Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Search Results for: st robotics

Honda integrates Nidec’s omnidirectional wheels into personal mobility machine

by

Honda has integrated Nidec’s jointly developed omnidirectional drive unit into its latest personal mobility robot, Uni-One, now available for test rides at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

Uni-One – a hands‑free, seated mobility device – allows users to steer simply by shifting body weight, while keeping both hands free for other tasks.

It features a dynamic height adjustment: a low position for safe boarding and a higher posture while moving to bring the rider closer to eye‑level with standing individuals, supporting more natural social interaction. [Read more…] about Honda integrates Nidec’s omnidirectional wheels into personal mobility machine

How collaborative robots are bringing automation to small businesses

by

The industrial automation landscape has long been dominated by large corporations.

These giants, with their deep pockets and specialized engineering teams, could readily invest in the complex, costly, and often space-intensive traditional industrial robots.

This left many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggling to keep pace, creating a significant divide that limited their productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in the global market. [Read more…] about How collaborative robots are bringing automation to small businesses

ABB evolves IRB 1200 small robot family, with ‘greater speed, precision and choice’

by

ABB Robotics’ IRB 1200 high performance small robot family is evolving into a new generation that is faster and more precise, improving productivity and efficiency for a wide range of applications, says the company.

Marc Segura, president ABB Robotics, says: “With rising demand from SMEs, the need for adaptable and efficient small automation solutions has never been greater. The new IRB 1200 takes efficiency and productivity even further in the most precise automation tasks.”

The new generation IRB 1200 family comes in four variants – 5, 7, 8, and 9 kg – the latter offering best-in-class payload, making it ideal for handling larger or heavier parts. [Read more…] about ABB evolves IRB 1200 small robot family, with ‘greater speed, precision and choice’

Ocean Infinity launches ‘NeedleFish’ uncrewed surface vessel in Kuwait

by

Advanced technology and marine robotics company Ocean Infinity has successfully launched its innovative NeedleFish Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) at an official event with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard (KCG).

Initiated as part of Kuwait’s new national integrated maritime surveillance system being delivered by SRT Marine Systems, the NeedleFish by Ocean Infinity is a custom-equipped unmanned vessel.

It features an array of specialist maritime surveillance sensor systems and leverages Ocean Infinity’s software, advanced robotics, and marine intelligence technology. [Read more…] about Ocean Infinity launches ‘NeedleFish’ uncrewed surface vessel in Kuwait

Amazon’s relentless march towards total global roboticization

by

Amazon has quietly passed a stunning milestone: the deployment of 1 million robots across its global operations.

While not all are fully autonomous, the scale and speed of the company’s automation push have sparked a bigger question – how soon will robots outnumber human workers inside Amazon’s warehouses?

With the announcement of a new generative AI foundation model powering its fleet, Amazon is transforming its fulfillment network into one of the most advanced robotic ecosystems in the world. The implications – on efficiency, employment, and the future of logistics – are significant. [Read more…] about Amazon’s relentless march towards total global roboticization

How autonomous mobile robots are picking up the slack caused by labor shortages

by

Autonomous mobile robots and their more versatile cousins, mobile manipulators, are increasing in number across many different sectors.

They are rapidly becoming the backbone of modern logistics and are now extending their reach far beyond the warehouse floor, revolutionizing how goods are moved, tasks are performed, and industries operate.

This burgeoning trend, frequently covered on Robotics and Automation News, underscores their critical role in addressing pressing challenges like labor shortages and the demand for greater efficiency in dynamic environments. [Read more…] about How autonomous mobile robots are picking up the slack caused by labor shortages

Continental unveils ‘ultracompact transport robot’

by

Continental has developed an ultracompact transport robot that transports stacked small load containers (SLCs) of up to 300 kg fully automatically.

The NXS 300 ensures immediately deployable automation: no infrastructure modifications to existing floor-roller tracks are needed, and thanks to native VDA 5050 integration, the NXS 300 plugs seamlessly into existing AMR fleets. It delivers top speeds of up to two m/s and safe omnidirectional movement thanks to its 360-degree view.

The NXS 300 comes in two versions: the base version with a 600 mm fork length for classic 400 x 600 mm SLCs on carts and the extended version with an 800 mm fork length for half-pallets to effectively double the capacity per trip. [Read more…] about Continental unveils ‘ultracompact transport robot’

How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained

by

This article is part of a series of articles based on common questions in robotics. The previous article dealt with the question: What is a robot?

Robots are machines designed to perform tasks – ranging from simple, repetitive actions to complex decision-making processes. But how do they actually work?

At the most basic level, every robot operates through a combination of four core components: sensors, controllers, actuators, and software. These systems work together, often in a closed feedback loop, to carry out programmed instructions and respond to the environment in real time. [Read more…] about How do robots work? Sensors, controllers, actuators and software explained

Amazon marks deployment of 1 millionth robot and unveils new AI foundation model for its robots

by

Amazon Robotics has reached two major milestones in its robotics and AI operations: the deployment of its one millionth robot and the launch of a new generative AI foundation model designed to optimize its global fleet of warehouse robots.

The new AI model, called DeepFleet, is expected to improve robot travel efficiency by 10 percent across Amazon’s fulfillment network, which spans more than 300 facilities worldwide. The company says the technology will support faster customer deliveries and reduce operational costs.

“Think of DeepFleet as an intelligent traffic system for our robotic fleet,” writes Scott Dresser, vice president of Amazon Robotics, in a blog post on one of the company’s websites. “It optimizes how robots move within our facilities, reducing congestion and improving efficiency.” [Read more…] about Amazon marks deployment of 1 millionth robot and unveils new AI foundation model for its robots

Record-breaking attendance at this year’s automatica event

by

automatica, one of the world’s leading industrial automation exhibitions, held from June 24 to 27, 2025, was an impressive demonstration of approaches to solving future challenges using smart automation and robotics.

Around 47,500 visitors from more than 90 nations, along with approx. 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, and an extensive supporting program underlined automatica’s domain leadership.

The four-day trade fair had a strong focus on AI-powered robotics, SME automation, health tech solutions, mobile robotics, and networked production. A successful range of topics according to Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer, co-CEO of Messe München. [Read more…] about Record-breaking attendance at this year’s automatica event