Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

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By Steve Richmond, director of logistics systems, Jungheinrich

New use cases for robotics are being identified almost daily. The rapid growth of e-commerce, fuelled in part by necessity from Covid-19 lockdowns, has meant that for many organisations, the requirements for staff and goods is growing at a rate too fast to meet demand – the need for automation is now greater than ever.

With technology advancing rapidly, almost anything can now be automated. And with intelligent navigation and precise picking technology, even items of an odd size, shape or material can be handled by robots.

As this technology becomes increasingly more sophisticated, enabling robots to perform roles with accuracy, consistency and safety front of mind, this has also advanced the ability for robots to communicate with other robots around the facility. [Read more…] about Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

Rockwell Automation partners with PTC to add new capabilities to FactoryTalk

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Rockwell Automation has added a set of new capabilities for FactoryTalk InnovationSuite, powered by software company PTC to “simplify, scale and accelerate digital transformation for industrial organizations”.

This news follows the recent announcement that the two companies are extending and expanding the scope of their strategic alliance following strong market momentum and widespread industry recognition of InnovationSuite.

Since its original launch in 2018, InnovationSuite has successfully delivered a range of high-value solutions for the world’s largest automotive, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals companies across 21 countries. [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation partners with PTC to add new capabilities to FactoryTalk

Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics partner with Luminar to develop autonomous trucks

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Luminar Technologies, an autonomous vehicle sensor and software company, and Daimler Trucks have agreed a strategic partnership to enable highly automated – or autonomous – trucking, starting on highways.

Experts at Daimler Trucks, its US subsidiary, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Torc Robotics, part of Daimler Trucks’ Autonomous Technology Group, with the experts at Luminar are collaboratively pursuing a common goal of bringing series-produced highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) to roads globally.

The teams will work closely together in order to enhance lidar sensing, perception, and system-level performance for Daimler trucks moving at highway speeds. To strengthen the partnership, Daimler Trucks has acquired a minority stake in Luminar. [Read more…] about Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics partner with Luminar to develop autonomous trucks

SVT Robotics launches new SoftBot platform

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SVT Robotics, a software company, has launched its SoftBot Platform. The company says it allows companies to accelerate the implementation of robotics within their warehouses and manufacturing facilities “in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months or years”.

SVT says the SoftBot Platform launch makes it “an industry leader”, as they now provide the “only fully agnostic solution” for rapid integration between enterprise systems and industrial robotics and across automation technologies.

The innovative platform helps companies quickly adopt robotics into their manufacturing facilities or supply chains with fast, flexible and simple solutions that can easily be deployed without the need for custom code. [Read more…] about SVT Robotics launches new SoftBot platform

MMI Micro launches ‘world’s smallest-wristed’ surgical instruments

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MMI Micro, an Italian company specialised in improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing microsurgery, has launched what it claims is “the world’s smallest wristed surgical instruments”.

The company’s system has been awarded the CE Mark, a standard in Europe, and it has already completed the first human use of its Symani Surgical System for open microsurgical procedures.

The first four robotic surgeries were successfully performed in Florence, Italy, including three complex, post-traumatic lower limb reconstructions as well as a post-oncological reconstruction of the pharynx. [Read more…] about MMI Micro launches ‘world’s smallest-wristed’ surgical instruments

Robust AI raises $22.5 million to build ‘world’s first’ industrial-grade cognitive engine for robotics

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Robust.ai, the company pioneering an industrial grade cognitive engine for robots, announced today the close of a $15 million Series A investment round, taking the company’s total funding to date to $22.5 million.

JAZZ Venture Partners led the Series A round and was joined by previous investors Playground Global, Liquid2, Fontinalis, Jaan Tallinn and Mark Leslie. Esther Dyson, Steve Blank and Tim O’Reilly are also angel investors in Robust.ai.

Historically, robots have largely been confined to highly predictable environments; Robust aims to change that by creating a new cognitively-driven AI platform that gives robots the problem-solving capabilities they need to work alongside humans in dynamic, open-ended environments, vastly increasing their potential in complex public spaces. [Read more…] about Robust AI raises $22.5 million to build ‘world’s first’ industrial-grade cognitive engine for robotics

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

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The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute has selected eight new robotics technology projects aligned with the organization’s mission to strengthen US manufacturing and empower workers.

A total of $7.5 million will be contributed across these eight projects. ARM plans to award $2.9 million in project funding, and the participating organizations plan to contribute $4.6 million in cost share. To date, ARM has invested in more than 70 robotics technology and workforce development projects.

The ARM Institute, in partnership with its 270+ member organizations, identifies areas of need in manufacturing, which are used as strategic focus areas in its project calls. [Read more…] about Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

Fetch Robotics partners with Vargo to launch integrated fulfillment solution

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Fetch Robotics, a warehouse and cloud robotics company, has agreed a partnership with Vargo, a provider of warehouse execution software, to launch an integrated fulfillment solution.

The new solution will combine Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with the Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine (COFE), Vargo’s warehouse execution system (WES), to enable warehouse customers to optimize order fulfillment in real time.

The growth of e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment has pushed companies to optimize their order fulfillment processes to gain efficiencies and to do so with more speed and accuracy. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics partners with Vargo to launch integrated fulfillment solution

ABB launches ‘fastest ever’ robot-based press automation solution

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ABB has launched its “fastest ever” robot-based press automation solution.

The company has extended its range of ABB IRB 760 handling robots with new press tending model, the IRB 760PT, which it says offers “fast and flexible performance for automotive press automation”.

The new IRB 760PT is aimed at press automation applications in the automotive industry, and is a “flexible” press tending solution offering 25 per cent faster cycle times compared to other robot-based press automation solutions, claims ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘fastest ever’ robot-based press automation solution

Brain Corp adds new capabilities to its OS for robots

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based AI for robotics company, has launched its new user experience (UX) design and reporting capabilities for autonomous mobile robots.

The software enhancements are designed to optimize usage of BrainOS-powered robots for different types of users – from a robot operator to management personnel – on a global basis.

They also include powerful new software features for BrainOS-enabled robotic scrubbers that deliver improved cleaning efficiency and flexibility for commercial locations. [Read more…] about Brain Corp adds new capabilities to its OS for robots