Robotics & Automation News

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Industry

Solving the talent component of the automation equation

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Automation is key to the US competing on a global manufacturing stage, but we have work to do to train our workforce to be fluent in advanced manufacturing skills such as robot programming.

To enable more broad deployment of the automation that will power the future of manufacturing, it is imperative that we make automation easier to deploy. However, user-friendly automation technology isn’t enough on its own because we need a way to rapidly train more workers in the skills necessary to implement automation.

The future of US manufacturing requires that we democratize automation with a combination of technology and worker training/upskilling. One example of where success is being had is in Paintsville, Kentucky. [Read more…] about Solving the talent component of the automation equation

Mercedes showcases new manufacturing tech at Factory 56

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Flexible, digital, efficient and sustainable: Factory 56 embodies the future of production at Mercedes-Benz and sets new standards for the automotive industry.

With an investment of approximately 730 million Euros, the factory at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen is a clear commitment to Germany as a business location. In total, Mercedes-Benz is investing about 2.1 billion euros at the Sindelfingen site.

At the same time, the company is increasing efficiency in Factory 56 by 25 percent compared to the previous S-Class assembly. Production in Factory 56 is characterized by maximum flexibility; this applies to the number of models produced and the production volume as well as to material flows. [Read more…] about Mercedes showcases new manufacturing tech at Factory 56

IBM launches new industrial chemistry robot to enable lab automation

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IBM has launched a new industrial chemistry lab robot called RoboRXN, describing it as “the first remotely accessible, autonomous chemical laboratory”. (See video below.)

The computing giant says the RXN machine is “revolutionizing industrial chemistry, by transforming it into a high tech business”.

RXN uses a combination of artificial intelligence, automation and cloud computing to relieve the chemist from tedious repetitive tasks, allowing more time and space for design and innovation. [Read more…] about IBM launches new industrial chemistry robot to enable lab automation

Dover acquires industrial automation company XanTec

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Dover Corporation, diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion, has completed the acquisition of XanTec.

XanTec Steuerungs und EDV-Technik is a developer and supplier of automation and control solutions for industrial machinery of all types with particular focus on plastic and polymer processing machines across the globe.

XanTec now becomes part of the Maag Group, a global provider of integrated and customizable process technology solutions for the polymer, chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and food industries within Dover’s Pumps & Process Solutions segment. [Read more…] about Dover acquires industrial automation company XanTec

30 critical raw materials: EU prioritizes lithium but launches plan to avoid dependency

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The European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, has listed 30 “critical raw materials” that it wants to secure the supply of while at the same time avoiding becoming dependent on any of them.

The four new additions to the list are bauxite, lithium, titanium and strontium.

Lithium, a fundamental material in the manufacturing of batteries of all kinds, is increasingly gaining importance as more and more people buy electric cars. [Read more…] about 30 critical raw materials: EU prioritizes lithium but launches plan to avoid dependency

e-con Systems launches IP67 rugged GMSL2 camera for industrial applications

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e-con Systems, an embedded camera solutions company, has launched its STURDeCAM20 industrial grade GMSL camera and STURDeCAM20_CUXVR camera kit leveraging the powerful capabilities of the Nvidia Jetson edge AI platform.

The new offerings accelerate time to market for customers developing and deploying ruggedized applications for industrial and outdoor environments such as autonomous mobile robots, delivery robots, sidewalk robots, blind spot cameras for large vehicles, mining vehicles, forklifts, surround view systems, and more.

The STURDeCAM20 is based on a Full HD CMOS sensor with well-tuned image signal processor (ISP) packed in an IP67 rated (water and dust proof) enclosure with operating temperature of -40 to 85°C. [Read more…] about e-con Systems launches IP67 rugged GMSL2 camera for industrial applications

Graze unveils solar-powered autonomous commercial lawn mower

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Startup company Graze has unveiled a new solar-powered autonomous commercial lawn mower, which it plans to launch by 2021.

The company says has now expanded the design to increase efficiency and maintenance speed for mid-to-large sized commercial lawns, enhance cutting blades to perfect trim precision, add new sensor capabilities to increase safety, improve GPS based mapping and computer vision, while optimizing intelligent and applicable insights through advanced machine learning capabilities.

Analyst reports have found landscaping services in the US generated $101.7 billion in revenue in 2020, while commercial landscaping services (maintenance and general services) have been projected to range between 40 and 60 percent of the overall landscaping service industry in the US. [Read more…] about Graze unveils solar-powered autonomous commercial lawn mower

Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream

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A startup company aiming to bring digital project management techniques to the construction sector has raised $14.25 million in Series A funding, bring the total raised to $24.7 million, according to Business Insider. 

Mosaic Construction says its fundamental offer or service is to provide a method for analyzing building plans and categorize them according to which contractor will do what task in what time frame and so on.

This could enable traditional property developers and builders to move more of their tasks into the factory for prefabrication, bringing prefabricated construction into the mainstream. [Read more…] about Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream

US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

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The US Federal Aviation Administration has given Amazon permission to make drone deliveries, certifying the company as an “air carrier” – basically like an airline company.

The world’s largest online retailer has been trying to get permits to operate its Amazon Prime Air drones for several years, making test deliveries by drones while it waits.

One sticking point was that the FAA had originally wanted drone operators to maintain human vision on the drone while in the air. [Read more…] about US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

Investment in agricultural automation increases as farmers look to offset labor shortages

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Total investment in agricultural robot startups has increased significantly as farmers look to offset labor shortages partly caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report on the Financial Times website.

Citing data collated by DealRoom.co, the news website says investment in vertical and indoor farming startups has grown by more than 40 percent this year compared with last year.

Indoor farming is basically the process of growing inside large buildings, some of which are like greenhouses and use natural light coming through transparent roofs, while others use artificial lights if their roofs are opaque. [Read more…] about Investment in agricultural automation increases as farmers look to offset labor shortages