Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Manufacturing: The rise of smart factories

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Factories across the manufacturing sector are becoming smarter – with new technologies being introduced constantly.

That’s the claim of many tech and industry experts who believe that optimising the manufacturing process to create an integrated and collaborative process will bring about the world’s next industrial revolution.

But, what are smart factories and how do they affect how we work?

Here, we look at the definition of a smart factory, which technologies are associated with it and what trends to look out for that will push the barriers of smart manufacturing even further.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing: The rise of smart factories

Christie’s sells painting produced by AI for almost half a million dollars

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World-famous auction house Christie’s in New York has sold a painting produced by an artificial intelligence system for almost half a million dollars. 

The shock price is almost 45 times the $10,000 upper estimate the auctioneer had placed on the painting before the sale, as reported on this website.

The painting, called “Portrait of Edmond Belamy”, sold for “an incredible $432,500”, in Christie’s own words on its website.  [Read more…] about Christie’s sells painting produced by AI for almost half a million dollars

Mobile Robots Improve Material Handling Efficiencies

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By Rob Sullivan, President and CEO, AutoGuide Mobile Robots

The growth of the autonomous mobile robots market is unstoppable.

warehouse robotics market revenue 2015-2020

Mobile robots utilize lean manufacturing to eliminate waste and ensure continuous process improvement. Mobile robots reduce walk time, improve safety, and guarantee zero-defect production.

global agv market share

Flexibility and Reliability Ensures Continuous Process Improvement
Whether named autonomous mobile robots or AGVs (automated guided vehicles), Industry 4.0 initiatives all include the requirement of flexible programming and a modular design.

Different vehicle and load handling frame configurations accommodate specific handling needs including the driver platform trail frame and tiller handle controls, straddle, or counterbalance fork attachments and various unit-load attachments such as conveyors and lift decks.

warehouse logistics agv rev and ship

The unique value proposition of mobile robot solutions is revealed best in the guidance system. The SurePath guidance system, for example, is extremely accurate and reliable in both manufacturing and warehouse environments.

SurePath natural feature system is easy and affordable to install and modify; it requires no physical guide path system.

Users simply drive a vehicle through the facility to map the environment and teach it the anticipated routes. The mapping data is automatically uploaded wirelessly to a single PC or server where it can be modified and integrated for the precise operation including pick-drop points, intersection control, and the preferred routing logic.

The system controls traffic and monitors the status and exact location of each vehicle in real-time. It can also be connected to wearables, line-side pushbuttons, sensors and a WMS (Warehouse Management System) for automatic dispatching and order functions.

Routes are easily modified by simply drawing a different path on a user interface and sending it to the vehicles. To expand the system into other parts of the facility, users simply map the new area with one of the vehicles and add the desired path.

The vehicle travels up to 4 MPH and performs precise reversing maneuvers to accommodate automatic trailer hitching and unhitching functions, loads up to 10,000 pounds seamlessly with no magnetic tape or RFID tags required, making installation and modifications more flexible and at a lower cost.

Ready to Deliver

One of the frequent complaints heard about AGVs and mobile robots is a slow and long delivery time. Few mobile robot manufacturers maintain rapid delivery models, causing customers delivery time of vehicles often in excess of 180 days.

The lost productivity and improved throughput data will fall short if the product cannot be delivered in a timely manner: 30 days maximum. Furthermore, delays will detrimentally impact the realization of a rapid ROI (return on investment).

AutoGuide’s mobile robots are manufactured at a vertically integrated assembly plant in Georgetown, KY allowing the vehicle to be delivered in weeks instead of many months.

Rob Sullivan, President and CEO, AutoGuide Mobile Robots
Rob Sullivan, President and CEO, AutoGuide Mobile Robots

Author Profile: Rob Sullivan, AutoGuide Mobile Robots’ President and CEO, is a proven robotics and automation leader with a solid track record of pioneering innovative products. With over 30 years of career advancement in high technology companies ranging from burgeoning start-ups to established multinational corporations, he offers a rare combination of business leadership and engineering expertise that resulted in the development and commercialization of numerous cutting-edge products. Sullivan has built and fostered high performing teams and outsource partnerships that delivered quality products faster than industry norms. He holds 46 patents pertaining to robotics and automation utilized in manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. Sullivan can be reached at rsullivan@autoguideagv.com.

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Automated storage and retrieval systems market to witness double-digit growth in Asia

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The automated storage and retrieval systems market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 7.6 percent during the period 2018-2028, according to a report by Fact.mr.

North America is likely to maintain its lucrativeness in the automated storage and retrieval systems market, accounting for nearly 30 percent revenue share of the global market in 2018.

The report says that opportunities will not be limited to developed regions alone. Automated storage and retrieval systems market in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan is likely to register the highest annual growth rate throughout the forecast period.  [Read more…] about Automated storage and retrieval systems market to witness double-digit growth in Asia

Sweden unveils ‘world’s most advanced’ testing facility for self-driving cars

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Sweden has unveiled what describes as “the world’s most advanced testing facility for self-driving cars”.

AstaZero, near Gothenburg, sets new benchmark in automated vehicle testing.

The safety of testing self-driving technology has garnered global attention recently following fatal incidents on public roads.  [Read more…] about Sweden unveils ‘world’s most advanced’ testing facility for self-driving cars

Universal Robots machine becomes first robot to ring bell at New York Stock Exchange

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The ringing of the closing bell on October 17, 2018, at the New York Stock Exchange was highly unusual as the prestigious task was performed not by a human, but by a robot arm.

The bell ringer, Universal Robots’ UR5e with a two-fingered gripper from Robotiq, is a collaborative robot able to work alongside people with no safety guarding, giving watchers worldwide the opportunity to see just how easily cobots interact with humans.

Universal Robots pioneered the market by selling the first commercially viable cobot in 2008 and has kept its early frontrunner position with a 60 percent global share of the cobot market, selling more cobots than all competitors combined. Earlier this year, UR announced the sale of its 25,000th cobot.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots machine becomes first robot to ring bell at New York Stock Exchange

Business transformation: All change for big business

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The first of a series of articles which looks into issues such as business transformation, digitalization, and robotic process automation – in partnership with Opex Week

The 20th Opex Week event will take place from January 21st to 25th at the Omni Orlando, in Florida.

A lot’s changed over the past two decades, and this is a time which, by many experts’ accounts, is the most critical juncture in the life of many businesses, particularly large companies which became multinational conglomerates in what could be described as a bygone era.

The word multinational may have become passé since the internet took over the world, but even today, a company like General Electric is thought of as a global giant, which indeed it is.  [Read more…] about Business transformation: All change for big business

Stronger and lighter steel behind container manufacturer’s switch

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ZPUH JK Milosz Kiedrowski, a container manufacturer located in northern Poland, started in 2001 to closely co-operate with the Swedish company ILAB Container, through which it has access to the Scandinavian market.

In 2008, JK launched the production of light containers made from high-strength steel.

From the very beginning, it was clear to the management of JK that the steel they used must be produced by SSAB due to its superior quality and because a majority of Scandinavian customers expected containers made from SSAB steel.  [Read more…] about Stronger and lighter steel behind container manufacturer’s switch

OmniVision releases high-resolution image sensors for machine vision applications

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OmniVision Technologies, a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, has released two new high-resolution additions to its family of global shutter image sensors – the OG02B1B/OG02B10 and the OV9285.

These new sensors are designed to be cost-effective solutions for a wide range of consumer and industrial machine vision applications.

In particular, OEMs developing products for high-growth markets such as AR/VR headsets and accessories, industrial automation, robotics, agricultural drones and 3D modeling will benefit from these higher-resolution global shutter image sensors that can quickly capture precise images of fast-moving or faraway objects while consuming very little power.  [Read more…] about OmniVision releases high-resolution image sensors for machine vision applications

Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

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Acquisition increases Emerson’s capabilities as a complete automation solutions provider across process, hybrid and discrete end markets

Emerson, a provider of automation for process and industrial applications, has agreed to acquire Intelligent Platforms, a division of General Electric.

Intelligent Platforms’ programmable logic controller technologies will enable Emerson to provide its customers with broader control and management of their operations.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  [Read more…] about Emerson to buy General Electric’s PLC business

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