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Mitsubishi develops underwater robot for inspecting Japanese nuclear plants

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has developed a specialised underwater navigation robot to perform non-destructive inspections of nuclear reactor vessels in high-radiation environments, according to information released by the Japan Society of Maintenology. (See videos below.)

The unit, known as the A-UT Machine, is designed to navigate reactor vessels underwater and carry out weld-line inspections using a manipulator arm.

“The unit navigates underwater and uses a manipulator to perform non-destructive inspections of the weld lines of a nuclear reactor vessel,” Mitsubishi developers said. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi develops underwater robot for inspecting Japanese nuclear plants

Australian Droid + Robot unveils docking station to extend Explora XL robot autonomy for mining applications

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Australian Droid + Robot (ADR) has introduced a new Docking Station designed to extend the autonomy of its Explora XL robot, enabling underground mines to capture data without halting production or sending workers into hazardous environments.

The company says the ruggedised Docking Station allows robots to remain permanently underground, providing automated charging, integrated sensor cleaning, and secure data transfer.

In a statement, the company says: “For decades, essential underground tasks like surveying, inspection and gas sensing have required costly production shutdowns and exposed personnel to hazardous environments. [Read more…] about Australian Droid + Robot unveils docking station to extend Explora XL robot autonomy for mining applications

Figure unveils third-generation humanoid robot

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Figure has introduced its third-generation humanoid robot, Figure 03, which the company says is designed for use in the home, commercial environments, and at scale in global markets.

The new model features a ground-up hardware and software redesign and is built to integrate with Helix, Figure’s proprietary vision-language-action AI.

According to the company, Helix enables “true reasoning throughout the world” by combining advanced perception and manipulation with large-scale data learning. [Read more…] about Figure unveils third-generation humanoid robot

Daifuku doubles production capacity with US factory expansion

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Daifuku has completed a major expansion of its US subsidiary’s manufacturing plant in Hobart, Indiana, doubling production capacity to meet rising demand for automation systems.

Daifuku Intralogistics America Corporation (ILUS), which oversees the company’s intralogistics business in North America, will begin operating the expanded facility in October.

The site produces conveyors, sorters, and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) for distribution centers and manufacturing plants. [Read more…] about Daifuku doubles production capacity with US factory expansion

AutoStore and Kardex deliver fully operational system to Balluff in ‘record six months’

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AutoStore and Kardex have completed the installation of a fully operational automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) for Balluff in just six months, a timeline the companies describe as a record.

Balluff, a global sensor and automation specialist headquartered in Germany, needed a solution to modernize its intralogistics operations. The company selected AutoStore’s cube storage technology, integrated and delivered by Kardex, to improve efficiency and meet growing demand.

According to the partners, the project was completed from contract signing to go-live in only half a year, significantly faster than typical deployment timelines for large-scale warehouse automation. [Read more…] about AutoStore and Kardex deliver fully operational system to Balluff in ‘record six months’

Swisslog to build automated frozen food warehouse for Orto Verde in Italy

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Swisslog is expanding its footprint in the food industry with a new strategic project for Orto Verde, a leading producer and distributor of frozen foods.

Under the agreement, Swisslog will design and build a high-density automated warehouse to optimize logistics and meet growing demands for efficiency and product traceability.

The new facility in Senigallia and will feature a high bay clad-rack warehouse with 19,700 pallet locations, served by three Vectura S32 multi-depth stacker cranes. [Read more…] about Swisslog to build automated frozen food warehouse for Orto Verde in Italy

DoorDash partners with Serve Robotics to expand sidewalk robot deliveries in the US

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DoorDash, which provides online ordering and delivery services for businesses, and Serve Robotics, an autonomous sidewalk delivery company, have agreed a new multi-year strategic partnership to roll out autonomous robot deliveries across the US.

Los Angeles residents ordering through the DoorDash app from participating merchants may have their order delivered by a Serve robot. The partnership will expand the potential volume of orders available to Serve for delivery.

This partnership reflects DoorDash’s broader multi-modal delivery platform strategy, which integrates Dashers, drones, and autonomous robots to meet increasing demand while lowering emissions and traffic congestion. [Read more…] about DoorDash partners with Serve Robotics to expand sidewalk robot deliveries in the US

Kollmorgen and ifm partner to improve pallet handling with smart automation

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Kollmorgen has announced a collaboration with sensor specialist ifm to tackle one of the persistent challenges in warehouses: misaligned pallets disrupting automated workflows.

In many logistics and production sites, manually placed pallets can be slightly off-coordinate, causing problems for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that depend on precise positioning.

These errors can result in failed docking attempts, delays, and reduced productivity. [Read more…] about Kollmorgen and ifm partner to improve pallet handling with smart automation

Sonatus launches AI Director to accelerate in-vehicle edge AI

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Sunnyvale-based vehicle software company Sonatus has unveiled a new platform designed to help automakers deploy artificial intelligence directly inside vehicles.

The system, called Sonatus AI Director, is billed as a comprehensive toolchain for model training, validation, optimization, and deployment.

Rather than relying solely on cloud-based models, the platform allows carmakers to run AI on existing electronic control units, providing faster response times and lower costs. [Read more…] about Sonatus launches AI Director to accelerate in-vehicle edge AI

Omron opens new automation center in Bengaluru, India

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Omron, one of the world’s largest industrial automation companies, has inaugurated its new Automation Center in Bengaluru, India, marking a milestone in the company’s long-term commitment to advance industrial automation-based transformation of India’s manufacturing sector.

The new center, part of Omron’s global network of 10 automation centers and 34 proof of concept labs, is strategically located to serve manufacturers in South India as well as across the country, including micro, small, and medium enterprises to empower them to make world-class in India.

Supporting the government’s Make in India and Industry 4.0 initiatives, the Center demonstrates practical automation solutions for manufacturing challenges, facilitates proof-of-concept development, provides technical training, and enables collaboration with manufacturers, machine builders, and system integrators to strengthen India’s manufacturing capabilities. [Read more…] about Omron opens new automation center in Bengaluru, India