Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Bangalore businesses are ‘the most bullish in the world’ about their local digital ecosystem, says Economist Intelligence Unit

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In a study of 45 cities, firms in Bangalore, San Francisco and Mumbai display the greatest degree of confidence in their city’s digital transformation environment

Business leaders in 45 cities around the world are “relatively confident” that they can find the support they need for their digital transformation efforts in the surrounding environment, according to a new study by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Many city environments come up short, however, particularly in the supply of digital talent for firms and city governments’ sharing of public data.

In Connecting Commerce: Business Confidence in the Digital Environment, commissioned by Telstra, a telecommunications and technology company, business confidence in the local environment is particularly high in emerging market cities, which account for seven of the 10 highest readings in the Digital Cities Barometer (see graphs below), which forms part of the report.  [Read more…] about Bangalore businesses are ‘the most bullish in the world’ about their local digital ecosystem, says Economist Intelligence Unit

Robotiq launches ‘10 times more sensitive’ force torque sensor

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Robotiq has launched what it says is “10 times more sensitive” version of its FT 300 Force Torque Sensor.

The component comes with Plug + Play integration on all Universal Robots.

Robotiq says the FT 300 performs highly repeatable precision force control tasks such as finishing, product testing, assembly and precise part insertion.  [Read more…] about Robotiq launches ‘10 times more sensitive’ force torque sensor

Fanuc launches new seven-axis robot for automotive spot welding

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Fanuc America has demonstrated a new automotive spot welding robot at the recent Fabtech event.

The new seven-axis R-1000iA/120F-7B’s design is based on the R-1000iA robot series. (See pictures and video below.)

It has a payload of 120 kg and a maximum reach of 2,230 mm.  [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new seven-axis robot for automotive spot welding

Natilus raises new funds to launch pilotless freight aircraft

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Natilus, a manufacturer of large aircraft drones, has closed a second round of seed funding with investment from Starburst Ventures, Seraph Group, Gelt VC, Outpost Capital and Draper Associates.

The funds – the amount was not disclosed – will go toward what the company calls its “aggressive scaling strategy”, with the first Federal Aviation Administration-approved flight for its 30-foot prototype scheduled for late 2017, and a commercial market launch in 2020.

Just as the long-haul freight sector has made huge strides in efficiency gains and cost reduction due to technology innovation, Natilus says the $15.5 trillion global freight market is poised for disruption as it strives to offer customers more cost-effective delivery solutions beyond the decades-old vessels and aircraft which serve as its primary sources of transport.  [Read more…] about Natilus raises new funds to launch pilotless freight aircraft

Endurance giving away portable and powerful laser

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Endurance Lasers is giving away one of its powerful, efficient brand new 8W diode lasers.

All you have to do to enter the Endurance competition is to write a story – “at least a sentence” – telling the company why and where you need a portable, powerful and reliable Endurance laser.

Also, indicate what kind of CNC machine or a 3D printer you have – if you have one.  [Read more…] about Endurance giving away portable and powerful laser

More than $5 billion being invested in IoT in Dresden, Germany

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International technology groups have invested more than $5 billion in high-tech hub Dresden, one of the facts highlighted by the organisers of the Semicon Europa event.

Dresden is strengthening its position as a centre for internet of things solutions.

Over the next several years, international technology groups and research institutions such as Globalfoundries, Infineon, Bosch, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the German Aerospace Center will be investing some €4.5 billion in Europe’s leading address for semiconductors.  [Read more…] about More than $5 billion being invested in IoT in Dresden, Germany

Leroy-Somer to launch new motor and drive ranges at SPS

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Leroy-Somer, a business unit of the Nidec group, is preparing for the launch of new ranges at SPS IPC Drives, the Europe’s leading exhibition for electric automation.

Leroy-Somer will be demonstrating Commander ID300, a new integrated drive for the control of its IMfinity induction motors from 0.25 to 7.5 kW.

This all-in-one drive solution has been designed to meet the strategic challenges of increasingly complex and demanding production environments, induced by the transition to Industry 4.0.  [Read more…] about Leroy-Somer to launch new motor and drive ranges at SPS

Vietnam looks to achieve progress through the ‘massive potential’ of the industrial internet

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The “massive potential” of the internet of things will help Vietnam in its goal of becoming an industrial country by 2020, say industry organisations and leaders in the country.

Many of the industrial companies and leaders will be showcasing their solutions and discussing the future at an event and forum called the Asia IoT Business Platform.

The Asia IoT Business Platform will be returning to Vietnam for the 19th edition of its industrial internet of things conference in Ho Chi Minh City.  [Read more…] about Vietnam looks to achieve progress through the ‘massive potential’ of the industrial internet

Framos launches OLED smart glasses featuring tiny Sony screen

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Industrial imaging and machine vision company Framos has launched new smart glasses featuring Sony’s organic light-emitting diode micro display.

The company says the wearable is a super-small, thin, light-weight and fast solution for virtual reality and augmented reality glasses.

Framos says Oled microdisplays from Sony Semiconductor Solutions are “the state of the art technology” for small video displays.  [Read more…] about Framos launches OLED smart glasses featuring tiny Sony screen

Epson to launch ‘WorkSense’ autonomous dual-arm industrial robot for industrial applications

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Epson has commercialized what it calls a “seeing, sensing, thinking, working” autonomous dual-arm robot that the company says “will expand the scope of automated production”.

Epson says it will roll out the new robot, named the WorkSense W-01 (main picture and video below), in stages beginning this coming winter.

The company says that, in recent years, manufacturers’ needs have grown more diverse with demand for products fluctuating sharply and a growing necessity to flexibly accommodate small-lot production and just-in-time production.  [Read more…] about Epson to launch ‘WorkSense’ autonomous dual-arm industrial robot for industrial applications