Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

How are AGVs different from AMRs?

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Automating internal supply chain or logistic flows is always a challenge for both big and small companies. With more and more sophisticated systems, companies are increasingly looking to replace operator dependency and let robots handle the goods transfer activity.

Two automation systems are customer’s go-to option for goods/pallet movement: automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

While AGVs have been around for a long time, drastically increasing their functionality and technology over time, AMRs are gaining traction in recent times. [Read more…] about How are AGVs different from AMRs?

One-third of manufacturers planning to move software to the cloud, says IoT Analytics

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One-third of manufacturers are planning to move the software they currently use on-site to the cloud, according to research company IoT Analytics. 

IoT Analytics, a provider of market insights and competitive intelligence for the internet of things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, surveyed the industrial IoT market and found that almost one-third of manufactures are planning to move their manufacturing execution software to the cloud, significantly boosting the global Cloud MES market growth for the coming years.

Knud Lasse Lueth, CEO at IoT Analytics, says: “Companies are struggling to make use of their data in a meaningful way and use it to create value. Today, a significant portion of this data is ‘dark’ (that is, it is not used for any analysis). [Read more…] about One-third of manufacturers planning to move software to the cloud, says IoT Analytics

Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

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Manufacturers must unlock supply chain visibility to rebuild after the Covid-19 pandemic, WMG and Blue Yonder are warning.

The pandemic has disrupted supply and demand in many ways, from factory and border closures to swings in consumer needs, and those without supply chain visibility have been struggling to adapt and keep up.

Digital supply chain technologies perform a vital role across all stages of manufacturing, from sourcing materials and quality control to warehouses and shipping. [Read more…] about Manufacturers need to rebuild digital supply chain visibility after Covid-19, say WMG and Blue Yonder

Fanuc and Rockwell Automation launch robotics and automation apprenticeship programs

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Fanuc America and Rockwell Automation have formed a coalition to introduce accelerated work and learn apprenticeship programs designed to “upskill current and future workers for jobs in advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation”.

The coalition includes APT, a Fanuc and Rockwell Automation systems integrator, and NOCTI Business Solutions, which provides independent assessments of occupational standards and validation using recognized International Organization for Standardization (ISO) process validation methods.

Franklin Apprenticeships is also a key partner of the coalition, ensuring apprenticeship support structure and success enablers for employers and apprentices. [Read more…] about Fanuc and Rockwell Automation launch robotics and automation apprenticeship programs

Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

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Gatik, an autonomous technology company developing autonomous vehicles for logistics, has been awarded $997,706 in support through Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network’s (AVIN) R&D Partnership Fund, along with $8 million in industry contribution, to winterize its autonomous driving technology.

To support the work of this project, Gatik has also made use of AVIN’s regional sites across the province to access R&D resources, tools and equipment as well as leveraged AVIN to bring on-board highly skilled Ontario talent.

Since establishing a presence in Toronto in 2019, Gatik has led the way in autonomous middle mile delivery in Canada. The company’s fleet of light and medium duty trucks transports goods on behalf of Fortune 500 retailers, enhancing operational capacity, reducing costs and keeping delivery times short. [Read more…] about Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

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By John Hayes, Balyo USA

Economic policies from Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and connected warehouses point to the imperative to lower costs, increase productivity, and guarantee quality. There are as many forklift truck operator positions to be filled as there are IT developer and R&D engineer jobs combined.

In the United States, 65 percent of the businesses surveyed by Deloitte (as part of its annual Supply Chain report) noted that it is “extremely difficult” to hire qualified warehouse labor.

Moving pallets is expensive. One of the global Fast Moving Customer Goods (FMCG) leaders estimates spending “almost 380 million dollars per year” for tasks that create no additional value for the business. [Read more…] about Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

Blue Yonder launches inaugural ‘AI 50 List’ of world’s most influential artificial intelligence leaders

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Software developer Blue Yonder launched its inaugural AI 50 List today, highlighting people who the company believes are the “top thought leaders, innovators, and influencers working to advance the development and adoption of artificial intelligence globally”.

Identified by its team of hundreds of data scientists and machine learning (ML) experts, Blue Yonder sought out the most prominent AI players across a myriad of industries and geographies to honour their profound impact on advancing the business value and understanding of AI.

Uwe Weiss, executive vice president – machine learning at Blue Yonder, says: “While the world continues to navigate uncertainty, AI continues to help people and the planet, by enabling companies to make better predictions and business decisions, saving time, money, and waste. [Read more…] about Blue Yonder launches inaugural ‘AI 50 List’ of world’s most influential artificial intelligence leaders

OnRobot releases ‘world’s most powerful’ electric vacuum gripper for robot arms

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OnRobot has released what it describes as the “world’s most powerful” electric vacuum gripper for robot arms. 

OnRobot says its new VGP20 electric vacuum gripper provides a powerful and versatile solution for challenging palletising scenarios including heavy, bulky and porous surfaces.

Large, unwieldy bags of dog food, non-airtight clothing or consumer goods packages, and bulky, porous cardboard boxes. These are just some examples of demanding packaging and palletising applications that OnRobot’s new VGP20 gripper can address. [Read more…] about OnRobot releases ‘world’s most powerful’ electric vacuum gripper for robot arms

2020 saw ‘significant organizational growth and progress in autonomous vehicle market’, says industry group

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2020 saw “significant organizational growth and progress” in the autonomous vehicle market, according to the Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium, a global group of automotive and technology industry leaders cooperating to help accelerate the delivery of automated and assisted driving compute solutions.

AVCC members have finalized two key foundation documents, new working groups have kicked off work, and critical topics such as cybersecurity are now being addressed. Additional work and liaisons are kicking off in 2021, and new members are invited to help drive these initiatives forward.

Armando Pereira, president of AVCC, says: “The need for AVCC’s guidance for autonomous vehicle computing has gained importance over the past year, and we are proud of our technical committees’ work to unite and build consensus around industry recommendations. [Read more…] about 2020 saw ‘significant organizational growth and progress in autonomous vehicle market’, says industry group

Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

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Elementary Robotics, a rapidly-growing AI vision startup, has unveiled what it claims is the first AI camera system for cloud-based inspection.

The new system, which combines software, deep learning AI, and camera systems make it “faster and easier” for manufacturers to use.

The company also appointed Monique Apter as EVP of sales and marketing and Milind Karnik as EVP of engineering. [Read more…] about Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system