Robotics & Automation News

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Realtime Robotics raises $9.5 million in additional funding

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of collision-free autonomous motion planning for industrial robots, today announced that it has secured an additional $9.5 million in funding from Shinhan GIB and Kyobo Life Insurance.

Driven by the strong response to its RapidPlan industrial robotics motion control and collision avoidance software, Realtime will use this additional investment to drive further product enhancements, incorporate feedback from customers and partners, and scale to support additional go-to-market efforts.

RapidPlan reduces the annual costs of robotic automation by two-thirds and makes the robot programming process up to 5x faster, all while eliminating collisions and removing the majority of manual, time-consuming adjustments. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics raises $9.5 million in additional funding

Universal Robots launches new software platform to make machine tending automation ‘faster, simpler and more flexible ’

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Universal Robots, the Danish manufacturer of collaborative robots (cobots), has unveiled a new brand-new, innovative software platform specifically developed for machine tending tasks.

The name is PolyScope X and through a new, customisable user interface, it will add new levels of flexibility to high mix, low volume machine tending automation.

With PolyScope X, machine shop operators can achieve changeover times of less than 10 minutes – far below what is possible today with any other software. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches new software platform to make machine tending automation ‘faster, simpler and more flexible ’

Micropsi Industries makes its AI-powered robot controller hardware agnostic

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Micropsi Industries’ artificial intelligence-powered robot control software Mirai, which helps automate complex tasks too difficult or costly to automate with traditional programming, will soon be accessible for all robot users.

Previously compatible exclusively with Universal Robots and Fanuc robots, Mirai will be available for Kuka robots in early Q4, followed by other collaborative robots (cobots) and industrial robots as requested.

Using AI, Mirai generates robot movements directly and in real time. Robot skills (or specific tasks) are trained, not programmed, in a few days through human demonstration, without users needing programming or AI knowledge. [Read more…] about Micropsi Industries makes its AI-powered robot controller hardware agnostic

Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

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The warehousing and storage industry faces growing demand to deliver goods across the country as consumers purchase more goods online.

To address the productivity crunch and improve workers’ well-being, policymakers should establish measures to support robotic automation in logistics facilities, according to a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the leading think tank for science and technology policy.

Morgan Stevens, a research assistant at ITIF who wrote the report, says: “Firms need to adopt robotics to help workers accomplish more per hour and stay safe while doing so. [Read more…] about Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

Google’s Intrinsic and Siemens collaborate on AI-based robotics and automation

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Intrinsic, an Alphabet/Google company, and Siemens have teamed up to explore integrations and interfaces between Intrinsic’s robotics software, which is designed for easy use of AI-based capabilities, and Siemens Digital Industries with their open and interoperable portfolio for automating and operating industrial production.

Intrinsic has a world-class team of robotics and AI experts with a strong footprint in advanced perception, machine learning and reinforcement learning.

Siemens’ automation engineers and software developers have industry-leading domain know-how in automation technology in the industrial space. [Read more…] about Google’s Intrinsic and Siemens collaborate on AI-based robotics and automation

Yaskawa’s robotics training academy cultivates automation skills in South Africa

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By Leon Coetzer, training officer at Yaskawa South Africa

Robotics is an ever-growing industry, and South African manufacturers are increasingly adopting automation into their production processes to remain competitive.

Yaskawa’s long-standing training academy offers its customers, as well as individuals looking to enter the industry, the opportunity to learn and upskill in various in-demand positions, including programming, operations, maintenance, safety, and robot troubleshooting.

Leon Coetzer, training officer at Yaskawa, says: “At the Yaskawa Southern Africa Training Academy, we offer a variety of courses and training programs designed to meet the needs of different skill levels, from beginner to advanced. [Read more…] about Yaskawa’s robotics training academy cultivates automation skills in South Africa

Kivnon partners with TAP for warehouse robot distribution

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Kivnon, a producer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), has announced that TAP Group, a provider of industrial solutions, will be distributing Kivnon AGVs and AMRs.

Kivnon designs, manufactures, and implements automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) for a wide range of markets, including automotive, food, aerospace, and retail applications.

Its products include small AGVs for use in labs; mouse AGV platforms that slide under and lift pallets; tractor AGVs that pull carts; and self-driving forklifts. [Read more…] about Kivnon partners with TAP for warehouse robot distribution

ATI Industrial Automation introduces new robotic angle grinder

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ATI Industrial Automation has introduced the CGV-900 Compliant Angle Grinder to provide an automated alternative to grinding and finishing by hand. The company says the tool brings “versatility to robotic grinding processes while reducing employee safety concerns”.

The CGV-900 offers built-in compliance, allowing the unit to compensate for irregularities in part surfaces and maintain contact with a workpiece.

The compliance force is adjustable, enabling users to fine-tune their finishing processes in real time. The CGV-900 also provides position sensing data to help indicate media wear. [Read more…] about ATI Industrial Automation introduces new robotic angle grinder

Comau unveils new ‘perception-based’ robotic picking solution

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Robotics and automation specialist Comau has launched what it calls the “MI.RA/Picker”, describing as an intelligent advanced automation solution for perception-based random bin picking.

Adaptable to any brand of commercial robot, customized bin or customized gripper, the fully automated picking solution uses two high-resolution laser sensors and a central camera to autonomously recognize, locate and grasp randomly placed objects at a rate of up to 40 pieces per minute (PPM).

Furthermore, its streamlined virtual simulation tools and predictive algorithms guarantee optimal path management and collision-free trajectories, for precise and reliable performance while lowering costs and potential risks. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘perception-based’ robotic picking solution

Cybersecurity automation for startups: Safeguarding digital assets

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In today’s fast-paced and interconnected digital landscape, cybersecurity is paramount for businesses of all sizes, particularly for startups that often handle sensitive data and proprietary information. Startups, despite their agility and innovation, can be particularly vulnerable to cyber threats due to limited resources and often insufficient cybersecurity measures. [Read more…] about Cybersecurity automation for startups: Safeguarding digital assets