Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Asahi boss looks forward to ‘fully unmanned’ breweries

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The boss of one of the world’s largest beer, spirits, and soft drinks companies says he is looking forward to fully automated breweries in the future. 

Speaking at a Nikkei Global Management Forum, Naoki Izumiya, CEO of Asahi, said it’s no good crying into your beer about the effects of automation – that can only lead to self-destruction.

Izumiya says a “stubborn adherence” to traditional drinking strategies will not be enough to keep up with the competition.  [Read more…] about Asahi boss looks forward to ‘fully unmanned’ breweries

Commercial and industrial robotics market to see ‘rapid growth’ over the next eight years, says report

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The commercial and industrial robotics market is expected to see rapid growth over the next eight years, according to the latest forecasts from ABI Research.

Different research companies segment the robotics and automation industry in different ways, so it’s up to readers to decide how to piece together the various reports to build up a complete picture.

But according to ABI Research, what it calls the “commercial and industrial robotics market” will see revenues increase from $15 million in 2017 to over $48 million in 2025.  [Read more…] about Commercial and industrial robotics market to see ‘rapid growth’ over the next eight years, says report

SoftBank to invest $10 billion in Uber

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SoftBank is highly likely to go ahead with its plan to invest $10 billion in Uber, the ride-hailing app company, according to a report on CNet.com. 

An Uber representative quoted by CNet says: “We’ve entered into an agreement with a consortium led by SoftBank and Dragoneer on a potential investment.

“We believe this agreement is a strong vote of confidence in Uber’s long-term potential. Upon closing, it will help fuel our investments in technology and our continued expansion at home and abroad, while strengthening our corporate governance.”  [Read more…] about SoftBank to invest $10 billion in Uber

Kuka launches mobile app for monitoring its robots

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Kuka has launched a mobile app for monitoring its robots. 

The app – called Kuka Connect – is available for both iOS and Android platforms.

The company says the app features push notifications, which enables real-time fault discovery and the automation of routine maintenance scheduling.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches mobile app for monitoring its robots

Hanwha Techwin shows off its new collaborative robots

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Hanwha has been showing off its new collaborative robot, which it may utilise in its various automation projects going forward.

The company recently won a contract to provide a logistics automation facility for the Nexen Tire company’s planned factory in the Czech Republic.

Hanwha says it has made inroads into robotics because it had anticipated its importance.  [Read more…] about Hanwha Techwin shows off its new collaborative robots

Hanwha to build logistics automation facility for Nexen Tire’s Czech factory

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Hanwha has closed a deal on a $79.26 million project to build a logistics automation system and facility for Nexen Tire in the Czech Republic.

A major Nexen Tire Czech plant is being built in Zatec, 70 km northwest of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic.

The plant will serve as Nexen’s tire production base in Europe as the location lends itself to easy access to key markets in Europe including the UK, France, and Germany.   [Read more…] about Hanwha to build logistics automation facility for Nexen Tire’s Czech factory

Material Handling Systems acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems

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Material Handling Systems has acquired Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems.

MHS is a provider of advanced parcel sortation systems engineering and equipment. It has 115 employees and says it generates $1.2 billion revenue “from an installed base”.

Atronix is a controls systems integrator, while APS specialises in the engineering, design, and assembly of control panels.  [Read more…] about Material Handling Systems acquires Atronix Engineering and Advanced Production Systems

HCD buys majority stake in Robot System Products

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A Chinese company called Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Group has agreed a deal to become the majority shareholder in Robot System Products.

RSP is a Scandinavian company which specialises in manufacturing robotic tool changers.

The current owners of RSP will remain in the company to continue the development of industrial automation and robotics solutions. RSP will also keep the existed brands and operate independently.  [Read more…] about HCD buys majority stake in Robot System Products

Doosan confirms entry into collaborative robotics market, shows off new cobot

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South Korean industrial giant Doosan is expanding into the collaborative robot market, which it expects to grow “at a rapid rate on the back of the fourth industrial revolution”, and has revealed a new cobot which it has dubbed the M1013 (main picture).

The company established Doosan Robotics in 2015, and recruited what it says are the industry’s top researchers and developers to lead its research efforts.

In that time, Doosan Robotics has developed four collaborative robot models with its own in-house technology and exhibited them for the first time at Robot World 2017.  [Read more…] about Doosan confirms entry into collaborative robotics market, shows off new cobot

ABB opens new robotics plant in Thailand

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ABB has opened a new robotics facility in Thailand. 

Officially called ABB Robotics Machine-Tending Limited, or RMT for short, the business unit is set to produce machine-tending robotics, in Rayong Province, Thailand.

The opening ceremony was attended by Staffan Herrström, Sweden’s ambassador to Thailand, and Sirichote Singsa, who oversees ABB’s robotics and motion division in Thailand.  [Read more…] about ABB opens new robotics plant in Thailand