Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Komatsu agrees acquisition of forestry machine manufacturer TimberPro

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Komatsu America has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TimberPro.

The acquisition is expected to close on 1st April 2019, subject to completion of the closing conditions.

Established in 2002, TimberPro is a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of purpose-built forest machines and attachments, offering tracked feller bunchers and harvesters, forwarders, wheeled harvesters, and felling heads.

Rod Schrader, CEO, Komatsu America, says: “Acquiring TimberPro will strengthen the company’s position in the full-tree-length market and enables us to offer a highly competitive range of products for professional logging.”

Honda begins operation at new automobile production plant in Brazil

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Honda Automoveis do Brasil, the Honda subsidiary in Brazil, has started operation at its new automobile plant in the city of Itirapina in the state of São Paulo.

Honda had last year announced a plan to restructure its automobile production operations to strengthen the foundation of its automobile business.

In line with that plan, Honda began operation at its new automobile production plant in recent weeks, with the Honda Fit the first model produced at the plant.  [Read more…] about Honda begins operation at new automobile production plant in Brazil

GM to invest $300 million and add 400 jobs at Michigan plant

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General Motors is investing $300 million in its Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant to produce a new Chevrolet electric vehicle that will bring 400 new jobs to the Orion plant.

The investment is part of GM’s new commitment to invest a total of $1.8 billion in its United States manufacturing operations, creating 700 new jobs and supporting 28,000 jobs across six states.

The new Chevrolet electric vehicle is in addition to the existing Chevrolet Bolt EV, further advancing GM’s commitment to an all-electric future.  [Read more…] about GM to invest $300 million and add 400 jobs at Michigan plant

Octopuz to demonstrate system for ‘simpler programming for industrial robots’

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Octopuz is planning to introduce the latest technologies in automatic toolpath solving at the Automate Show 2019, April 8-11 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

For years, Octopuz has provided the robotics market with an intelligent offline programming and simulation solution ideal for a wide range of industrial robots including Kuka, Fanuc, ABB, and Yaskawa Motoman.

Octopuz 2.1 redefines the standards in offline robotic programming by offering a simplified approach to solving toolpath trajectories.  [Read more…] about Octopuz to demonstrate system for ‘simpler programming for industrial robots’

SemCon increases interest in digitized and sustainable manufacturing industry

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Product development company SemCon says it is increasing its interest in digitized and sustainable manufacturing industry.

The company says the demand for digitization in the manufacturing industry is ever-increasing, and well as creating sustainable production, there are “major streamlining benefits and savings to be made”.

Semcon is now aiming to significantly increase its presence in the industry with a unique mix of digital expertise and extensive experience in production optimisation.  [Read more…] about SemCon increases interest in digitized and sustainable manufacturing industry

Albis Plastic and BASF optimize Workaround smart glove for industrial applications

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Albis Plastic and BASF say they have optimized a smart glove – developed by a company called Workaround – for industrial applications.

ProGlove makes scanning processes safer and more efficient
Optimized scanning capability and durability due to high light transmission and media resistance.

In close cooperation, Workaround, Albis Plastic and BASF have modified an important component of the smart glove ProGlove.  [Read more…] about Albis Plastic and BASF optimize Workaround smart glove for industrial applications

New iPad Air and iPad mini ‘deliver dramatic power and capability’

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Tech giant Apple says its new iPad Air and iPad mini tablet computers “deliver dramatic power and capability”.

Apple has introduced the “all-new” iPad Air in an ultra-thin 10.5-inch design, offering the latest innovations including Apple Pencil support and high-end performance at a “breakthrough price”.

With the A12 Bionic chip with Apple’s Neural Engine, the new iPad Air delivers a 70 percent boost in performance and twice the graphics capability, and the advanced Retina display with True Tone technology is nearly 20 percent larger with over half a million more pixels.  [Read more…] about New iPad Air and iPad mini ‘deliver dramatic power and capability’

Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

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The leading Norwegian retailer Coop Norway has selected Swisslog as its partner for the extensive development of their distribution center in Langhus, south of Oslo, Norway.

The distribution center will be built for Coop Norway’s rapidly growing retail and e-commerce sales within the non-food segments such as building materials, sports, electronics, and home products.

Henning Røberg, Coop Norway’s project manager for its Langhus distribution center, says: “We conducted a comprehensive tendering process with high demands for cost-efficiency, flexibility and scalability. Swisslog turned out to be the automation provider that best met our demands.”  [Read more…] about Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

Nilfisk partners with Brain Corp to develop connected autonomous cleaning robots

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based artificial intelligence and robotics technology company is partnering with Nilfisk, a Copenhagen-based cleaning solutions provider.

Nilfisk will license Brain Corp’s BrainOS technology, the leading AI platform for the production, deployment, and support of autonomous mobile robots.

The partnership will allow Nilfisk to further accelerate the development of an industry-leading portfolio of connected autonomous cleaning solutions.  [Read more…] about Nilfisk partners with Brain Corp to develop connected autonomous cleaning robots

Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university

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Starship Technologies and Sodexo have launched a robot food delivery service at Northern Arizona University in partnership with several restaurants

It’s something your mom always told you – eat your breakfast – and now college students are starting to do just that, thanks to Starship robots and Sodexo.

Research has shown that up to 88 percent of college students skip breakfast, primarily because of lack of time, but that number is starting to turn around when delivery robots arrive on campus.

Starting today, students at Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff campus will have the convenience of receiving food delivered by robot.  [Read more…] about Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university