Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

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Universal Robots has launched what it describes as “the world’s largest virtual conference and exhibition for collaborative robots”.

Named “WeAreCobots”, the event will take place June 16-18, 2020, targeting a European audience with automation trend keynotes and an extensive range of product news and demonstrations in five different languages.

With Europe’s trade fair scene being turned upside down because of coronavirus and the resulting lockdowns, Universal Robots says it is breaking new ground. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

XPO Logistics expands last mile service in Spain to meet increase in online orders of large products

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XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of transportation and logistics solutions has expanded its last mile service for bulky and heavy goods in Spain, as consumers turn to e-commerce.

The company makes an estimated 4,500 daily deliveries to all parts of Spain through its national last mile network, with the highest demand in the regions of Madrid, Barcelona, Andalucía and Levante.

XPO launched its last mile service in Spain in 2018, providing consistent, nationwide home deliveries through 60 distribution sites linked by cutting-edge technology. [Read more…] about XPO Logistics expands last mile service in Spain to meet increase in online orders of large products

Nvidia offers glimpse into Silicon Valley simulator in the cloud used for autonomous car development

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As much of the world continues to conduct business from home, Nvidia’s autonomous test vehicles are hard at work in the cloud. (See video below.)

During the GTC 2020 keynote, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang demonstrated how Nvidia Drive technology is being developed and tested in simulation.

While physical testing is temporarily paused, the cloud-based Nvidia Drive Constellation platform makes it possible to dispatch virtual vehicles in virtual environments to continue making great progress in self-driving technology. [Read more…] about Nvidia offers glimpse into Silicon Valley simulator in the cloud used for autonomous car development

RE2 Robotics receives $2.5 million from US Navy to develop manipulation system

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RE2 Robotics, a developer of human-like robotic manipulation systems, has received $2.5 million in funding from the Office of Naval Research to continue the development and commercialization of its technology under the Dexterous Maritime Manipulation System (DM2S) program.

RE2’s DM2S technology will provide Navy personnel with the ability to autonomously perform mine countermeasure (MCM) missions.

In this next phase of the program, RE2 will upgrade its dual-arm prototype, known as the Maritime Dexterous Manipulation System (MDMS), for deep ocean use; apply computer vision and machine-learning algorithms to enable autonomous manipulation capabilities; and integrate with underwater vehicles that can autonomously navigate. [Read more…] about RE2 Robotics receives $2.5 million from US Navy to develop manipulation system

University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

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For the second consecutive year, sensor manufacturer SICK invited students from universities around the country to participate in the company’s TiM$10K Challenge.

The challenge started in 2018 to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology.

Teams were supplied with a 270° SICK LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or bring a new application to any industry that utilizes the SICK LiDAR. [Read more…] about University students compete in SICK’s second annual TiM$10k Challenge

Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

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Heraeus Electronics, a provider of material solutions for electronics packaging, has launched what it describes as a “next-generation wire for power applications”.

The product, named CucorAl Plus, renews Heraeus’ existing CucorAl product and offers “superior electrical and mechanical properties combined with a better processability”, according to the company.

Dr Klemens Brunner, president of Heraeus Electronics, says: “By replacing aluminum wire with CucorAl Plus, our customers can extend module lifetime by a factor of five without changing the module design. [Read more…] about Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

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A group of students have built a robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology.

The 13 students were given three days to build a machine that uses robots to sort garbage at the international Smart Green Island Makeathon engineering competition.

Austrian automation specialist B&R supported an interdisciplinary team of students from Brno University of Technology, the Kempten University of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Ostrava, the University of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. [Read more…] about Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

UPS to use drones to deliver medicines to retirement homes in Florida

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CVS Health Corporation and UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward will use drones to deliver prescription medicines from a CVS pharmacy to The Villages, Florida for the largest US retirement community, home to more than 135,000 residents.

The service will use Matternet’s M2 drone system.

Drone transport offers a fast delivery option for medicines that are time-sensitive, while supporting social-distancing efforts. Drone delivery options provide individuals with a convenient alternative to visiting a pharmacy. This program can also help prioritize the protection of healthcare workers. [Read more…] about UPS to use drones to deliver medicines to retirement homes in Florida

UPS unveils new smart warehouse system which integrates AMRs from Locus Robotics

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UPS Supply Chain Solutions has unveiled new warehouse network technology designed to make distribution centers “smarter and more efficient”, and uses autonomous mobile robots from Locus Robotics.

UPS says the new Warehouse Execution System (WES) will enable faster order intake and fulfillment to ensure that customers, especially those with fluctuating order patterns, receive their products on time.

UPS and supply chain solutions provider Softeon created the WES to allow UPS to define specific customer requirements to ensure highest priority orders are worked first without manual intervention, resulting in “more than 50 percent productivity gains for some customers”. [Read more…] about UPS unveils new smart warehouse system which integrates AMRs from Locus Robotics

DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

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DB Schenker, a global logistics company, has invested in Volocopter, a startup developing a new type of passenger-carrying drone which can also be used for good distribution.

DB Schenker says its investment shows that it is “a pioneer of urban air mobility”. With the new investment, Volocopter has extended its Series C funding to now a total of €87 million.

Besides DB Schenker, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, MS&AD Ventures, and TransLink Capital (Japan Airlines and Sompo Japan Insurance) join the round as new investors, existing investors Lukasz Gadowski and btov also invested. [Read more…] about DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million