Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system

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ABB has unveiled a new “compact” robotic interior painting system, mainly aimed at the automotive manufacturing sector.

The Compact Interior Painting station enables automotive manufacturers to reduce the size of their vehicle interior painting stations by one-third, while saving costs and making automotive paint facilities more sustainable.

ABB says its latest innovative solution for automotive manufacturing – the Compact Interior Paint station – combines 12 robots to offer a space-saving alternative to traditional robotic interior painting solutions, helping automotive original equipment manufacturers reduce the footprint of their paint booths “by up to 33 percent”, while being able to paint a variety of vehicle types, from cars and SUVs to large MPVs. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system

Kivnon awarded AGV project by US truck-making giant Navistar

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Kivnon has been awarded an automated guided vehicle (AGV) project by Navistar, a top manufacturer of commercial trucks and other large vehicles in the USA.

Navistar has chosen Kivnon’s automation solutions for its new manufacturing plant in Texas.

The international group Kivnon, which specializes in the automation of industrial processes using self-guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs), expands its presence in the American market through a contract agreement with Navistar to provide a complete mobile robotics solution and bring automation to their new assembly plant. [Read more…] about Kivnon awarded AGV project by US truck-making giant Navistar

Estonian company launches ‘first’ autonomous bus in Greece

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An autonomous bus named “Iseauto” has started its work in Greece, in the city of Lamia. The bus has been developed in Estonia and offers a full-scale autonomous service that was first piloted in the summer in Tallinn, in Ülemiste City.

For the first time in Greek history, a fully street-legal autonomous vehicle is operational in the context of an autonomous public transport pilot project led by Estonians.

The autonomous minibus developed by AuveTech in Estonia is the first “4th category” – or Level 4 – autonomous vehicle that has been pigeonholed “street-legal” in Greece. [Read more…] about Estonian company launches ‘first’ autonomous bus in Greece

Quaternium and Löweheiser claim ‘new flight record’ with Hybrix drone

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Quaternium has partnered with Löweheiser to achieve what it claims is “a new flight record” of 10 hours 14 minutes with HYBRiX drone. (See video below.)

The inventor of hybrid drones is making history again with an impressive hovering flight of 10 hours and 14 minutes with their world leading fuel-electric multirotor HYBRiX.

For this quest, Quaternium has partnered with the pioneer EFI manufacturer Löweheiser, a company that has designed the smallest fuel injection in the market, specifically optimized for unmanned aircrafts. [Read more…] about Quaternium and Löweheiser claim ‘new flight record’ with Hybrix drone

RTI introduces enhanced ROS 2 support to software framework

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Real-Time Innovations (RTI), a software framework provider for robots and smart machines, has launched its Connext 6 ROS Middleware Wrapper (RMW) Layer, bringing the strength of RTI Connext 6 to the latest release of the Robot Operating System (ROS 2).

Robotics software developers can now leverage the ROS 2 ecosystem together with RTI Connext Tools to more rapidly develop, test and debug distributed robotics systems. RTI will showcase the new Connext RMW layer at ROS World on November 12.

ROS 2 offers an open-source framework for building robotic systems. RTI is the leading supplier of software compliant with the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, which provides the connectivity backbone for ROS 2. [Read more…] about RTI introduces enhanced ROS 2 support to software framework

Autonomous boats could be your next ride

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Five years in the making, MIT’s autonomous floating vessels get an upgrade in size and learn a new way to communicate aboard the waters

The feverish race to produce the shiniest, safest, speediest self-driving car has spilled over into our wheelchairs, scooters, and even golf carts.

Moreover, recently, there’s been movement from land to sea, as marine autonomy stands to change the canals of our cities, with the potential to deliver goods and services and collect waste across our waterways.

In an update to a five-year project from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Lab, researchers have been developing the world’s first fleet of autonomous boats for the city of Amsterdam, and have recently added a new, larger vessel to the group: “Roboat II”. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Autonomous boats could be your next ride

Blendid opens fourth kiosk location at Walmart in Bay Area

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​Blendid​ is opening the company’s fourth food robotics kiosk at Walmart in Fremont, California.

Bay Area–based Blendid offers an innovative, autonomous, and contactless food automation platform that leverages machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence to create nutrient-dense and delicious smoothies, made on-demand, and customized to meet the unique health and taste preferences of individual consumers.

Vipin Jain, CEO and co-founder of Blendid, says: “The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the focus on food safety globally. At Blendid, we’re working with many essential businesses to help integrate a solution for safe, contactless food preparation and delivery. [Read more…] about Blendid opens fourth kiosk location at Walmart in Bay Area

The Digital Transformation of Small Businesses

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Digital transformation in the form of technologies, marketing, and data is necessary for businesses to remain relevant in the competitive and ever-changing market.

Recently, word out there is that digital processes override traditional processes. For most small-scale businesses, digitizing their companies can seem intimidating given that most of them operate with a small budget.

When expanding internationally, it can be challenging for small businesses to hire and manage employees abroad. [Read more…] about The Digital Transformation of Small Businesses

Central McGowan expands its highly automated distribution hub

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Central McGowan is expanding its Fargo, North Dakota CO2 distribution hub, with the intention of turning it into a fully-stocked retail store and distribution site.

Central McGowan is a supplier of gases and technology for the manufacturing, welding, medical, and food and beverage industries in the upper Midwest. And the company is a Fanuc-authorized integrator of automation or robotic solutions

Central McGowan’s Fargo store is located at 1226 38th St N, Fargo, ND 58102 (next to the newly painted water tower). The store officially opens today. Central McGowan has had a presence in the area since 2017, when it acquired Pro-CO2. [Read more…] about Central McGowan expands its highly automated distribution hub

Schilling Robotics to integrate Energid software into its Gemini underwater robot

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Schilling Robotics has selected Energid’s Actin software to be integrated into what is described as “the world’s most advanced work class remotely operated vehicles”, or ROVs, which are basically underwater robots.

Schilling is a division of TechnipFMC and will integrate Actin into its new automated Gemini ROV System.

Schilling Robotics is leveraging advanced motion control features of the Actin software to enhance the performance and effectiveness of the Gemini manipulators, one of the many break-through features of the Gemini ROV. [Read more…] about Schilling Robotics to integrate Energid software into its Gemini underwater robot