Robotics & Automation News

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actuator

RealMan Robotics showcases ‘ultra-lightweight’ range of robots at CES

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RealMan Robotics, a developer of ultra-lightweight humanoid robotics and specialized robotic solutions, has unveiled its “groundbreaking innovations” at CES 2025.

RealMan highlights a suite of cutting-edge products designed to revolutionize multiple sectors, from retail and healthcare to industrial and domestic applications. At booth 52855 in Halls A-D, Venetian Expo, the company is exhibiting the following innovations:

Innovative ultra-lightweight humanoid robotics arms

A leap forward in humanoid robotics, RealMan’s ultra-lightweight robotic arms offer unmatched agility, strength, and precision. Designed with cutting-edge materials and advanced motion control, these arms enable lifelike movements, making them ideal for manufacturing, service industries, and even domestic assistance. [Read more…] about RealMan Robotics showcases ‘ultra-lightweight’ range of robots at CES

ETH develops ‘lighter, safer, more robust’ artificial muscles for robots

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Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed artificial muscles for robot motion. The researchers say their solution offers several advantages over previous technologies: it can be used wherever robots need to be soft rather than rigid or where they need more sensitivity when interacting with their environment.

Many roboticists dream of building robots that are not just a combination of metal or other hard materials and motors but also softer and more adaptable. Soft robots could interact with their environment in a completely different way; for example, they could cushion impacts the way human limbs do, or grasp an object delicately.

This would also offer benefits regarding energy consumption: robot motion today usually requires a lot of energy to maintain a position, whereas soft systems could store energy well, too. So, what could be more obvious than to take the human muscle as a model and attempt to recreate it? [Read more…] about ETH develops ‘lighter, safer, more robust’ artificial muscles for robots

Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

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Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

Soft assistive robotic wearables get a boost from rapid design tool

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Scientists created a new design and fabrication tool for soft pneumatic actuators with integrated sensing, which can power personalized healthcare, smart homes, and gaming.

Soft, pneumatic actuators might not be a phrase that comes up in daily conversations, but more likely than not you might have benefited from their utility. The devices use compressed air to power motion, and with sensing capabilities, they’ve proven to be a critical backbone in a variety of applications such as assistive wearables, robotics, and rehabilitative technologies.

But there’s a bit of a bottleneck in creating the little dynamic devices that have advantages like high response rates and power to input ratios. They require a manual design and fabrication pipeline, which translates to a lot of trial and error cycles to actually test and see whether the designs will work. [Read more…] about Soft assistive robotic wearables get a boost from rapid design tool

Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

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By Japh Humphries, UK Sales & Commercial Manager, Matara UK

Linear motion systems are business critical across an extensive range of industries, from food processing plants, to semiconductor manufacturers and packaging producers to name but a few.

In fact, virtually anywhere that requires loads to be cost-effectively moved in a straight line, safely, securely and precisely.

These systems have improved automation whilst simultaneously lowering production costs, making them invaluable. [Read more…] about Specifying a Linear Actuator: 3 Key Factors

IMI Norgren launches online configurator for choosing actuators

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A new online application configuration tool, which allows engineers to specify their required actuator easily and quickly, has been launched by IMI Precision Engineering. 

The traditional manual specification of electric actuators often prove a “time consuming and complex task” for engineers, says IMI.

The new configurator, which compliments the IMI Norgren Elion Electrical Actuation Rodstyle and Rodless range, has become an “essential tool”, simplifying the process and allowing users to benefit from a wealth of knowledge and expertise to ensure they select the most efficient and accurate actuator, says the company. [Read more…] about IMI Norgren launches online configurator for choosing actuators

Nidec to supply actuators for German Bionic exoskeleton

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Nidec is to supply “super flat” actuators for a new German Bionic exoskeleton prototype, which will be showcased at an exhibition in Tokyo. 

A German Bionic exoskeleton prototype based on its Cray X power suit that uses Nidec-Shimpo’s innovative super flat actuator will be displayed at the International Robot Exhibition 2019 (iREX 2019), a trade show focusing on industrial and service robots and related equipment, taking place December 18-21 at Tokyo Big Sight.

Hitoshi Inoue, CTO at Nidec-Shimpo, says: “After investing substantially in its development, we are very proud to now see our groundbreaking actuator integrated in the German Bionic exoskeleton prototype that is being shown at this year’s iREX.” [Read more…] about Nidec to supply actuators for German Bionic exoskeleton

Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

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Launched less than a year ago, Bosch Rexroth’s innovative Subsea Valve Actuator (SVA) – an entirely new concept for underwater actuators which offers SIL3 safety levels and up to 75 per cent lower energy consumption – has been granted a Mechanical Engineering Design Award.

The SVA was developed to help address some of the challenges and shortcomings associated with either purely electromechanical or electrohydraulic actuator technology used on the sea floor for oil and gas exploration and production systems.

Until now, underwater actuators required large, central hydraulic power units above water. Designed to supply the actuators with fluid, the fluid-lines themselves can be miles long. [Read more…] about Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

Genesis Robotics accelerates development of prototypes based on its ‘revolutionary’ LiveDrive actuator

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genesis robotics actuator

Well-funded startup Genesis Robotics has accelerated the development of a range of products based on its “ground-breaking” technology, which the company claims will transform the entire industry. 

All of the new products Genesis has developed are based on something it calls LiveDrive, an actuator system which uses a gear with no teeth, invented by the company itself.

Making a gear work without teeth sounds impossible – how does it move connected parts without teeth? Imagine a gear on a bicycle without teeth and you’ll get the picture.  [Read more…] about Genesis Robotics accelerates development of prototypes based on its ‘revolutionary’ LiveDrive actuator