Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Food manufacturers are turning to robots to meet customers’ needs, says ING report

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The importance of technology for food manufacturers continues to grow, according to a new ING report, Food tech: technology in the food industry.

The research report revealed the use of robots in the European food industry is becoming more commonplace, with a 50 per cent increase in the sale of robots to the food industry over the last five years.

The research also uncovered the growing demands from retailers and consumers is having an impact on the uptake of technologies like robotics in the industry. [Read more…] about Food manufacturers are turning to robots to meet customers’ needs, says ING report

Texas university wins Sick robotics challenge

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A team from Texas A&M University has won this year’s robotics challenge organized by Sick.

For the 2018-2019 school year, Sick invited students from universities around the country to participate in the first ever TiM$10K Challenge, created to support innovation and student achievement in automation and technology.

Teams were supplied with a 270° Sick LiDAR sensor (TiM) and accessories and challenged to solve a problem, create a solution, or bring a new application to any industry that utilizes the Sick LiDAR.

[Read more…] about Texas university wins Sick robotics challenge

Samsung shows off robot that tests Galaxy Fold smartphone

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Samsung has been showing off the robot the company uses to test the new Galaxy Fold smartphone. (See video below.)

The Galaxy Fold is a new type of smartphone – the main feature being the foldable screen.

The Galaxy Fold was scheduled for release a few days ago, but early reviews suggested that the foldable screen broke after a day’s use.

[Read more…] about Samsung shows off robot that tests Galaxy Fold smartphone

Beam me up, Scotty. Or send me a foldable smartphone

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If you’re among the millions of people who watched the sci-fi TV show Westworld and saw the folding smartphones used by some of the characters, you probably immediately thought, “I want one of those.”

That’s what we thought anyway.

And whereas the old, 1960s Star Trek showed off tablet computers and other technologies many decades before they were beamed into our collective – and possibly holographic – reality, nowadays, things happen slightly faster.

[Read more…] about Beam me up, Scotty. Or send me a foldable smartphone

Robotic toymaker Anki to close down

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Anki, a startup company which made robotic toy cars and trucks, is planning to close its doors, according to a report on the Recode website.

The company had raised more than $200 million in funding for the venture, and generated $100 million in revenue in 2017, but is now making all of its 200 employees redundant.

In a statement to Recode, the company says that it had been left “without significant funding” which meant it could not finance its hardware and software development plans going forward.

[Read more…] about Robotic toymaker Anki to close down

Dyndrite in line to raise $10 million for its 3D design software

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A startup company called Dyndrite is set to raise more than $10 million to bring its computer-aided design software to market.

The privately held Dyndrite says Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused investment fund and an early Dyndrite investor, will lead the company’s $10 million+ Series A financing round.

Cota Capital joins existing investors, Amplify Ventures, The House Fund, and private investor and former president and CEO of Autodesk, Carl Bass.

[Read more…] about Dyndrite in line to raise $10 million for its 3D design software

Yara and IBM join forces to transform the future of farming

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Yara International, a crop nutrition company, and IBM, have signed an agreement to build the world’s leading digital farming platform, providing holistic digital services and instant agronomic advice.

Yara and IBM Services will jointly innovate and commercialize digital agricultural solutions that will help increase global food production by drawing on the two companies’ complementary capabilities.

Yara’s agronomic knowledge, backed by more than 800 agronomists and a century of experience, and IBM’s digital platforms, services, and expertise in artificial intelligence and data analytics. [Read more…] about Yara and IBM join forces to transform the future of farming

Parrot launches thermal compact lightweight drone solution

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Drone maker Parrot has launched the Anafi Thermal, which the company describes an “all-in-one, drone-based solution that provides easy to use, sophisticated and high-quality thermography” – drone + sensor + software.

Parrot has evolved its existing Anafi platform to create this lightweight and easy-to-use solution specifically engineered to support a wide range of industries.

As well as the built-in 4K HDR camera, Anafi Thermal integrates a FLIR® thermal sensor – a benchmark product in this sector – capable of letting users see thermal imaging quickly and efficiently. [Read more…] about Parrot launches thermal compact lightweight drone solution

Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

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Infineon is outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors in Japan, according to new research by Strategy Analytics.

Infineon says this shows “strong growth in a strategically important market”.

The latest research from Strategy Analytics finds that Infineon Technologies increased its automotive business in Japan by almost 25 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Infineon ‘outgrowing all other leading suppliers of automotive semiconductors’ in Japan

Anca launches new robot arm

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Anca has launched its first industrial robot – a selective compliance assembly robot arm, or SCARA.

Anca is better known for its computer numerical control machines, and supplies the automotive, electronic, medical, aerospace and many other manufacturing verticals.

The company says it spends 10 percent of its annual turnover on research and development projects and often collaborates with universities to develop its latest technology. [Read more…] about Anca launches new robot arm