Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Industrial robots

Technical insight: Safe robotics – collaboration without incident

by

In this article, SICK, a supplier of industrial sensors and sensor systems, provides detailed insight into the subject of safety while working with collaborative robots.

The Safe Robotics Area Protection safety system from SICK provides process-based protection for collaborative robot applications.

It consists of a Flexi Soft safety controller and a safety laser scanner – either the space-saving S300 Mini Remote for shorter scanning ranges or the microScan3 Core for larger monitoring fields.

Safe Robotics Area Protection satisfies the criteria of Performance Level PL d in accordance with EN ISO 13849-1.  [Read more…] about Technical insight: Safe robotics – collaboration without incident

Industrial robotics: 5 trends in 2019 and beyond

by

Micropsi Industries, a robotics software company, provides its predictions of the technologies that will affect manufacturing and industrial robots this year.

Ronnie Vuine, founder and CEO, Micropsi Industries, says: “Smart industrial robots aren’t science fiction anymore.

“Equipped with more and more sensors and ever-easier to program, robots can now take on repetitive or dangerous tasks that were too hard to automate, even just two years ago.  [Read more…] about Industrial robotics: 5 trends in 2019 and beyond

New algorithms for heavy industrial robot-human collaboration

by

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU have developed an innovative technology enabling people and large industrial robots to work together in an intuitive way that feels a lot like human teamwork.

Currently, heavy-duty robots operate alongside their human coworkers without safety fencing, but direct interaction is a no-go. Safety precautions dictate that the robot freezes as soon as a human sets foot in a sizeable surrounding safety zone.

Using the benefit of this technology, robots can recognise gestures, faces and postures to make this collaboration that much safer and more efficient.

[Read more…] about New algorithms for heavy industrial robot-human collaboration

Comau Robotics partners with AZ Mecatronica in Portugal

by

Comau has a new robotics and automation products partnership with distributor AZ Mecatronica in Portugal, which focuses its business on the development of automation and mechatronics solutions for all industries.

With a team with more than 15 years of experience, AZ Mecatronica services cover mechanics, software, electronic and automation solutions.

The company has now expanded its robotics offering with the Comau robot family, including robots with payloads ranging from 3 to 650 kg, laser sources, autonomous mobile vehicles and welding guns.

[Read more…] about Comau Robotics partners with AZ Mecatronica in Portugal

Columbia University engineers create ‘a robot that can imagine itself’

by

Columbia University engineers say they have created “a robot that can imagine itself”, taking the industry one step closer to self-aware machines. (See video below.)

Robots that are self-aware have been science fiction fodder for decades, and now we may finally be getting closer.

Humans are unique in being able to imagine themselves – to picture themselves in future scenarios, such as walking along the beach on a warm sunny day.  [Read more…] about Columbia University engineers create ‘a robot that can imagine itself’

OnRobot’s Nasa technology-based ‘Gecko’ gripper named finalist in the 2019 Edison Awards

by

OnRobot, a global leader in end-of-arm tooling for collaborative robots, announced today its Gecko Gripper has been named a finalist in the Applied Technology’s Robotics category in the 2019 Edison Awards.

The Edison Awards, named after Thomas Alva Edison, recognizes and honors the world’s best in innovators and innovations. The Awards will announce gold, silver and bronze award winners at the Edison Awards Gala held Thursday, April 4, 2019, in New York City.

OnRobot provides hardware and software that is used with collaborative robots – or cobots – from a variety of robot manufacturers, such as Universal Robots, Kuka, Fanuc and Yaskawa. Recently, OnRobot announced general availability of its Gecko Gripper.  [Read more…] about OnRobot’s Nasa technology-based ‘Gecko’ gripper named finalist in the 2019 Edison Awards

Hyundai Robotics signs a joint venture agreement with HGZN

by

Hyundai Robotics has signed a joint venture agreement for the production, sales, and after-sales services of industrial robots with Jiangsu Hagong Intelligent Robot (Ha Gong Zhi Neng [HGZN]) in China.

Under the agreement, the two parties plan to build a smart factory that is capable of manufacturing four different models by the end of 2019, and manufacture and sell 17,000 units by 2022.

The new agreement with the no. 1 auto welding company in China has provided Hyundai Robotics with the opportunity to capitalise on HGZN’s local sales network and secure manufacturing bases in China, which will serve as a bridge for Hyundai Robotics’ access to the Chinese robotics market.

Epson to showcase latest robots at ATX West

by

Epson Robots will be showcasing its latest robots, including the 6-Axis- and Synthis T-Series All-in-One SCARA robots at the Automation Technology show, ATX West.

Epson says its robots are designed for “maximum efficiency and productivity” for small parts assembly in industries ranging from automotive and medical development, to lab automation, consumer electronics, electronic components and industrial.

The company claims to be the “number-one SCARA robot manufacturer in the world”.  [Read more…] about Epson to showcase latest robots at ATX West

Universal Robots and VersaBuilt to launch cobot and CNC machine interface

by

Universal Robots (UR) and VersaBuilt will launch a new interface, URCap, to allow CNC machines to communicate directly with UR collaborative robots at the ATX West show, February 5-7, in Anaheim, California, USA.

The URCap allows a UR cobot to execute any machining program stored on the CNC directly through the cobot’s own teach pendant. Initially launching for Haas CNC machines, VersaBuilt will develop UR interfaces for other popular CNC makes later this year.

The URCap will soon be available through the UR+ platform, a showroom of products all certified to integrate seamlessly with UR cobots.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots and VersaBuilt to launch cobot and CNC machine interface

Kuka revises financial forecasts because of economic slowdown

by

Company says it will redirect investment towards “smaller and simpler robot systems” as well as collaborative robots

Kuka has revised its financial forecasts for the fiscal year 2018 because of the “economic slowdown”, which could at least in part refer to the US-China trade dispute.

The industrial robot maker says the “challenging market environment” is the result of a slowdown in the “key industries of automotive and electronics, weak growth in the important Chinese market as well as challenges in the project business”.

Kuka says it has implemented an “immediate package” to strengthen future viability. And it is adjusting its forecast for the past fiscal year 2018.  [Read more…] about Kuka revises financial forecasts because of economic slowdown