Robotics & Automation News

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Scientists unveil robotic grippers ‘delicate enough to lift egg yolks and precise enough to lift a human hair’

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Engineering researchers from North Carolina State University have demonstrated a new type of flexible, robotic grippers that they say “are able to lift delicate egg yolks without breaking them, and that are precise enough to lift a human hair”. (See video below.)

The work has applications for both soft robotics and biomedical technologies.

The work draws on the art of kirigami, which involves both cutting and folding two-dimensional (2D) sheets of material to form three-dimensional (3D) shapes. [Read more…] about Scientists unveil robotic grippers ‘delicate enough to lift egg yolks and precise enough to lift a human hair’

How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

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By Christoph Elhardt

ETH Zurich researchers led by Marco Hutter have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain.

Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. [Read more…] about How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

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Volarious has demonstrated a new tethered drone system that enables the DJI Mavic 2 drone to autonomously take off, follow, and land safely on small vessels.

Firefighters and police drone team has been using the V-Line tethered system for the Mavic 2 drone in a variety of situation on land. The Volarious product is called the V-Line boat mode.

It can also be used in coastline surveillance, search and rescue operations. A drone can take off, follow, and land on small vessels autonomously while providing a real-time elevated view of high resolution thermal and RGB images and video streams at the comfort of the cabin. [Read more…] about Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

634AI selects RTI software to manage autonomous mobile robots fleets

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Real-Time Innovations, a software framework company for autonomous systems, says 634AI, a MushashiAI spin-out, has selected its RTI Connext DDS for real-time connectivity between its Maestro system, a robot-as-a-service software solution, and its autonomous mobile robot (AMR) platforms.

Connext allows for real-time connectivity between systems, supports fast, reliable communication, and enables 634AI to offer a central control tower that can streamline the management and control of AMR tasks on an industrial floor.

As the automation landscape advances rapidly, more suppliers are replacing forklifts with AMRs to complete a wide variety of tasks including navigating around factories and warehouses, and guiding autonomous cargo ships across oceans. [Read more…] about 634AI selects RTI software to manage autonomous mobile robots fleets

Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has acquired Peak-Ryzex from Keystone Capital and Optical Phusion from its founders, two leading providers of automatic identification, data capture and factory automation solutions.

The companies will be merged and led by Peak-Ryzex CEO Juliann Larimer, CFO Michele Adams and Optical Phusion president Tony Rivers. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The combination will yield significant technological and operational synergies as well as deliver enhanced cross-selling opportunities to a broad set of clients ranging from small and medium sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies – all seeking supply-chain logistical support. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

Device Fingerprinting Benefits for Business in 2021

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Device fingerprinting is a relatively new “cookie-less” activity capture method that tracks your device OS, screen dimensions, fonts, clock, browser version, and other info for marketing purposes.

Unlike cookies, fingerprinting data isn’t stored on users’ devices, which means that it cannot be deleted that simply.

Device fingerprinting looks quite controversial for many users, but is there actually anything to be aware of or is it the next-gen user activity tracking method with lots of benefits for business? [Read more…] about Device Fingerprinting Benefits for Business in 2021

K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

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K.Hartwall has launched a new “autonomous mobile robot” called A-Mate. The company says this is the first fully electric free-lift pallet “AGV” with omnidirectional drive on the market. 

K.Hartwall calls its new machine an AGV as well as an AMR, which indicates the ongoing merging of the two technologies across the industry.

The company says the A-Mate is an extremely versatile mobile robot that will bring a new level of automation to intra-logistics, and to the movements of different load carriers, from pallets to roll containers and foldable cages or “gitter” boxes. [Read more…] about K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

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Siemens Digital Industries Software announces the availability of the latest release of Simcenter 3D software, part of the Simcenter portfolio of simulation and test solutions.

Simcenter 3D and the Simcenter portfolio are part of the Xcelerator portfolio, Siemens’ integrated portfolio of software, services and application development platform.

In the 2021 release, Simcenter 3D continues to further improve its powerful unified and shared engineering platform for all simulation disciplines to help users gain full value of the benefits that simulation provides in terms of cost, speed and impact to innovation. [Read more…] about Siemens launches new version of Simcenter 3D

Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

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According to the World Health Organization, almost a third of the world’s population does not have access to fresh water.

As evidenced by the 2020 UN report on water supply and climate change in the world, water consumption will experience a 20-30 percent increase by 2050, fuelled by the constant population growth and industrial development throughout the world.

Water pollution is a serious threat to both people and water inhabitants, greatly evidenced by the ecological disaster that took place on the coast of Kamchatka in September 2020. [Read more…] about Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

Geek+ launches new virtual booth

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Warehouse robotics company Geek+ has launched its next-gen virtual booth, saying it’s the company’s latest effort to provide customers with knowledge and access to the technologies that will allow them to make added-value decisions in a time of current global change and remote work.

In the new virtual space Geek+ will support visitors with online applications for customized solutions, a great visual experience, and easy access to product materials.

Geek+, the largest manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, says its virtual space allows visitors to experience robotics automation in a dynamic digital environment and provides them with the tools to make informed decisions on automation, in a time of urgency. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches new virtual booth