Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Nuro puts its delivery robot into action against coronavirus

by

Nuro, a California-based startup building small, wheeled autonomous delivery robots, is using its technology in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak in the US. (See video below.)

America now has the highest death toll in the world from Covid-19 and authorities have set up many temporarily hospitals and treatment centres across the country.

One of these temporary hospitals is located at the Sleep Train Arena, a basketball stadium which used to be the home of the Sacramento Kings, and another at the San Mateo County Event Center. [Read more…] about Nuro puts its delivery robot into action against coronavirus

Brain Corp launches $1.6 million ‘Robot Relief’ program to support essential businesses

by

Brain Corp has launched a $1.6 million “Robot Relief” program to support essential businesses.

The company says it will make its technology available to qualifying organisations that are helping in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

Commercial cleaning robots provide verifiable, consistent cleaning at a time when customer and employee safety has never been more important. [Read more…] about Brain Corp launches $1.6 million ‘Robot Relief’ program to support essential businesses

Kindred unveils new robotic solution for e-commerce fulfillment

by

Kindred has unveiled a new robotic solution for e-commerce fulfillment.

The company debuted the Kindred Sort 3.7 piece-picking robot at the recent Modex Show.

The enhanced Sort 3.7 system features eight additional cubbies, for a total of 27, translating into a 42 percent increase in the number of items it can sort at e-commerce fulfillment centers and warehouses, says Kindred. [Read more…] about Kindred unveils new robotic solution for e-commerce fulfillment

Lidl and Einride partner to electrify supply chain in Sweden

by

Einride will supply electric trucks to grocery chain Lidl this year as the next step in a long-term partnership to transform Lidl’s supply chain to be emissions-free.

Lidl and Einride have been ambitious, since the start of their partnership in 2017, to electrify and automate deliveries to Lidl locations in Sweden.

The transformation to a zero-emissions transport network will take place in stages and focus mainly on electrification in the short term, with automation coming in the next phase. [Read more…] about Lidl and Einride partner to electrify supply chain in Sweden

Universal Robots launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending

by

Universal Robots has launched what it says is “the world’s first” autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending applications.

“ActiNav” is a new UR+ application kit for companies of all sizes that, Universal says, simplifies the integration of autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement in machines using UR cobots.

ActiNav synchronously handles vision processing, collision-free motion planning and autonomous real-time robot control, eliminating the complexity and risk usually associated with bin picking applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous bin picking kit for machine tending

Fanuc and SICK develop new safety integration for robot machine tending

by

A collaboration between Fanuc and SICK has pioneered new safety integration for robot machine tending that points the way towards simpler, more cost-effective and adaptable solutions in future.

ROBOTS excel in heavy, repetitive and high-speed tasks, far surpassing humans in their repeatable, reliable performance.

For this reason, the manual operation of machine tending – ubiquitous throughout manufacturing industry – has become a prime candidate for robotic automation. [Read more…] about Fanuc and SICK develop new safety integration for robot machine tending

Fanuc launches new vision sensor for robotic warehousing applications

by

The world’s largest industrial robot maker Fanuc has launched a new vision sensor for robotic warehousing applications.

The company’s new 3DV/1600 vision sensor quickly finds and snaps boxes of varying sizes and shapes in a large bin – an ideal application for the warehousing, e-commerce and logistics markets.

Fanuc claims to be the leading supplier of robotics, CNCs, RoboMachines and industrial internet of things solutions in America. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new vision sensor for robotic warehousing applications

Automotive robotics market forecast to reach $6 billion by 2024

by

The automotive robotics market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $4 billion to over $5.96 billion by 2024, according to the latest study by Global Market Insights.

Growing utilization of automated machines for production and assembly of automotive parts is estimated to drive global automotive robotics market.

The automotive robotics industry is growing steadily on the back of expanding automotive industry. [Read more…] about Automotive robotics market forecast to reach $6 billion by 2024

Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

by

Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

OnRobot launches new 2.5D vision system

by

OnRobot has launched “Eyes”, its new 2.5D vision system. The company says it brings together “unrivaled ease-of-use to vision-guided robotic applications”. (See video below.)

Eyes’ advanced, affordable 2.5D vision adds depth perception and parts recognition for all leading robotic arms, offering seamless integration, one-picture calibration, intuitive programming, and none of the complexity of existing vision systems.

Eyes can be flexibly mounted both on the robot wrist or externally, making it ideal for almost any unstructured application in need of vision guidance. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new 2.5D vision system