Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Italian startup Automationware developing robotic solution for food industry

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An Italian startup called Automationware is developing an integrated robotic solution for the food industry.

The innovative HyFlexyBot project is the result of a partnership between the Venetian mechatronics company Automationware and the Modenese innovation hub Crit.

Described as “an integrated solution that will improve and make more efficient the production and logistics of the food industry”, the HyFlexyBot project is in the top 10 of the Agrobofood-Horizon2020 community program and will be funded by the European Union with €300,000. [Read more…] about Italian startup Automationware developing robotic solution for food industry

IDS unveils new camera models for special requirements in factory automation

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IDS Imaging Development Systems has unveiled new industrial camera models for special requirements in factory automation. The uEye FA camera series integrates new sensors – the 12 and 20 MP Sony Starvis and 5 MP polarisation sensor.

uEye FA industrial cameras are particularly robust and therefore ideally suited for demanding environmental conditions, for example in factory automation. Starting in August, IDS will offer three new sensors in the family.

The 12 MP (IMX226) and 20.44 MP (IMX183) Sony sensors are true high-performers with high resolution and low noise. For special requirements, the company will also integrate the 5 MP polarisation sensor IMX250MZR. [Read more…] about IDS unveils new camera models for special requirements in factory automation

DFI celebrates 40th anniversary with continuing IoT innovation

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In the past 40 years, technology has greatly changed the way we live and do business. Especially in the latter half of that period, the Internet and the Internet of Smart Things have completely changed the appearance of global industries

In 40 years, DFI has undergone a series of growth and evolution, transforming from a purely electronic components supplier to a global leading provider of diverse Industrial PC (IPC) solutions.

Starting with consumer IT products in the 1980s, DFI engaged in a transitional journey into the IT future. Early product lines gave way to the changing market circumstances and led to the innovative and renowned LANParty products of the 1990s, which set the stage for DFI’s shift into more sophisticated industrial computing technologies in 2004. This decisive strategy change has led DFI to further rapid growth and significant financial success. [Read more…] about DFI celebrates 40th anniversary with continuing IoT innovation

Nvidia and USC researchers demonstrate autonomous robotic cutting

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Nvidia and USC researchers have demonstrated an innovative approach to Autonomous Robotic Cutting in new work nominated for a Best Paper Award at the Robotics Science & Systems Conference  last month. (See video and images below.)

Robotic cutting of soft materials is critical for applications such as food processing, household automation, and surgical manipulation. As in other areas of robotics, simulators can facilitate controller verification, policy learning, and dataset generation. Moreover, differentiable simulators can enable gradient-based optimization, which is invaluable for calibrating simulation parameters and optimizing controllers.

In their work nominated for a Best Paper Award at RSS 2021, Nvidia researchers present DiSECt: the first differentiable simulator for cutting soft materials. The simulator augments the finite element method (FEM) with a continuous contact model based on signed distance fields (SDF), as well as a continuous damage model that inserts springs on opposite sides of the cutting plane and allows them to weaken until zero stiffness, enabling crack formation. [Read more…] about Nvidia and USC researchers demonstrate autonomous robotic cutting

IEEE adopts MIPI A-PHY, first industry-standard, long-reach data communications for automotive applications

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The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has adopted the MIPI A-PHY v1.0 specification as an IEEE standard.

Published as IEEE 2977-2021, IEEE Standard for Adoption of MIPI Alliance Specification for A-PHY Interface (A-PHY) Version 1.0, A-PHY is the first asymmetric, industry-standard, long-reach, serializer-deserializer (SerDes) physical layer interface for automotive applications.

Joel Huloux, chairman of MIPI Alliance, says: “This is the first time MIPI has sought adoption by another standards body for one of our specifications. [Read more…] about IEEE adopts MIPI A-PHY, first industry-standard, long-reach data communications for automotive applications

ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

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Industrial automation giant ABB has launched a virtual technical assistance support service.

With the theme of “A problem shared” – the new virtual assistance support service from ABB provides instant access to virtual face to face expert technical advice.

Getting to grips with robotic automation is “now even easier” with the launch of ABB’s Virtual Assistance support service, says the company. [Read more…] about ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

Desolination: Unique energy and water project combines solar power and desalination

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A unique, €10 million “Desolination” project, involving 19 partners and 12 countries, aims to develop a “first-of-its-kind efficient coupling of concentrated solar power and desalination techniques”.

The Horizon 2020 Desolination project started in June, this year and will last 48 months until May 2025.

During this time, innovative technologies related to both concentrated solar power and desalination will be designed to improve the efficiency of existing concepts. [Read more…] about Desolination: Unique energy and water project combines solar power and desalination

Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

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The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is partnering with NASA Ames Research Center and MassRobotics for the upcoming Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator program in Boston.

Founders working on aerospace/space, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, voice, drones and related technologies can apply to the program here: http://fi.co/join/AIRobotics. [Read more…] about Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

Sole Source Capital portfolio company Supply Chain Services acquires ISG Technologies

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, says its portfolio company Supply Chain Services, a provider of automatic identification and data capture and factory automation solutions to customers across North America, has acquired ISG Technologies.

The acquisition of ISG Technologies adds to Supply Chain Service’s product line and expands its geographic reach into Texas.

This is the fourth add-on transaction supported by Sole Source Capital, following the purchases of Dasco Label, Miles Data and Coridian since Supply Chain Services was acquired in May 2020. Terms of the ISG Technologies transaction were not disclosed. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital portfolio company Supply Chain Services acquires ISG Technologies

ANYmal helps mining giant Vale to prioritize people in its industry

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In a partnership with ANYbotics, Vale highlights its commitment to becoming one of the safest and most reliable mining companies in the world.

The results showed that ANYmal helps reduce exposure to hazardous conditions and integrates seamlessly into Vale’s team to autonomously perform routine inspections and deliver improved reporting during operations and periods of downtime. [Read more…] about ANYmal helps mining giant Vale to prioritize people in its industry