Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Key supplier selection criteria for when you’re building optical assemblies for commercial space applications

by

By Joe Salemi, OEM sales manager, Optical Components Group, ZYGO Corporation

It is often easy to ignore the fundamental role that technology plays in our everyday lives.

Consider the ability to analyze changes to the Earth’s surface, daily. Consider the possibility of ubiquitous internet access even in remote parts of the world. Consider satellite navigation systems in almost every new road vehicle.

All these and thousands of other activities that are driven by the need to monitor what is happening in the world every minute of every day are only possible because of commercial space projects, and the technology used in such space craft must marry reliability with utmost precision. [Read more…] about Key supplier selection criteria for when you’re building optical assemblies for commercial space applications

OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

by

OptiPro Metrology Lab is using a system supplied by New Scale Robotics to inspect small parts. (See video below.)

The optics manufacturer is using New Scale’s Q-Span technology, based on its “precision gripper / caliper”, to automate measurement and machine tending.

The optics measuring solution involves a collaborative robot from Universal Robots and end effectors developed by New Scale. [Read more…] about OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

Emerging trends in the world of autonomous vehicles

by

By Swamini Kulkarni

The last few years have been favorable for the autonomous vehicle technology. Developing a driverless car has been a shared dream for Google, Apple, Tesla, Uber, and Lyft.

For Uber and Lyft, autonomous cars are one of the means of cutting costs. However, saving big bucks are not the only benefits of autonomous cars.

Factors such as lowering fuel consumption, reduce CO2 emission, and reduction in congestion are some of the major benefits of autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Emerging trends in the world of autonomous vehicles

Piab Group claims to be ‘global leader in ergonomic handling solutions’ after TAWI acquisition

by

Piab Group now claims to be the “global leader in ergonomic handling solutions” after its acquisition of the TAWI Group.

Piab Group entered into the agreement to acquire TAWI Group recently. TAWI is a manufacturer of smart lifting solutions with global reach.

Total 2019 sales for TAWI is expected to reach 340 million Swedish krona, which is about $36 million. [Read more…] about Piab Group claims to be ‘global leader in ergonomic handling solutions’ after TAWI acquisition

Fanuc says its new robot ‘raises the bar’ in collaborative technology

by

Fanuc, the world’s largest supplier of industrial robots, says its new robot “raises the bar” in collaborative technology.

Fanuc says its new CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L long arm version collaborative robots “set new standards in terms of ease of use, reliability and safety”.

Fanuc introduced the new collaborative robots at the 2019 International Robot Exhibition, in Tokyo, recently. [Read more…] about Fanuc says its new robot ‘raises the bar’ in collaborative technology

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

by

OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

by

SICK has launched what it describes as its “most powerful and accurate 2D LiDAR sensor yet”.

The LMS4000 is designed for materials handling and intralogistics applications, and is said to maintain its high degrees of accuracy and power even at high speeds, in low ambient light or when goods, packages or parcels are matt black or glossy.

SICK says its LMS4000 2D LiDAR Sensor’s “exceptionally high” laser scanning frequency helps to produce more than half a million measurement points per second to calculate the position, shape, volume or surface quality of goods, packages or components over a wide depth of field, and at ranges up to 3 metres. [Read more…] about SICK launches its ‘most powerful and accurate’ 2D LiDAR sensor yet

SICK makes its 3D camera programmable

by

SICK has made its powerful Visionary T 3D snapshot camera programmable, so it can run user-specific image processing applications developed in its pioneering AppSpace software development ecosystem.

The SICK Visionary T-AP, a robust 3D imaging camera that captures high-resolution 3D data with a single shot of light, is the first SICK programmable device to be launched with ready-to-use SICK Key Apps already on board.

The Visionary T-AP can be purchased with easy-to-use plug and play applications to solve common 3D guidance and localisation tasks in materials handling, warehousing and intralogistics applications, particularly for obstacle recognition, collision avoidance, and navigation in the use of service robots, automated guided vehicles, carts and forklifts. [Read more…] about SICK makes its 3D camera programmable

Airbus acquires MTM Robotics

by

Airbus has acquired industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, for an undisclosed sum. MTM already partners with Airbus, supplying its robotic hole-drilling system, as reported by Robotics and Automation News previously.

The aerospace colossus says the move “deepens Airbus’ commitment to expanding advanced robotics capabilities within its manufacturing processes”.

The MTM business will retain its current leadership and 40-person staff, as well as its facility in Mukilteo, Washington, near Seattle. [Read more…] about Airbus acquires MTM Robotics

May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota

by

May Mobility, an autonomous transportation-as-a-service provider, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Toyota.

There was also participation from Sparx Group, alongside return investors Millennium Technology Value Partners, Cyrus Capital Partners, BMW iVentures, and Toyota AI Ventures.

The company says the round will help fund strategic hires across the engineering and operations functions, and expansion of the vehicle fleet to meet growing demand. [Read more…] about May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota