Robotics & Automation News

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Opinion: How will people respond when automation changes their roles

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Dr Paul Rivers, CEO, Guidance Automation

There has been much written about the benefits that automation can unlock for businesses, but too often businesses think they need to jump in at the deep end and deploy automation technology straight away, hoping it will solve the problems they are experiencing.

But how will a process optimised for a manual workforce perform with automation – such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV)? How will people respond when their day-to-day roles change?

If the aim is to improve efficiency and productivity, technology is just one part of the overall solution. [Read more…] about Opinion: How will people respond when automation changes their roles

Opinion: Disruption should bring passion into minds of investors

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By Deblieck Tommy, Managing Director / Partner, Zora Robotics

It is absolutely stunning to see how being disruptive makes you barely bankable.

When you become an entrepreneur, you’re first convinced that difference is an asset, that heading for a direction that no one follows is one of the keys. You with me? [Read more…] about Opinion: Disruption should bring passion into minds of investors

iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

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iRobot, a maker of consumer robots – most famously a robotic vacuum cleaner, has officially commenced production in Malaysia ahead of schedule.

Working with Jabil Inc, a manufacturing solutions provider based in St Petersburg, Florida, iRobot has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into Malaysia as part of its strategic supply chain diversification initiative.

Jabil has served as one of iRobot’s trusted manufacturing and supply chain partners in China since 2010. [Read more…] about iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

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

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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

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

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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

RE2 Robotics plans expansion as it looks to increase staff by 50 per cent

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RE2 Robotics, a developer of human-like robotic manipulation systems, says it will “significantly increase” its hiring efforts in 2020.

This hiring push is a direct result of the company’s expansion into commercial markets last year, including the aviation, energy and medical industries.

RE2 expects to increase its staff by 50 percent by the end 2020. The company, which increased its staff by 32 percent in 2019, is seeking to add approximately 20 engineers in a variety of disciplines, including mechanical, electrical and software engineering. [Read more…] about RE2 Robotics plans expansion as it looks to increase staff by 50 per cent

Industry 4.0 to ‘revolutionize’ use of safety sensors and switches, says report

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The so-called “Industry 4.0” trend – an umbrella term for a range of connectivity and automation technologies – will “revolutionize” the use of safety sensors and switches, according to a new report.

The Global Market Study on Safety Sensors and Switches, by Persistent Market Research, says the global market is projected to expand at “a meteoric rate” to register annual growth of 10.7 per cent throughout the period of assessment, 2017-2025.

In 2017, the global market for safety sensors and switches was valued at around $13.8 billion and is estimated to touch a valuation higher than $30 billion by the end of the period of forecast. [Read more…] about Industry 4.0 to ‘revolutionize’ use of safety sensors and switches, says report

Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

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Omron has launched the sixth wave of its factory automation control devices built on a common design platform for further innovation in control panel building.

The new products include 237 models in six categories low voltage switch gear: J7KC, J7TC, J7MC, J7KCA and J7KCR series low voltage switching gears (LVSG), S8V-CP series DC electronic circuit protectors, and PTF-XX-PU socket for LY relays with Push-In Plus technology.

With its Value Design products, Omron’s goal is to provide a complete solution to panel builders, while saving space and reducing the workload and total cost of ownership. [Read more…] about Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

SICK makes its 3D camera programmable

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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

BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road

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BMW claims it has “half a million” electric vehicles on the road, and is looking to double that number to reach 1 million by the end of 2021.

To mark the reaching of this milestone, Sebastian Mackensen, BMW Group senior vice president market Germany, handed over the keys to a very special BMW 330e to its future owner at BMW Welt today.

Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW, says: “Half a million vehicles is the best proof: Our broad range of electrified vehicles is meeting exact customer needs. [Read more…] about BMW claims it has ‘half a million’ electric vehicles on the road