Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Russians demonstrate robocop for security work

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It’s probably not the best time for the Russians to be unveiling a “robocop”, what with all the paranoia about Russians meddling in previous US elections and influencing candidates for future ones, but that is what a Perm-based company called PromoBot has done, according to Daily Star. 

The authoritative news outlet, which mainly features pictures if buxom women on its home page, says the new Russian robotic cop will be used for fingerprinting and background checks.

However, since it’s a humanoid robot, it’s flexible enough to be reconfigured for a variety of uses, including carrying firearms. [Read more…] about Russians demonstrate robocop for security work

Continental opens new tire plant in Mississippi

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Continental, technology company and manufacturer of premium tires, celebrated what it describes as “a major milestone” for its new tire plant near Clinton, Mississippi, with a grand opening ceremony last week.

The celebration marks the completion of the construction process, which began in 2016. Approximately 300 guests, including state and local officials, along with community members, customers, and suppliers as well as 250 Continental employees joined the event.

The new plant is located on a 1,000-acre greenfield site in Clinton, close to Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, United States. [Read more…] about Continental opens new tire plant in Mississippi

Teradyne doubles down on mobile robots with AutoGuide acquisition

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By Ash Sharma, research director, robotics, Interact Analysis

Teradyne this week announced that it would be acquiring mobile robot vendor AutoGuide Mobile Robots for $165 million.

This announcement comes 18 months after it acquired autonomous mobile robot vendor Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) for $148 million, illustrating its ambitions in the sector.

AutoGuide had revenues of just $4 million in 2018. However, the combined mobile robot business would place Teradyne as a top 15 vendor. [Read more…] about Teradyne doubles down on mobile robots with AutoGuide acquisition

Teradyne to acquire AutoGuide Mobile Robots for $165 million

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Teradyne is again strengthening its position in the robotics and automation market with another acquisition after already buying Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots. 

Teradyne and AutoGuide Mobile Robots have entered into a definitive agreement under which Teradyne will acquire privately held AutoGuide for $165 million – $58 million net of cash acquired plus $107 million if certain performance targets are met extending potentially through 2022.

The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. [Read more…] about Teradyne to acquire AutoGuide Mobile Robots for $165 million

‘Trillions of billions’ of alien robots near Earth and about to invade

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A staggering “trillions of billions” of alien robots could be about to invade Earth, according to a credible and down-to-earth astrophysicist.

And because they are likely to be self-replicating alien robots, they could overwhelm our planet with some unimaginable numbers.

This terrifying prospect is being reported by Fox News, which quotes Zaza Osmanov, of Georgia’s University of Tbilisi. [Read more…] about ‘Trillions of billions’ of alien robots near Earth and about to invade

Fanuc opens new robotics and automation facility

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Fanuc America is planning to open a new 461,000 square-foot North Campus robotics and automation facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The world’s largest industrial robot supplier will hold a grand opening celebration for the new centre later today.

Fanuc has invited customers, local officials, educators, suppliers, and the media to an official program, ribbon-cutting ceremony and facility tour. [Read more…] about Fanuc opens new robotics and automation facility

Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

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Stäubli has released a line of five new collaborative robots based on the TX2 industrial robots, claiming they are the “world’s safest, most collaborative cobots”.

The company says the new cobots “offer exceptional productivity and the safest man–machine collaboration on the market”.

The TX2touch is the only cobot with the SIL3/PLe safety level. It can handle loads of up to 20 kg and is equipped with a highly responsive skin system. [Read more…] about Stäubli launches new range of collaborative robots

Rethink Robotics launches Sawyer Black Edition

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Rethink Robotics, which is now part of the Hahn Group, has launched a new version of its collaborative robot, Sawyer.

The Sawyer Black Edition is now available for pre-order and will be presented for the first time at K 2019 in Düsseldorf.

The new hardware update comes one year after the takeover of Rethink Robotics’ assets by Hahn Group. [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics launches Sawyer Black Edition

Realtime Robotics raises $18 million Series A funding

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Realtime Robotics, a provider of responsive motion planning for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, says it has raised $11.7 million in Series A funding.

The round was led by Sparx Asset Management, and included participation from Mitsubishi Electric, Hyundai, and Omron Ventures, alongside existing investors Toyota AI Ventures, Scrum Ventures, and the Duke Angel Network.

The new capital will be used to accelerate the development of more commercial product releases and expand the team to support key customers and partners across the globe. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics raises $18 million Series A funding

Universal Robots powers Vectis Automation’s new collaborative robot welding tool

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Vectis Automation has chosen Universal Robots’ UR10e cobot to power the Vectis Cobot Welding Tool launching at FabTech 2019 in Chicago. 

The company says its robotic welding tool gives smaller weld shops a low-risk, low-cost solution to increase weld capacity, quality and stability.

Vectis is Latin for leverage. Leverage now extended to manufacturers seeking an easy answer to increase welding productivity amid the ongoing shortage of skilled labor. [Read more…] about Universal Robots powers Vectis Automation’s new collaborative robot welding tool