Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Hydro-Québec unveils LineRanger robot for checking live electric power lines

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Hydro-Québec has launched what the company describes as “a new milestone in the development of power line inspection robots”. (See video below.)

The company has unveiled a functional prototype of its new robotic platform, the LineRanger, for the checking of overhead power lines.

The robot, developed by Hydro-Québec’s research institute (IREQ) in Varennes, is a new technological solution for the inspection of conductor bundles on high-voltage transmission lines.  [Read more…] about Hydro-Québec unveils LineRanger robot for checking live electric power lines

Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry

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The automotive industry’s demand for industrial robots is forecast to treble in the next seven years, according to a new report. 

The auto industry has always been the biggest buyer of industrial robots, accounting for almost half of all units sold in North America, according to the International Federation of Robotics.

Now, a forecast by Grand View Research suggests the automotive robotics market will grow to $13.6 billion by 2025.  [Read more…] about Demand for industrial robots to treble in automotive industry

European scientists show off humanoid robot that can put out fires

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Scientists in Europe have demonstrated a humanoid robot which can put out fires and do similar kinds of dangerous work in the aftermath of an industrial accident. (See video below.)

The research project was led by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, and was conducted in collaboration with University of Pisa in Italy, the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany and the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

The humanoid robot is called Walk-Man, and was funded within a project of the same name by the European Union through the European Commission.  [Read more…] about European scientists show off humanoid robot that can put out fires

Faurecia to build $60 million manufacturing facility in Kansas City

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Car interiors manufacturer Faurecia is to build a $60 million, 250,000 sq ft facility in Kansas City. 

The company says the new factory will create 300 jobs.

Tim Cowden, president and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council, says: “Kansas City offers a strong competitive advantage to growing manufacturing operations, particularly in the automotive industry.

“We are very proud to welcome Faurecia to our robust automotive cluster and look forward to the company’s success in our region.”  [Read more…] about Faurecia to build $60 million manufacturing facility in Kansas City

Robotic clones of dead family members on the way

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Swedish scientists are developing robotic clones to replace family members who have died, according to a report on Sputnik News.

It might sound macabre to some, but to others, it might seem a natural thing to want to hold on to whatever they can of loved ones they have lost.

Sputnik cites a report in Dagen daily which adds that the scientists plan to use artificial intelligence to make the androids speak like the dead people they replace, using their voices and mannerisms.  [Read more…] about Robotic clones of dead family members on the way

LG buys 10 per cent of Robotis for $8.5 million

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South Korean electronics giant LG has acquired a 10.12 per cent stake in Robotis, according to the Korea Herald. 

The website reports that LG paid $8.5 million for a share of Robotis, which is also a South Korean company.

Robotis develops a while range of robotics technologies, including robotic controllers and sensor modules.  [Read more…] about LG buys 10 per cent of Robotis for $8.5 million

Alien robot to visit International Space Station

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The International Space Station is to receive a visit from an alien robot called Cimon, pronounced Kimon, from Planet Earth. 

Cimon – Crew Interactive Mobile CompanioN – was developed by Airbus in cooperation with IBM, and is described as an artificial intelligence-based assistant for astronauts for the DLR, or German, Space Administration.

The technology demonstrator, which is the size of a medicine ball and weighs around 5 kg, will be tested on the ISS by Alexander Gerst during the European Space Agency’s Horizons mission between June and October 2018. [Read more…] about Alien robot to visit International Space Station

Hanwha partners with PBA Group to open collaborative robot production facility in Singapore

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Hanwha Robotics, part of the South Korean industrial giant Hanwha Group, is partnering with engineering company PBA Group to open a collaborative robot production facility in Singapore. 

The facility will be located at Yishun Industrial Park on the tiny island city-state, according to ChannelNewsAsia.com.

PBA is a Singaporean company and has also reached an agreement with local engineering giant ST Kinetics – part of the group which recently bought Aethon – covering a wide range of activities relating to robotics and automation projects.  [Read more…] about Hanwha partners with PBA Group to open collaborative robot production facility in Singapore

Humanoid robots will take over the world, claims industry group

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Your home is in line to be taken over by a humanoid robot, if the views of an industry group are anything to go by. 

Roboticists and technologies have long dreamed of building humanoids capable of moving around the house and doing chores just like the average human.

And although they look to be many years away from releasing humanoids as capable as the ones routinely seen in science fiction films and television shows, the scientists are not giving up.  [Read more…] about Humanoid robots will take over the world, claims industry group

Thailand’s SSI Steel looking to increase investment in robotics and automation technologies

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Thailand’s largest steelmaker, Sahaviriya Steel Industries, is looking to increase its investment in robotics and automation technologies. 

In exclusive comments to Robotics and Automation News, the company’s vice president, Ratchata Jirachotekamjorn, said SSI Steel is looking to gain efficiencies and increase productivity through the use of robotics and automation as well as the latest machine-to-machine technologies.

“The predictive maintenance capabilities are of special interest,” said Jirachotekamjorn.  [Read more…] about Thailand’s SSI Steel looking to increase investment in robotics and automation technologies