Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Fanuc offers free trial of CNC virtualization platform

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Fanuc America, a leading automation solutions provider, is offering a free trial version of CNC Guide – Fanuc’s PC-based virtualization platform for control design, training and part programming.

To assist machine tool operators and builders through the rough economic times created in 2020, Fanuc is offering this simulation tool at no cost.

CNC Guide offers an immersive and safe way to learn how to operate CNCs, even for novice operators. Because the software creates digital twins of machine controls, programmers can test G-code programs with no risk of damaging actual machines. [Read more…] about Fanuc offers free trial of CNC virtualization platform

Hyundai Robotics secures $42 million investment from KT

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Hyundai Robotics, a specialized robot company and subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries, has secured an investment of 50 billion Korean won (approximately $42 million) from KT, formerly Korea Telecom.

Hyundai Robotics recently signed a pre-IPO investment contract for the investment with KT at KT Gwanghwamun Building East in Jongno, Seoul. [Read more…] about Hyundai Robotics secures $42 million investment from KT

Hitachi and Microsoft to offer digital solutions for manufacturing and logistics

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Hitachi and Microsoft have a “multi-year strategic alliance” to accelerate the digital transformation of the manufacturing and logistics industries across Southeast Asia, North America and Japan.

The first solutions will be available in Thailand in July 2020.

The two companies will work together to meet the growing demand for predictive maintenance and process automation in remote areas and support enterprises as they tackle the challenges infused by the Covid-19 pandemic. [Read more…] about Hitachi and Microsoft to offer digital solutions for manufacturing and logistics

Sinomach unit produces China’s first products for stainless steel cold rolling mills

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Tianjin Electric Research Institute, a subsidiary of Sinomach, has independently developed a high-power three-level AC-DC-AC frequency converter, which passed a test run in the high roller mill modification project of Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group Co (TISCO).

It marks the first application of a domestic medium-voltage frequency conversion system in the Sendzimir mill and fills in the gap in the application of domestic products in high-end stainless cold rolling mills.

The original automation and transmission system of the unit in the TISCO Stainless Steel Cold Rolling Mill was supplied by a foreign producer in 2002. [Read more…] about Sinomach unit produces China’s first products for stainless steel cold rolling mills

Hyundai Robotics launches its first ‘mobile service robot’

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Newly created company Hyundai Robotics has launched its first “mobile service robot”.

The company held an research and development presentation for the mobile service robot – which has been named “UNI” – at its Yongin Research Lab recently.

The first part of the presentation was a demonstration, and the second part consisted of a presentation of Hyundai Robotics’ achievements so far. [Read more…] about Hyundai Robotics launches its first ‘mobile service robot’

Country Garden builds ‘world’s first’ robot restaurant in China

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Country Garden says it has built what it claims is “the world’s first-ever robot restaurant complex” in Guangdong, China.

The modern eaterie was opened on June 22 by Qianxi Robot Catering Group, a subsidiary of Country Garden. The location is Shunde, a city in China’s Guangdong province.

Powered by the latest in advanced technologies, the restaurant has separate sections for Chinese food, hot pot and fast food and features a wide selection of dishes, each one of which is delivered to the waiting diner within seconds. [Read more…] about Country Garden builds ‘world’s first’ robot restaurant in China

Cobots v Covid: How Universal Robots and others are helping in the fight against coronavirus

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Collaborative robots, or cobots, are emerging as a “tremendous force for good” in the global battle against Covid-19, according to Universal Robots.

In this article, we highlight some of the ways in which collaborative robots from Universal Robots have contributed to the global response to the pandemic.

We take a look at disinfection and test kit solutions along with some less easily categorized solutions made possible by Universal Robots, the world’s leading manufacturer of cobots. [Read more…] about Cobots v Covid: How Universal Robots and others are helping in the fight against coronavirus

Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

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Geek+, a global provider of advanced robotics for logistics, has closed its Series C funding round at over $200 million in early 2020.

Geek+ continues to lead the industry with the largest fundraising to date, following a $150 million B series in November 2018, already the largest in the industry.

C1 was led by GGV Capital, D1 Capital Partners along with Warburg Pincus in Summer 2019, while C2, finalized earlier this year, was led by V Fund, along with Redview Capital and Vertex Ventures. [Read more…] about Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

Samsung expands chipmaking capacity

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Samsung Electronics, the smartphone giant which is also one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, is expanding its NAND flash production capacity in Pyeongtaek, Korea.

The company says the development will reinforce the company’s ability to meet demands from emerging technologies.

Construction, which began this May, will pave the way for mass production of Samsung’s cutting-edge V-NAND memory in the second half of 2021. [Read more…] about Samsung expands chipmaking capacity

Mitsubishi and Shin Nihonkai Ferry to develop unmanned ship navigation system

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Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, is collaborating with Shin Nihonkai Ferry to jointly develop autonomous ships.

The two companies have successfully applied for grant aid under the Joint Technological Development Programme for the Demonstration of Unmanned Ships, sponsored by The Nippon Foundation.

With this support, the two companies say they will commence co-development of underlying technologies and systems to enable unmanned ship navigation in the future. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and Shin Nihonkai Ferry to develop unmanned ship navigation system