Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Omron developing robotic suitcase with AI to assist visually impaired people

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Omron has joined a consortium which is developing a robotic suitcase with artificial intelligence to assist visually impaired people.

As well as Omron, the consortium includes companies such as IBM Japan, Mitsubishi Motors, and Shimizu Corporation.

The AI suitcase is described as an integrated solution that will help the visually impaired to get around town independently, by supplementing visual information by combining the latest AI with robotics. [Read more…] about Omron developing robotic suitcase with AI to assist visually impaired people

Toyota to build prototype ‘City of the Future’

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Toyota has revealed plans to build a prototype “City of the Future” on a 175-acre site at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan.

Called the Woven City, it will be a fully connected ecosystem powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Envisioned as a “living laboratory”, the Woven City will serve as a home to full-time residents and researchers who will be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment. [Read more…] about Toyota to build prototype ‘City of the Future’

Hyundai expands partnership with US government to support hydrogen fuel cell research

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Hyundai Motor Company has expanded its partnership with the US Department of Energy in relation to its support of the DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program.

Hyundai’s commitment aims to increase technical collaboration to better understand challenges and to collect and publish independently validated data from demonstrating fuel cell technologies and hydrogen infrastructure under real world operating conditions.

This partnership, along with other collaborations with global industry partners, will help address technical barriers and enable progress in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across applications and sectors. [Read more…] about Hyundai expands partnership with US government to support hydrogen fuel cell research

Omron launches new range of MicroHawk smart cameras

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Industrial automation solutions provider Omron has launched the V/F400 and V/F300 Series Smart Cameras, the latest additions to its popular MicroHawk line that combines code reading and vision inspection capabilities into a single device.

The new solution is available for manufacturers who are concerned that their product inspections are becoming too complex.

The powerful yet compact MicroHawk V/F400 and V/F300 Series Smart Cameras simplify applications by combining code reading and vision inspection into a single, highly compact device. [Read more…] about Omron launches new range of MicroHawk smart cameras

Toyota develops fuel cell system for maritime applications

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The former racing catamaran turned ship of the future, Energy Observer, has made waves as it has been navigating its six-year odyssey around the world as the first energy-autonomous hydrogen vessel.

Today, Toyota, official partner of Energy Observer and an avid supporter of their project from the start, announces that it has developed a fuel cell system for maritime applications, with its first delivery destined for Energy Observer.

Embarking in June 2017 from Saint Malo Port in France, Energy Observer is an electrically propelled vessel of the future that is operated using a mix of renewable energies and an on-board system that produces carbon-free hydrogen from seawater. [Read more…] about Toyota develops fuel cell system for maritime applications

Nike integrates robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse

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Nike, the world’s largest sportswear company, has integrated robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse. (See video below.)

Geek+, a provider of smart logistics solutions, has powered same-day delivery for Nike in Japan, providing advanced robotics solutions to Nike’s new distribution center in Chiba.

The installation uses more than 200 robots from Geek+’s goods-to-person P series robot range. [Read more…] about Nike integrates robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse

Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses

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Okamura is to integrate solutions from RightHand Robotics into its warehouses to further automate operations. 

RHR’s autonomous piece-picking solution, RightPick2, will be integrated with Okamura’s logistics solutions, such as AutoStore, beginning this month.

Okamura is one of Japan’s leading providers of high quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses

THine introduces 4Gbps low voltage differential transceiver IC

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THine, the leader in high-speed serial interfaces and image signal processing, has introduced the high-volume availability of their new GPIO / LVCMOS transceiver IC, THCS251.

This new IC allows engineers to aggregate up to 37 lines of different data rates into just 4 lines that can be received and transmitted in the same IC.

With the THCS251, manufacturers can lower cost, reduce size, and improve reliability by utilizing simplified and smaller hinges/slip rings in their product implementations. [Read more…] about THine introduces 4Gbps low voltage differential transceiver IC

Panasonic develops ‘multifunctional secure’ IC for industrial IoT

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Panasonic has developed a multifunctional secure integrated circuit in response to the need for enhanced security measures to protect internet of things and industrial devices used in facilities such as factories and warehouses.

When installed in such devices, Panasonic says its new IC with unique encrypting functions will “boost their security”. The company will start sample shipments in February 2020.

The use of IoT devices has been growing rapidly in a variety of fields, requiring improved measures against increasingly sophisticated and diverse security attacks. [Read more…] about Panasonic develops ‘multifunctional secure’ IC for industrial IoT

Mitsubishi Electric develops tech for controlling mobile robots

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Mitsubishi Electric says it has developed a technology for controlling “in-building” mobile robots used for cleaning, security, delivery and guidance, as well as next-generation electric wheelchairs.

The company says the software uses building dynamic maps to achieve cooperative interaction between the mobile machines and building facilities, such as elevators and access control systems.

Mitsubishi says that by supporting the safe, efficient movement of people and in-building mobilities in buildings, the new technology is expected to reduce the workloads of building-management personnel and help realize smart buildings in which people and robots coexist safely. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric develops tech for controlling mobile robots