Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Mitsubishi Electric develops ‘co-operative AI’ for human-machine work

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Mitsubishi Electric says it has developed a cooperative artificial intelligence technology that it says “enhances work collaboration between humans and machines”.

The system uses something Mitsubishi calls “inverse reinforcement learning”, or IRL, to learn and imitate the actions of skilled workers.

IRL, one of the key features of Mitsubishi Electric’s “Maisart AI” technology, enables machines to imitate human-like actions based on relatively small amounts of data. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric develops ‘co-operative AI’ for human-machine work

Aisin and QC Ware to jointly develop quantum computing capabilities

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Aisin Seiki and QC Ware have agreed a research collaboration to explore the impact of quantum optimization and quantum machine learning algorithms on automotive applications.

The collaboration will utilize commercially available quantum computers from D-Wave Systems and Rigetti Computing.

Aisin is a global supplier of components and systems for the automotive industry and one of the world’s largest transmission manufacturers. Its customers represent a wide range of automotive manufacturing giants, including Toyota, Volkswagen, PSA, Volvo, and the BMW. [Read more…] about Aisin and QC Ware to jointly develop quantum computing capabilities

Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has created a “Startup Engagement Program” through its sponsorship of MassRobotics.

MassRobotics, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an independent, non-profit organization that aims to assist startups and existing technology organizations by providing them the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.

Through the Startup Engagement Program, Mitsubishi Electric Automation is looking to develop proof of concepts and potential investment opportunities. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

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HERE Technologies says Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have completed their joint acquisition of a 30 per cent ownership stake in the company, after receiving regulatory approvals.

HERE welcomes Mitsubishi and NTT as strategic investors. The two companies have co-invested in HERE via their recently established, jointly owned holding company COCO Tech Holding in the Netherlands.

As a result, HERE now has nine direct and indirect shareholders: Audi, Bosch, BMW Group, Continental, Intel Capital, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, NTT and Pioneer.​ [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

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Electronics and household appliances giant LG is partnering with unicorn startup Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots.

The partnership will aim to produce mobile robots that can deliver food to people’s homes as well to the tables of customers at restaurants.

While LG is well known around the world, Woowa Brothers is a startup which achieved unicorn status – became worth more than $1 billion – when German company Delivery Hero acquired it for around $4 billion in January this year. [Read more…] about LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

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Sheep are often herded using a real sheepdog, clever canines which run around directing the animals into a pen on a farm. 

But a clever software company is conducting a test by replacing the dog with Boston Dynamics’ terrifying canine robot, Spot.

New Zealand is at the very edge of human civilisation on Earth, and the sheep there probably see the robot as an alien. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

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Mitsubishi Electric has launched what is believed to be its first series of collaborative robots, which the company has named “Melfa Assista” (main picture).

The “RV-5AS-D” model of the cobot has a 5 kg load capacity and 6-axis movement.

The company says the robots can work collaboratively with humans based on safety features such as collision detection and strict compliance with the international safety and robotic standards ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS15066.

The series also will introduce an intuitive engineering software, RT VisualBox, for “quick, easy system deployment”, says Mitsubishi. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

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Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new high-accuracy simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining centre, the Variaxis C-600, suitable for a wide range of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive markets.

Mazak says the C-600, which is the successor machine to the highly successful Variaxis j-600/5X, is being marketed at a “highly attractive price point” to provide a high performance and cost-effective 5-axis solution.

The Variaxis C-600 is characterised by its highly agile performance, with no compromise on rigidity. The compact machine, capable of machining workpieces up to Ø730 mm x H450 mm and 500 kg in weight, has been designed with a large machining envelope and a high-rigidity structure featuring a Ø600 mm fully supported trunnion table with roller gear cam on the B- and C-axes. [Read more…] about Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

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Geek+ Robotics has launched a pair of disinfection robots in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company says the new robots are designed to help keep facilities free of any viruses and germs that may endanger health.

After the unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Geek+ says robots “can play a key role in ensuring safe and healthy work and living environments”.

The two robots the company have two disinfection methods. “Lavender” is armed with smart ultraviolet rays while “Jasmin” uses liquid agents to execute swift and automated sterilization. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

Geek+ and Conveyco agree partnership to distribute warehouse robots in North America

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Geek+ and Conveyco have agreed a partnership to distribute Geek+ warehouse robots in North America.

The distribution partnership brings Geek+ warehouse robotics solutions to retail, e-commerce, omnichannel and logistics customers all over North America.

Geek+ is a global provider of smart logistics solutions that utilize robotics and artificial intelligence technologies. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Conveyco agree partnership to distribute warehouse robots in North America