Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Global manufacturing and supply chains ‘severely disrupted’ by pandemic

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Global manufacturing and supply chains were severely disrupted by the Covid-19 global pandemic, forcing companies to adapt and plan for a new business reality.

The newly released 2021 State of Manufacturing Report from Fictiv, a digital manufacturing services provider, reveals an industry that is “already quickly rebounding” with investments in digital transformation aimed at improving speed, resilience and sustainability.

While areas of concern persist, most report that lessons from the pandemic have paved the way for new innovations. [Read more…] about Global manufacturing and supply chains ‘severely disrupted’ by pandemic

Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

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Kiwibot, a service using semi-autonomous robots to reimagine and democratize robotic delivery, says that the concept prototype of its next-generation robot 4.0, Kiwibot Plus+, has won the world-renowned iF Design Award 2021 for Professional Concept.

Led by Alejandro Otálora, the company’s head designer, it is the first Colombian-run project ever to receive the award in this category.

Almost 10,000 entries were submitted from 52 countries to the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design. [Read more…] about Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

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With the global industrial robot market projected to grow at a 9 percent annual rate and reach $75.84 billion by 2025, Ultimation Industries is expanding its autonomous mobile robot line-up to include automated solutions that allow companies of all sizes to transform their facilities into fully integrated warehouses. 

Ultimation is a leader in conveyor technology and automation for over 30 years.

Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries, says: “To compete today and in the future, manufacturers and distributors will need the productivity and efficiency gains that come from integrating AMR technology – or warehouse robots – into their existing material handling systems. [Read more…] about Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

Amazon to build robotic fulfillment center in Virginia

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Amazon has decided to build a robotic fulfillment center in Henrico County, in the state of Virgina, in the US, a decision that was welcomed by the local governor, Ralph Northam. 

The new facility – to be located on 119 acres of ancillary land at Richmond Raceway in Henrico County – will hire more than 1,000 new employees.

Amazon will construct a multi-story, 650,000-square-foot facility with innovative robotics technology, adding over 1,000 new jobs to Amazon’s existing workforce of more than 27,000 full- and part-time employees in the Commonwealth. [Read more…] about Amazon to build robotic fulfillment center in Virginia

Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

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Darpa has selected eight teams to compete for a prize competition in which the winner will receive $2 million, the runner-up will get $1 million, and third place will earn half a million dollars.

The Darpa Subterranean (SubT) Challenge Systems Competition Final Event will be held on September 21-23, 2021, when the teams’ robots will have to quickly navigate unfamiliar underground environments at the Louisville Mega Cavern in search of common items including backpacks, cell phones, trapped survivors, and even invisible gas.

Those who find and identify the most items will win prizes of $2 million for first place, $1 million for second place, and $500,000 for third place. [Read more…] about Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

Volkswagen to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles

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Automotive giant Volkswagen is planning to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles, according to a report in German newspaper, Handelsblatt.

VW’s CEO, Herbert Diess, is said to have “ordered” the company to “launch the next revolution after electromobility”, and Handelsblatt says that Diess “wants to create the fully networked and self-steering vehicle with its own processor”.

Diess told Handelsblatt: “To achieve optimal performance in light of the high demands that exist for cars, software and hardware have to come out of one hand.” [Read more…] about Volkswagen to design its own chips for autonomous vehicles

Hirebotics’ new ‘Cobot Welder’ can be used through smartphone app

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Hirebotics says its Cobot Welder system delivers advanced robot welding through an “easy-to-use” smartphone application.

The company says that the robotic welding system, powered by Beacon, is a complete, user-friendly collaborative robot welding system that enables “painless automated welding deployments”.

Rob Goldiez, co-founder and CEO, Hirebotics, says: “The Cobot Welder is a major leap forward in easy-to-use welding automation that combines industrial grade robot welding functionality with consumer level ease-of-use and a phenomenal price point.” [Read more…] about Hirebotics’ new ‘Cobot Welder’ can be used through smartphone app

UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

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When UPS Global Logistics & Distribution in Europe needed to add capacity at a fulfillment center in the Netherlands, the team used an innovation driven approach to think inside the box and find a better way to utilize the existing space rather than build another warehouse.

The solution was implementing a leading automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

Automated storage and retrieval systems are revolutionizing traditional warehousing and order fulfillment. Sprawling buildings filled with tall racks, wide rows and loud forklifts are being replaced by grids and bins with robotic arms and workstations. [Read more…] about UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

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Fetch Robotics says it has achieved “full conformance” with R15.08, the first safety standard specifically formulated for industrial mobile robots

Fetch Robotics says its full suite of autonomous mobile robots conforms with ANSI / RIA R15.08, the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots.

This latest milestone ensures that Fetch’s AMRs can be safely utilized in all current use cases throughout warehouses, factories, distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

Released on Dec 25th, 2020 by the RIA (Robotics Industry Association), R15.08 is the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

AVCC releases two key technical reports for the autonomous vehicle compute industry

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The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC), a global collaboration of automotive and technology industry leaders in automated and assisted driving compute solutions, has released two key technical reports, developed to provide the basis for a common autonomous vehicle language, conceptual system architecture, as well as use cases for automated and assisted driving compute systems.

Paul Hughes, chair of AVCC technical committee and lead system architect and distinguished engineer at Arm, says: “The path to a truly autonomous future is paved with foundational technology and computing challenges requiring industry collaboration.

“The new technology reports from the AVCC are a result of key industry players working together to establish a common language and frame of reference for critical autonomous applications, taking us a step closer to a safe, truly autonomous future.” [Read more…] about AVCC releases two key technical reports for the autonomous vehicle compute industry

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