Robotics & Automation News

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Industrial robots

Toyota looking to give $2 million to robotics startups

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Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Toyota AI Ventures is participating in a series of events across the United States to meet promising entrepreneurs that are looking for funding.

As part of the “call for innovation” initiative that it unveiled this summer in partnership with the robotics group at the Toyota Research Institute (TRI), the Toyota AI Ventures team will go on the road beginning this week to take part in several startup events.

The series kicked off at RoboBusiness 2018 in Silicon Valley where the firm’s managing director Jim Adler gave a presentation on the main stage on 26 September.

[Read more…] about Toyota looking to give $2 million to robotics startups

ABB launches its ‘most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever’

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ABB has launched what it describes as its “most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever”.

The new IRB 1100 “enhances the industry’s most comprehensive offering for fast, accurate small parts assembly solutions”, claims ABB.

ABB introduced the IRB 1100 at the China International Industry Fair 2018 in Shanghai – its smallest, lightest robot to date as part of its growing offering of solutions for small parts assembly.  [Read more…] about ABB launches its ‘most compact and lightweight 6-axis robot ever’

HRG Robotics to develop logistics robots with Ground Inc

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HIT Robot Group one of China’s leading robot manufacturers, has been showcasing more than 20 industrial robots at the 20th China International Industry Fair in Shanghai, a major event for industrial equipment manufacturers in China.

Among the systems on show were “logistics robots”, says HRG.

According to the 2018 Analysis Report On the Robotics Industry In China which analyzed the latest trends and challenges of the robotics industry, China has a booming industrial robot industry with a growing demand for automated logistics solutions.

In 2017, the total volume of logistics robots sold was about 12,900 units, representing 103 percent year-on-year growth. E-commerce giants such as JD.com, Alibaba, and Suning have adopted logistics robots to meet their needs of warehousing and distribution.  [Read more…] about HRG Robotics to develop logistics robots with Ground Inc

OnRobot launches robotics tool changer

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OnRobot, a specialist in robotic end-of-arm tooling, is launching a new patented tool changer for collaborative applications developed by Purple Robotics, recently acquired by OnRobot.

Weighing only 200 g (7 oz.), the Quick Changer has a low impact on robot payload. Its compact size also adds minimal distance from the tool centre point (TCP) to the robot, which minimises stress on robot joints.

The Quick Changer releases end-of-arm tools with just a click and inserted tools are automatically positioned correctly with a repeatability of ±0.02 mm. The Quick Changer can be used on any robot arm, drone, or other equipment with an ISO-9409-1 flange.

[Read more…] about OnRobot launches robotics tool changer

Fanuc and Kawada among companies adopting Nvidia’s new computer

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Nvidia has announced the global availability of the Jetson AGX Xavier developer kit, with industrial and manufacturing leaders in Japan among the first to begin using the new system.

FANUC, Komatsu, Musashi Seimitsu and Kawada Technologies will adopt Jetson AGX Xavier in their next-generation autonomous machines.

“Japan is driving the world of robotics in numerous industries – from factory automation to construction to manufacturing,” said Deepu Talla, vice president and general manager of Autonomous Machines at Nvidia. “The country’s most important companies in this space are adopting Jetson AGX Xavier to usher in a new era of robotics.”

[Read more…] about Fanuc and Kawada among companies adopting Nvidia’s new computer

Epson launches competition to win three of its industrial robots

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Epson Robots has launched a competition to win three of its industrial robots.

Epson, which says it’s the market leader in SCARA robots, has been a provider of automation solutions since 1980. It’s one of the top 10 robotics companies in the world.

The company says the competition is launched as the expansion of automation continues around the world, with many new and innovative applications for robots are being developed.  [Read more…] about Epson launches competition to win three of its industrial robots

New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper

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New Scale Robotics, a division of New Scale Technologies, has received Universal Robots certification for its NSR-PG-10-20-UR Precision Parallel Gripper.

Universal Robots certification confirms that the smart gripper is fully compatible with UR collaborative robots and meets all published specifications.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We are delighted to receive endorsement from Universal Robots for the NSR-PG, created specifically to install and operate on UR robots in under 30 minutes.  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper

Nvidia and Arrow Electronics launch new Jetson Xavier AI computer 

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Nvidia and Arrow Electronics, Inc. are bringing Nvidia Jetson Xavier, a first-of-its-kind computer designed for AI, robotics and edge computing, to companies worldwide to create next-generation autonomous machines.

The collaboration combines Nvidia’s AI capabilities with Arrow’s global industrial customers and its support network of engineers and designers.

This opens the door to the development and deployment of AI solutions for manufacturing, logistics, smart cities, healthcare and more.

[Read more…] about Nvidia and Arrow Electronics launch new Jetson Xavier AI computer 

Universal Robots gives away a golden robot to one person in each of its geographical areas around the world

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Universal Robots, widely recognized as the market leader in collaborative robots, earlier this year announced that it is celebrating its 25,000th cobot sale by giving away a Gold Edition cobot, shipped free of cost, to one lucky customer.

However, due to a huge response and interest from customers all around the world, Universal Robots has decided to offer a Gold Edition cobot to a customer in each of Universal Robots’ geographical areas worldwide.

The reward for each of these customers is the previously announced Golden Cobot with the joints painted in a rich, gold-colored finish, which is a refreshing take on Universal Robots’ iconic blue and grey cobots.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots gives away a golden robot to one person in each of its geographical areas around the world

Universal Robots launches software to make setting up robotic work cells easier

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Universal Robots has launched its “Application Builder” software, which is designed to make setting up a robotic work cells easier. 

The company says the software provides step-by-step guidance on end effectors, programming, machine interfaces and other things.

The three popular collaborative applications available at launch include machine tending, assembly, and packaging.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches software to make setting up robotic work cells easier