Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Berkeley spin-off Embodied Intelligence raises $7 million to build ‘teachable’ robots

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Leading researchers in artificial intelligence, deep learning, and reinforcement learning from OpenAI and UC Berkeley assemble to launch an ambitious new project

Embodied Intelligence, a startup established by AI researchers from the University of California Berkeley, and their partners at OpenAI, has raised $7 million in seed funding. 

The company says it is “striving to democratize robotics” by enabling anyone to teach a robot new skills.

The funding round was led by Amplify Partners with participation from Lux Capital, SV Angels, FreeS, 11.2 Capital and A.Capital.  [Read more…] about Berkeley spin-off Embodied Intelligence raises $7 million to build ‘teachable’ robots

Yamaha to develop remote management systems for industrial robots

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Yamaha is bringing together different parts of its global business in an effort to develop remote management system packages for industrial robots.  

Yamaha Motor and Yamaha Corporation say they have utilized the technology and experience of both to develop the packages, which are scheduled to be released in fiscal 2018.

This alliance enables Yamaha Motor to make what it describes as a “full-scale entry” into the IoT business in the factory automation field, say the companies.  [Read more…] about Yamaha to develop remote management systems for industrial robots

Mentor and TowerJazz provide ‘first commercial comprehensive suite of analog constraint checks for enhanced automotive reliability offering’

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Mentor, a Siemens business, and TowerJazz, the global specialty foundry leader, have launched a new suite of analog design constraint checks for the automotive sector.

The system includes checks such as device alignment, symmetry, orientation/parameter matching and more, and leverage the “delicate analog layout requirements and automotive reliability check templates available for use with the Calibre Perc platform”, says Mentor.

These checks are added to the already existing ESD (electrostatic discharge), CDM (charged-device model) and power management special checks that are available to mutual customers as part of the TowerJazz PDK offering.  [Read more…] about Mentor and TowerJazz provide ‘first commercial comprehensive suite of analog constraint checks for enhanced automotive reliability offering’

Logistics 4.0: Facing digitalization-driven disruption

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By Vincent Bamberger, Florent Nansé, Bernd Schreiber, and Michael Zintel, of Arthur D Little

In the past, legacy logistics players (LLPs) such as DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, DB Schenker, UPS and Nippon Express operated in a stable world, where efficiency, standardization and low cost were the keys to success.

However, digitalization has changed this focus, transforming the market.

New, digital-native entrants are better able to adapt to emerging imperatives such as agility, customer centricity and the need to constantly innovate.  [Read more…] about Logistics 4.0: Facing digitalization-driven disruption

Universal Robots and ARC Specialties launch MIG welding system at FabTech

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Universal Robots and ARC Specialties have launched their MIG welding system at FabTech 2017 in Chicago.

The companies say SnapWeld Collaborative Robotic Welding features “seamless hardware and software integration” through the Universal Robots+ product platform.

Universal says SnapWeld gives small job shops struggling with the budget, programming and space requirements of traditional welding robots an alternative solution.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots and ARC Specialties launch MIG welding system at FabTech

Yokogawa Electric launches new industrial automation and control solution

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Yokogawa Electric, a Japanese industrial equipment company with about $3.5 billion revenue a year, has launched a new automation and control solution.

Yokogawa says its new Synaptic Business Automation system is a new industrial automation and control business concept that “expresses the company’s commitment to working with its customers to sustain their creation of corporate value”.

Based on the ideals expressed in the Synaptic Business Automation concept, Yokogawa says it will help companies achieve a transformation in how they conduct their business.  [Read more…] about Yokogawa Electric launches new industrial automation and control solution

Lincoln Electric to expand automation manufacturing capabilities

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Lincoln Electric says it is planning to expand its automation manufacturing capabilities, with the enlargement of its facility at Wayne Trail, Ohio.

The Wayne Trail plant specialises in automated manufacturing solutions for metal forming, fabricating and metal joining processes.

Lincoln says the new investment “nearly doubles the facility’s size” to support larger-scale projects, future growth, and improved operational effectiveness.  [Read more…] about Lincoln Electric to expand automation manufacturing capabilities

Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

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Kuka Systems has received three major new systems contracts from “a leading manufacturer of premium vehicles in the US”, according to the company.

The projects comprise the engineering and construction of systems to build vehicles body structures in the USA and Mexico, says Kuka.

Kuka estimates the order value to be approximately $75 million, and says it was booked in the third quarter of 2017. Start of production is planned for mid-2019.  [Read more…] about Kuka wins ‘major’ contracts worth $75 million from US automotive manufacturer

Broadcom bids $130 billion to buy Qualcomm in what would be the largest-ever acquisition in technology sector

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Chipmaker Broadcom has proposed to buy Qualcomm and is willing to pay a massive $130 billion for the company. 

Qualcomm is yet to publicly respond to the offer, but Broadcomm has made outlined its offer in detail.

Broadcom is offering $70 per share to be received by Qualcomm stockholders which would consist of $60 in cash and $10 per share in Broadcom shares.  [Read more…] about Broadcom bids $130 billion to buy Qualcomm in what would be the largest-ever acquisition in technology sector