Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Arsenal Capital Partners acquires automation solutions provider Eckhart from LFM Capital

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Arsenal Capital Partners, a private equity firm that specializes in investments in industrial growth and healthcare companies, has acquired automation solutions provider Eckhart from LFM Capital.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Eckhart’s advanced engineering, design, simulation, and integration services, along with proprietary tooling and other automation and robotics systems, support customers at critical points in the automation value chain. [Read more…] about Arsenal Capital Partners acquires automation solutions provider Eckhart from LFM Capital

Comau creates high-volume electric drive assembly line for Geely to ‘double its automation rate’

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Comau has developed and implemented an automated electric vehicle drive assembly line for Geely Automobile, one of China’s largest automakers, at the Geely Veremt plant in Ningbo, China.

The assembly line is specifically created for the end-to-end assembly of the electric motor, gearbox and inverter.

Designed in close collaboration with the Geely team, the complete line uses a flexible automatic production system to assemble the permanent magnet motor rotors, gearboxes and electronics drives, in addition to automated quality control and testing. [Read more…] about Comau creates high-volume electric drive assembly line for Geely to ‘double its automation rate’

Versius surgical robot receives ‘indication’ extended into thoracic surgery

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CMR Surgical says its Versius Surgical Robotic System has been “indicated” for thoracics to support surgeons providing minimally invasive surgery to patients undergoing operations in the lungs, thymus and oesophagus.

In medicine, an “indication” is a valid reason to use a certain test, medication, procedure, or surgery.

Following a gradual introduction with specific case and procedure selection, Versius has now been used in both major and minor cases including oesophagomyotomies, lobectomies and thymectomies. [Read more…] about Versius surgical robot receives ‘indication’ extended into thoracic surgery

Opinion: Predictions about the surgical robots market

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By Anthony Fernando, CEO and president of Asensus Surgical

Surgery has evolved from open surgery to robotic surgery. Surgical robots can perform complex procedures with geometrical precision, even in anatomical areas that are difficult to reach by human surgeons.

This is resulting in increased demand and adoption of minimally invasive surgeries and is one of the key drivers for the growth of the surgical robotics market.

So here are some predictions that foresee changes in the coming year within the surgical robotics market, telehealth and telesurgery, and augmented intelligence. [Read more…] about Opinion: Predictions about the surgical robots market

Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

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Autonomous vehicles are currently more hype than substance, given the significant technological, financial, and regulatory barriers to their widespread use, according to GlobalData.

In its latest report, Tech, Media, & Telecom Predictions 2022, the data and analytics company predicts that focus will shift onto “lower-level” autonomous vehicles that require greater human supervision, while mergers and acquisition activity will continue to be driven by transport technology such as robotaxis.

Amrit Dhami, thematic analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on these predictions. She says technological barriers will shift focus onto lower-level autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

Hannover Messe 2022 rescheduled for beginning of June

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This year’s Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade shows for industrial technology, has been rescheduled for beginning of June. It usually takes place in April.

Deutsche Messe AG, the company which organises the event, says the decision to delay Hannover Messe is “due to the current situation surrounding Covid”.

It says that this year’s exhibition is now scheduled to take place from 30 May to 2 June, adding that the new date “provides exhibitors and visitors with planning security”. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe 2022 rescheduled for beginning of June

Starship Technologies launches robot delivery service at Dallas university

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Starship Technologies has rolled out its robot food delivery service at SMU, a Dallas-based private university.

Starship’s fleet of 16 autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from 10 campus eateries.

The University’s students, faculty and staff can now use the Starship Food Delivery app (iOS and Android) to order food and drinks from Cinco Taco, Einstein Bros Bagels, Lawyers Inn, Mac’s Place, Panera Bread, Rollin’ & Bowlin’ Acai Bowls, Starbucks, Sushic, and The Market to be delivered anywhere on campus, within minutes. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches robot delivery service at Dallas university

Metal Nameplates: What Are Their Uses?

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Metal nameplates are widely used in home appliances, machinery, electronic products, and other fields. They can also be used as metal labels on machines to ensure that equipment is used correctly. In addition, information for safety guidelines, asset tracking, or manufacturing data can be embedded in them.

The metals that are used often include iron, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc alloy, tin, copper, and more. The plates can be created through methods such as etching, printing, stamping, electroplating, drop plastic, wire drawing, and other processes.

You can have customized nameplates made and designed according to your specifications. Metal Marker Manufacturing provides more information about metal nameplates and how you can have yours made with custom specifications. [Read more…] about Metal Nameplates: What Are Their Uses?

Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

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Fanuc America, the world’s largest maker of industrial robots, has introduced the new M-1000iA robot capable of handling very heavy products including automotive components, construction materials and battery packs for electric vehicles.

The M-1000iA’s serial-link construction gives the robot a wider range of motion in every direction. It can extend its arm upright or rotate it backwards, which is not possible for typical heavy-payload robots with a parallel-link mechanism.

With a 1,000 kg payload, a 3,253 mm horizontal reach, and a 4,297 mm vertical reach the M-1000iA is ready to go to work for manufacturers looking to increase output and maximize their production line’s efficiency. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

Amazon introduces home monitoring robot

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Amazon has launched a small, humanoid-ish security robot for the home, called Astro, although it’s currently only available “exclusively by invitation”, whatever that means. 

The online retail giant, which probably operates the largest fleet of autonomous warehouse robots in the world, says Astro is a “household robot for home monitoring”.

On its website, Amazon adds: “When you’re away, use the Astro app to see a live view of your home, check in on specific rooms and viewpoints, and get activity alerts. [Read more…] about Amazon introduces home monitoring robot