Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

Daimler offers vision of future cities built around autonomous vehicles

by

The Daimler and Benz Foundation is funding what it says is a new interdisciplinary research project which looks at the possible effects of autonomous driving on European cities.

The Foundation says the project is aimed at answering the question: How will autonomous vehicles shape the cities of the future?

Formally entitled “Avenue 21 – Autonomous Transport: Developments in Urban Europe”, the Foundation’s team of scientists is examining the question of how European cities will evolve through autonomous driving – and the influence of urban structures on the development of autonomous traffic.  [Read more…] about Daimler offers vision of future cities built around autonomous vehicles

SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

by

Company says its new, “multi-million-dollar” European plant enhances process equipment manufacturing capability 

SPX Flow has expanded its manufacturing capability in Europe.

The company – which offers an extensive range of hygienic valves, plate heat exchangers, pumps, homogenizers and process systems designed for use in dairy, food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care production – says the expansion is part of its “continued commitment to excel in service, quality and delivery”.

The new SPX flow facility in central Europe is designed for “manufacturing excellence” in terms of efficient production of high quality products with reliable and competitive lead times, says the company.  [Read more…] about SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

by

 

Nick Boughton, sales manager of Boulting Technology, discusses the challenges connectivity poses for industry, particularly with regard to systems integration and the water industry

Our world is getting smaller every day.

Never before have remote locations been more accessible thanks to communications technology, smartphones and the internet.

Connected devices have infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including the most traditional industry sectors.

One question industry has been unsuccessful in answering refers to the number of connected devices that exist in the world at the moment. Gartner says that by 2020, the Internet of Things will have grown to more than 26 billion units.  [Read more…] about Industrial internet: The latest trends and challenges in systems integration

Piaggio, maker of Vespa, launches mobile robot as part of its newly created robotics-oriented business unit

by

piaggio gita
Gita, the object-carrying mobile robot from Piaggio, being driven round the bend

Piaggio, the company behind the iconic Vespa motor bikes, is launching a cylindrical mobile robot with a carrying capacity of 40 lb 

Piaggio Group, which claims to be the largest European manufacturer of two-wheel motor vehicles such as the famous Vespa, has launched Piaggio Fast Forward, a newly-established company based in the US formed to pioneer future robotics-oriented technology.

Piaggio was founded over 130 years ago, but the company says its new division is aiming to “fundamentally rethinking the movement of people and goods”.

Michele Colaninno, chairman of PFF, says: “We have established Piaggio Fast Forward to reinvent the future of mobility and this is best accomplished with PFF as a separate entity, but with the backing and experience of the Piaggio Group. You can expect to find Piaggio Fast Forward blurring the lines between transportation, robotics, and urban environments.”  [Read more…] about Piaggio, maker of Vespa, launches mobile robot as part of its newly created robotics-oriented business unit

Energy efficiency: The industrial sector can do much more, say experts

by

A coal power plant in Datteln, Germany
A coal power plant in Datteln, Germany. Picture courtesy of Arnold Paul

In this article by Hannover Messe, experts say the industrial sector has more potential to save on energy costs

Six out of ten companies are satisfied with the results of their most recent energy efficiency measures according to the energy efficiency index EEI’s winter evaluation.

The Institute for Energy Efficiency in Production at the University of Stuttgart surveys the German industry’s ongoing and planned activities regarding energy efficiency every six months.

“The latest information campaign from the German Ministry of Economics, is correct and will remain enormously important,” says the director of EEP Professor Alexander Sauer. “Ignorance continues to be a major obstacle.”   [Read more…] about Energy efficiency: The industrial sector can do much more, say experts

Audi demonstrates autonomous driving tech with AI

by

Audi has been showcasing its latest innovations in autonomous driving in collaboration with Nvidia. 

The auto giant and chip maker call the system “piloted driving with artificial intelligence.

Audi says AI is a “key technology” for piloted driving, which is why the company has form what it says are strong partnerships in the electronics industry and is jointly developing “game-changing know-how” in the field of machine learning.  [Read more…] about Audi demonstrates autonomous driving tech with AI

From virtual space to outer space: Siemens shows off its PLM client list

by

Land Rover BAR america's cup yacht
Land Rover BAR design team uses NX, Teamcenter, Femap, Fiberism and Star-CCM+ to develop this innovative racing catamaran to bring the America’s Cup back to Britain.

Siemens has been showcasing some of the prestigious projects the company’s product lifecycle management software is being used for – and they include space and maritime projects

Whether it’s space taxis or passenger cars, America’s Cup yachts or Formula 1 race cars, products are more complex, smarter and more connected than ever before. Product Lifecycle Management software helps manufacturers transform their operations into digital enterprises and lead the way – with smarter products and smarter machines making them.

The world’s fastest Space Utility Vehicle will have to be able to withstand a lot.

When plying its standard route between the Earth and the International Space Station, which circles the Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles, transporting cargo there and back, it will do more than merely travel at over 17,000 mph (Mach 25).  [Read more…] about From virtual space to outer space: Siemens shows off its PLM client list

Tata robotics unit launches new industrial robot

by

The new TAL Brabo industrial robot
The new TAL Brabo industrial robot

TAL Manufacturing Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, has launched a new industrial robot.

The compact Brabo 2kg payload range of industrial articulated robot was unveiled at the Imtex 2017 a couple of days ago.

The company says the launch of Brabo heralds a phenomena it calls “robolution”, adding that industrial Rrobotics will take a “quantum leap” with the TAL Brabo expanding its robot line-up to cater to original equipment manufacturers, as well as medium and small enterprises.  [Read more…] about Tata robotics unit launches new industrial robot

‘Fifty per cent of S&P 500 firms could be replaced in 10 years’

by

deloitte industry 4 image

One of the world’s largest business consultancy firms says many of the largest companies we know today will probably be overtaken by new corporate giants within a decade. 

In a report into what’s being called the “fourth industrial revolution”, Deloitte says: “About 50 percent of S&P 500 firms will likely be replaced over the next 10 years due to new digital disruptors and inability of established firms to reinvent themselves.”

The consultancy adds: “How companies choose to evolve, explore new avenues for growth, and better engage their customers can make the difference between thriving and extinction.”  [Read more…] about ‘Fifty per cent of S&P 500 firms could be replaced in 10 years’

Smart factories to drive industrial robot market, says report

by

An increasing number of industrial robots will find their way into factoring which themselves will be more well-connected, according to a new report. 

The industrial internet of things will “catalyze new business models, adoption of industrial robotics, and return on investment”, says Frost & Sullivan’s industrial automation and process control team.

Driven by the IIoT, the global market for robotics in manufacturing is steadily gathering pace, according to the study.  [Read more…] about Smart factories to drive industrial robot market, says report