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Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

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Omron has launched an updated ranges of optical sensors that the company says can better detect black, mirrored and transparent surfaces.

Omron Electronic Components Europe says the new series of optical sensors, also feature a longer detection distance.

Omron B5W sensors are particularly effective at identifying black, transparent, reflective and other hard to detect services, and the new range also features enhanced performance in this area. [Read more…] about Omron says its optical sensors can better detect black surfaces

FarmWise raises $14.5 million for its weed-removing robots

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FarmWise, a US startup which builds autonomous farming robots, has raised $14.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Calibrate Ventures.

In addition to existing investors backing FarmWise, agriculture company Wilbur Ellis, Xplorer Capital and Alumni Ventures Group are participating in the round.

The proceeds will be used to grow the company’s robotic engineering and operation teams, as well as boost R&D efforts on plant-level detection and actuation capabilities. [Read more…] about FarmWise raises $14.5 million for its weed-removing robots

Going ‘smart’ helps factories make 12 per cent gains, says new report

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Implementing smart technologies has enabled factories make gains of up to 12 percent, according to an authoritative new report by Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

The areas in which the gains were achieved include: manufacturing output – an important US economic indicator; and factory utilization; and labor productivity.

Looking ahead, smart factory initiatives could lead manufacturers to experience labor productivity increases of 4 percent, which represents a three-fold improvement over the past decade’s average annual growth rate of 0.7 percent (2007-2018). [Read more…] about Going ‘smart’ helps factories make 12 per cent gains, says new report

Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

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One of Germany’s leading metal-working events, EMO, has opened today amid news of greater investment in the sector, as well as a greater emphasis on “smart” technologies – which usually refers to higher levels of automation and digitalisation. 

Organisers claim EMO to be “the world’s leading metalworking trade fair”, and had a line-up of prominent figures for the launch, including:

  • Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure;
  • Lower Saxony’s First Minister Stephan Weil;
  • Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom Adel Al-Saleh;
  • Cecimo President Dr Roland Feichtl; and
  • EMO General Commissioner Carl Martin Welcker.

EMO lasts for six days, and is located in the northern German city of Hannover. [Read more…] about Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

Agtech startup Robotics Plus wins prestigious award

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Robotics Plus, a developer of robotics and automation technologies for the agriculture sector, has won a prestigious award in its home region of Australia-New Zealand. 

The startup has won an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award, from the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum.

The awards, which celebrate innovation, growth and impact of emerging businesses in Australia and New Zealand, were presented by Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern at a reception in Auckland this week. [Read more…] about Agtech startup Robotics Plus wins prestigious award

Dow showcasing new materials aimed at automotive sector at Battery Show

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Dow Performance Silicones is showcasing new materials aimed at the automotive sector at the ongoing Battery Show North America.

The silicon-based technology and innovations include new materials and capabilities for electric vehicle and battery packs.

The company says the technologies are intended to help designers and engineers to manage thermal, adhesion, sealing and throughput challenges. [Read more…] about Dow showcasing new materials aimed at automotive sector at Battery Show

Simbe Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding round

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Simbe Robotics, which specializes in robotics and artificial intelligence for retail, has completed two separate funding deals.

One was a Series A equity financing round, and the other was an inventory financing agreement with SoftBank Robotics.

Simbe says the financing will allow the company to increase efficiencies in production and deployment of its Tally robot. [Read more…] about Simbe Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding round

SICK to showcase indoor localization technology that lets you know where all your machines are at all times

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SICK is unveiling indoor localization technology which lets users know where all their machines are at all times.

The sensor supplier is planning to showcase the system at the Pack Expo Las Vegas later this month.

SICK says it has taken another step toward Industry 4.0 by offering a new, comprehensive indoor localization portfolio. [Read more…] about SICK to showcase indoor localization technology that lets you know where all your machines are at all times

Indian government to replace sewage workers with robots by 2020

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An Indian company called GenRobotics has developed a range of robots to undertake work down manholes and in sewage environments, and has been receiving orders from a number of states in its home country as well as many places abroad. 

GenRobotics was launched in relatively quiet circumstances in 2015, but then, last year, the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, was in attendance at the launch of the company’s second-generation robots.

Malaysia and the UAE are among the outside nations from which orders have been received for GenRobotics machines, and they join Indian states such as Tamil Nadu, in the south, and Haryana, in the north of the massive country of more than 1 billion people. [Read more…] about Indian government to replace sewage workers with robots by 2020

Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies

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Yamaha’s agricultural technology investments leader says he is observing the vertical farming market with a view to backing startups in the sector. (See video below.)

In a wide-ranging interview with Robotics and Automation News, Nolan Paul, partner, global agricultural technology lead at Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, says he finds vertical farming

“Vertical farming is one of those technologies which has the ability to transform the way food is grown and consumed,” says Paul. [Read more…] about Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies