Robotics & Automation News

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Why Artificial Intelligence Matters in Robotic Technology

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Part of one of the world’s largest automation and robotics companies, Yaskawa Southern Africa is a pioneer in innovative technologies, not least when it comes to adopting burgeoning trends and automated solutions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a groundbreaking force in a plethora of sectors, including transportation, healthcare, finance, and agriculture.

In the realm of robotics, AI is redefining the landscape, as well as human-machine interaction. Andrew Crackett, managing director of Yaskawa, provides some insight into the role of AI in robotics technology, its advantages, challenges, and makes his predictions on what is to come in the future. [Read more…] about Why Artificial Intelligence Matters in Robotic Technology

Yaskawa empowers South Africa’s robotic future with precision in 2024

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Leading robotics and automation company, Yaskawa Southern Africa is at the forefront as a forward-thinking leader, actively anticipating and embracing industry-shaping trends.

National Sales Manager at Yaskawa, Jan T’Hart, shares insights on the future of automation, pinpointing the trends set to redefine manufacturing in the country.

Delving into the new year, Yaskawa’s strategic vision prioritises technological advancements, industry-specific needs, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. [Read more…] about Yaskawa empowers South Africa’s robotic future with precision in 2024

Yaskawa’s robotics training academy cultivates automation skills in South Africa

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By Leon Coetzer, training officer at Yaskawa South Africa

Robotics is an ever-growing industry, and South African manufacturers are increasingly adopting automation into their production processes to remain competitive.

Yaskawa’s long-standing training academy offers its customers, as well as individuals looking to enter the industry, the opportunity to learn and upskill in various in-demand positions, including programming, operations, maintenance, safety, and robot troubleshooting.

Leon Coetzer, training officer at Yaskawa, says: “At the Yaskawa Southern Africa Training Academy, we offer a variety of courses and training programs designed to meet the needs of different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. [Read more…] about Yaskawa’s robotics training academy cultivates automation skills in South Africa

Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

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As one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots, Yaskawa Southern Africa took part in this year’s Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF), where various experts in the manufacturing industry gathered to exchange valuable industry expertise to increase investment prospects in the African continent’s manufacturing sector. The event, which celebrated its 25th year, centred around the theme of “For Africa from Africa”.

The AATF promotes and is passionate about furthering Africa’s transformation and promoting the development and growth of the continent’s automation industry.

Yaskawa Southern Africa was one of 150 exhibitors on display at the event, which took place from 9th to 11th May 2023, and showcased its collaborative robotic welding solution, Weld4me. This transformative piece of automated equipment presents an alternative or support to manual MIG/MAG welding with air-cooled welding equipment. [Read more…] about Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

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Technology is always evolving to improve modern life. The latest in artificial intelligence (AI), technology-based tactics, automation and cybersecurity are essential to master, particularly for those working in these sectors, and there is always something new to discover.

Just last month, South Africa introduced the first formally recognised Robotic Process Automation qualification in the EMEA region, opening new opportunities in education.

Technology shapes so many facets of life and is likely to create an unimaginable and exciting future. What is crucial now however, is to use advancements to solve problems wherever possible. [Read more…] about Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

South Africa’s leading manufacturing and automation shows move to new venue

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The Gallagher Convention Centre, situated in Midrand, Gauteng, has been announced as the new venue for the 12th Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF), co-located with the inaugural Future Manufacturing Africa Trade Fair and Summit (FMA) for 2023.

Running from 9-11 May 2023, these events will showcase the latest in automation, manufacturing and technology and bring together leading public and private stakeholders, successful entrepreneurs, and small businesses, to drive industry development and growth.

RX Africa, the award-winning organisers behind both events, considered the geographic location of most of their previous visitors and exhibitors and decided that the Gallagher Convention Centre would be best suited for the substantial content involved in the shows and has great proximity for attendees coming from Pretoria and further afield. [Read more…] about South Africa’s leading manufacturing and automation shows move to new venue

DMG MORI building Africa’s first machine tool factory

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DMG MORI, a manufacturing technology company with 12,000 employees in 87 countries and $2 billion in annual sales revenues, is building what it says is “Africa’s first machine tool factory” in Cairo, Egypt.

The decision was formally made at a meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In the presence of Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly, the company’s chairman, Christian Thönes, and AOI President Lt Gen Abdel Moneam Al Tarras signed the “pioneering cooperation agreement”.

Christian Thönes, chairman of DMG MORI Aktiengesellschaft, says:“Egypt is the door to Africa – a continent full of potential and high demand for future technologies. [Read more…] about DMG MORI building Africa’s first machine tool factory

ABB Robotics offers South Africa’s food and beverage industry ‘a taste of the future’

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By Linda Eales, robotics division manager at ABB South Africa

The future has never looked more unpredictable for South Africa’s food and beverage (F&B) sector, as it battles a perfect storm of pressure brought on by Covid-19, changing consumer and retail consumption patterns, disrupted supply chains and ongoing scrutiny around food safety.

The food and beverage sector has been battered by a couple of high-profile food safety scares in recent years, and is scrambling to keep up with mega-trends like digitalisation and shifting consumption patterns. The good news is that this could be the perfect opportunity for the local F&B industry to reposition itself for the present and future.

F&B manufacturers increasingly need more flexibility on their production lines to enable them to adapt to changing consumer tastes and demands. At the same time, they require higher levels of productivity and efficiency, while maintaining the highest levels of product quality. In many cases, the answer to these challenges is to install a robotics solution, which makes F&B operations safer and more productive. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics offers South Africa’s food and beverage industry ‘a taste of the future’

Opinion: China’s ‘three-layered duality’ continues to evolve

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

The past 40 years of reform and liberalization have brought incredible changes and progress to China, turning the image of the country upside down, from a planned economy to one of the world’s most dynamic business landscapes.

Along the way, China has evolved its own development path, without consciously knowing it. At the top, the central government’s guidance is setting goals and directions for the country.

At the grassroots level, private-sector entrepreneurs have re-emerged and become a major force in driving the growth of China.   [Read more…] about Opinion: China’s ‘three-layered duality’ continues to evolve

Meinhardt partners with International Enterprise Singapore to expand into Africa and Middle East

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Despite headwinds in the global economy, internationalisation will continue to drive the growth of companies in the engineering consultancy sector as infrastructure demand remains strong globally.

Meinhardt Group, a global engineering, planning and management firm, is working closely with International Enterprise Singapore, the government agency partnering Singapore companies in going global, on its expansion strategy to Africa and the Middle East.

This includes the company’s recent acquisition of African engineering consultancy to gain in-roads into East Africa.  [Read more…] about Meinhardt partners with International Enterprise Singapore to expand into Africa and Middle East