Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

New electronic skin developed to make robots ‘feel pain’

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Scientists at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia have developed a new type of “electronic skin” that could make robots and other machines more sensitive to touch and contact.

The researchers say their “pain-sensing” prototype mimics the human body’s near-instant feedback response and reacts to painful sensations with the same lighting speed that nerve signals travel to the brain.

Lead researcher Professor Madhu Bhaskaran says the prototype e-skin is a “significant advance” towards next-generation biomedical technologies and intelligent robotics. [Read more…] about New electronic skin developed to make robots ‘feel pain’

IBM launches new industrial chemistry robot to enable lab automation

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IBM has launched a new industrial chemistry lab robot called RoboRXN, describing it as “the first remotely accessible, autonomous chemical laboratory”. (See video below.)

The computing giant says the RXN machine is “revolutionizing industrial chemistry, by transforming it into a high tech business”.

RXN uses a combination of artificial intelligence, automation and cloud computing to relieve the chemist from tedious repetitive tasks, allowing more time and space for design and innovation. [Read more…] about IBM launches new industrial chemistry robot to enable lab automation

Dover acquires industrial automation company XanTec

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Dover Corporation, diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion, has completed the acquisition of XanTec.

XanTec Steuerungs und EDV-Technik is a developer and supplier of automation and control solutions for industrial machinery of all types with particular focus on plastic and polymer processing machines across the globe.

XanTec now becomes part of the Maag Group, a global provider of integrated and customizable process technology solutions for the polymer, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food industries within Dover’s Pumps & Process Solutions segment. [Read more…] about Dover acquires industrial automation company XanTec

30 critical raw materials: EU prioritizes lithium but launches plan to avoid dependency

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The European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, has listed 30 “critical raw materials” that it wants to secure the supply of while at the same time avoiding becoming dependent on any of them.

The four new additions to the list are bauxite, lithium, titanium and strontium.

Lithium, a fundamental material in the manufacturing of batteries of all kinds, is increasingly gaining importance as more and more people buy electric cars. [Read more…] about 30 critical raw materials: EU prioritizes lithium but launches plan to avoid dependency

Walmart deal helps Shopify shares skyrocket more than 300 percent

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Shopify shares have skyrocketed to all-time highs over the past few weeks, largely as a result of its new partnership with Walmart. Shopify is the first online commerce platform partner that Walmart has signed such a deal with. 

The agreement, agreed in June, allows Shopify – which bought warehouse robot maker 6 River Systems last year for $450 million – to put 1,200 of its merchants into Walmart’s marketplace

Walmart is America’s largest retail chain, with annual revenues of more than $500 billion. The vast majority of its sales are in brick-and-mortar stores, but the company has recently been making a big push into the digital space. [Read more…] about Walmart deal helps Shopify shares skyrocket more than 300 percent

Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream

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A startup company aiming to bring digital project management techniques to the construction sector has raised $14.25 million in Series A funding, bring the total raised to $24.7 million, according to Business Insider. 

Mosaic Construction says its fundamental offer or service is to provide a method for analyzing building plans and categorize them according to which contractor will do what task in what time frame and so on.

This could enable traditional property developers and builders to move more of their tasks into the factory for prefabrication, bringing prefabricated construction into the mainstream. [Read more…] about Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream

Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing

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There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about what’s sometimes called “custom manufacturing”, or the “batch of one” concept.

The idea behind such phrases is to create manufacturing processes that can almost tailor-make products for individual customers.

So let’s say if you wanted a particular brand of bicycle but would like your bike to have higher handle bars or wider foot pedals, the maker should be able to provide that without having to incur significantly greater production costs or add much to your purchase price. [Read more…] about Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing

Walmart considers buying TikTok in bid to tackle Amazon’s advertising dominance

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Walmart is considering buying TikTok, the Chinese-owned app and social media platform. 

While it may not seem to make sense at first, the idea is part of Walmart’s restructuring as a more digital-oriented enterprise.

Walmart is by far the America’s largest retail chain, with more stores selling more stuff than anyone else – revenue for 2017 was more than $500 billion. The second largest, Costco, generated $130 billion in the same year, while Amazon’s were almost $120 billion. [Read more…] about Walmart considers buying TikTok in bid to tackle Amazon’s advertising dominance

US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

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The US Federal Aviation Administration has given Amazon permission to make drone deliveries, certifying the company as an “air carrier” – basically like an airline company.

The world’s largest online retailer has been trying to get permits to operate its Amazon Prime Air drones for several years, making test deliveries by drones while it waits.

One sticking point was that the FAA had originally wanted drone operators to maintain human vision on the drone while in the air. [Read more…] about US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

Ike Robotics to supply 1,000 autonomous trucks to DHL, Ryder and NFI

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Ike Robotics has won contracts to develop autonomous trucks for DHL, Ryder and NFI. The startup has announced the three major logistics operators as its first customers.

The three customers will collectively take delivery of 1,000 autonomous trucks, says Ike on its company blog.

Ike says it will work closely with its customers to customize the trucks to each one’s specific requirements. [Read more…] about Ike Robotics to supply 1,000 autonomous trucks to DHL, Ryder and NFI