Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

You too can become a robot and live forever

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According to a futurologist, by 2050, humans will be able to integrate their brain or mind data into computers which can be encased in a humanoid robot and, thereby, live forever. 

Writing about “immortality” on his website, Dr ID Pearson talks about adding external computing capability to human brains.

This additional capability will keep increasing so that, “by around 2050, 99 per cent of your mind is running on external IT rather than in the meat-ware in your head”.  [Read more…] about You too can become a robot and live forever

Smart manufacturing platforms: Industrial giants face diverse competition

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Whether you call them IIoT platforms or smart manufacturing platforms, large industrial companies are finding themselves competing with each other but also new companies from different markets, specifically the computer tech world

Every factory is different. It’s in a different location, makes different things, and uses different methods and systems. 

However, every factory shares some aspects of its operation with every other factory.

At the base level, it obviously requires a building. That building needs to have power and other utilities supplied to it. The machinery – whether it includes robotics and automation equipment or not – these days, are more than likely connected to computing devices and the internet.  [Read more…] about Smart manufacturing platforms: Industrial giants face diverse competition

IMTS: Universal Robots to showcase its new e-Series collaborative robot for first time in the US

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Universal Robots is planning to showcase its new e-Series collaborative robot for the first time in the US at the IMTS industrial technology event.

The company says the new e-Series “sets a new standard for collaborative robots”, adding built-in force/torque sensing, “unrivaled” safety features, and improved precision for faster integration in a wider range of future-proofed applications.

Universal Robots is widely belived to have pioneered the collaborative robot and continues to evolve its ground-breaking, collaborative automation technology with the introduction of this new “flagship line”, the e-Series cobots.  [Read more…] about IMTS: Universal Robots to showcase its new e-Series collaborative robot for first time in the US

Xometry gives away 3D scanners in online competition

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On-demand manufacturing company Xometry is giving away a couple of 3D scanners in a competition which runs until August 15th. 

To enter the competition, all you have to do is upload a 3D CAD file to Xometry’s Instant Quoting Engine.

The first prize is an EinScan-SP 3D scanner, which has a retail price of around $2,200. The second prize is an EinScan-SE 3D scanner, which retails for approximately $1,300. Third prize is a 3DConnexion SpaceMouse Wireless Kit, worth $200.

Winners will be chosen through “sweepstakes”, says the company.

Xometry recently acquired MakeTime, which has “doubled” its network capacity to more than 2,300 shops.

einscan 3D scanner

It also raised $25 million in additional funding to expand the overall operation.

Automakers’ own predictions on when driverless cars will arrive

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New study by BDO shows when driverless cars will arrive – but does that matter?

Car companies, ride-hailing services and car industry technology suppliers each have their own prediction for when driverless cars will be ready to take to highways and city streets.

Audit and accounting company BDO carried out an analysis of the predictions and found that driverless cars will arrive: in early 2021.

There are some differences though. Averaging out the predictions, car companies think that driverless technology will be ready around 2 am on June 11th, 2021.

Ride-hailing services and technology suppliers are a bit more optimistic. They predict that driverless car technology will be ready by midnight, March 14th, 2020.  [Read more…] about Automakers’ own predictions on when driverless cars will arrive

Flying cars: A ‘near-term’ vision of a world where people get around in electric and autonomous cars and drones

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Airbus and the German car manufacturer Audi have teamed up to develop what they describe as “real, near-term urban mobility solutions”, which features electric and autonomous cars and drones – sometimes operating together as flying cars (main picture and video below).

Beginning this summer, Airbus – through its on-demand helicopter platform Voom – will partner with Audi to deliver an end-to-end transportation service, starting in São Paulo and Mexico City.

This partnership will provide premium ground transportation serviced by Audi vehicles and helicopter transport via Airbus’ Voom service, allowing customers to have a seamless and ultra-convenient travel experience.  [Read more…] about Flying cars: A ‘near-term’ vision of a world where people get around in electric and autonomous cars and drones

Cars of the future will be ‘self-driving and electric’

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NetworkNewsWire commentary

Self-driving and electric cars are poised to combine production efforts as both technologies mature.

Investment in self-driving vehicles is growing, leading to the emergence of specialist companies.

Electric cars are also on the rise, supported by the infrastructure of apps and charging points.  [Read more…] about Cars of the future will be ‘self-driving and electric’

Boston Dynamics prepares to unleash at least 1,000 of its robot dogs every year until the end of the world

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Boston Dynamics says it is preparing to unleash as many as 1,000 of its robot dogs into the world every year, according to a report on Inverse.com. 

We’ve called them robot dogs, but we actually don’t really know what these infernal machines are meant to resemble – dinosaurs from hell might be more accurate.

Boston Dynamics is the company which has been developing a wide range of canines and humanoids which are widely regarded as the scariest robots ever made outside of science fiction. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics prepares to unleash at least 1,000 of its robot dogs every year until the end of the world

Aerodynamics: Mercedes claims its new A-Class Sedan is the most aerodynamic car in the world

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Automakers are always looking to improve the aerodynamic quality of their vehicles and there is an ongoing competition to outdo each other in this area. 

Better aerodynamics have the benefit of making a car more fuel-efficient, but it can also mean that it goes faster.

Mercedes-Benz now claims that its new car is most aerodynamic in the world.  [Read more…] about Aerodynamics: Mercedes claims its new A-Class Sedan is the most aerodynamic car in the world

Rio Tinto makes first delivery of iron ore with ‘world’s largest robot’

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Mining giant Rio Tinto has achieved the first delivery of iron ore with what it describes as “the world’s largest robot”.

The company’s $940 million AutoHaul programme is focused on automating trains transporting iron ore to Rio Tinto’s port facilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Once commissioned, the network will be the world’s first heavy haul, long distance autonomous rail operation.  [Read more…] about Rio Tinto makes first delivery of iron ore with ‘world’s largest robot’