Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Internet industry organisation calls for strengthening EU against tech giants

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The internet industry association ECO has called for the strengthening of the European Union against tech giants that have caused enormous disruption across Europe and the world.

ECO has drawn up a six-point “catalogue of requirements” on behalf of the internet industry for the strengthening of Europe as a digital location.

The organisation says the internet industry is gaining increasing significance for the economy as a whole and promotes value creation in other sectors, thereby guaranteeing the innovation capacity of Europe as a business location. [Read more…] about Internet industry organisation calls for strengthening EU against tech giants

Swiss micro-technology trade show EPHJ to go ahead despite coronavirus

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The EPHJ Trade Show – for the watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors – says it is “stepping up to the plate” for the relaunch of the economy, confirming that its 2020 edition will take place from 15 to 18 September this year.

Having been obliged to postpone its 2020 edition to September due to Covid-19, the largest annual trade fair in Switzerland will in fact take place this year in Geneva to contribute to the recovery of all the high-precision sectors.

Alexandre Catton, director of EPHJ, says: “We have held widespread discussions over the past few weeks with numerous exhibitors to obtain as accurate picture as possible of the situation on the ground. [Read more…] about Swiss micro-technology trade show EPHJ to go ahead despite coronavirus

OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

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OnRobot, the maker of tools for collaborative robots, has released a screwdriver end-effector for collaborative robots. (See video below.)

OnRobot says its “smart, complete-out-of-the-box” Screwdriver allows manufacturers to automate a wide range of assembly processes quickly, easily, and flexibly.

The company says this provides welcome relief for manufacturers who are eager to automate repetitive, unergonomic, and often inconsistent manual screwdriving processes, but who struggle to integrate and program typical piecemeal screwdriving systems. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘intelligent screwdriver’ for collaborative robots

Honeywell forms business units for unmanned aerial systems

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Honeywell has formed a new business unit dedicated to the growing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) industries.

The UAS business unit will continue Honeywell’s momentum and leadership in these emerging markets, utilizing Honeywell’s technology, software, services and certification expertise to meet customers’ needs in these markets.

Mike Madsen, president and CEO, Honeywell Aerospace, says: “Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between. [Read more…] about Honeywell forms business units for unmanned aerial systems

ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot celebrates five years

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ABB is celebrating the big story of its small robot, with its dual-arm YuMi collaborative robot reaching its fifth birthday this year. (See video below.)

Originally launched in 2015 to assist workers in lightweight assembly tasks, ABB says its collaborative YuMi robot has gone on to blaze a trail in a raft of diverse applications and industries, changing many people’s perceptions about what can be achieved with robotic automation.

With its ergonomic design and a range of safety features, including lightweight magnesium alloy arms with soft-padding to avoid pinch points, and advanced motion control with collision detection, YuMi is designed to be installed in workstations alongside people and increase flexibility by allowing humans and robots to work on tasks together that previously would have required safety barriers or cages. [Read more…] about ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot celebrates five years

Startup Veo Robotics named ‘Technology Pioneer’ by World Economic Forum

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The World Economic Forum announced its selection of 100 of the most promising Technology Pioneers of 2020.

Many Technology Pioneers are using their tech to support Covid-19 responses around the world.

Veo Robotics, a startup company which develops software to enable industrial robots to work safely and efficiently alongside people to make manufacturing more flexible, was selected for its contributions in the field of industrial automation. [Read more…] about Startup Veo Robotics named ‘Technology Pioneer’ by World Economic Forum

Omron robots ‘speed up the production of Covid-19 tests’

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Medical technology company Senova says it is relying on Omron’s “smart robotics” systems in the production of rapid antibody tests that show immunity “within a few minutes”.

In the fight against the coronavirus, speed and close co-operation are required. This is why Senova, a German developer and manufacturer of rapid test systems for biomarkers, viruses and microorganisms, decided to use the robotics expertise of Omron to enhance its production process.

Previously, the manual production of the tests was very time-consuming. In the past few weeks, in conjunction with Omron and Kraus Maschinenbau, Senova has developed and built machines that significantly accelerate and improve the process. [Read more…] about Omron robots ‘speed up the production of Covid-19 tests’

Franka Emika launches new version of its e-commerce platform using commercetools

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Collaborative robot manufacturer Franka Emika has launched a new version of its e-commerce platform, Franka World, using commercetools.

commercetools develops next-generation commerce software, and Franka’s new initiative extends the partnership between the two companies.

Franka Emika introduced its first e-commerce and robot control management platform, Franka World, using commercetools’ software two years ago, and chose to continue using it to launch the new version of Franka World, which includes new features for managing robots and IoT devices. [Read more…] about Franka Emika launches new version of its e-commerce platform using commercetools

Danish robots assisting lab technicians with Covid-19 testing work

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A Danish pipetting robot is automating Covid testing processes in hospitals around Europe.

The robot, called flowbot ONE, “significantly reduces the time it takes for laboratories to produce results for patients to tell them whether they are infected with Covid-19”, says its manufacturer Flow Robotics.

The company says its machine is a “unique liquid-handling robot” which is now speeding up the enormous task of analysing Covid tests. The flowbot ONE system now conducts thousands of tests for Covid-19 every day. [Read more…] about Danish robots assisting lab technicians with Covid-19 testing work

Universal Robots adopts industry standard protocol OPC UA

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Universal Robots, the largest manufacturer of collaborative robots, is now supporting the OPC UA data communication standard to its robots. (See video below.)

Norwegian software company Rocketfarm has developed the application that enables UR robots to support OPC UA, and is available through its developer network UR+.

Egil Mundal, CEO of Rocketfarm, says: “We initially developed the software for a local factory but thought it would be great if this functionality could be available for anyone who wants to connect UR robots with OPC UA. [Read more…] about Universal Robots adopts industry standard protocol OPC UA