Market trends and business perspectives
Atoun Inc. is beginning a work-site trial of Powered Wear with arm support function at the end of May, 2019.
The prototype to be tested is the Powered Wear “Atoun Model Y” for the waist-attached arms support part.
By adding the arms support function to the previous waist support function, work efficiency increases up to 37.7% compared to when Powered Wear is not used.
[Read more…] about Atoun begins trial of Powered Wear with new arm support function
One of the effects of the ongoing trade war between the US and China is likely to be the accelerated development of what are being called “artificial intelligence chips”, or AI chips for short, also sometimes referred to as AI accelerators.
AI chips could play a critical role in economic growth going forward because they will inevitably feature in cars, which are becoming increasingly autonomous; smart homes, where electronic devices are becoming more intelligent; robotics, obviously; and many other technologies.
AI chips, as the term suggests, refers to a new generation of microprocessors which are specifically designed to process artificial intelligence tasks faster, using less power. [Read more…] about Top 25 AI chip companies: A macro step change inferred from the micro scale
Anca has launched its first industrial robot – a selective compliance assembly robot arm, or SCARA.
Anca is better known for its computer numerical control machines, and supplies the automotive, electronic, medical, aerospace and many other manufacturing verticals.
The company says it spends 10 percent of its annual turnover on research and development projects and often collaborates with universities to develop its latest technology. [Read more…] about Anca launches new robot arm
Honeywell has announced a new automated robotic solution for unloading packages from truck trailers and shipping containers at distribution centres.
The robotic unloader uses artificial intelligence to operate fully autonomously inside of a trailer, which significantly reduces the manual effort required to operate receiving docks for retail merchandise and parcel distribution centres.
It drives into a trailer or container and uses machine vision to identify various package shapes and sizes as well as the optimal approach to unloading.
[Read more…] about Honeywell unveils automated robotic unloader for distribution centres
Arm and Samsung Foundry say they are “pushing the possibilities” of semiconductor manufacturing with industry’s first embedded magnetoresistive random-access memory compiler and new physical IP offerings on advanced process nodes including 7nm and 5nm.
What researchers have predicted for several years is now a reality – the end of Moore’s Law is approaching and will impact performance power and area (PPA) across all computing applications.
This includes embedded products used throughout consumer and industrial markets requiring reliable, yet low-power, complex-memory systems to support a spectrum of applications but are limited by the speed, power, and scalability offered by non-volatile mainstream memory options, such as eFlash. [Read more…] about Arm and Samsung Foundry ‘push the possibilities’ of semiconductor manufacturing
By Mark Donovan
The next industrial revolution is arriving on a shore near you. It’s called Industry 4.0, and like its three predecessors, it’s about to bring sweeping changes to manufacturing that will globally affect everyone.
Industry 4.0, and the resulting manufacturing changes that are coming with it, have spawned a new type of production plant called the smart factory.
Central to the smart factory is the prolific use of autonomous and collaborative robots that work symbiotically with each other and alongside human beings to yield a more productive and efficient manufacturing plant. [Read more…] about Innovative sensors are empowering the smart factory robot, says AMS
Charles Deguire, president and co-founder of Kinova Robotics, explained the benefits of robotics in the health sector before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The Committee invited Deguire to testify as senators study the role of automation in the health care system, particularly robotics, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, in direct and indirect care to patients and home care.
Charles Deguire, CEO of Kinova, said: “It is clear to us that the future of medicine depends on robotics and its great ability to empower humanity. People cannot imagine how many technological advances in medical robotics have been made in recent years.
“The scalpel and the hand have not changed in the past 100 years, it’s time for medicine to evolve. Kinova is actively working with surgeons to develop better tools for them and their patients.” [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics explains role of automation in health care to Senate committee
Epson’s newest 6-axis robot recognized for industry innovation
Epson Robots’ Flexion N-Series has won the highly acclaimed Golden Mousetrap Award in the category of Automation & Control: Motors and Mechanical Motion Devices.
The Golden Mousetrap awards celebrate leading companies, products, and people who are driving innovation in design, engineering, and manufacturing.
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held a few weeks ago. [Read more…] about Epson Flexion N-Series wins 2017 Golden Mousetrap Award
MDA US Systems, a division of MDA managed by SSL, has been recognized by Nasa’s Johnson Space Center for its “outstanding support” of a robotic upgrade to the International Space Station’s power system which took place in January.
The MDA team based in Houston played a critical role in planning and validating the robotic maneuvering both before and during the mission.
Nasa JSC ground controllers used the 15-degrees-of-freedom Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (Dextre) arm to install six new 430-pound lithium-ion batteries in two power channel integrated electronics assembly pallets.
Dextre first removed 12 older and depleted 740-pound nickel-hydrogen batteries from the pallets, nine of which were put on the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle’s external pallet to burn up on re-entry with it. [Read more…] about MDA recognized by Nasa for robotic servicing of International Space Station
Scientists have developed sensor technology for a robotic prosthetic arm that detects signals from nerves in the spinal cord.
To control the prosthetic, the patient has to think like they are controlling a phantom arm and imagine some simple manoeuvres, such as pinching two fingers together.
The sensor technology interprets the electrical signals sent from spinal motor neurons and uses them as commands.
A motor neuron is a nerve cell that is located in the spinal cord. Its fibres, called axons, project outside the spinal cord to directly control muscles in the body. [Read more…] about Prosthetic arm technology that detects spinal nerve signals developed by scientists
