Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Heidenhain makes industrial networking software available for download

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Heidenhain is now offering the current version of TNCremo software package for communication between PCs and Heidenhain controls or programming stations via direct online download. Past versions were only available on DVD.

The new TNCremo version is now available in a new variant. Users can find the downloads on the Heidenhain.

TNCremo is a free PC software package for communication between PCs and Heidenhain controls or programming stations. Data transfer is carried out over the network or the serial interface.  [Read more…] about Heidenhain makes industrial networking software available for download

Formlabs raises $35 million in funding round led by Foundry Group and Autodesk

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Formlabs, the designer and manufacturer of 3D printing systems, has raised $35 million in Series B funding from Foundry Group and Autodesk, and says it plans to collaborate strategically with Autodesk.

The latest investment round, led by Foundry Group, includes participation from existing investors DFJ Growth, Pitango Venture Capital, and Cagni Ventures, bringing Formlabs’ total investment to date to $55 million.

The new investment will enable Formlabs to scale its operations to meet growing customer demand worldwide, grow research and development efforts, and to extend Formlabs’ reach in the market and ecosystem.  [Read more…] about Formlabs raises $35 million in funding round led by Foundry Group and Autodesk

Lucas presents Comau to France

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Robotics and automation distributor Lucas is presenting Comau robots to its French market at an event this week.

Lucas signed a deal with Comau as an official distributor of its robots in France. Lucas, is a long-established French company based in Bazas, and has been active for over 50 years in manufacturing and supplying linear axis and Cartesian robots.

Lucas organized an open house October 12 and 13 in order to present the new partnership with Comau, and a series of products and active robot cells to the market and French media.  [Read more…] about Lucas presents Comau to France

Intuitive Surgical to develop products in China with Shanghai Fosun

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Intuitive Surgical and Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical have formed a joint venture to research, develop, manufacture and sell innovative, robotic-assisted catheter-based medical devices.

The joint venture between Intuitive Surgical, the global leader in robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, and Fosun Pharma, a leading healthcare group strategically comprising the complete value chain, will initially produce products targeting early diagnosis and cost-effective treatment of lung cancer, one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer in the world.

The technology will be used in robotic-assisted medical devices based on catheters, and incorporates proprietary intellectual property developed or owned by Intuitive Surgical.  [Read more…] about Intuitive Surgical to develop products in China with Shanghai Fosun

Universal Robots launches in Sri Lanka

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The pristine island of Sri Lanka with its serene Buddhist culture will make way for a technology pit-stop for one of the world leaders in the concept of collaborative robotics.

Universal Robots, which claims to have pioneered collaborative robots or “cobots” as they are sometimes called, has launched its machines into the Sri Lankan market and talked about the availability of this technology to various industries.

The event was attended by the key stakeholders that define this technology, including the general manager of the company in the India and Sri Lanka region, and a host of other dignitaries representing the government and customers.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches in Sri Lanka

‘Robots are going to take over the jobs,’ says IMF boss Lagarde

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The head of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde, has said what many people have been afraid of for a long time – that robots are going to take over the world.

Lagarde also acknowledged that no one has any idea what’s going to happen in the future.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in an exclusive interview, Lagarde says: “There is clearly a fear and an anxiety that robots are going to take over the jobs and that is going to create significant unemployment for the people who have been the workers, replaced by the robots.  [Read more…] about ‘Robots are going to take over the jobs,’ says IMF boss Lagarde

Manufacturing: Smarter than the average factory

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What’s all this talk about “smart factories”? It’s just a bunch of machines being connected to the internet, right? What’s the big deal? What’s the big idea?

True, it’s all about connectivity. But that is, in fact, a very big deal – lots of very big deals, lots of very small deals, just lots and lots of deals, which, when combined, is indeed a huge, historic shift in industrial production, encapsulated by some in terms such as “Industry 4.0” or “Industrial Internet”.

Having been articulated, arguably, by the Germans, talk about “the fourth industrial revolution” or “Industrie 4.0” has permeated virtually all conversations about the future of manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing: Smarter than the average factory

Smart factory: Audi opens advanced manufacturing plant in Mexico

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Audi bigwigs opened what the company claims is the first manufacturing plant to be opened in Mexico by a premium automobile manufacturer. 

Moreover, the company says the facility is one of the most advanced in the world, and is classed as a “smart factory”.

The company says the new development represents the further expansion of its worldwide production network and enables Audi to continue along its path of global growth.  [Read more…] about Smart factory: Audi opens advanced manufacturing plant in Mexico

Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci

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Robotics and automation giant Denso says it’s become the lead investor in Thinci

Denso says its investment in startup will help accelerate next-generation automotive technology, using innovative deep learning and vision processing silicon and software. 

The company adds that its investment will lead to advancements in driver assistance and autonomous driving, improve the efficiency of thermal systems, and optimize the productivity of the vehicle’s powertrain.

Tony Cannestra, Denso International America’s director of corporate ventures, says: “Denso has been researching new developments in the area of computer vision processing. We strongly believe that Thinci’s technology will soon become a key component of next generation autonomous driving systems that require advanced computing techniques combined with deep learning capabilities.  [Read more…] about Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci

Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market

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Mercedes has revealed a futuristic van which it says will feature at the centre of an autonomous, or at least, highly automated delivery system. 

The “Vision Van”, which apart from its shape looks nothing like your usual van, is equipped with drones which integrate into the system through the internet of things.

Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz vans, says: “The Vision Van embodies the intelligent, clean and fully connected van of tomorrow – with electric powertrain, fully automatic cargo space, integrated delivery drones and innovative communication features.”  [Read more…] about Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market