Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Electronics industry increasingly relies on collaborative robots to boost productivity, says Rethink Robotics

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Rethink Robotics says its collaborative robot Sawyer augments human efforts by taking on tedious tasks like circuit board testing, quality control

Rethink Robotics, a provider of collaborative robots for the manufacturing industry, has seen significant collaborative robot adoption by leading electronics manufacturers.

The company says manufacturers are “increasingly choosing Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer to increase productivity and relieve employees from performing repetitive tasks”.

Sawyer is characterized by intelligent force control, which enables the precise and appropriate use of force when handling electronic components, fragile parts and high-quality accessories.  [Read more…] about Electronics industry increasingly relies on collaborative robots to boost productivity, says Rethink Robotics

Cincoze launches sunlight-readable panel PC and touch monitor for industrial and rugged applications

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Cincoze has launched a sunlight readable panel PC and touch monitor for industrial and rugged applications.

The company says the CS-100 series incorporates an ultra high brightness backlight module up to 1,600 nits which provides superior readability under a high-ambient light condition and even direct sunlight.

The company says CS-100 series also supports wide range operating temperature (maximum range: -20°C ~ 70°C) to ensure stability and reliability of the system in outdoor environments.  [Read more…] about Cincoze launches sunlight-readable panel PC and touch monitor for industrial and rugged applications

A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

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Microelectronics, as the name suggests, is all about tiny electronics systems, whether we’re talking about a self-contained device or a component. 

But mostly it’s about silicon-based components and devices, typified by microchips, which are known collectively semiconductors.

Obviously, microelectronics is a subfield of the larger electronics sector so the two intersect at the basic level.  [Read more…] about A closer look at the German microelectronics sector

Yaskawa to adopt ‘Intel Inside’ strategy and supply core parts to other industrial robot makers

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Yaskawa, one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, is preparing to supply core robot parts to smaller Chinese competitors, according to a report in Nikkei. 

This is a new strategy for the company, which is part of the giant Japanese Yaskawa Electric company and produces robots under the global brand names of Yaskawa and Motoman.

Nikkei reports that Yaskawa has decided to take an approach similar to the “Intel Inside” campaign in which chipmaker Intel chose to supply processors to computer manufacturers rather than launch its own computer brand.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa to adopt ‘Intel Inside’ strategy and supply core parts to other industrial robot makers

Fighting robots taking over Chinese television

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Chinese television stations are being overrun by fighting robots if a report on Qz.com is to be believed. 

The website claims that numerous TV shows are in production ready for broadcast this year, with one show – King of Bots, produced by Zhejiang TV – already proving a success.

All shows feature battling robots built by enthusiasts who have grown up watching similar programmes produced in the US and elsewhere.  [Read more…] about Fighting robots taking over Chinese television

Rockwell releases new version of Studio 5000 software

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Rockwell Automation has released the latest version of its Studio 5000 software, claiming it optimizes productivity and reduces design time.

Rockwell says the latest release includes a modern user interface and productivity-enhancing features across all applications.

The company says engineers can now more quickly design, build and commission automation systems using the newly enhanced Rockwell Software Studio 5000 integrated development environment.  [Read more…] about Rockwell releases new version of Studio 5000 software

Toyota to invest $3 billion in driverless car company

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Toyota is establishing a new company to develop autonomous driving technologies and says it will invest almost $3 billion into it. 

The new company will be based in Tokyo and will start operating later this month. It will be named “Toyota Research Institute-Advanced Development” (TRI-AD), and will accelerate the company’s efforts in “advanced development for automated driving”.

To enable the new efforts at TRI-AD, Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin Seiki, and Denso have reached a provisional agreement on the joint development of fully-integrated, production-quality software for automated driving.  [Read more…] about Toyota to invest $3 billion in driverless car company

PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise

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The world of high-quality jewellery- and watch-making has always been labour-intensive, requiring many people with intricate skills all along the manufacturing process. 

And while making jewellery still involves many people, increasingly sophisticated instruments, robotics and automation technologies, as well as new materials and additive manufacturing are taking the sector to a whole new level.

An industry event in Geneva, Switzerland called EPHJ-EPMT-SMT describes itself as “the only trade show in the world [which showcases] all high-precision skills in the areas of watchmaking and jewellery, microtechnology and medical technology”.  [Read more…] about PalExpo to showcase jewellery-making expertise

Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

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Andrew Watts, CEO Newtecnic, discusses the construction industry’s move towards robotics and mass-customization that brings designers and makers together for positive disruption within and beyond the industry

Digitalization, robotics and automation, have produced significant quality and productivity benefits in manufacturing over several decades.

In construction, however, while digitalization has very successfully automated design, the disconnect between designing and making is ripe for an industrial revolution.

And while innovative product manufacturers use technology to move from mass-production to mass-customization, the construction industry is only just picking up on DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) for repetitive mass production of standardized components.

This use of what can be considered an outmoded idea seems to be a retrograde step because the opportunity now exists for construction to deploy the very latest technology and thereby take the lead in manufacturing.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robots help close the gap between designing and making

The X-Files: The robotics and automation episode

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If Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, the two main characters in The X-Files, were to do nothing but chill out and drink coffee for the entire 45-minute duration of a show, nobody would care – they’d still watch it. 

Having been in so many powerful and captivating storylines over the course of the 11 series since 1993, the world’s most famous FBI agents probably have nothing left to prove to the audience. Been there, done that – and with more charisma than probably any other characters in TV history.

The fundamental basis of the show – the investigation of paranormal phenomena, aliens, and the conspiracies connected to them, as well as the typical gruesome crimes the FBI must deal with – was expertly blended by its makers, and the acting and style of the show have always been engaging.  [Read more…] about The X-Files: The robotics and automation episode