Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Open Mind partners with Heidenhain to provide ‘exclusive first-use’ virtual machining

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Open Mind Technologies, a provider of computer-aided manufacturing software, has partnered with Heidenhain TNC controls to provide exclusive first use of their new numerical control code-based simulation solution, hyperMill virtual machining.

The Connected Machining module allows networked Heidenhain TNC controls to be run from remote locations, a key component for digital production systems.

The new simulation solution is available with the hyperMill 2018.1 release.  [Read more…] about Open Mind partners with Heidenhain to provide ‘exclusive first-use’ virtual machining

Lufthansa Technik and Pepperl+Fuchs establish joint venture company

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Lufthansa Technik and Pepperl+Fuchs have established a joint venture company which aims to digitalise manufacturing operations in the aerospace industry. 

The new company – called 3D.aero – will research, develop and sell “innovative automation solutions for the aviation industry”, say the companies.

It will also work on solutions for the digitalisation of workshops.  [Read more…] about Lufthansa Technik and Pepperl+Fuchs establish joint venture company

Mad scientists could replace real swans with robot swans worldwide

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The global swan population could become extinct if mad scientists are given free reign to replace them with robotic swans they are creating in their labs. 

Though highly unlikely, it’s worth thinking about, especially as some apparently sane scientists at the National University of Singapore have already started replacing real swans with robotic ones, probably not thinking about the possible future consequences of global mass production.

And they’ve even nabbed the name – their robotic swan is called “Swan”, short for Smart Water Assessment Network. It’s also super-strong – capable of withstanding collisions with kayaks and small boats.  [Read more…] about Mad scientists could replace real swans with robot swans worldwide

Hitachi, Fanuc and Preferred Networks form AI partnership

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Manufacturing giant Hitachi and industrial automation company Fanuc have formed a partnership with Preferred Networks, a developer of software for industrial internet of things networks.

The companies plan to establish a joint venture develop artificial intelligence and edge computing systems for industrial operations, according to a report on Nikkei.

Edge computing refers to devices and systems which can do a lot of the data processing locally, without needing to send data to the cloud.  [Read more…] about Hitachi, Fanuc and Preferred Networks form AI partnership

Nuro raises $92 million to develop autonomous delivery vehicle

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A company called Nuro has raised a massive $92 million to develop its autonomous delivery vehicle for commercial applications.

Speaking to IEEE Spectrum, co-founder says the company’s vehicle is “poised to change the way that businesses interact with their local customers”.

The vehicle itself is about half the size of small car and is designed for short journeys.  [Read more…] about Nuro raises $92 million to develop autonomous delivery vehicle

Unex Manufacturing marks second year of record growth

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Unex Manufacturing, a provider of order picking solutions, is celebrating its second consecutive year of record business growth in 2017.

The company says it has added dozens of new products and solution patents, major industry awards and global sales throughout North America, Central America, Europe and Asia.

Unex now employs over 100 people, making the company one of the largest employers in Ocean County in New Jersey.  [Read more…] about Unex Manufacturing marks second year of record growth

Harvard researchers demonstrate tiny, super-fast delta robot

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Harvard University boffins have demonstrated what must be the world’s smallest Delta robot. 

The university says the tiny machine opens up new possibilities for applications in microsurgery, microassembly and micromanipulation.

Not only is the robot – called “milliDelta” – tiny, it’s also extremely fast. It’s too fast for the human eye to see what it’s doing. (See video below.)  [Read more…] about Harvard researchers demonstrate tiny, super-fast delta robot

Seoul University designs tiny robot that powers itself

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It’s only a few centimetres long and looks about as complex as a paperclip mechanically, but a tiny “robot” developed by Seoul University boffins is apparently able to power itself.

The miniature robot uses moisture from its environment to generate the power it needs to move itself forward, which it does, like a caterpillar.

The team which designed the creepy little thing is led by Ho-Young Kim, who says they used nature as the inspiration for their “microbot”.  [Read more…] about Seoul University designs tiny robot that powers itself

Humanoid roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro unveils news-reading android

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Dr Hiroshi Ishiguro, one of the world’s leading humanoid roboticists, has unveiled his latest creation, a news-reading android. 

Innocuously named “Erica”, the terrifying robot will be reading the news to the Japanese nation from April this year, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In comments reported by the Mirror, Dr Ishiguro says Erica is “the most beautiful and most human-like autonomous android in this world”.  [Read more…] about Humanoid roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro unveils news-reading android

New tax rules allow total and immediate deduction of costs of robotics and automation equipment

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New tax rules introduced by the US government would allow companies to immediately deduct all of the costs of investing in robotics and automation equipment, according to a report on Wall Street Journal. 

In fact, the tax break could extend to other types of equipment as well.

Previously, companies were only allowed to write down investments and not have to pay tax on them slowly over the course of a year.  [Read more…] about New tax rules allow total and immediate deduction of costs of robotics and automation equipment