Robotics & Automation News

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automation

Comau designs and implements advanced automation solutions for global automaker’s Brazil factory

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Industrial automation specialist Comau says it has designed and implemented its advanced automation solutions at a Stellantis Automotive facility in Brazil. Stellantis owns auto brands such as Fiat, Vauxhall and Jeep, among many others.

Comau’s installation at Stellantis Automotive Plant at Betim, Minas Gerais is part of a comprehensive retooling project to produce both the Fiat Pulse, the brand’s first SUV model in Brazil and the Fiat Fastback, its first SUV Coupe and one of the company’s main launches for the local market.

As part of the comprehensive project, Comau has enhanced an existing manufacturing platform to provide high-speed body assembly solutions for the main body, the body sides and the respot operations such that the two distinctly different SUVs could be produced on the same line. [Read more…] about Comau designs and implements advanced automation solutions for global automaker’s Brazil factory

Mercadona calls in Cimcorp Automation to help move fresh produce from field to store within 24 hours

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Mercadona, a large grocery retailer in Spain and Portugal, has brought in Cimcorp Automation to further automate fresh food intralogistics at its distribution center in San Isidro, Spain.

Equipped with Cimcorp’s robotic solution, Mercadona says it now delivers fresh produce from field to store within 24 hours, thereby increasing shelf life for products, minimizing food waste, and ensuring freshness for customers.

Automation has also helped Mercadona improve workplace safety and satisfaction for its employees. This is the fifth automated system Cimcorp has implemented for Mercadona, following successful installations at several other new logistics facilities in Spain. [Read more…] about Mercadona calls in Cimcorp Automation to help move fresh produce from field to store within 24 hours

Comau and Fincantieri unveil ‘first’ mobile robot shipbuilding system

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Industrial automation specialist Comau and shipbuilder Fincantieri, two of Italy’s largest and most well-known industrial companies, have unveiled the first result of their joint collaboration: the MR4Weld (Mobile Robot for Welding) mobile robot.

The companies describe the robotic system as “an innovative outdoor automation solution to improve quality, performance and well-being during labor-intensive welding activities”.

The companies have also renewed their strategic agreement to apply technology, digitalization, and innovation within cutting-edge, mobile robotic solutions that will increase production speed and worker well-being, by automating traditionally manual processes. [Read more…] about Comau and Fincantieri unveil ‘first’ mobile robot shipbuilding system

Boxbot raises $12 million in Series A financing round

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Boxbot, the vertical automation solution that sorts and stores packages for last-mile carriers, says it has raised $12 million in its Series A funding round, led by Playground Global.

Maersk Growth (the venture arm of A.P. Moller), Toyota Ventures, Pear Ventures, and Artiman Ventures also participated in the round, which brings the company’s total funding to $29.5 million.

The funds will be used to accelerate the company’s mission of enabling carriers to provide more efficient delivery experiences and bolster the team’s engineering and business operations. [Read more…] about Boxbot raises $12 million in Series A financing round

ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

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Industrial power and automation giant ABB is planning to invest $280 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in Europe and build a stunning new state-of-the-art facility in Västerås, Sweden – the ABB Robotics European Campus.

The Campus will serve as the hub for ABB Robotics’ offering in Europe, providing customers with AI-enabled collaborative and industrial robots, as well as digital solutions to support flexible automation as part of the company’s “local for local” production strategy.

Replacing the existing robotics facilities at the site, the new Campus is planned to open in late 2026. [Read more…] about ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

Brain Corp launches ‘Site Maps’ to advance automated robotic operations and fleet management

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Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) company creating transformative core technology in robotics, has released “Site Maps”, the latest feature of its BrainOS software for autonomous robots. The update is available to all its customers.

The Site Maps feature empowers facility managers using BrainOS-powered automated robots to gain advanced insights into their site operations, ensuring efficient operations and providing a complete picture of proof-of-work.

One of the major challenges faced by facilities managers is the difficulty in knowing what work has been completed and what has not. [Read more…] about Brain Corp launches ‘Site Maps’ to advance automated robotic operations and fleet management

North America industrial robot orders drop for second quarter

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A slow US economy and high interest rates have taken a toll on robot orders in North American, resulting in a decline for the second quarter in a row after record purchases in 2021 and 2022.

According to the latest report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), companies ordered 7,697 robots valued at $457 million from April to July 2023, a 37 percent decline in robot orders and 20 percent drop in value over the same period in 2022.

When combined with first quarter results, the robotics market in North America is down 29 percent compared to the first half of last year with a total of 16,865 robots ordered. [Read more…] about North America industrial robot orders drop for second quarter

Enhanced Security Automation: Lexington Police Urges Integration of Home Security Cameras

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Residents in Lexington now have the opportunity to aid the local police department in their efforts to solve crimes more quickly.

The Lexington Police Department is asking residents to register their private security cameras to gain an extensive database of potential video footage that could assist investigations.

The project is called Fūsus, a software program that gathers and organizes the information provided by residents. This voluntary initiative aims to enhance the safety and security of neighborhoods within the community. [Read more…] about Enhanced Security Automation: Lexington Police Urges Integration of Home Security Cameras

Seaports to install almost 400,000 automated guided vehicles by 2030

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The maritime industry has drastically surged its automation efforts in the wake of global seaport congestion.

In addition to solutions such as gantries, automated port gates, and stacking cranes, autonomous horizontal transport modes such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that transport containers and loads to and from ships have been the most productivity-augmenting solutions in seaports.

According to ABI Research, a technology research firm, AGV seaport deployments worldwide will have a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 26 per cent from 2022 to 2030 and exceed 370,000 global deployments by 2027. [Read more…] about Seaports to install almost 400,000 automated guided vehicles by 2030

ATI Industrial Automation makes its multi-axis force/torque sensors compatible with Fanuc robots

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ATI Industrial Automation, a provider of robotic tooling and sensing solutions, says it has made its Multi-Axis Force/Torque (F/T) Sensors compatible with Fanuc Robots and Fanuc’s Force Control Software.

This collaboration opens up new possibilities for advanced automation and precision control in robotic applications.

The integration of ATI’s F/T Sensors with Fanuc Robots and Fanuc’s Force Control Software brings enhanced sensing capabilities to robotic systems, enabling users to achieve greater levels of accuracy, flexibility, and responsiveness. [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation makes its multi-axis force/torque sensors compatible with Fanuc robots