Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Autonomous truck startup raises $30 million

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Autonomous truck startup Embark has raised $30 million in new funding, bring the total to $47 million, according to a report on the Forbes website. 

The company recently completed a US coast-to-coast test run of its driverless truck. Towards the end of last year, the company also partnered with Frigidaire, and Ryder, on a pilot test.

The market for autonomous trucks is believed to be potentially huge, and many companies are developing the technology (see our feature). [Read more…] about Autonomous truck startup raises $30 million

Yanmar launches new autonomous tractors

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A Japanese company called Yanmar has launched a couple of new autonomous tractors which it says will help farmers save time and money.

The vehicles are set to be on sale from October and cost around $97,000 to $127,000 each.

Autonomous farm machines were once the subject of science fiction, but Yanmar has made them a reality with the introduction of its new “2-Series” tractors.  [Read more…] about Yanmar launches new autonomous tractors

Steel market: Automakers exploring new materials to make vehicles lighter

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Automotive manufacturers are exploring a variety of new methods and materials which will enable them to produce vehicles that are stronger, lighter, and more suited to what many believe will be an autonomous and electric driving culture of the future.

While many may have heard of carbon-fiber and similarly exotic-sounding and expensive materials, what is probably more likely is that heavier iron parts will be replaced with steel, and steel parts will be replaced with whatever is lighter than that – plastics, perhaps, or new, lighter types of steel.

One new type of steel that is currently being discussed widely is referred to as “advanced high-strength steel”, or AHSS.  [Read more…] about Steel market: Automakers exploring new materials to make vehicles lighter

Hidden meanings: Using artificial intelligence to translate ancient texts

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The ancient world is full of mystery. Many mysteries, in fact. Many mysteries indeed. 

Who built the monolithic and megalithic structures found all over the world? Why did they build them? How did they build them? What technology did they use?

And perhaps most importantly from the point of view answering all the other questions: Where are the texts that the builders produced?

We assume that if the ancients were capable of building structures that modern humans cannot replicate even now with the latest technology, they must have been a literate civilization which recorded and stored information.  [Read more…] about Hidden meanings: Using artificial intelligence to translate ancient texts

Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

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The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is developing what it says will be the “next generation of industrial robots”, which integrate new kinematics for milling, customized, high-precision manufacturing

Manufacturers generally must offer high-quality products at low prices in order to remain competitive.

In a bid to provide the production technologies they will require, three Fraunhofer Institute teams are working together on what they say is “the next generation of industrial robots which will facilitate cost-effective production processes”.

The researchers are focusing on developing a new kinematics for milling lightweight materials, metals, and steels. The aim: achieving a production tolerance of just 0.1 millimeters all over the robot workspace starting with the very first component.  [Read more…] about Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

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Contec Americas has decided to invest $6.3 million into an expansion program in the US, which includes spending on new headquarters location in Melbourne, Florida.

The company says the decisions are being driven by “rapid growth” in the industrial internet of things market and record sales.

Contec is a technology design, manufacturing, and integration company.  [Read more…] about Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

Automation integrator JMP Solutions awarded by Fanuc

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JMP Solutions, an independent robotic systems integrator, has received three prestigious awards at the Fanuc America Authorized Systems Integrator Conference and Awards Gala in Clearwater, Florida.

JMP’s automation and robotics division received three awards:

  • the Growth Award was presented for outstanding growth of robot sales;
  • the Sales Leadership Award recognized JMP’s exemplary level of sales; and
  • the Excellence in Intelligent Robotics Award recognizes sales leadership of intelligent products.

Ken McLaughlin, general manager of JMP’s automation and robotics division, says: “Since JMP entered the Fanuc Authorized System Integrator program in 2009, we’ve enjoyed a strong relationship built on trust and collaboration.  [Read more…] about Automation integrator JMP Solutions awarded by Fanuc

Power grid: Integrating large-scale battery energy into the electricity network

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One of the most challenging issues for power grids is energy storage. The ability to store energy would enable the supply of uninterrupted electricity to customers, but battery technology has been too expensive or not good enough – until now, with all the electric cars on the roads. Claude Olsen, of Gemini.no, explains

Batteries have become so cheap that they can be used for more than just smartphones and electric cars. Now, national electricity network companies will use them to stabilize the power grid.

In the Norwegian city of Skien, the Odds football stadium Skagerak Arena will, next year, be almost self-sufficient with electricity from 5,000 square meters of solar cells on the roof.

However, since the big peak in power consumption is on the day of the match, the energy produced on the other weekdays must be stored in large batteries.  [Read more…] about Power grid: Integrating large-scale battery energy into the electricity network

Apttus to integrate Siemens product lifecycle management technology to offer greater customization

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Apttus, a software company which specializes in business processes such as quotes and sales, says it will integrate product lifecycle management technology from Siemens within its offering.

The integrated solution will provide customers with unique, end-to-end “Configure Price Quote” solution capabilities that better serve the full breadth of complex use cases, across the spectrum of Configure-to-Order, to custom, Engineer-to-Order.

By leveraging Siemens’ capabilities, such as PLM, 3D visualization, product configuration and design automation, Apttus CPQ is poised to address the most challenging manufacturing industry requirements.  [Read more…] about Apttus to integrate Siemens product lifecycle management technology to offer greater customization

United Technologies to invest $15 billion in US over next five years

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United Technologies says it plans to hire 35,000 people and make investments of more than $15 billion in research and development and capital expenditures in the United States over the next five years.

The company also launched a dedicated site to highlight its investments in the US: www.utcinvestingintheusa.com.

Gregory J. Hayes, chairman & CEO, United Technologies Corporation, says: “United Technologies is growing globally and growing the fastest in the United States.  [Read more…] about United Technologies to invest $15 billion in US over next five years