Robotics & Automation News

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Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

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Modern tech conglomerate Amazon – whose interests range from online shopping, through computing devices such as the Kindle and Amazon Echo, to cloud computing and even space exploration – is in advanced talks to acquire self-driving startup Zoox, according to a report on the Financial Times website. 

It’s not the first time Amazon has shown interest in the automotive sector. The company was the lead investor in Aurora Innovation’s $530 million funding round last year.

Aurora is seen as a rival to Waymo, the driverless car company set up by Google, another tech giant. [Read more…] about Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

SICK’s launches ‘advanced IO-Link encoders’ to streamline machine controls

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SICK has released “advanced variants” of its AHS36 and AHM36 IO-Link absolute encoders that can harness valuable diagnostic insights for better machine control and availability.

With versatile programming options, they make it easy to integrate data from encoders into localised and ‘edge computing’ configurations to improve the efficiency of automated plant.

All SICK’s AHS36 14-bit (singleturn) and AHM36 26-bit (multiturn) IO-Link absolute encoders achieve quick, easy and economical higher-level fieldbus integration via an IO-Link Master. [Read more…] about SICK’s launches ‘advanced IO-Link encoders’ to streamline machine controls

DJI launches its ‘most advanced’ commercial drone platform and first hybrid camera series

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DJI, the world’s largest manufacturer of civilian drones, has launched what it says is its “most advanced” commercial drone platform, the Matrice 300 RTK, and the Zenmuse H20 Series – a hybrid, multi-sensor camera.

DJI engineered this all-in-one, high-tech solution to expand possibilities and exploit areas of work never explored before, for precise aerial inspections and data collection missions.

Christina Zhang, senior director, corporate strategy at DJI, says: “With the M300 RTK flying platform and the Zenmuse H20 camera series, we are providing a safer and smarter solution to our enterprise customers. [Read more…] about DJI launches its ‘most advanced’ commercial drone platform and first hybrid camera series

Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

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Denso, one of the world’s largest advanced automotive technology suppliers, has invested in Certhon Group, a developer and builder of automated greenshouses.

Certhon operated mainly in Europe and the United States and will collaborate with Denso to expand its horticulture business in the global market, specifically by developing and providing automated greenhouse solutions.

While food demand increases as the global population continues to grow, the number of the agricultural population is decreasing due to demographic aging, unstable wages, and strict work environment. [Read more…] about Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

nTopology and Oak Ridge National Laboratory partner to develop additive manufacturing technologies

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nTopology has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to advance the capabilities of additive manufacturing through integrated software toolkits and embed ORNL expertise into nTop software.

The plan is for these capabilities to be made available commercially to the broader advanced-manufacturing market.

The collaboration incorporates foundational nTopology software with ORNL-developed machine control capabilities on large-scale polymer additive manufacturing systems. [Read more…] about nTopology and Oak Ridge National Laboratory partner to develop additive manufacturing technologies

Mirka launches project to develop robotic surface finish solution for industrial customers

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Surface finishing technology company Mirka has launched what it says is the world’s first patent pending Automated Industrial Programme to develop robotic orbital sanding systems.

The initiative is being launched globally by Mirka in April 2020, and is spearheaded by the Mirka Airos.

The aim is to build an “innovative, electric Automated Industrial Random Orbital Sander”, which integrates with manufacturers’ robotic systems to carry out intensive, high work load sanding, where precision and minimal maintenance is critical. [Read more…] about Mirka launches project to develop robotic surface finish solution for industrial customers

Hitachi Automotive Systems acquires German automotive device software developer seneos

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Hitachi Automotive Systems has completed the acquisition of all shares in seneos.

Through this transaction, seneos, a German automotive device software developer, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Automotive Systems.

Hitachi Automotive Systems supplies products and systems in growth areas such as electrification and is expanding its customer base of European automakers, growing sales of new products and solutions. [Read more…] about Hitachi Automotive Systems acquires German automotive device software developer seneos

Robots, robotics and the disabled population

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Despite it being 2020, there’s a section of the population that’s often overlooked or misrepresented – the disabled population.

A section that encompasses a wide range of disabilities, many individuals fall under this umbrella. However, many are overlooked or misunderstood, you only have to look at the TV to see how disabled people are being shut out.

Due to this, navigating day-to-day life for many disabled individuals can be difficult.

However, with the advancements in technology over the decades, with everything from wheelchair accessible vehicles at places like Allied Mobility, to the advancements in prosthetics and education, things are improving.

And, this could improve further with the help of robots and robotics. [Read more…] about Robots, robotics and the disabled population

Continental builds new US plant to make advanced driver assistance systems

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Continental is to build a new plant to make advanced driver assistance systems.

The new plant will be located in New Braunfels in the US state of Texas.

The purpose of the new building is to expand its capacity for the production of radar sensors, says Continental. [Read more…] about Continental builds new US plant to make advanced driver assistance systems

Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape

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Automotive accidents and road mishaps and the subsequent injuries and fatalities present a significant global concern today.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 1.25 million people succumb to road accidents every year, which equates to an average of almost 3,287 deaths a day.

Despite the alarming statistics however, strong technological evolution across the industrial landscape, particularly in the automotive domain, is ensuring that things take a turn for the better. [Read more…] about Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape