Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

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ABB IRB 1200 Robot

Monitoring and control software now comes with company’s smallest material and machine tool handling robot 

ABB Robotics says SafeMove2 is now also available for IRB 1200, the smallest ABB robot to feature its advanced safety-certified monitoring and control software.

SafeMove2 enables people to work safely alongside ABB robots with payloads ranging from 6kg to 800kg without compromising productivity.

It also provides an optimum level of collaboration and flexibility to higher speed and throughput applications which typically require more insular, intrusive levels of safety.  [Read more…] about ABB makes SafeMove2 control software available on the IRB 1200 industrial robot

Fetch Robotics unveils expanded line of autonomous mobile robots

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Company says it now offers “comprehensive options” for autonomous collaboration with transport robots

Fetch Robotics has introduced two new autonomous mobile robots to its fleet: Freight500 and Freight1500.

Both new robots, like the Freight predecessor, operate safely in commercial and industrial environments where they are deployed to automate the delivery of bulky and heavy loads.

The company and the new robots were showcased at ProMat 2017 in Chicago, Illinois, a few days ago.  [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics unveils expanded line of autonomous mobile robots

Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

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Fanuc R-30iB Plus robot controller

Fanuc is introducing its new R-30iB Plus robot controller at the annual Fanuc Open House event on April 10-13 at its headquarters in Japan.

The new R-30iB Plus controller features a new iPendant with an enhanced screen resolution and processing capability.

The user interface, iHMI, has an icon-based screen which provides a familiar and easy-to-use experience with intuitive guides for setup and programming.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches R-30iB Plus robot controller

ABB to acquire B&R

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abb b&r

ABB is to acquire B&R, said to be the largest independent provider focused on product- and software-based, open-architecture solutions for machine and factory automation worldwide.

B&R, founded in 1979 by Erwin Bernecker and Josef Rainer, is headquartered in Eggelsberg, Austria, and employs more than 3,000 people, including about 1,000 R&D and application engineers.

It operates across 70 countries, generating sales of more than $600 million (2015/16) in the $20 billion machine and factory automation market segment.  [Read more…] about ABB to acquire B&R

Learning through play: Omron shows off table tennis-playing robot

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For some time, practitioners of mind sports have been grappling with artificial intelligence (AI). Computer brains have already beaten the best human players in chess and Go.

The picture is quite different for sports that require both mental and physical skills. Physical interaction with a human is an enormous challenge for developers of intelligent robots.

Omron, one of the world’s leading companies in industrial automation, has successfully taken on this challenge.

The company is currently in Hannover to show how the third generation of Forpheus, a table tennis robot, adds artificial intelligence to its core skills of sensor and control technology.  [Read more…] about Learning through play: Omron shows off table tennis-playing robot

Kinema Systems claims ‘world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots’

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kinema systems

Kinema Systems claims to have launched what it describes as “the world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots”. 

A large part of the world’s commerce moves in boxes arranged on pallets. Depalletizing boxes in warehouses, distribution centers and factories is a difficult task that has become more challenging with changing demographics and an increase in product mix.

Kinema Pick is claimed to be the world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots, and addresses the depalletization of both mixed SKU and single SKU pallets.  [Read more…] about Kinema Systems claims ‘world’s first deep learning 3D vision system for industrial robots’

Microscan demonstrates industrial robot using MicroHawk smart cameras

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microscan

Microscan, a provider of barcode, machine vision, verification, and lighting technology, has demonstrated flexible in-line inspection using the Universal Robots collaborative UR5 robotic arm and Microscan’s latest machine vision smart camera platform.

The robotic demo, at Automate 2017, featured what the company claims is “the world’s smallest Ethernet smart camera”, was given in partnership with Olympus Controls, an engineering services company specializing in machine automation.

The lightweight, flexible, and collaborative industrial robot – UR5 – automates repetitive and dangerous tasks with payloads of up to 5 kg.  [Read more…] about Microscan demonstrates industrial robot using MicroHawk smart cameras

Mobile Industrial Robots launches new MiR200 logistics robot

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Mobile Industrial Robots, a developer and manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for logistics, has launched its newest robot, the MiR200.

The company says the MiR200 is “a more powerful mobile robot in almost every aspect” than the company’s flagship MiR100, which has already been installed in more than 30 countries by companies such as Airbus, Boeing, Flex, Honeywell, Michelin, Procter & Gamble, Toyota and Walmart.

MiR says its vehicles are “a dramatic improvement over legacy automated guided vehicles”, which require the expensive and inflexible installation of sensors or magnets into factory floors for guidance.  [Read more…] about Mobile Industrial Robots launches new MiR200 logistics robot

Seegrid expands Supervisor API to provide interoperability across automation systems

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Seegrid, a provider of flexible automated materials handling solutions, has expanded its Supervisor application programming interface to offer more advanced, connected solutions for customers.

Seegrid says the new API delivers on the promise of automation beyond materials movement, providing real-time interoperability to improve facility operations.

Interconnectedness is critical for automation systems, and Supervisor’s API addresses that growing demand, says Seegrid.  [Read more…] about Seegrid expands Supervisor API to provide interoperability across automation systems

Robotics and automation companies off to fast start since Trump’s inauguration

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Market News Updates: Vision guided robotics and automated food retail technologies lead gainers on stock market

Since being inaugurated on January 20, 2017, President Donald Trump has pursued a policy of discouraging manufacturers from leaving the United States.

As a result, more businesses, large and small, have turned towards robotics technologies to keep labor costs down.

While this trend may sound alarming for the American worker, recent trends point to rising domestic employment in these industries that would otherwise exit American shores.

On the whole, investors positioned in companies pursuing robotic technologies are continuing to be rewarded as business continues to shift toward high tech business solutions, a trend that appears likely to continue.  [Read more…] about Robotics and automation companies off to fast start since Trump’s inauguration