Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

Embotech implements new automated marshalling capabilities in BMW factories

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Embotech, a provider of autonomous driving solutions for logistics, is partnering with with Outsight, a LiDAR software solutions provider, and Hesai, a LiDAR hardware manufacturer, to deliver cutting-edge LiDAR technology and perception software for Embotech’s AVM technology deployed in BMW facilities and known internally at BMW as Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW).

Within this AVN solution, Outsight plays a key role with its advanced LiDAR software platform that tracks the vehicle and the surrounding obstacles within BMW’s production facilities, while Hesai supplies its industry-leading LiDAR sensors, renowned for their accuracy and reliability, which act as the “eyes” of the AVM system.

Initially implemented for the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series in Dingolfing, is now also in use for the MINI Countryman and other BMW models manufactured in Leipzig. [Read more…] about Embotech implements new automated marshalling capabilities in BMW factories

Top 10 Chinese industrial robotic arm manufacturers: The rise of robots in China

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The industrial robotics sector in China has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades. Once heavily reliant on foreign suppliers, China is now emerging as a global powerhouse in the production of industrial robotic arms.

This shift is driven by the country’s rapid industrialization, government support for advanced manufacturing, and the growing sophistication of domestic robotics companies.

In this article, we explore the top 10 manufacturers of industrial robotic arms in China, examining their market presence, financial backing, and technological capabilities. [Read more…] about Top 10 Chinese industrial robotic arm manufacturers: The rise of robots in China

Eutect optimizes soldering and tinning processes using ‘modern automation concepts’

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Modern automation concepts from Eutect optimize existing soldering and tinning processes, offering companies in demanding industries, such as rail technology or green energy manufacturing, decisive advantages in terms of quality, cost reduction, efficiency and sustainability.

Matthias Fehrenbach, CEO of Eutect, says: “Companies that require the highest quality and efficiency benefit from our modern automation concepts for optimizing existing selective soldering and tinning processes.

“Manufacturers that have been producing products such as film capacitors or relays for rail technology for decades are increasingly looking for efficient, cycle-time-optimized and cost-reducing automation concepts We are noticing this quite clearly from the inquiries we are receiving.” [Read more…] about Eutect optimizes soldering and tinning processes using ‘modern automation concepts’

Top 10 autonomous truck companies: Powering into the future

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Autonomous trucks are one of the most exciting developments in any automotive category, in our opinion. The main reason we think this is because we can’t see autonomous cars being given permission by governments to operate freely on public roads.

Autonomous trucks, meanwhile, have already racked up many years of happy operating in the mining sector – and that is likely to grow, and maybe encompass moving non-mining materials and goods as well. This might need tweaks such as driving at night on lonely highways, but that’s not a problem if you’re not human, of course.

Whether you compare them to other segments or not, autonomous trucks are at the forefront of technological advancements in transportation. These vehicles are designed to navigate and operate without human intervention, and represent a paradigm shift in logistics, freight, and commercial transportation.

The journey toward autonomous trucking began with prototypes and pilot tests that challenged the boundaries of innovation.

The first autonomous truck to make headlines in this recent era – let’s say the past 10 to 15 years – was a prototype developed by Daimler Trucks, which successfully completed a public road test in Nevada in 2015. This milestone marked the start of widespread interest and investment in autonomous truck technology. [Read more…] about Top 10 autonomous truck companies: Powering into the future

Fusion Capital Partners acquires Tavoron

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Fusion Capital Partners, a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on engineered products and essential services businesses for industrial and commercial markets, has acquired Tavoron, a producer and supplier of industrial automation components, systems and services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Tavoron, comprised of multiple operating companies across the US and Canada, specializes in innovative electrical and air automation components, robotic systems and compressed air technologies.

The company’s solutions and services are designed to optimize manufacturing processes, improve production quality and enhance workplace safety, helping customers automate complex and repetitive tasks to increase efficiency. [Read more…] about Fusion Capital Partners acquires Tavoron

Kodiak partners with Atlas Energy to deliver 100 autonomous ‘RoboTruck’ loads

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Kodiak Robotics, an autonomous truck developer, and Atlas Energy Solutions say that Atlas has completed the delivery of 100 loads of proppant (a sand-like material used to keep fractures open in oil and gas wells) with its two RoboTrucks, semi-trucks equipped with the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak’s self-driving system.

This milestone marks the first time ever that a customer has taken ownership of a RoboTruck and launched driverless commercial semi-trucking operations.

The initial driverless operations, which were announced in July 2024, involved Kodiak delivering Atlas’s frac sand along a 21-mile off-road route in West Texas’s Permian Basin with Kodiak-owned driverless trucks. [Read more…] about Kodiak partners with Atlas Energy to deliver 100 autonomous ‘RoboTruck’ loads

LG acquires majority stake in Bear Robotics

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LG Electronics has taken a significant step in advancing its robotics capabilities by securing a majority stake in Bear Robotics, a prominent Silicon Valley-based startup specializing in AI-driven autonomous service robots.

This acquisition aligns with LG’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the robotics sector, a key growth area for the company.

LG’s board of directors exercised a call option in January to acquire an additional 30 percent stake in Bear Robotics.
[Read more…] about LG acquires majority stake in Bear Robotics

Festo celebrates its centenary: 100 years in the world of motion

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One hundred years on from its humble beginnings in Germany, creating added value for customers through innovation has been the driving force behind the family-owned company from the very beginning and remains the key to industrial automation specialist Festo’s success today.

With its constant determination to make people’s work easier and thus increase efficiency, Festo has shaped an entire era of industrial production.

Today, the company is a global player and a front runner in automation technology, as well as a world leader in technical education and training. Festo’s anniversary is being celebrated with employees, customers, and partners worldwide throughout the year. [Read more…] about Festo celebrates its centenary: 100 years in the world of motion

Matthews Automation Solutions invests in material handling specialist Freespace Robotics

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Freespace Robotics, an innovator in autonomous robotics for material handling and logistics, has agreed a strategic partnership and investment from the automation solutions business of Matthews International, a provider of warehouse automation software, controls, and order fulfillment systems.

This partnership combines Freespace Robotics’ groundbreaking high-density, dynamic storage cube with Matthews’ industry-leading software, unlocking transformative capabilities for warehouse and last-mile operations.

Freespace Robotics’ pioneering solution leverages advanced robotics to deliver high-turnover, small-footprint, high-rise AS/RS (Automate Storage and Retrieval System) technologies. [Read more…] about Matthews Automation Solutions invests in material handling specialist Freespace Robotics

Skycharger surpasses 500,000 charging sessions on its West Coast network

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Skycharger, a Skyview Ventures company, says its West Coast Highway Corridor Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) network has achieved the “remarkable milestone” of 500,000 charging sessions.

This achievement underscores the rapid acceleration of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and highlights Skycharger’s vital role in advancing sustainable transportation across the West Coast.

Johannes Copeland, COO at Skycharger, says: “Reaching the 500,000-session milestone is a testament to the rapid growth of the EV movement and the essential infrastructure that drives it. [Read more…] about Skycharger surpasses 500,000 charging sessions on its West Coast network