly lines will be complemented by a third, as well as four more cell coating lines and two more high-voltage battery assembly lines. The four coating lines will enter series operation during the course of this year at roughly two-month intervals.

Markus Fallböhmer, head of battery production at the BMW Group, says: “From 2024 our plant here in Leipzig will be able to run the entire process chain for high-voltage battery production. [Read more…] about BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

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Performing human-like motions that involve multiple contacts is challenging for robots. In this regard, a researcher from the Tokyo University Science has envisioned an interactive cyber-physical human (iCPH) platform with complementary humanoid (physical twin) and simulation (digital twin) elements.

iCPH combines human measurement data, musculoskeletal analysis, and machine learning for data collection and augmentation. As a result, iCPH can understand, predict, and synthesize whole-body contact motions.

Humans naturally perform numerous complex tasks. These include sitting down, picking something up from a table, and pushing a cart. These activities involve various movements and require multiple contacts, which makes it difficult to program robots to perform them. [Read more…] about Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

Robotic nursing assistant market set to expand 15 percent a year through to 2032

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The growing global population of older adults is fueling the demand for robotic nurse assistants for various daily assistance functions, according to the most recent analysis released by Fact.MR. 

The growing investment in R&D to create technologically advanced robots for healthcare facilities is expected to drive up demand for robotic nurse assistants in the coming years.

Another factor contributing to the rise in demand for robotic nurse assistants is the development of technologically advanced nurse-assisting robots that can effectively carry out a nurse’s daily tasks. [Read more…] about Robotic nursing assistant market set to expand 15 percent a year through to 2032