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Torc Robotics links up with NXP on self-driving car technology

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Torc Robotics is partnering with NXP Semiconductors to integrate next-generation radar into its self-driving vehicle fleet.

NXP is one of the world’s largest chip suppliers to the automotive industry, for advanced driver assistance systems.

Torc CEO Michael Fleming says: “For over a decade, Torc has been working with partners across multiple industries to make the world a safer place through the commercialization of our autonomous technology.

“Combining our end-to-end software stack with NXP’s innovative radar hardware is another step towards reaching that goal.”  [Read more…] about Torc Robotics links up with NXP on self-driving car technology

Clearpath Robotics’ partners with Cepton 3D on lidar solutions for autonomous robots

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Cepton Technologies, a provider of 3D sensing solutions for automotive, industrial and mapping applications, is partnering with Clearpath Robotics, a global provider of mobile robots for research and development.

The partnership extends the availability of Cepton’s HR80 Series lidar – light detection and radar – sensors to Clearpath Robotics’ online store.

Availability on the Clearpath online store provides professionals and researchers a means to augment their unmanned robotic vehicle purchases with 3D sensing capabilities. High-volume orders are available directly through Cepton.  [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics’ partners with Cepton 3D on lidar solutions for autonomous robots

Siemens to acquire driverless car software developer Tass to strengthen product lifecycle management portfolio

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Siemens has reached an agreement to acquire self-driving software specialist Tass International. 

Siemens is said to be Europe’s largest engineering company and has been on the acquisitions and investments trail for some time.

Earlier this year, Siemens spent $4.5 billion buying Mentor Graphics, a builder of electronic hardware and software solutions. Last year, it invested more than $130 million in Bentley Systems, a developer of software solutions which can show factories in digital form.  [Read more…] about Siemens to acquire driverless car software developer Tass to strengthen product lifecycle management portfolio

Large textiles company and supplier to Adidas orders Soft Wear Automation’s robotic sewing system

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The textiles industry was one of the first and perhaps most famous examples of automation, having brought in the loom that so incensed the Luddites. 

But in the centuries since, the level of automation in textiles hasn’t really changed much, and the machines could only do the relatively simple tasks.

The automation machines available to the textiles industry today can be used in many parts of the process, from cutting to overlocking and so on, but the main thing they cannot yet do with equivalent skill is sewing.  [Read more…] about Large textiles company and supplier to Adidas orders Soft Wear Automation’s robotic sewing system

Anca launches multi-robot work cell for CNC grinders

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Anca, a provider of CNC tool and cutter grinders, has unveiled its first multi-robot production cell solution.

The company says the cell enables CNC grinders to integrate several manufacturing operations into a single production line.

Anca says the single-base cell includes automated part loading, high precision grinding, and quality assurance, outproducing the previous multi-machine process while checking part quality requirements.  [Read more…] about Anca launches multi-robot work cell for CNC grinders

Flytrex launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous drone delivery system in Reykjavík

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A company called Flytrex claims it has launched the world’s first autonomous drone delivery system in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Flytrex says there is currently “sushi in the skies of Iceland” as the drone logistics company partners with Aha.is to launch what it says is the “world’s first fully operational autonomous drone delivery system”.

Drone technology company Flytrex is partnering with Aha, Iceland’s largest online marketplace, for the on-demand urban drone delivery service.  [Read more…] about Flytrex launches ‘world’s first’ autonomous drone delivery system in Reykjavík

Collaborative robotic arms + autonomous vehicle = a new kind of animal

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In what is probably a good illustration of how innovation can sometimes be bewildering at first, industrial robotic arms are being placed on autonomous robotic logistics vehicles to create something entirely new that doesn’t yet have a name of its own, and no one really knows how to describe it in simple terms. 

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Briefing on collaborative robots, free to subscribers

But plenty of people know what it does. Or what it could do at least.

In fact, anyone who’s seen a picture of one or has read the first paragraph of this article can probably imagine what such machines are capable of.  [Read more…] about Collaborative robotic arms + autonomous vehicle = a new kind of animal

Kollmorgen updates its developer network software

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Kollmorgen says it has updated its developer network, added more functions and made it easier to use on mobile and desktop computer.

“It’s so much easier when you work as a team,” say the company in a statement. “This is why Kollmorgen has thoroughly revised and expanded the web-based customer community KDN – Kollmorgen Developer Network.”

The new version of the online knowledge base is really easy to use on all PCs, tablets, and smartphones – thanks to its responsive design, says the company.  [Read more…] about Kollmorgen updates its developer network software

Bimba launches multi-axis electric linear robot actuator

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Bimba, a supplier of pneumatic, hydraulic and electric motion solutions, has introduced IntelliAxis multi-axis electric linear robot actuators for either X-Z or X-Y motion applications.

Employing what the company says is “a one-of-a-kind two-axis system”, the unit features a single continuous belt that serpentines around the two axes eliminating the need for a motor in the Z- or Y-axis while driving a pair of coordinated motors in the X-axis.

These configurations, known as T-bot and H-bot within the industry, permit synchronized control for complex motion movement profiles such as circles, ellipses and sine waves.  [Read more…] about Bimba launches multi-axis electric linear robot actuator

Kuka expected to roll out collaborative robot on autonomous platform in more factories

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Kuka is expected to make its mobile collaborative robot available to more factories, partly as a result of its takeover by Midea, the Chinese home appliances manufacturer. 

Midea has many large factories where a mobile robot which can also pick and place objects would be very useful.

Kuka’s collaborative robot is called iiwa, and it’s already in use at various large companies, including automotive giant BMW.  [Read more…] about Kuka expected to roll out collaborative robot on autonomous platform in more factories