Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

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A startup company called Ouster has raised $27 million in its Series A funding round, led by Cox Enterprises, a diversified company which has a very large automotive business unit. 

Ouster is a developer of light detection and radar systems, or lidar, which is said to be a critical component in many new technologies, including autonomous cars. A lidar unit can often be seen on top of self-driving cars, and looks a bit like a siren light.

Ouster’s new product is called OS1 Lidar, which is likely to find wide application as a perception technology for the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors.  [Read more…] about Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

Emerson withdraws bid to buy Rockwell

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It probably would have been a good merger or takeover, but it didn’t happen. 

Emerson Electric’s initial $27 billion bid to buy Rockwell Automation was rejected by the latter company’s board, as was the former’s subsequent, raised bid of $29 billion.

Some business analysts said combining strengths would be a good move for both companies, but Rockwell seems to have plans of its own which do not include a takeover or merger.  [Read more…] about Emerson withdraws bid to buy Rockwell

General Electric to shed 12,000 jobs as electric future opens up

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General Electric’s recent decision to reduce its employee numbers by 12,000 globally indicate how important it thinks the trend of electric power will become, or perhaps has already become. 

The significant job losses will come from the GE Power division. GE says the decision is part of its overall restructuring.

The company acknowledges that the growth in renewables is part of the reason for the cost-cutting measures.  [Read more…] about General Electric to shed 12,000 jobs as electric future opens up

Exotec unveils new warehouse automation system with integrated robot

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A French company called Exotec Solutions has unveiled its warehouse robot, which looks similar to the mobile autonomous vehicles from a number of other companies. 

The market for such vehicles has been expanding, at least in terms of the number of companies offering solutions.

It remains to be seen how well they sell, but if Amazon’s heavy utilisation of similar logistics robots is anything to go by, the market is likely to grow fast.  [Read more…] about Exotec unveils new warehouse automation system with integrated robot

Delta Electronics launches new range of drives

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Delta Electronics, the second largest drive provider in the world in terms of quantity, manufacturing several million drives per year, has released the new M300 range of drives (main picture).

The company says the new drives are suitable for “the simplest to the most advanced applications”, including:

  • machine tools;
  • textile machines;
  • woodworking machines;
  • packaging machines;
  • electronics manufacturing;
  • fans;
  • pumps;
  • air compressors; and
  • more.

The M300 range is made of 3 Series: the MH range is dedicated to advanced automation needs; the MS300 covers main applications while the ME300 has been designed to be “a very affordable solution” for many automation systems, says Delta.  [Read more…] about Delta Electronics launches new range of drives

Baumüller integrates components into its data portal

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Baumüller is integrating its components into its ePlan data portal.

Specifically, the automation specialist is integrating its converter family b maXX 5000 (pictured below) into its web-based ePlan data portal.

With all of the necessary data for over 40 products, Baumüller says the move will enable its customers to save time during the design phase.  [Read more…] about Baumüller integrates components into its data portal

San Francisco effectively bans sidewalk robots

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The local authorities in San Francisco have effectively banned robots from sidewalks in a vote a couple of days ago. 

Local businesses, especially takeaway restaurants, had been experimenting with using autonomous wheeled robots to deliver customers’ orders.

A number of robotics companies have been developing such robots. They include:

Starship is probably the most well known among these companies, having already made deliveries in other parts of the US, and having developed a partnership with Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes.  [Read more…] about San Francisco effectively bans sidewalk robots

Mipi Alliance releases new specification to streamline integration of image sensors

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The Mipi Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has released a new specification that provides a standardized way to integrate image sensors in mobile-connected devices.

The new specification, Mipi Camera Command Set v1.0 (MIPI CCS v1.0), defines a standard set of functionalities for implementing and controlling image sensors.

The specification is offered for use with Mipi Camera Serial Interface 2 v2.0 (MIPI CSI-2 v2.0) and is now available for download.  [Read more…] about Mipi Alliance releases new specification to streamline integration of image sensors

Semtech launches ‘industry’s first’ disposable LoRa-enabled nano-tag for IoT applications

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Semtech, a supplier of high-performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has launched new nano-tag reference design – a disposable, ultrathin and low-cost tag that can be integrated into disposable systems or attached to assets to communicate a specific trigger of an event.

The LoRa-based nano-tag can be deployed across numerous internet of things verticals that utilize the event data to enable smarter decision making.

The nano-tag is equipped with an ultra-thin printed battery and is designed to be integrated into products or systems that send messages to the Cloud when a simple event is detected.  [Read more…] about Semtech launches ‘industry’s first’ disposable LoRa-enabled nano-tag for IoT applications

Midea goes from home appliance giant to Fortune 500 company

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Midea is evolving from a home appliance manufacturing giant into one of the world’s top 500 technology companies

The 2017 Fortune Global Forum will be held in Guangzhou, China from December 6-8.

Attended by leaders and CEOs of the world’s top companies, the event is in its 22nd year and is deemed one of the most influential economic development forums in the world.

Midea, which in recent months emerged as a “dark horse” due to its impressive transformation into a global technology group, will be partnering the Fortune Global Forum for the very first time.  [Read more…] about Midea goes from home appliance giant to Fortune 500 company