Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Elaine

Fyusion unveils automated vehicle inspections solution

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Fyusion, which enables the creation of beautiful 3D images with deep AI understanding, today announced its entry into the vehicle inspection market with the launch of Fyusion Inspect, a fully automated damage analysis and condition reporting tool built on its pioneering ALIS AI platform. Fyusion Inspect produces highly accurate and consistent vehicle condition reports based on 3D images, which can be captured by most smartphones via a simple, guided process.

Ideal for any workflow that requires assessments of vehicle condition, including wholesaling, trade-in appraisal, lease-end inspections, and fleet management, Fyusion Inspect simplifies the inspections process, enables more consistent and objective reporting, and reduces the financial burden of using on-site professional vehicle inspectors. [Read more…] about Fyusion unveils automated vehicle inspections solution

New spin-out company uses AI and robotics to take the pain out of potholes

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The University of Liverpool has formed a new spin out company – Robotiz3d Ltd – to take forward new technology that has the potential to radically transform road maintenance.

Robotiz3d Ltd is a joint venture spin out company established in partnership with A2e Ltd and will receive investment from the University’s Enterprise Investment Fund, alongside private equity investment from a2e Ltd. [Read more…] about New spin-out company uses AI and robotics to take the pain out of potholes

Emerson launches unique heat staking technology

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Emerson has introduced new heat staking technology designed to give manufacturers greater design freedom by enabling them to join more complex, delicate and sensitive components to plastic moldings.

Using a unique pulse staking technology that optimizes the heat staking process, the Branson GPX platform produces high-quality joins, superior product aesthetics and energy savings in increasingly challenging applications.

Electronics, automotive and medical device manufacturers must produce more creative designs to meet rapidly changing market demand. [Read more…] about Emerson launches unique heat staking technology

DB Schenker brings its first logistics robot in the Czech Republic into operation

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At its Contract Logistics site in Pardubice, DB Schenker has implemented a new autonomous mobile robot (AMR). In a warehouse the robot named MiR Hook 200 helps to detect and transport trolleys to make operations more efficient. The robot comes from the Danish technology company Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and was deployed in cooperation with DREAMland, a Czech distributor and integrator of autonomous and collaborative robots. While DB Schenker is using autonomous machines in various countries already, the new installation is the logistic company’s first robot in the Czech Republic.

Tomáš Holomoucký, DB Schenker Managing Director for the Czech Republic: “I am extremely pleased we have successfully implemented our first robot in our regular operations in the Czech Republic. Autonomous solutions such as this will enable us to optimize our logistics processes and relieve our staff by taking over simple warehouse tasks. We are proud to be driving innovation and building the warehouse of the future for our customers.”
[Read more…] about DB Schenker brings its first logistics robot in the Czech Republic into operation

Atik Cameras develops new products for use with qPCR instruments

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In response to global demand for dependable technologies designed to optimize COVID-19 testing, Atik Cameras, specialist designer and manufacturer of advanced scientific imaging solutions, has developed the new VS255 and VS825 cameras for use specifically with quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) instruments — the most commonly used systems for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These commercially-competitive, custom cameras, which mark the latest additions to Atik Cameras’ VS Series of scientific charge-coupled-device (CCD) cameras, offer superior sensitivity and image quality.

[Read more…] about Atik Cameras develops new products for use with qPCR instruments

SICK’s Open Service for IO-Link Function Blocks

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A pioneering open software service that creates ready-made IO-Link function blocks to integrate data from any IO-Link device into a wide range of common PLC control systems has been launched by the sensor manufacturer SICK.

The SICK Function Block Factory is the first web-based service of its type that enables users to create function blocks automatically from any IO-link device with an I/O device description (IODD), no matter what the device type or its manufacturer. [Read more…] about SICK’s Open Service for IO-Link Function Blocks

Stuttgart airport set for Mercedes-Benz S-Class highly automated and driverless parking

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Parking at the airport could soon be less stressful. Bosch, Mercedes-Benz, and the parking garage operator Apcoa want to introduce driverless and highly automated parking on Level 4 of Stuttgart airport.

The automated valet parking (AVP) system co-developed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz is to be made ready for commercial operation and will provide the world’s first commercial automated valet parking service.

The parking garage operator Apcoa is testing barrier and payment functions as the basis for automated valet parking, enabled by its Apcoa Flow digital mobility platform. [Read more…] about Stuttgart airport set for Mercedes-Benz S-Class highly automated and driverless parking

FLIR Introduces Elara FR-345-EST for Rapid and Accurate Elevated Skin Temperature Screening

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As employees continue returning to the office, travelers start flying again, fans slowly return to stadiums,
technology that focuses on maintaining health and safety in semi-public and private venues remains crucial
to slowing the spread of COVID-19.

In response, FLIR Systems today announced the FLIR Elara™ FR-345-EST, a fixed-mount radiometric
thermal security camera that measures elevated skin temperature (EST) accurately without contact or the
need for a reference temperature source. This system provides a safe and effective environment at high
traffic airports, stadiums, commercial buildings, and manufacturing facilities to quickly asses skin
temperature at access control points. The Elara FR-345-EST automatically guides to the part of the body that
most closely correlates to core body temperature: the inner-canthus—or the inner eye of a human
face—without sacrificing accuracy or the ability to maintain social distancing guidelines. [Read more…] about FLIR Introduces Elara FR-345-EST for Rapid and Accurate Elevated Skin Temperature Screening

FLIR Systems Announces Four New Exx-Series Handheld Thermal Imaging Cameras

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FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) has announced four new additions to its Exx-Series of advanced thermal imaging cameras: the E96, E86, E76 and E54. Compared to predecessor Exx-Series cameras, the new cameras offer enhanced thermal resolution for more vibrant, easy-to-read images and on-camera routing capability to improve field survey efficiency. The new Exx-Series cameras are designed to help professionals detect the early signs of building issues, identify hot spots, troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems, and prevent problems before they cause damage that leads to expensive repairs.

The E96, with a 640×480 resolution and eight-times digital zoom, is an extremely advanced Exx-Series thermal camera. It delivers improved measurement results over the greatest distance to target, so professionals can safely diagnose electrical faults or locate hidden anomalies at very high temperatures up to 1500 degrees Celsius (2732 degrees Fahrenheit), including in harsh industrial environments such as steel mills or kilns, to help keep the workplace running smoothly.

For the first time, FLIR Inspection Route is now offered as a standard feature on every Exx-Series camera and is complemented by the FLIR Thermal Studio Pro software with Route Creator plugin, sold separately as an annual subscription. The complete routing bundle enables professionals to create and export custom inspection and pre-planned routes, ideal for large or multi-location electrical or mechanical projects.

“The new Exx-Series advanced thermal imaging cameras enable building professionals, inspectors, engineers, researchers, and facility maintenance personnel to do more than ever before with a handheld thermal camera,” said Rickard Lindvall, General Manager, Solutions Business at FLIR. “With improved thermal resolution and on-camera routing capabilities, the Exx Series can help our customers make better, informed decisions to complete the job more efficiently and effectively.”

The E96, E86, and E76 include UltraMax® high-definition image enhancement technology and improved contrast with one-touch level and spanning functions to view greater image details. In addition, interchangeable AutoCalTM lenses offer complete coverage of near and distance targets, with the built-in laser distance meter ensuring the crisp focus needed for accurate temperature measurement.
The new Exx-Series cameras are available globally starting today through authorized dealers and FLIR.com. To learn more about FLIR Systems’ entire Exx-Series line, visit: www.flir.com/exx-series.

Through March 31, 2021, customers who purchase an Exx-Series camera will receive a free three-month Thermal Studio Pro and Route Creator trial bundle. The FLIR Thermal Studio Suite is also available separately through an annual subscription in Standard and Pro versions, while the Starter version is offered at no charge. To learn more about FLIR Thermal Studio Suite, visit www.flir.com/thermal-studio-suite.

The new Exx-Series cameras are available globally starting today through authorized dealers and FLIR.com.

To learn more about FLIR Systems’ entire Exx-Series line, visit: www.flir.com/exx-series.

Through March 31, 2021, customers who purchase an Exx-Series camera will receive a free three-month Thermal Studio Pro and Route Creator trial bundle. The FLIR Thermal Studio Suite is also available
separately through an annual subscription in Standard and Pro versions, while the Starter version is offered
at no charge. To learn more about FLIR Thermal Studio Suite, visit www.flir.com/thermal-studio-suite.

SICK’s deep learning brings simplicity to complex AI inspection

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SICK has launched a suite of Deep Learning apps and services to simplify machine vision quality inspection for challenging components, assemblies, surfaces or food produce, especially those that have previously defied automation and remained distinguishable only by human inspection.

SICK Deep Learning reduces set-up time and cost by enabling Artificial Intelligence image classification to run directly onboard SICK smart devices. With Deep Learning, programmable SICK devices take decisions automatically using specially-optimised neural networks and run inspections that would have previously been extremely challenging or simply impossible to achieve in high-speed automated processes across many different industries. [Read more…] about SICK’s deep learning brings simplicity to complex AI inspection