Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Verizon to acquire autonomous mobile robot software company

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US telecommunications giant Verizon has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire incubed IT, the creator of a software platform providing autonomous navigation tools to administer, manage and optimize mixed fleets of robots in industrial settings.

Rima Qureshi, chief strategy officer at Verizon, says: “This acquisition further demonstrates Verizon’s commitment to developing new and innovative businesses and use cases leveraging the power of 5G.

“Mobile robot orchestration is a real and emerging challenge faced by enterprises today. By integrating incubed IT’s autonomous software with Verizon’s 5G platform, we will have the ability to power robotic automation at scale. [Read more…] about Verizon to acquire autonomous mobile robot software company

ABB says its RobotStudio’s new braking distance simulator reduces robotic cell footprint by ‘up to 25 percent’

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ABB’s RobotStudio offline programming and simulation software has been upgraded with a new virtual robot braking distance function designed to create an exact simulation of the real-world stopping distance of a robot.

Enabling the robot’s braking distance to be accurately calculated, the function overcomes the need to add safety margins into cell designs, enabling space savings of up to 25 percent.

Predicting exactly where a robot will stop depends on a range of variables including speed, payload and the robot’s own inertia. These factors, individually or combined, can result in the robot coming to a halt outside of its safety zone, sometimes by several meters. [Read more…] about ABB says its RobotStudio’s new braking distance simulator reduces robotic cell footprint by ‘up to 25 percent’

JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project

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JPB Système, a manufacturer of efficiency-enhancing technology solutions for aerospace, aeronautic and other industries, has received funding from the French government’s Ministry for Economy and Finance to support a project to establish a new purpose-built, state-of-the art production facility in Villaroche, south of Paris.

The grant was secured through the government’s Francerelance plan, part of its Territoires d’Industrie programme designed to accelerate industry growth and help manufacturing companies revive operations amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For JPB Système, the funding will contribute towards its ambitious JPB Villaroche 2025 project – an initiative valued at more than €30 million that will see the company establish an advanced factory of the future adjacent to its current facility. [Read more…] about JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project

ABB unveils weird magnetic levitation system for ‘multi-dimensional manufacturing’

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ABB has expanded its flexible manufacturing portfolio with the launch of an innovative magnetic levitation shuttle system.

The solution is the result of a strategic partnership with Planar Motors (PMI), which enhances ABB business unit B&R’s adaptive machine offering, integrating PMI’s new production technology milestone in open, adaptive manufacturing.

ABB says it is partnering with Canada’s PMI to expand its machine automation offering: The integration of PMI’s magnetic levitation technology into the company’s machine automation division’s (B&R) portfolio will accelerate industry’s transition from strictly linear production to an open, adaptive manufacturing space. [Read more…] about ABB unveils weird magnetic levitation system for ‘multi-dimensional manufacturing’

ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

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ATI Industrial Automation has developed CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits, providing Fanuc CRX cobot users a simple and effective way to increase the flexibility of collaborative robotic automation. (See video below.)

These all-in-one packages include robust options for automatic tool changing, force sensing, and material removal, and enable tasks such as assembly, machine tending, part inspection, surface preparation and others to be implemented and executed easily.

CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits include everything needed to get Fanuc CRX cobot applications up and running. In addition to the end-effector, the kit features all the hardware and software required for system connection. [Read more…] about ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

ABB launches new maintenance service for fleets and individual robots

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ABB has launched a condition-based maintenance service for fleet and individual robot assessments.

The company says the new service enables optimized production performance through improved robot management.

ABB’s new Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) service enables robot users to create a preventive maintenance schedule for individual or robot fleets based on real-time operational data, to optimize productivity and minimize downtime. [Read more…] about ABB launches new maintenance service for fleets and individual robots

Kivnon unveils three new mobile robots for warehouse work

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Kivnon has expanded its mobile robot portfolio with a new range of automated forklifts and a new “rotational lifting” platform automated guided vehicle or autonomous mobile robot.

Kivnon, a specialist in mobile robotics solutions, has unveiled new three models of autonomous vehicles:

  • the K03 Twister;
  • the K50 Pallet Truck; and
  • the K55 Pallet Stacker, capable of circulating around the environment using magnetic guidance or mapping navigation, based on simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) technology.

The new K03 Twister is a rotational mobile platform with dimensions of 700 x 500 x 280 mm, making it the smallest AGV of Kivnon mobile robot portfolio. [Read more…] about Kivnon unveils three new mobile robots for warehouse work

RoboDK unveils ‘handheld robot programming’ system

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Robot software company RoboDK has released TwinTrack, a tool that allows users to program any industrial robot quickly and easily by tracing the desired motion with a handheld probe. (See video below.) 

As robots move into the hands of less experienced users, there is a growing need for more intuitive programming interfaces that are accessible to everyone. In January 2021, Montreal-based robot software company RoboDK released a new type of flexible, affordable programming tool.

TwinTrack is a combined solution that allows users to program any industrial robot with a laser tracker and its handheld probe. [Read more…] about RoboDK unveils ‘handheld robot programming’ system

Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

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Siemens Digital Industries Software announces the availability of the latest release of Simcenter 3D software, part of the Simcenter portfolio of simulation and test solutions.

Simcenter 3D and the Simcenter portfolio are part of the Xcelerator portfolio, Siemens’ integrated portfolio of software, services and application development platform.

In the 2021 release, Simcenter 3D continues to further improve its powerful unified and shared engineering platform for all simulation disciplines to help users gain full value of the benefits that simulation provides in terms of cost, speed and impact to innovation. [Read more…] about Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

Savioke says hotels turning to its room service robot

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An increasing number of hotels are making enquiries to Savioke about its room service robots, according to the company.

As the hospitality industry struggles to adapt to changing consumer behavior during the coronavirus pandemic, many hotels are turning to room service robots to help wary travelers feel more at ease.

David Wang, director of sales and marketing at the Crowne Plaza San Jose – Silicon Valley hotel, in Milpitas, says: “Guests now think of it as a perk to not have a person come to their room. [Read more…] about Savioke says hotels turning to its room service robot