Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

NXP launches new bluetooth devices for automotive and industrial markets

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NXP Semiconductors has launched new devices within its KW3x range of microcontrollers (MCUs). The new KW39/38/37 MCUs add Bluetooth 5.0 long-range capabilities and expanded Bluetooth advertising channels.

These enhancements are made while offering seamless migration with hardware, software and tools compatibility with the previous generation of devices, KW34/35/36.

The connectivity MCUs allow Bluetooth LE devices to communicate at distances of more than a mile and increase the amount of Bluetooth advertising channels and advertising data within the Bluetooth standard, the predominant IoT protocol. [Read more…] about NXP launches new bluetooth devices for automotive and industrial markets

Robo taxis to accelerate autonomous public transportation

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The race to advance and autonomous mobility and transportation is heating up. In recent years, the world has witnessed a revolution in the taxi industry with the emergence of ride-booking applications. 

Following the trend, various existing firms have updated their offerings by presenting new taxi booking applications. However, this hasn’t been enough for them.

The advent of artificial intelligence has offered taxi companies the opportunity to bring on new and innovative ideas. One such an innovative idea has turned to be robotic taxis, or robo taxis, the next step of innovation for public transport. [Read more…] about Robo taxis to accelerate autonomous public transportation

inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software

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inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce businesses, has added “social distancing features” to its inVia Logic software and inVia PickMate user tool.

inVia says the new features proactively keep workers at a safe distance from each other and also notify both warehouse workers and warehouse management if that distance is breached.

The company adds that this “helps businesses immediately enact safety first measures” as the economy starts to cautiously reopen, and have them in place as we navigate towards a new normal which will most certainly include increased e-commerce ordering. [Read more…] about inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software

SICK to present webinar on customizing machine vision

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Register Now at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__CwjopTiQ6uCbgYAB5rgbA
Customized Machine Vision Solutions to Improve Your Processes
June 1, 2020, 11am Eastern Time (US and Canada)

SICK is partnering with Robotics and Automation News to present a webinar on customizing machine vision, which has become absolutely critical to a vast number of industrial automation processes.

In this webinar, Sourabh Banerjee, Product Marketing Manager for Software and Systems at SICK, Inc., guides you through how you can customize your machine vision solutions using SICK AppSpace.

SICK AppSpace is an engineering framework for your individual sensor applications that enables a manufacturer to easily integrate customizable 2D and 3D vision solutions tailored to your business. [Read more…] about SICK to present webinar on customizing machine vision

SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

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SICK has launched a new sensor that it says enables “accurate leak detection with one device”.

Energy efficiency and transparency are playing an increasingly important role in the manufacturing world.

To help improve energy management, SICK has developed the FTMg, a multifunctional thermal flowmeter sensor for the detection of gas flow, temperature, and process pressure. [Read more…] about SICK launches new sensor for ‘accurate leak detection with one device’

ESMERA releases list of 20 new robotics projects in line to receive €75,000 each

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ESMERA, the EU-funded program to develop the European robotics sector, has released a list of 20 new “experiments” that will receive support from the organisation.

The 20 new experiments started within the ESMERA project as of May 1st, 2020. The word “ESMERA” is short for European SMEs Robotic Applications.

Within the project’s second Open Call, which ended in December 2019, 69 applications were registered, all proposing to solve either a pre-defined robotics challenge or bringing with them their own challenge provider and challenge. [Read more…] about ESMERA releases list of 20 new robotics projects in line to receive €75,000 each

Parrot and DroneSense partner to ‘better equip’ public safety drone programs

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Drone manufacturer Parrot is partnering with DroneSense, a software company whose comprehensive drone management platform enables public safety organizations to build, manage, and scale their unmanned aircraft programs.

The companies say that, through this partnership, public safety UAS teams are able to use the full suite of DroneSense capabilities tailor-made for the needs of first responders with their Anafi aircraft.

Parrot’s Anafi and Anafi Thermal drones offer an ultra-compact tool for professionals, helping them gain new vantage points on a situation using the drone’s aerial insights. [Read more…] about Parrot and DroneSense partner to ‘better equip’ public safety drone programs

Contactless Culture: Delivery robots gaining interest during pandemic

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By David Chen, co-founder and CEO at Orbbec

No one need be reminded about the dangers of direct human contact during this difficult time.

On the front lines at hospitals and other essential services, where staffing is stretched to the limit, robots equipped with Orbbec 3D cameras are proving their value not only by restricting contact, but also providing necessary support.

Around the world, autonomous robots are enabling staff to do more by taking over mundane tasks and leaving skilled workers to focus on critical duties. [Read more…] about Contactless Culture: Delivery robots gaining interest during pandemic

Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

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By Tyler Steele, product manager – laser interferometers, Zygo

In this article, precision Beryllium mirror manufacturer Cambridge Technology explains how the use of interferometry hardware and software solutions has streamlined its manufacturing processes and added efficiencies as well as time and cost-savings across the company. 

Technological advances over recent years have elevated metrology from being a “necessary evil” in manufacturing scenarios to enabling technologies, allowing the measurement of previously impossible part characteristics and therefore driving innovation across numerous industry sectors.

It is arguable that best-in-class metrology solutions are the catalyst that drive the trend towards miniaturization, higher precision, faster throughput, and fewer rejects.

As the old adage goes, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t make it”, but if you can measure to the required accuracy repeatably, then the sky is the limit in terms of producing cutting-edge parts and components. [Read more…] about Laser interferometry: An enabling technology for optimized automated manufacturing

Kuka launches new industrial robot

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Kuka has unveiled a major new addition to its range of industrial robots – the KR Iontec.

The Iontec has a payload of 30 to 70 kilograms and a reach of 2100mm to 2500mm.

Introducing the robot on its website, Kuka says: “With the KR Iontec, you are opting for a highly flexible robot with the best work envelope in its class and a flexible mounting position for a wide range of applications.” [Read more…] about Kuka launches new industrial robot