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Rethink Robotics signs up new distribution partners

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Rethink Robotics has signed deals with seven new distribution partners throughout the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific to increase the availability of its smart, collaborative robots.

The company’s Sawyer robot is a smart automation solution to address challenges such as labour shortages and improve efficiencies across industries such as plastics, packaging and co-packing, metal fabrication, electronics and the automotive supply chain.

The new partners will join Rethink’s existing suite of partners to help meet the growing demand for Sawyer in North America, Europe and Asia. Rethink Robotics’ cobot solution includes industry-leading Intera software and the Clicksmart gripper technology, which make it easy to train and deploy.

[Read more…] about Rethink Robotics signs up new distribution partners

True innovation: Three big ways drones are changing the way we live

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Promoted

Life changes rapidly these days. The world is full of creation and innovation, all of it happening at a speed so breakneck it can be hard to tell which developments are set to change the world and which ones are essentially the Segway of 2018.

Modern unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as UAVs or drones, have been on the military scene since 2001 and started to go mainstream in the industrial and commercial markets in 2011, with fervor for these flyers steadily increasing to the point that drones are expected to have an economic impact of $82 billion dollars by 2025 in the United States alone.

In short, drones are here to stay. They’re also here to change the way we live and work, for the better.

Here are three big ways drones are in the process of reshaping the world we know.  [Read more…] about True innovation: Three big ways drones are changing the way we live

Industry robotics: How will it affect you?

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Sponsored

Robots have evolved, creating an era where machines are used on the factory floors, in manufacturing warehouses and in logistics.

The robotics industry is booming with global research predicting that the industrial robotics industry is set to surpass $80 billion by 2024.

But does this mean the world is ready to replace man with machine? A daunting concept for some, for others an opportunity to underpin the capabilities of collaborating on a whole new level.  [Read more…] about Industry robotics: How will it affect you?

New issue of ‘Sensor Readings’ magazine available early

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The new issue of Sensor Readings magazine is available a few days early, but only on our website, in our shop, at this link.

Sensor Readings is our monthly magazine, in which you will find a selection of articles from the website and some magazine-exclusive items.

It’s free and features an interesting mix of stories on subjects including farm automation and celebrities who could have robots made in their image in the future.

This new edition of the mag will also be available on Issuu.com in a few days. At the moment, past issues are available on the Robotics and Automation News Issuu page.

Note that while it’s now possible to download our magazine through Issuu.com, you can download it free in our shop, and make other purchases.

Robots nab $100,000 in art competition while human artists continue to starve

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A robotic painting system called “CloudPainter” has won the 2018 art competition run by RobotArt.org. 

Judges say CloudPainter was “able to paint evocative portraits with varying degrees of abstraction”.

The CloudPainter system was created by an independent artist from the US, called Pindar Van Arman. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Robots nab $100,000 in art competition while human artists continue to starve

Siemens extends HMI range for industrial applications

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Siemens has extended its system family of all-round protected HMI (Human Machine Interface) devices for machine-related, cabinet-free visualisation and automation.

High-performance Simatic Thin Client PRO operator terminals with 15, 19 and 22 inch screen sizes and all-round IP65 degree of protection are new to the range.

Like all devices in the PRO series, the new Thin Clients can be extended by mountable components (extension units) – such as mounting adapter, keyboard tray and keyboard.

[Read more…] about Siemens extends HMI range for industrial applications

Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

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Contec Americas has decided to invest $6.3 million into an expansion program in the US, which includes spending on new headquarters location in Melbourne, Florida.

The company says the decisions are being driven by “rapid growth” in the industrial internet of things market and record sales.

Contec is a technology design, manufacturing, and integration company.  [Read more…] about Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

Canon partners Aveva on imaging technologies for smart factories

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Canon Inc.  is starting a partnership with Aveva Group plc on smart factories through Canon imaging technologies to achieve “factory visualisation.”

The technology partnership will combine Aveva capabilities, including industrial automation and information management software, with Canon’s imaging technology.

Aveva’s InTouch SCADA1 system will be integrated with Canon products such as network cameras, industrial cameras and software for production centres to create new value based on video and image processing technologies employed on factory floors.

[Read more…] about Canon partners Aveva on imaging technologies for smart factories

How autonomous vehicles navigate Samsung semiconductor production lines

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Self-driving cars sit at the intersection of artificial intelligence and the automobile industry, presenting an exciting new opportunity for transport.

While the commercialisation of autonomous driving awaits technological refinement and regulation, Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor production lines are using systems that share similarities with self-driving technologies.

These systems feature the use of Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) devices that are responsible for carrying materials automatically around the manufacturing facility.

[Read more…] about How autonomous vehicles navigate Samsung semiconductor production lines

Global spending on 3D printing to reach $7.4 billion by 2022

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European purchases of 3D printers, materials, software, and related services are expected to total $3.6 billion in 2017, according to the latest update to the Worldwide Semiannual 3D Printing Spending Guide from International Data Corporation (IDC).

The combined spending on 3D printing for Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe will experience a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3%, with revenues reaching $7.4 billion in 2022, says the report.

Western Europe delivered 83% of total European 3D printing revenues in 2017 and will remain by far the largest contributor in the wider European region, growing at a CAGR of 14.4% for 2017–2022. Central and Eastern Europe will be the fastest-growing region, however, with a CAGR of 19.1% for 2017–2022.

[Read more…] about Global spending on 3D printing to reach $7.4 billion by 2022