Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Mai Tao

Hanwha Systems gearing up to enter air taxi market

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Hanwha Systems is making a $25 million investment in US air taxi startup Overair, and has received approval from the relevant authorities for the move.

Hanwha Systems and Overair research and development are planning to co-develop and bring the “Butterfly” to the US air-taxi market by the year 2025.

In early December of 2019, Youn-Chul Kim, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) approved Hanwha Systems’ $25 million investment in Overair (previously K4 Aeronautics), a leading US air-taxi startup. [Read more…] about Hanwha Systems gearing up to enter air taxi market

BlueBotics signs up South Korean distributor

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BlueBotics, the global reference in natural feature navigation for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has further strengthened its footprint in Asia by announcing a new distribution agreement with South Korean motion and control pioneer MacPion.

BlueBotics’ Autonomous Navigation Technology (ANT) is being integrated by an ever-growing number of industrial vehicle original equipment manufacturers and system integrators across the globe, having been applied across a wide range of applications – from shop floors to warehouses, clean rooms, hospitals and more – over the past decade.

Nicola Tomatis, the CEO of BlueBotics, says: “Our ANT technology is fast becoming the localization and navigation solution of choice for Asia’s autonomous vehicle producers. [Read more…] about BlueBotics signs up South Korean distributor

Fanuc showcases its robotic technologies at CES for the first time

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Fanuc, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNCs, Robomachines and industrial internet-of-things solutions, has been showcasing its technologies at the Consumer Electronics Show for the first time.

After nearly 40 years of providing robots and automation for manufacturing, Fanuc says it is experiencing “rapid growth in consumer-oriented and service markets including e-commerce and warehousing, food preparation, agriculture and entertainment”.

At CES, Fanuc offered visitors the opportunity to interact with its robots in a wide range of demonstrations and contests including a selfie station, a voice-activated gift selection, hand-guided robot programming, and speed and dexterity challenges. [Read more…] about Fanuc showcases its robotic technologies at CES for the first time

Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

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Automotive systems maker Denso is partnering with chipmaker Qualcomm to develop what they call “next-generation cockpit systems”.

Though they use the word “cockpit”, they probably mean vehicle dashboards rather than aircraft cockpits.

In recent years, the amount of information provided by a vehicle to the driver has increased due to advanced driver assistance functions using cameras and sensors, as well as various entertainment functions. [Read more…] about Denso partners with Qualcomm to develop ‘next-generation’ vehicle dashboards

Omron showcases new industrial robot with built-in AI

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Omron has demonstrated a new industrial robot with built-in artificial intelligence at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The automation giant says its Omron i4 “next generation industrial robot” possesses embedded AI for predictive maintenance.

This self-diagnosing robot detects and communicates when it needs repairs and routine maintenance, adds Omron. [Read more…] about Omron showcases new industrial robot with built-in AI

Swisys adopts twin-track route to progress with networks for machines

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Taiwanese automotive electronics and communications solution provider Swisys has adopted a twin-track approach to the development of company and its technologies.

The company, which was founded in 2016 by a professor at Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology and a team of electrical engineers.

It specialises in technologies based on the CAN Bus and OBD II standard – which refer to data communications systems, usually within a machine, such as a car. [Read more…] about Swisys adopts twin-track route to progress with networks for machines

Samsung rolls out new spherical robot at CES

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Samsung has made a keynote presentation at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show which featured a number of robotic developments.

Samsung Consumer Electronics President and CEO, H.S. Kim, unveiled the company’s vision of robots as “life companions”, and introduced Ballie, a small, rolling robot that “understands you, supports you, and reacts to your needs to be actively helpful around the house”, according to Samsung.

Sebastian Seung, executive vice president and chief research scientist at Samsung Electronics elaborated on Ballie, explaining that its on-device artificial intelligence capabilities enable it to be a fitness assistant and a mobile interface that seeks solutions for people’s changing needs. [Read more…] about Samsung rolls out new spherical robot at CES

iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

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iRobot, a maker of consumer robots – most famously a robotic vacuum cleaner, has officially commenced production in Malaysia ahead of schedule.

Working with Jabil Inc, a manufacturing solutions provider based in St Petersburg, Florida, iRobot has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into Malaysia as part of its strategic supply chain diversification initiative.

Jabil has served as one of iRobot’s trusted manufacturing and supply chain partners in China since 2010. [Read more…] about iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

Hitachi completes acquisition of JR Automation

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Hitachi has completed the acquisition of the robotic system integration business mainly operated by JR Automation from funds managed by Crestview Partners.

The agreement to acquire JR Automation was announced on April 23, 2019 and the companies have now brought this deal to a successful conclusion.

JR Automation and Hitachi have been closely engaged throughout the integration process leading to the closing, working together to ensure a “seamless transition” for their customers. [Read more…] about Hitachi completes acquisition of JR Automation

SAIC showcases first autonomous truck at Shanghai port

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A 5G-based “intelligent” – meaning autonomous – heavy duty truck developed by Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor made its debut at Shanghai Yangshan Deepwater Port, the largest cargo port in the world.

The demonstration was conducted as part of SAIC exhibition at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, which took place in Shanghai, China recently.

The SAIC 5G truck completed a task through the use of 5G and artificial intelligence technologies, which is the first time such an operation was successfully conducted in the world. [Read more…] about SAIC showcases first autonomous truck at Shanghai port