Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Elaine

mHUB launches hands-on accelerator for hardtech startups

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mHUB, has announced the launch of mHUB Accelerated Incubation, a six-month, hands-on startup accelerator focused on the product development and commercialization of early-stage, high-potential physical product startups. mHUB Accelerated Incubation will focus on startups building and growing demand-driven technologies in industries such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), medical devices, connected buildings and home, communication technologies, smart cities, smart mobility, and energy technology. The first cohort – focused on IIoT technologies – is accepting applications for the next 90 days at www.mHUBaccelerator.com. The IIoT cohort is supported by strategic corporate partners Avnet and Panduit, and will officially commence with teams onsite at mHUB beginning March 2021. A second cohort of the program focusing on medical devices and supported by lead partner Baxter International, Inc. is anticipated to begin in late 2021.
 
mHUB Accelerated Incubation will bring 10 high-potential startups from across the country to its Chicago-based innovation center to participate in an intensive six-month incubation program including rapid product development and prototyping, business development and leadership training, mentorship, customer validation and piloting. The startups will focus on solutions to IIoT market opportunities identified by mHUB, Avnet and Panduit. By engaging the cohort’s teams with corporate partners throughout the incubation, mHUB seeks to establish market demand for the startups’ solutions from the get-go. Startups will also be surrounded by mHUB’s broader community of hardtech startups, manufacturing industry experts and integrated U.S. manufacturing supply-chain. Beyond the formal six-month program, startups will maintain exclusive access to mHUB for a full two years.

[Read more…] about mHUB launches hands-on accelerator for hardtech startups

Siemens and VSI Labs partner to advance autonomous vehicle development

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Siemens Digital Industries Software and VSI Labs, a leading researcher of active safety and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies, announced that they are partnering to further advance development of self-driving car technology. Through the partnership, Siemens’ PAVE360™ platform will be used to create digital twin simulations for the validation and testing of all processors, electronics, sensors and systems powering the VSI Labs Capability Demonstrator — an advanced AV development vehicle equipped with components from best-in-class automotive technology leaders and integrated by VSI solutions engineers.

“The primary objective of this partnership is to demonstrate equivalence between Siemens’ industry-leading digital twin technology and a physical platform, thereby increasing confidence in digital twin-based modeling methodologies well in advance of the existence of a physical vehicle,” said Ravi Subramanian, senior vice president, IC Verification, Mentor, a Siemens business. “This collaboration with VSI has the potential to significantly advance the AV space with the creation of a high-fidelity autonomous vehicle digital twin that simulates the interaction and combined power of the most advanced AV components and technologies in the world.” [Read more…] about Siemens and VSI Labs partner to advance autonomous vehicle development

Tennant Company debuts floor scrubber with increased manoeuvrability

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Tennant Company has announced the launch of its newest autonomous floor cleaning machine, the T380AMR Robotic Floor Scrubber. The T380AMR’s smaller size enhances manoeuvrability and responsive navigation in tight areas, leading to maximum productivity. This makes it ideal for customers with narrow spaces or layouts that may have previously challenged other robotic machines. T380AMR units began shipping to North America customers in September and will begin shipping globally in November.

The T380AMR robotic cleaning machine is the latest in Tennant’s world-class AMR line that operates in complex, real-world environments without direct operator control. This frees up employees to focus on other tasks, like cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces. Cleaning has never been more important, as custodial crews put in additional time, effort and materials to thoroughly clean surfaces from top to bottom. [Read more…] about Tennant Company debuts floor scrubber with increased manoeuvrability

ABB expands range of robotic solutions for cleanroom applications

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ABB is extending its robot offering for cleanroom manufacturing environments that need high levels of flexibility and performance. Certified to ISO 14644-1, the new cleanroom IRB 1100 combines fast performance in a compact design for industries including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, electronics, semiconductors and solar panel manufacturing.

Key features include hygienic paint and a sealed body to prevent leakage of contaminants such as grease, oil and particles, together with a mechanical design that minimizes gaps between the robot’s joints to discourage the growth of bacteria.

Two versions of the robot are available, one with a 4 kg payload and 475 mm reach, and one with a 4 kg payload and 580 mm reach. [Read more…] about ABB expands range of robotic solutions for cleanroom applications

OrionStar launches ‘humanoid’ robotic coffee master

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OrionStar, the robotics company invested in by Cheetah Mobile, has launched the Robotic Coffee Master, which it describes as “a humanoid robot barista that simulates master-level brewing techniques and guarantees a refined taste in every cup”.

Incorporating 3,000 hours of AI learning, 30,000 hours of robotic arm testing and machine vision training, the Robotic Coffee Master can perform complex brewing techniques, such as curves and spirals, with millimeter-level stability and accuracy (reset error ≤ 0.1mm). [Read more…] about OrionStar launches ‘humanoid’ robotic coffee master

Red Sox hit a home run with Nikon Robotics

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Nikon Inc. recently partnered with professional baseball team the Boston Red Sox to install a state-of-the-art Robotic Pod camera system throughout Fenway Park to capture still images and full HD video. In the era of social distancing and COVID-19 related constraints, the remote system from MRMC, a Nikon group company, offers operators and photographers a safe way to remotely control cameras — with the added benefit of more creative options than ever before.

The team at Fenway Park worked with Nikon Professional Services (NPS) to install five Robotic Pods, a modular camera system housing that can be remotely controlled by an operator from a custom software interface. With the system, the photographer/operator can capture high quality photos and videos for broadcast, social media and marketing needs while reducing proximity to other staff and players and gain remote access to restricted areas. In fact, a photographer can cover an entire game without ever leaving the booth. [Read more…] about Red Sox hit a home run with Nikon Robotics

AutoStore new Router system improves warehouse robotic productivity by up to 40 percent

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AutoStore, the Norwegian robotics technology company, says its new “Router”, a newly developed software suite for its cube based order fulfillment system “increases robot productivity and efficiency by up to 40 percent”.

Karl Johan Lier, CEO of AutoStore, says: “The launch of Router could not have come at a better time. This software, available to all AutoStore users, will change the order-fulfillment landscape at a time when the ability to adapt quickly means everything.

“We recognize the importance of anticipating future challenges. This pandemic has demonstrated to us that the retail and e-commerce market will never be the same as it was. With Black Friday and the holiday season approaching, warehouses and micro-fulfillment centers will need the flexibility and high-speed efficiency that Router can deliver. We’re excited to unveil the biggest development in AutoStore history in years.” [Read more…] about AutoStore new Router system improves warehouse robotic productivity by up to 40 percent

ABB processing and packaging robots showcased in virtual exhibition stand

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With this year’s PPMA show being postponed, ABB has created a virtual exhibition stand demonstrating its latest products and solutions for processing and packaging applications. Accessible via bit.ly/ABB_PPMA2020, visitors will be taken on a panoramic tour to discover the benefits robots can bring to many industries worldwide.

The ABB FlexPicker IRB360 is featured on the stand, demonstrating its fast picking capabilities in a compact footprint. Featuring easy to rinse-off surfaces and joints and designed for picking and packing applications with high payloads up to 8kg, the FlexPicker has established a reputation for fast, flexible, and accurate performance in a wide range of food and beverage and pharmaceuticals applications. [Read more…] about ABB processing and packaging robots showcased in virtual exhibition stand

Hitachi begins testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions

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Hitachi has begun testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions at its Silicon Valley research center in California, USA to accelerate the development of platform technologies and scalable solutions for digital transformation.

A dedicated 5G network has been installed at its Silicon Valley Research Center, in partnership with Ericsson. The network will leverage 5G and Hitachi’s platform technology to accelerate the development and demonstrate the value of digital transformation across multiple industries.

Fifth generation wireless network technology, commonly referred to as “5G technology,” is expected to change the way society operates by providing ubiquitous connectivity with ultra-reliable low-latency communication. 5G has the power to accelerate the digital transformation of not just the telecom sector, but businesses in general. Sectors that will benefit from the increased resiliency and efficiency that 5G technology affords include manufacturing, mobility, healthcare, energy, and IT, though the platform is also expected to support new business models. [Read more…] about Hitachi begins testing of 5G powered industrial IoT solutions

DSM and Nedcam collaborate on 3D printing

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Royal DSM, a global science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living, and Nedcam, a provider of solutions for the realization of 3D shapes, are collaborating to improve access to scalable Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF) 3D printing.

Nedcam will be offering FGF 3D printing using DSM materials and the two companies will explore new applications in tooling, large-size and circular end-use parts.

Nedcam, providing total solutions in shaping technology, ranging from engineering, material selection and tooling to special transport, recently added a CEAD AM Flexbot robotic 3D printer to their site in Heerenveen. [Read more…] about DSM and Nedcam collaborate on 3D printing