Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

European Commission to accelerate intra-factory logistics for small businesses

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The European Commission is to accelerate the automation of intra-factory logistics of small and medium enterprises, through a project called Logistics for Manufacturing SMEs, or L4MS.

The EC says L4MS will “completely digitalize logistics automation in factories”.

Initially, the plan was for L4MS to conceive three pilots and 20 cross-border application experiments to demonstrate “highly autonomous, configurable and hybrid, or human-robot, logistics solutions”, driven by the business needs of the manufacturing SMEs and mid-caps.  [Read more…] about European Commission to accelerate intra-factory logistics for small businesses

Robotics and automation to replace 800 million human workers by 2030, says new report

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The global effects of robotics and automation technologies is forecast to include the removal of as many as 800 million people from their jobs by 2030, according to a new report. Seventy million of them will be in the US. 

McKinsey, the consultancy firm which conducted the research, says the development of automation technologies is “sparked much public concern”.

In its report, Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained: Workforce Transitions in a Time of Automation, McKinsey Global Institute says that, while automation is not a new phenomenon and fears surrounding its effects date back centuries, the situation seems different now.  [Read more…] about Robotics and automation to replace 800 million human workers by 2030, says new report

Bleum launches warehouse and logistics robotic system

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A company called Bleum has unveiled its integrated warehouse robotics solution at the grand opening of its new showroom in Denver, Colorado. 

Bleum says that logistics robots are able to deliver cost savings of 70 per cent or more for warehouse operations, adding that the market is expected to grow to $22.4 billion by 2021.

The company says early adopters of logistics robots have found their “benefits extend beyond cost savings”, enabling greater agility to scale up and down operations to meet the ebbs and flows of demand, and significantly improve the speed and throughput of distribution centers.  [Read more…] about Bleum launches warehouse and logistics robotic system

Suning launches ‘basically unmanned’ automated warehouse with plans to use 1,000 robots

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A company called Suning Commerce Group has unveiled its automated warehouse (video below) as part of what it calls its “smart retail” strategy.

Suning is a Fortune Global 500 company owned by Suning Holdings Group.

The company has put its automated guided vehicle warehouse into service in Fengxian District, Shanghai, “boosting its capabilities in the field of smart logistics”, according to Suning.  [Read more…] about Suning launches ‘basically unmanned’ automated warehouse with plans to use 1,000 robots

B&R integrates image processing into its automation solutions

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B&R has made machine vision an integral element of its automation ecosystem.

B&R has introduced what it claims is the world’s first image processing solution to be seamlessly incorporated in the automation system.

The solution comprises cameras, software and lighting accessories.  [Read more…] about B&R integrates image processing into its automation solutions

Rohm supplies silicon carbide power modules to Formula E racing team Venturi

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Rohm Semiconductor is providing the full SiC [silicon carbide] power modules to the Venturi Formula E team in the FIA Formula E 2017–2018.

Probably the only racing series for electric vehicles in the world, and very likely the largest, the Formula E competition started in the last couple of days in Hong Kong.

The module Rohm is supplying will support further improvements in the car’s performance under racing conditions.  [Read more…] about Rohm supplies silicon carbide power modules to Formula E racing team Venturi

Iconics launches IoTWorX with support for multiple operating systems and device management

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A company called Iconics has launched its IoTWorX industrial internet of things software automation suite.

The platform is said to have support for multiple operating systems including Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and IoT Core, as well as a variety of Linux embedded operating systems including Ubuntu and Raspbian.

With HMI / SCADA, analytics, and mobile solutions running in the cloud, Iconics says it offers manufacturers and facility managers several key IIoT technologies, including rich connectivity, secure cloud communications, and built-in real-time visualization and analytics.  [Read more…] about Iconics launches IoTWorX with support for multiple operating systems and device management

Fanuc launches new SCARA robots

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Fanuc has launched a new range of SCARA robots. (See pictures and video below.)

Fanuc says its new SCARA robots represent the next level of speed and precision for assembly and material handling applications.

Fanuc, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNC and factory automation introduced the new SR-3iA and SR-6iA SCARA robots at the International Robot Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo, Japan.

Fanuc’s new SCARA robots feature high-speed, precise operation for pick and place, assembly, testing / inspection and packaging processes in a wide range of industries including consumer electronics, auto component, plastics, food and beverage, lab automation, appliances and medical device manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new SCARA robots

Fanuc marks production of 500,000th industrial robot

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Fanuc has produced half a million robots, and plans to nearly double its robot production capacity in 2018

Fanuc, the world’s leading supplier of robotics, CNC and factory automation has announced the production of its 500,000th robot.

Mike Cicco, president and CEO, Fanuc America, says: “Automation and robotics are key drivers of manufacturing competitiveness.

“More companies are using automation to overcome inefficiencies, lower costs, increase productivity, and gain market share.  [Read more…] about Fanuc marks production of 500,000th industrial robot

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens launch electric hybrid plane

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Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have teamed up to for what they call an “electric future partnership”, and have launched the E-Fan X hybrid-electric flight demonstrator

The electric revolution shows no sign of cutting out. Indeed it is accelerating and intensifying. 

New electric planes may mean quieter skies and fewer complaints from people living near airports.

Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens have formed a partnership which aims at developing a near-term flight demonstrator which they say will be “a significant step forward in hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft”. (See picture and infographic below.) [Read more…] about Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens launch electric hybrid plane