Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

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Qualcomm says it has unleashed “a new era of autonomous drone capabilities” with what it says is the world’s first 5G and AI-enabled drone platform.

The company says its Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform accelerates and scales development for drone manufacturers to deliver powerful, purpose-built enterprise and industrial 5G drones.

Following the success of the Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars as a key breakthrough for unmanned flight powered by the Qualcomm Flight Platform, Qualcomm Technologies continues its drone endeavours by unveiling the world’s first drone platform and reference design to offer both 5G and AI-capabilities, the Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform. [Read more…] about Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

IDS sees high levels of orders for its industrial cameras

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IDS with above-average sales growth in the first half-year

The south German industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems was able to exceed industry expectations in the first half of 2021.

Instead of the 7 percent increase in turnover forecast by the VDMA for the machine vision industry, the company has so far generated more than double this growth.

The camera manufacturer from Obersulm expects consistently high growth until the end of 2021. The positive order situation and the strong development of foreign business give the camera manufacturer every reason to do so, despite the challenging procurement situation. [Read more…] about IDS sees high levels of orders for its industrial cameras

MX3D’s 3D-printed bridge unveiled by robot and Dutch queen in Amsterdam

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Dutch technology company MX3D has unveiled what it says is “the world’s first stainless steel 3D printed bridge” in the city center of Amsterdam. The opening ceremony was led by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, and an ABB YuMi robot. 

The futuristic multi award-winning bridge, designed by Joris Laarman Lab with Arup as lead engineer, will be placed over one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam’s Red light district.

The installation of the bridge is the culmination of several years of work. [Read more…] about MX3D’s 3D-printed bridge unveiled by robot and Dutch queen in Amsterdam

Noyes Technologies secures $3.8 million to ‘revolutionize’ automation of urban storage areas with robotized nano warehouses

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Noyes Technologies, provider of a flexible robotic warehousing solution designed for urban use, has completed a seed investment round of $3.8 million, led by Vsquared Ventures, and joined by 468 Capital and the Abacon Capital.

The way of consuming is changing rapidly. Customers are requesting ever speedier delivery times but storage spaces close to the customer, especially in the urban landscape, are scarce and costly.

By providing a unique solution ahead of market demand and empowering the delivery and quick commerce market on the journey to profitability, Noyes Technologies is the enabler for urban living and dynamic consumer behavior. [Read more…] about Noyes Technologies secures $3.8 million to ‘revolutionize’ automation of urban storage areas with robotized nano warehouses

RE2 Robotics launches new robotic arm for outdoor mobile applications

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RE2 Robotics, a leading developer of intelligent mobile robotic manipulation systems, marks its 20th year in business with the launch of its newest robotic arm, the RE2 Sapien 6M.

The milestone marks two successful decades of innovation and growth for the Company in the robotics industry.

Originally founded on July 20, 2001 as a defense subcontractor to Carnegie Mellon University by alumni Jorgen Pedersen, the Company incubated at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. [Read more…] about RE2 Robotics launches new robotic arm for outdoor mobile applications

Hardinge to acquire J.G. Weisser

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Hardinge and J.G. Weisser have entered into a definitive agreement under which Hardinge will acquire Weisser, enhancing Hardinge’s Turning and Milling platform with an attractive portfolio of products and technologies.

Weisser is a German manufacturer and solution provider of high precision, multifunctional turning machines and turning centers as well as automation solutions.

Weisser is based in Germany with sales of approximately $90 million. [Read more…] about Hardinge to acquire J.G. Weisser

Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

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Nidec Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of drives, has agreed to start discussions on establishing a joint venture with Hon Hai Technology Group and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.

The Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan has been the main manufacturer for Apple products in the past two decades.

Nidec signed a memorandum of understanding with Foxtron regarding its strategic alliance in the development of electric vehicle drive systems. [Read more…] about Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

InOrbit to support MassRobotics AMR Interoperability Standard

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InOrbit, a provider of a cloud-based robot operations platform, says its technology is now fully compatible with robots that implement the recently announced MassRobotics AMR Interoperability Standard.

The standard for autonomous mobile robots was developed recently by business accelerator MassRobotics and is helping robotics companies become standard-compliant.

The standard allows autonomous vehicles of different types to share information about their robots speed, location, direction, health, tasking and availability and other performance characteristics. [Read more…] about InOrbit to support MassRobotics AMR Interoperability Standard

ABB upgrades its IRB 1300 robot with new protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

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ABB’s 6-axis IRB 1300 industrial robot includes new protection elements that enable it to be used in tough industrial applications and contamination-free production processes.

ABB says this opens up new opportunities for increased productivity, improved product quality and reduced cycle times in a variety of industries including electronics assembly, automotive and metals fabrication, amongst others.

Originally launched in 2020, the IRB 1300 is now available in IP67, Foundry Plus 2 and cleanroom ISO 4 versions. This will expand its use in tough environments, with high levels of liquids and dust. [Read more…] about ABB upgrades its IRB 1300 robot with new protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

Locus Robotics reaches half-a-billion units picked milestone

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, says it has surpassed the half-a-billion-units-picked milestone. This new achievement was attained just 94 days after Locus reached their 400 million level.

Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics, says: “Reaching our half-billion pick milestone this quickly underscores the critical business value that Locus’s proven technology brings to our customers around the world as they face exploding order volumes and limited labor availability.

“As ecommerce volumes increase, the pace of picking with LocusBots is also increasing exponentially. Locus’s first 100-million milestone took 1,542 days while the most recent 100 million picks took just 94 days. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics reaches half-a-billion units picked milestone