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Hokuyo releases upgraded safety scanner

June 17, 2020 by Elaine Leave a Comment

Hokuyo, a global manufacturer of sensor and automation technology, has announced a new firmware update on the safety laser scanner “UAM-05LP-T301”. (See video below.)

The firmware has been updated periodically since the product release in 2015 and this is the fifth update. The firmware is updated to meet every challenging customer’s requirement and to adapt to the fast changing market trends. The newest version is 2.4.0.

With its small profile and 5 metre protection range, UAM-05LP-T301 is “the world’s smallest, longest protection range safety laser scanner”, says Hokuyo. [Read more…] about Hokuyo releases upgraded safety scanner

Enquiries for Savioke’s delivery robot double amid pandemic

June 3, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The number of enquiries for Savioke’s delivery robot (see video below) has doubled amid the global coronavirus pandemic, according to an executive at the startup company.

Governments in virtually every country in the world have ordered lockdowns of citizens, or “shelter-in-place” orders, as they are referred to in the US.

The orders have led to many people in the robotics industry to predict that the demand for delivery robots, such as the ones produced by Savioke, will increase. [Read more…] about Enquiries for Savioke’s delivery robot double amid pandemic

How driverless shuttle vehicles can get safely from A to B

April 27, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Project 3F, a consortium of six partners led by Bosch, has presented its results for automated driving in the low-speed range. (See video below.)

Their main finding is that the vehicle can continue driving despite deviations on the specified route and technical failures in the system.

The transport of people and goods were tested on test tracks in Renningen and Aachen, Germany. [Read more…] about How driverless shuttle vehicles can get safely from A to B

Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

April 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Starship Technologies has rolled out its robot food delivery service in Tempe.

Locals can now order contact-less delivery from three area restaurants – Fate Brewing Company, Tempe City Tacos and Venezia’s Pizza, which is famous for its multiple references in the popular TV shows Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

More restaurants and grocery stores will be added to the service soon. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

Continental builds new US plant to make advanced driver assistance systems

February 6, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

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

Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

December 16, 2019 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Yaskawa Electric has launched what it describes as an “explosion-proof” industrial “handling” robot.

The new Motoman MHP 45L has a payload capacity of 45 kg, and maximum reach of 2,850 mm for painting areas using volatile paints.

Yaskawa says it has lined up a “wide range of painting robots” optimized for various applications from small to large applications such as smartphones or automotive. [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches ‘explosion proof’ industrial robot for painting

Robotics and automation event ‘automatica’ to occupy record 76,000 square meters

December 13, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

The next automatica event will occupy a record area of 76,000 square meters. There will be an additional hall, more than 900 exhibitors and new highlights. Munich will be the meeting place for the international automation industry from June 16 to 19, 2020.

Visitors to automatica 2020 will find answers to the questions about how the topics of digital transformation, man and machine as well artificial intelligence will affect the manufacturing world of tomorrow.

Falk Senger, managing director of Messe München, organiser of the event, says: “automatica is aimed at companies from all sectors of industry. The range of topics goes far beyond a traditional exhibition. [Read more…] about Robotics and automation event ‘automatica’ to occupy record 76,000 square meters

Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

December 11, 2019 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Wynright, a wholly-owned subsidiary of material handling giant Daifuku, says it aims to double sales after it opens its new $26 million manufacturing facility at the end of this year.

Wynright plans to expand its North American US manufacturing capabilities in the Greater Chicago area. The company will consolidate its existing factories in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and Oak Lawn, Illinois into a new, larger facility in Hobart, Indiana, in phases, by the end of December 2019.

In line with the completion of the new factory, the existing factories in Elk Grove and Oak Lawn in Illinois will close. Daifuku Wynright has offered all employees at both sites the opportunity to continue with the company at the new facility. More than 80 percent of current employees have confirmed their intention to do so. [Read more…] about Wynright aims to double sales after opening new $26 million manufacturing facility

MIT develops navigation method to help delivery robots find the front door

November 10, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

MIT has developed a navigation method that is designed to help delivery robots find the front door of an address. (See video below.)

Standard approaches for robotic navigation involve mapping an area ahead of time, then using algorithms to guide a robot toward a specific goal or GPS coordinate on the map.

MIT says that, while this approach might make sense for exploring specific environments, such as the layout of a particular building or planned obstacle course, this method can become “unwieldy in the context of last-mile delivery”. [Read more…] about MIT develops navigation method to help delivery robots find the front door

Volvo creates new business unit for autonomous truck solutions

October 24, 2019 by Mai Tao

Volvo has created a new business unit for its growing range of autonomous transport solutions.

The new business area, Volvo Autonomous Solutions, will accelerate the development, commercialization and sales of autonomous transport solutions.

Volvo says this will enable the company to meet “a growing demand” and to offer “the best possible solutions” to customers in such segments as mining, ports and transport between logistics centers, as a complement to today’s products and services. [Read more…] about Volvo creates new business unit for autonomous truck solutions