Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic

by

A small autonomous vessel launched by a Norwegian company called Offshore Sensing has crossed the Atlantic, sailing from Newfoundland in Canada to north Ireland.

It is claimed that this is the first Atlantic crossing made by an autonomous vessel.

Offshore Sensing says the vessel, called Sailbuoy Met, was designed and “field proven” to stay at sea for months.

It navigates the oceans autonomously – transmitting back data at regular intervals.  [Read more…] about Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic

IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

by

ABB says its robots are helping machine shops meet the challenges of high-mix, low volume production – or the “new normal”, as the company puts it.

The company will showcase solutions to increase machine tool utilization and unlock the full potential of the flexible, connected and collaborative factory at IMTS, the world’s largest industrial technology show, due to be held in Chicago next week.

With more efficient and advanced machine tools entering the market, the demand for more intelligent and flexible robotic automation for machining applications is ever increasing.  [Read more…] about IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

iRobot launches new robotic vacuum cleaner that empties itself

by

iRobot has launched a new robotic vacuum cleaner to add to its Roomba range – this one can be told verbally when connected with smart home devices.

The new iRobot Roomba i7+ Robot Vacuum is said to learn a home’s floor plan and is capable of emptying itself.

iRobot says the new Roomba i7+ robot vacuum can “not only remember a home’s floor plan and clean specific rooms by name – but also automatically empties itself”.  [Read more…] about iRobot launches new robotic vacuum cleaner that empties itself

Sarcos Robotics raises $30 million in new funding

by

Sarcos Robotics, which specializes in making exoskeletons for industry, has raised $30 million in new funding.

The new Series B funding is from a consortium of investors co-led by DIG Investment and Alex Brown & Sons.

Each of the company’s Series A investors also participated in this round, including Caterpillar Ventures, Cottonwood Technology Fund, GE Ventures, Microsoft, Schlumberger and Sarcos’ chairman and CEO, Ben Wolff.  [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics raises $30 million in new funding

Toyota looking for ‘next-generation’ material handling solutions

by

Toyota Material Handling North America has begun accepting applications for the third annual TMHNA University Research Program, a sponsored research program created to drive and advance the next generation of material handling industry technology.

The program is accepting proposals via its website until December 15, 2018.

The TMHNA University Research Program’s mission encourages and supports professors and researchers who apply their engineering and technical field knowledge to discover innovative solutions in the material handling industry. [Read more…] about Toyota looking for ‘next-generation’ material handling solutions

Epson expands its Flexion series of small industrial robots

by

Epson Robots has expanded its Flexion N-Series of industrial robots with the new N6 6-axis robot.

Epson says the Flexion N6 6-Axis robot features the world’s first folding-arm design and a strong footprint-to-reach ratio, this compact 6-Axis robot offers a powerful solution for tight or confined spaces in factory automation.

The Flexion N6 is currently available from Epson.  [Read more…] about Epson expands its Flexion series of small industrial robots

Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

by

Boeing is collaborating with artificial intelligence technology company SparkCognition to develop unmanned aircraft system traffic management solutions.

Boeing and SparkCognition say they will use AI and blockchain technologies to track unmanned air vehicles in flight and allocate traffic corridors and routes to “ensure safe, secure transportation”.

Through the collaboration, they will also provide a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications.  [Read more…] about Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

Many manufacturers ‘falling behind’ in digital transformation, says Deloitte

by

A large number of manufacturers are “falling behind” in the race towards digital transformation, according to a new study by Deloitte, one of the world’s largest management consultancies.

Deloitte says that even though the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, was “born in the factory, many manufacturers were falling behind in adopting broader digital transformation initiatives that span the entire enterprise.

To provide a quick overview, digitalization refers to the practice of integrating operations technology, such as robots and other machines, with information technology, such as sensors, networks and, of course, computers.  [Read more…] about Many manufacturers ‘falling behind’ in digital transformation, says Deloitte

Vector strengthens position in automotive software market with ArcCore acquisition

by

Vector, the Stuttgart-based embedded software specialist for automotive embedded electronics, has acquired the Swedish embedded software specialist ArcCore.

The acquisition strengthens Vector’s portfolio of products and services in the field of AutoSar, the global automotive software standard for intelligent vehicles.

ArcCore was founded in 2006 and currently employs 80 people worldwide who work on developing and distributing products and services in the domain of embedded based solutions, primarily for the automotive market.  [Read more…] about Vector strengthens position in automotive software market with ArcCore acquisition

New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper

by

New Scale Robotics, a newly-formed division of New Scale Technologies, has introduced an electric parallel gripper targeting precision assembly and inspection with collaborative robots.

New Scale says its NSR-PG-10-20 Precision Parallel Gripper is “the smallest, most precise smart gripper” available for collaborative robots including the UR3, UR5 and UR10 robots from Universal Robots.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We created this smart electric gripper specifically for agile automation with collaborative robots, using our extensive experience making small mechatronic motion systems.”  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics targets collaborative robots with launch of small precision gripper