Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

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The International Federation of Robotics’ new report into the global industrial robotics market predicts significant growth in the collaborative robotics segment.

Universal Robots is widely regarded as the market leader in collaborative robots, having been the first to launch such machines almost 10 years ago and having sold more than 10,000 units since.

Having started out in Denmark, Universal Robots is now part of the US industrial giant Teradyne.  [Read more…] about IFR’s projected growth of collaborative robots market ‘in line’ with Universal expectations

Kawasaki sells 2,000 duAro units in China, looking to sell even more robots amid labour shortages

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Kawasaki Robotics has sold 2,000 units of its duAro dual-armed collaborative industrial robot in China, according to a report on Bloomberg.com. 

The company is now looking to increase sales to 5,000 units of duAro as the country’s industrial sector struggles with labour shortages.

As anomalous as it seems for a country with 1.4 billion people, China is facing labour shortages – believed to be caused by the one-child policy, introduced in 1979 when the country first started moving to a more capitalist-style economy.  [Read more…] about Kawasaki sells 2,000 duAro units in China, looking to sell even more robots amid labour shortages

Kuka to double production capacity in China in bid to overtake ABB and Fanuc

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Kuka is determined to take advantage of its alliance with Chinese household appliances manufacturing giant Midea to become the largest robot maker in China. 

Already one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, Kuka was taken over by Midea some months ago in a move currently being scrutinised by the European Union, which may change its merges and acquisitions policies as a result.

Such technicalities aside, Kuka is bullish about opportunities in China and has reportedly decided to double its production capacity in the country.  [Read more…] about Kuka to double production capacity in China in bid to overtake ABB and Fanuc

US trade boss warns of oversupply of bad robots because of Chinese government subsidies

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China’s appetite for industrial robots is big and growing. Already the largest buyer of the machines, domestic companies are being encouraged by the Chinese government to build more robots locally, not just import them from overseas. 

Such high-powered encouragement has led to the establishment of numerous robot manufacturers in the country, some of which take advantage of government subsidies.

This has prompted criticism from US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross (main picture), who grumbled about a range of issues, but singled out China’s burgeoning robotics industry, which he apparently believes is built mainly on government subsidies.  [Read more…] about US trade boss warns of oversupply of bad robots because of Chinese government subsidies

By 2020, 1.7 million new robots will be roaming the earth

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The global robot population is growing at what some might say is an alarming rate. 

As well as the countless millions already tucked away in factories and homes everywhere, there could be another 2 million added to that number by the end of the decade, which may or may not coincide with the end of humanity’s control over the planet and a ceremonial transfer of power to the robots and artificial intelligence.

Purely ceremonial, since some people say they already rule over us anyway.  [Read more…] about By 2020, 1.7 million new robots will be roaming the earth

Hyundai creates separate industrial robotics division, aims for top 5 status

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Hyundai Heavy Industries has established a robotics division and has a stated goal of becoming one of the top five industrial robot manufacturers in the world. 

Hyundai Robotics was established in 1984, and has been a division of Hyundai until now.

It is already said to be the largest manufacturer of industrial robots in South Korea, but now, as a standalone business, it wants to double its capacity and earn $440 million in revenue by 2021.  [Read more…] about Hyundai creates separate industrial robotics division, aims for top 5 status

Denso Robotics launches new scara robot

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Denso Robotics has launched its latest HSR four-axis scara – selective compliant assembly robot arm – robot. 

The company says the new robot uses advanced vibration control, a newly designed, highly rigid lightweight arm and improved heat dissipation in the base unit to achieve new levels of continuous high-speed performance and repeatability.

Peter Cavallo, robotics sales manager, Denso products and services Americas, says: “Our new HSR robot represents the culmination of 50 years of experience in developing industrial robot arms to meet our own manufacturing needs in the highly competitive automotive sector.  [Read more…] about Denso Robotics launches new scara robot

ABB to showcase range of solutions at Pack Expo

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ABB will feature a broad range of robotic and motion technologies for packaging and warehouse distribution applications at Pack Expo 2017, September 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (#C-5242).

The exhibit highlights the advanced level of collaboration, digitalization and simplification unique to ABB, which provides manufacturers the flexibility to efficiently adapt production and packaging as evolving consumer preferences require a shift from mass production to mass customization.

Collaboration comes in the form of YuMi, the industry’s first truly collaborative robot, and SafeMove2, the latest generation of ABB’s safety certified robot monitoring software, providing a new level of human-robot interaction that enhances both productivity and workplace safety.  [Read more…] about ABB to showcase range of solutions at Pack Expo

Universal Robots to exhibit new scalable solutions for fast-changing market at Pack Expo 2017

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Universal Robots is showcasing a new cobot-assisted, mobile and modular tabletop system featuring vision-guided multiple part feeding and kitting with conveyor tracking and case loading/unloading at Pack Expo.

While most robotic cells and automated machinery in the market are stationary solutions designed to complete one task for their usable life, Universal Robots certified system integrator, Allied Technology, has taken a new approach.

“We believe a robot cell should be modular, flexible, and easy to use. The systems we design are scalable and allow for a company to easily make changes when production has new requirements or a new product to run,” says president of Allied Technology, Mike Halley.

Halley adds that Universal Robots has given Allied Technology a great advantage in a market where high mix/low volume is becoming the norm.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots to exhibit new scalable solutions for fast-changing market at Pack Expo 2017

Epson Robots launches ‘all-in-one’ Scara robot for simple applications

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Epson says the new robot addresses the need for a ‘cost-effective and easy-to-use automation solution’

Epson Robots has showcased a new scara industrial robot at Pack Expo. 

Scara is the acronym for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm.

Epson Robots, which claims to be the “number-one scara robot manufacturer in the world”, says the new model expands its line of industrial scara robots.  [Read more…] about Epson Robots launches ‘all-in-one’ Scara robot for simple applications