Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Automated driving hype is ‘dangerously confusing drivers’

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Research by Europe’s leading road safety organisation shows that 71 percent of drivers around the world believe they can purchase a self-driving car right now.

The astonishing finding is just one of many worrying perceptions uncovered by the study, which also showed that one in 10 drivers would be tempted to have a nap while using a so-called “Highway Assist” system, such as Adaptive Cruise Control.

The TestingAutomation study, commissioned by Thatcham Research, Euro NCAP and Global NCAP, has discovered potentially dangerous false impressions around the apparent self-driving capability of new cars and the safe usage of Highway Assist technologies.  [Read more…] about Automated driving hype is ‘dangerously confusing drivers’

Global industrial robot sales doubled over the past five years, says IFR

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The International Federation of Robotics has released its annual World Robotics Report at a press conference at the World Robot Summit in Tokyo.

One of the main findings of the report is that global industrial robot sales have doubled over the past five years.

Another is that a new record high of 381,000 units were shipped globally in 2017 – an increase of 30 percent compared to the previous year.

The sales value increased by 21 percent compared to 2016 to a new peak of $16.2 billion in 2017.

The World Robotics Report which is published every year by the IFR was presented during a press conference held by the IFR at the bi-annual World Robot Summit which currently takes place in Tokyo.  [Read more…] about Global industrial robot sales doubled over the past five years, says IFR

Honeywell partners with Fetch Robotics to deliver autonomous mobile robots to distribution centers

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Honeywell Intelligrated has agreed a strategic collaboration with Fetch Robotics to provide distribution centers with autonomous mobile robots to help them more effectively fulfill growing volumes of e-commerce orders.

The initiative enables Honeywell Intelligrated’s customers to increase productivity and boost labor efficiency by deploying Fetch Robotics’ autonomous mobile robotics, which operate safely alongside people to transport items through distribution centers without human guidance or fixed paths.

By adding this offering to its smart robotics portfolio, Honeywell Intelligrated can provide customers with a range of flexible automation solutions that can be tailored to address current and future operational needs.  [Read more…] about Honeywell partners with Fetch Robotics to deliver autonomous mobile robots to distribution centers

Honeywell Intelligrated demonstrates connected palletizing solutions at Pack Expo

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Honeywell Intelligrated is showcasing its connected solutions for automated palletizing equipment in end-of-line manufacturing environments at Pack Expo International in booth S-2560.

By leveraging data from machine-level sensors, the company provides real-time equipment monitoring, diagnostics and asset-level insights to boost reliability, throughput and performance.

These connected solutions analyze real-time and historic data to detect equipment conditions that could impact performance – such as excess motor vibration, temperature fluctuations or underutilization trends – and provide real-time alerts to help fix critical issues before they affect the entire production process.  [Read more…] about Honeywell Intelligrated demonstrates connected palletizing solutions at Pack Expo

ABB launches new robotic systems for food and beverage industry at PackExpo

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ABB is launching a new “Food & Beverage Assessment Portfolio” at the Pack Expo event, which is taking place now in Chicago, USA. 

The company says the robotic systems it is showcasing are aimed at helping food and beverage manufacturers improve processes and reduce production costs by giving them a better understanding of their plant, from power to automation to digital readiness.

ABB says it will highlight its “assessment services and expertise” in booth N-4930 at the event.  [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic systems for food and beverage industry at PackExpo

ABB launches new ceiling-mountable SCARA robot

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ABB has launched its new invert-mounted IRB 910INV SCARA robot, the latest addition to its SCARA range, at the China International Industry Fair 2018 held in Shanghai.

By mounting the IRB 910INV on the ceiling, ABB says manufacturers can increase the space efficiency and flexibility of each cell and do more complex tasks even in confined spaces.

The company adds that ceiling mounting also allows the IRB 910INV to collaborate with other robots and machines simultaneously in the same footprint, further boosting productivity.  [Read more…] about ABB launches new ceiling-mountable SCARA robot

Epson to launch new industrial robot solutions at Pack Expo

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Epson Robots says it will be launching the Synthis T6 All-in-One SCARA robot as well as Force Guide, a high performance integrated force guidance solution at the Pack Expo event.

The company will also showcase various leading robots for factory automation in addition to leading a discussion for users new to factory automation.

Epson says the Synthis T3 and new T6 All-in-One SCARA robots offer “the perfect way to automate factories without wasting time or money on expensive, complex, slide-based solutions”.  [Read more…] about Epson to launch new industrial robot solutions at Pack Expo

Sequent Microsystems launches new Raspberry Pi card for industrial automation

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Sequent Microsystems, a tech startup from Cupertino, California, has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new industrial expansion card for the Raspberry Pi platform.

The company says the I/O card is “loaded with inputs, outputs, and relays, the card challenges the traditional industrial automation market in features and cost”.

According to the Kickstarter page, the card attempts to integrate as many Industrial Automation functions as possible into the small, credit card format of the Raspberry Pi.  [Read more…] about Sequent Microsystems launches new Raspberry Pi card for industrial automation

FactoryFour raises $5 million for manufacturing management software business

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Startup company FactoryFour has raised $5 million for its manufacturing management software business.

The company says the Series A round will help it provide more manufacturers with software to manage production the way they want to, with “full customizability”.

The round, led by August Capital with Refactor reinvesting after leading the seed round, will help add headcount, improve and broaden the product suite, and establish a West Coast foothold in Los Angeles, California.  [Read more…] about FactoryFour raises $5 million for manufacturing management software business

BlueBotics teams up with Forestay Capital in pursuit of new international growth surge

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BlueBotics, a provider of navigation systems for robots, has teamed up with Forestay Capital in pursuit of new international growth surge.

BlueBotics says Forestay Capital, a tech fund that launched earlier this year, has acquired capital in the company, providing the “impetus for international expansion”.

BlueBotics, which is based in St Sulpice, Switzerland, develops and sells navigation technologies for industrial vehicle automation.  [Read more…] about BlueBotics teams up with Forestay Capital in pursuit of new international growth surge