Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

ZF establishes third research and development center in China

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Automotive technology supplier ZF Friedrichshafen is establishing a third Chinese research and development center in Guangzhou southern China.

Representatives of ZF and the local authorities have signed an agreement and ZF plans to invest approximately €90 million in the new development center.

ZF already has two development centers in China, both located in Shanghai. With their respective focus on the development of active and passive safety technology as well as driveline and chassis technology, the two centers support ZF customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region. [Read more…] about ZF establishes third research and development center in China

Techman Robot unveils AI vision and TMmanager at 2019 iREX

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Techman Robot has returning to iREX (International Robot Exhibition), taking place in Japan from today, unveiling its new technologies for smart manufacturing.

From human-computer collaboration in the production line, to a quick solution for smart palletizing, and also AI-integration with vision which greatly improves inspection efficiency.

Techman Robot also grows further into software-based solution, TMmanager, a smart factory management system that can connect manufacturing data with management decisions. [Read more…] about Techman Robot unveils AI vision and TMmanager at 2019 iREX

UBTECH launches portable social robot with ‘loving AI’

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UBTECH has launched a portable social robot with what the company describes as “loving” artificial intelligence.

AlphaMini, a portable humanoid robot, which is is said to be able to chat, read, sing and dance, made its debut today in South Korea.

Built by UBTECH robotics, a manufacturer of intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, the cute-looking creature combines advanced robotics and highly extensible AI platform to give you the most intimate human-robot interactive experiences. [Read more…] about UBTECH launches portable social robot with ‘loving AI’

Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

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Yaskawa Electric has launched what it describes as an “explosion-proof” industrial “handling” robot.

The new Motoman MHP 45L has a payload capacity of 45 kg, and maximum reach of 2,850 mm for painting areas using volatile paints.

Yaskawa says it has lined up a “wide range of painting robots” optimized for various applications from small to large applications such as smartphones or automotive. [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

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Yaskawa Electric, one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, has begun sales of its new collaborative robot.

The Motoman HC20 DT is said to be anti-dust and drip-proof, with a payload capacity of 20kg and a maximum reach of 1,700 mm.

Yaskawa launches its new cobot against the background of a labor shortage that is worsening due to a decline in the working-age population. [Read more…] about Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of responsive motion planning software for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, is expanding its partnership with Mitsubishi Electric.

The company is to develop a “custom integrated solution” that pairs Realtime Robotics’ smart motion planning technology with Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial and collaborative robot product lines.

The intelligent robots will be on display at iREX later this month and there will be a series of demonstrations showcasing the motion-planning technology in action. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

Nidec to supply actuators for German Bionic exoskeleton

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Nidec is to supply “super flat” actuators for a new German Bionic exoskeleton prototype, which will be showcased at an exhibition in Tokyo. 

A German Bionic exoskeleton prototype based on its Cray X power suit that uses Nidec-Shimpo’s innovative super flat actuator will be displayed at the International Robot Exhibition 2019 (iREX 2019), a trade show focusing on industrial and service robots and related equipment, taking place December 18-21 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Hitoshi Inoue, CTO at Nidec-Shimpo, says: “After investing substantially in its development, we are very proud to now see our groundbreaking actuator integrated in the German Bionic exoskeleton prototype that is being shown at this year’s iREX.” [Read more…] about Nidec to supply actuators for German Bionic exoskeleton

Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

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Wynright, a wholly-owned subsidiary of material handling giant Daifuku, says it aims to double sales after it opens its new $26 million manufacturing facility at the end of this year.

Wynright plans to expand its North American US manufacturing capabilities in the Greater Chicago area. The company will consolidate its existing factories in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and Oak Lawn, Illinois into a new, larger facility in Hobart, Indiana, in phases, by the end of December 2019.

In line with the completion of the new factory, the existing factories in Elk Grove and Oak Lawn in Illinois will close. Daifuku Wynright has offered all employees at both sites the opportunity to continue with the company at the new facility. More than 80 percent of current employees have confirmed their intention to do so. [Read more…] about Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract

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Logistics and supply chain technology startup Plus Automation has won its first robotics-as-a-service contract with Jun Co, a Japanese company with diversified interests including fashion, food and fitness products. 

The company was jointly established in June 2019 and is 60 per cent owned by Mitsui, a Japanese conglomerate, and GLP Japan, said to be the largest Japanese logistics company but also has real estate and other interests.

The contract between Plus and Jun consists of a standard annual subscription together with the option to add robots when cargo volumes increase, making it “a highly convenient service package”, says Plus. [Read more…] about Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract

Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies

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Mitsubishi Electric has unveiled the latest version of the xAUTO, (main picture) a vehicle capable of autonomous driving on surface roads without high-definition maps and autonomous parking both indoors and outdoors.

The xAUTO is a demonstration car that incorporates Mitsubishi Electric’s cutting-edge technologies for autonomous driving.

Mitsubishi Electric’s autonomous driving system is realized with sensor-fusion technologies implemented with peripheral sensors, millimeter-wave radar and cameras, and so on, as well as infrastructure-assisted technologies incorporating Centimeter Level Augmentation Service signals from the Quasi Zenith Satellite System and high-definition three-dimensional maps. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric unveils new autonomous car for testing new technologies