Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

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Honda is reportedly ending its development work on the iconic Asimo robot, which has become one of the most recognisable humanoids in the world. 

According to various reports in the media, starting with the original article on the Nikkei website, Honda has stopped development of Asimo.

Nikkei does not quote anyone from Honda but reports that the team behind Asimo are being redirected towards the development of technologies in sectors such as healthcare and self-driving vehicles.  [Read more…] about Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

World Economic Forum recognises Fetch Robotics as a ‘Technology Pioneer’

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Fetch Robotics, a developer of warehouse robots, was selected from hundreds of candidates as a World Economic Forum “Technology Pioneer”.

Fetch Robotics is said to have made it to the selection for its contributions in the field of robotics, and for its ability to address the rapidly increasing demands for flexible warehouse automation.

Fetch Robotics develops and manufactures collaborative autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics markets.  [Read more…] about World Economic Forum recognises Fetch Robotics as a ‘Technology Pioneer’

ZF and e.Go to start series production of autonomous and electric ‘people mover’ vehicle

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Automotive components manufacturer ZF and a startup called e.Go Mobile have agreed to start series production of an autonomous and electric “people mover” vehicle.

ZF says it is demonstrating its “multiple systems expertise” as a partner in the newly founded e.GO Moove joint venture.

In addition to other innovations which ZF will show at IAA commercial vehicles event in Hanover this September, the e.GO Mover is part of an entire digital logistics offering including hardware, software and services, highlighting the company’s strategic orientation.  [Read more…] about ZF and e.Go to start series production of autonomous and electric ‘people mover’ vehicle

Savioke raises $13.4 million in new funding for its small-item-carrying robot Relay

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Service robotics company Savioke has raised $13.4 million in its latest funding round.

New investors in this Series B round included Brain Corp, Swisslog Healthcare, NESIC, and Recruit.

The round brings Savioke’s total funding to $31 million.  [Read more…] about Savioke raises $13.4 million in new funding for its small-item-carrying robot Relay

Briefing – Products and Markets: Time running out for chipset manufacturers to meet IoT forecasts

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In this contributed article, Ville Ylläsjärvi, of Haltian, asks whether companies should choose LTE-M or NB-IoT chipsets

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the internet of things will generate revenues of up to $11 trillion by 2025, with some experts predicting there will be more than 26 billion devices connecting to the Internet of Things by 2020. 

In addition to the McKinsey forecast is another from market research company IHS Markit, which claims that more than 75 billion smart devices will be in use by 2025. That’s a 400 per cent increase over the approximately 15 billion devices in use today.

Putting this in perspective, chipset manufacturers must build microchips at a rate six times greater than has ever been produced since they were first developed in 1958 by Texas Instruments.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Products and Markets: Time running out for chipset manufacturers to meet IoT forecasts

Geek Plus launches ‘world’s first’ interweaving sorting robot for warehouses

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Geek Plus Robotics has launched the latest version of what it claims is “the world’s first interweaving sorting robot” for warehouses, which could be an alternative to conveyor systems.

The robot – called S20 – looks similar to the typical autonomous mobile platforms which have become familiar in roboticised warehouses, but it has a small conveyor belt on top.

In a typical operation, a human warehouse worker could place an item on top of the robot, on the conveyor belt, and then the robot would navigate to the appropriate bin which may be on the other side of the facility, and then place the item in the appropriate bin. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Geek Plus launches ‘world’s first’ interweaving sorting robot for warehouses

Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News ponders on the prospects for, and recent history in, America’s manufacturing sector.

One of the main reasons Donald Trump won the US presidential election is because he pledged to revitalise the American manufacturing sector and bring back jobs that have been lost to other nations over the past couple of decades.

Some may argue that he’s done well so far, persuading big-name companies such as Apple and General Motors to increase their investment in manufacturing operations in the US rather than spend the money abroad.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Robotics and Automation in Manufacturing: Making America create again

Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot

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Robotic end-effector specialist Robotiq has launched what it claims is the first electric gripper ready for the e-Series, the new generation of collaborative robots from Universal Robots.

Robotiq says the Hand-E was developed within the Universal Robots+ ecosystem. UR+ is like an app shop set up by Universal Robots to enable other companies to develop peripherals and other technologies for use with the company’s robotic arms.

Robotiq says Hand-E’s high accuracy and 50 mm parallel stroke makes it “perfect for precision assembly tasks”. Its sealed design ensures reliability in the toughest manufacturing conditions, adds the company.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches ‘first’ gripper ready for Universal Robots’ new e-Series collaborative robot

Helix Linear launches catalog of 3D models of its products

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Helix Linear Technologies has launched an online product catalog of 3D CAD models for its popular configurable products, including lead screw technologies and PRA actuators.

Built by Cadenas PartSolutions, the configurator enables customers to instantly find, configure and download a digital 3D CAD model of the Helix product they need.

A manufacturer of linear motion and power transmission systems, Helix Linear offers products essential to the medical, industrial automation, aerospace and defense and industries.  [Read more…] about Helix Linear launches catalog of 3D models of its products

Opinion: Super-material graphene could lead to an electric vehicle breakthrough

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Electric vehicle manufacturers and battery makers have long been searching for the “holy grail” technology that could lower the cost of batteries while also extending their range.

Government research labs, venture capital, startups, and large corporations have all toyed with different ways to get to the promise land.

But one material is emerging as the most promising innovation to date that could actually lead to cheap, long-range and fast-charging electric vehicles: graphite.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Super-material graphene could lead to an electric vehicle breakthrough

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