Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Chipotle installs ‘cobotic’ avocado preparation prototype

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Chipotle Mexican Grill has unveiled “Autocado”, its avocado processing cobotic – collaborative robotic – prototype developed in partnership with Vebu that cuts, cores, and peels avocados before they are hand mashed to create the restaurant’s signature guacamole, and the Augmented Makeline, a cobotic makeline built in collaboration with Hyphen, are being tested in Chipotle restaurants for the first time.

Autocado is currently operating at Chipotle’s Huntington Beach, California location at 20972 Magnolia St and the Augmented Makeline is being utilized at the company’s Corona del Mar, California location at 3050 East Coast Highway.

Curt Garner, chief customer and technology officer, says: “These cobotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests while maintaining Chipotle’s high culinary standards.

[Read more…] about Chipotle installs ‘cobotic’ avocado preparation prototype

6 Advantages of AR Remote Support for Field Service Technicians

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Do you know much about remote AR support? If not, be sure to catch up, because this technology may soon significantly change the approach of technicians who must go into the field to service and repair machines.

AR Remote Assistance, a technology born from the fusion of augmented reality (AR) and remote assistance capabilities, has a robust history dating back to the early 21st century.

It’s not just a passing trend-it’s a rapidly expanding market projected to be worth a staggering $108.4 billion by 2027 (Grand View Research). [Read more…] about 6 Advantages of AR Remote Support for Field Service Technicians

Kuka says its augmented reality ‘makes new robots easier to start up’

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Kuka says its new Kuka.MixedReality software visualizes the environment of robot cells live on smartphones to “support fast, safe and intuitive robot start-up”.

The mobile app displays tools and interference geometries to enable early detection of potential hazards so users can eliminate them before a robot starts work.

Augmented Reality enables intuitive robot startup. It connects the real and virtual worlds to enrich the environment of the robotic cell with clear, uncomplicated digital information. [Read more…] about Kuka says its augmented reality ‘makes new robots easier to start up’

Opinion: Adding the human edge and augmenting automation through Industry 5.0 in manufacturing

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Adam Sobieski, regional president APAC at Universal Robots

The Fourth Industrial Revolution brought about a wave of automation in the manufacturing industry, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

While we are currently living in Industry 4.0 which is unfolding around us, the world is poised for the next big industrial leap – the fifth industrial revolution.

The industry is slowly moving towards Industry 5.0, which marks a shift from automation to collaboration. Before diving into the details of Industry 5.0, it is important to understand the industry of today and how manufacturing has been changed through automation. [Read more…] about Opinion: Adding the human edge and augmenting automation through Industry 5.0 in manufacturing

Noah Medical unveils first trials of its Galaxy robotic surgical system in human patients

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Medical robotics innovator Noah Medical has unveiled its ongoing trial at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney, Australia.

The Frontier study is a first-in-human trial focused on the safety and feasibility of the Galaxy System, which is designed to improve location accuracy and successful diagnosis of lung nodules using its proprietary TiLT+ Technology.

The study is enrolling a small cohort of patients with the goal of successfully navigating to and biopsying peripheral lung nodules. The Galaxy System’s unique navigation capabilities were created to enable improved diagnosis and quicker time to treatment. [Read more…] about Noah Medical unveils first trials of its Galaxy robotic surgical system in human patients

Opinion: Predictions about the surgical robots market

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By Anthony Fernando, CEO and president of Asensus Surgical

Surgery has evolved from open surgery to robotic surgery. Surgical robots can perform complex procedures with geometrical precision, even in anatomical areas that are difficult to reach by human surgeons.

This is resulting in increased demand and adoption of minimally invasive surgeries and is one of the key drivers for the growth of the surgical robotics market.

So here are some predictions that foresee changes in the coming year within the surgical robotics market, telehealth and telesurgery, and augmented intelligence. [Read more…] about Opinion: Predictions about the surgical robots market

Epson unveils next generation of Moverio augmented reality smart glasses

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Epson has unveiled the Moverio BT-40 and BT-40S, a new generation of its Moverio augmented reality (AR) smart glasses designed to deliver “a high-quality AR viewing experience with maximum comfort”, says the company.

Powered by Epson Si-OLED technology, the new Moverio solutions offer users a number of advances including a wider field of view (FOV), Full HD 1080p display resolution, high contrast, improved connectivity, and a more comfortable, adjustable and easy-to-wear design.

Remi Del Mar, senior product manager, digital experiences, augmented reality and commercial display solutions, Epson America, says: “With over 10 years in the AR market and its long history in the projector segment – having delivered high performance optical engines and impeccable color production – Epson is bringing that same legacy to this next generation of Moverio smart glasses. [Read more…] about Epson unveils next generation of Moverio augmented reality smart glasses

Audi turns to augmented reality for logistics planning

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Audi is turning to augmented reality to plan complex logistics processes: Virtual presentation of three dimensional holograms that are shown in their actual environment helps planners to better evaluate the future situation.

Because of this, prototypes of containers or equipment, and so on, which are elaborate to produce, are no longer necessary. Audi uses the new generation of Microsoft’s “HoloLens 2” device for this.

The “LayAR” system (short for “layout” and “augmented reality”) supports Audi logistics planners when setting up new logistics structures in an existing production hall. [Read more…] about Audi turns to augmented reality for logistics planning

ABB offers augmented reality on a smartphone to simplify robot installations

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ABB has launched its new RobotStudio Augmented Reality viewer to provide a “quick and convenient way of visualizing where and how robotic automation can fit into your process using a smartphone or tablet”.

Discovering whether a robot is right for your application has never been easier following the launch of ABB’s new Augmented Reality viewer, which has been added to ABB’s powerful PC-based RobotStudio offline programming software.

The RobotStudio AR Viewer app can be used to test any model created in RobotStudio, enabling users to get an idea of the size and scale of a robot or robot cell and how it can be deployed on a factory floor to fit around any existing production equipment. [Read more…] about ABB offers augmented reality on a smartphone to simplify robot installations

B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development

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B&R has integrated its “industrialPhysics” simulation tool into its Automation Studio engineering environment.

The company says the 3D simulation software greatly simplifies model-based machine development, enabling easier digital twin development.

B&R says developers can import CAD data from machine components or entire machines directly into the simulation tool, and then they can quickly and easily generate a digital twin for developing and testing the machine software. [Read more…] about B&R unveils new simulation tool for digital twin development