Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

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ExRobotics and Yokogawa Electric have signed a licensing agreement that will enable Yokogawa to sell and deploy ExRobotics’ inspection robot hardware and software platforms worldwide.

ExRobotics is a Netherlands-based developer of robotics technology for hazardous environments, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation is a global provider of industrial automation, control, and measurement technology.

ExRobotics was established in 2017 to commercialise robotics technology for use in the potentially explosive atmospheres found at oil and gas production and processing facilities, which are often in remote locations with harsh environments. [Read more…] about ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’

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HRG has launched what it describes as an “automated guided vehicle”, although it appears to have the technology that is also found in autonomous mobile robots, which are slightly different.

AGVs are older technology and are limited in their ability to navigate their way round a facility – usually, magnetic strips are fixed to the floor to guide them.

HRG says its AGV integrates “simultaneous localization and mapping”, or SLAM, the navigation technology that gives AMRs their autonomy. [Read more…] about HRG launches new ‘automated guided vehicle’

Omron introduces new control panel equipment for factory automation

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Omron has introduced its sixth wave of factory automation control equipment.

The company says the devices are built on a common design platform for unified product specifications, for further innovation in control panel building.

The products will be available as 237 models in six categories. [Read more…] about Omron introduces new control panel equipment for factory automation

Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

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Geek+, a supplier of robotics and AI technologies for warehouses, has launched what it claims is “the world’s first smart factory to use robot arms to make mobile robots”.

Based in Nanjing, the factory uses Geek+’ robots, AI algorithms and other automated solutions to manufacture new Geek+ robots. All of the company’s robots are produced at this factory.

With an increasing demand for customization and limited release products, product cycles are getting shorter and shorter, making flexible production an essential aspect of the manufacturing industry. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

Epson Robots to launch new parts feeding solution at Assembly Show

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Epson Robots will demonstrate its latest robots that benefit a wide variety of parts assembly applications at the upcoming Assembly Show event.

The company will also announce an IntelliFlex Feeding System line expansion with a new feeder size that can accommodate part sizes between 30-150 mm.

In addition, Epson’s Rick Brookshire will lead a discussion on Introduction to Parts Feeding: Parts Singulation for Robotic Automation. [Read more…] about Epson Robots to launch new parts feeding solution at Assembly Show

Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

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Universal Robots has helped Vietnam-based Vinacomin Motor Industry Joint Stock Company “future-proof” its production processes with collaborative robots.

VMIC is a subsidiary of the Vinacomin Group, a state-owned coal and mining giant.

VMIC, one of the first state-owned manufacturers to deploy cobots, has seen productivity increase two to three times, with improved product quality, leading to a 50 to 60 percent rise in orders. [Read more…] about Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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Download our new white paper, Smart Factory: Material Handing in the Factory of the Future

The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will start construction of a new plant on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Automotive India in Gujarat, India.

The company’s new plant, along with one in Manesar, Haryana, will enable MEAI to expand its output of products such as motor-control units for electric power steering, exhaust gas recirculation valves and giant magnet-resistance sensors.

The demand for these components is expected to grow in line with increasing sales of vehicles offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the Indian market. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

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Senseye, the industrial software company, is rolling out its suite of technologies and methodologies in automotive manufacturing facilities in the US.

Senseye’s technology suite, Senseye PdM, is used by global automotive manufacturers to monitor the condition of machinery in real time.

It spots emerging problems with monitored assets and identifies when they are most likely to fail by using machine learning algorithms to analyse data relating to key condition indicators such as vibration, pressure, temperature and torque levels. [Read more…] about Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac

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RightHand Robotics has installed a multi-robot picking solution PalTac, which is said to be Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.

The US company has also established a new corporate entity in Japan, RightHand Robotics GK.

The subsidiary will enable RightHand to better serve the fast-growing demand for robotic piece-picking in Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac