Robotics & Automation News

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Vecna Robotics unveils ‘major software release’

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Vecna Robotics, a specialist in material handling automation solutions, has unveiled what it describes as “a major software release and hardware upgrades” to its AFL-class autonomous forklift.

The new capabilities expand the company’s reach within warehouse and factory floors by optimizing material transport between other machinery and equipment, with specific focus on low-lift workflows.

The update supports numerous above-ground workflows including: inbound staging to AS/RS induction; delivering materials to ergonomic lift stands for work-in-process flows; and loading and extracting from robotic palletizers and stretch wrappers. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics unveils ‘major software release’

Formic launches industry’s ‘first turnkey palletizer’

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Formic, a provider of robotic technologies on a pay-as-you-go basis, has released its SL20 Palletizer – the inaugural product in a new catalog of certified, off-the-shelf, robotics-as-a-service solutions available at a “low cost per hour”.

Built by Sourcelink Solutions, Formic says its new offering further underlines its “commitment to removing the barriers to automation” so that small to mid-sized businesses can onboard the technology and thrive amid today’s challenges.

Buying a robot is largely untenable for the majority of manufacturers due to the risk, complexity, upfront capital, and expertise required. [Read more…] about Formic launches industry’s ‘first turnkey palletizer’

Most Popular Programming Languages for Automation

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Basically, programming languages are sets of rules for communicating with machines. To get the most out of automated testing, one should require practical knowledge in at least one automation programming language.

The Udemy JavaScript course review might be helpful for those thinking about such an opportunity. Read on to learn more about these crucial and powerful tools in the IT industry. [Read more…] about Most Popular Programming Languages for Automation

Automation‌ ‌and‌ ‌IoT‌‌: ‌Transforming‌ ‌How‌ ‌Industries‌ ‌Function‌

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The key role of technologies is to facilitate our life. But the modern use cases of tech solutions are not limited to everyday tasks.

Actually, we should admit that the most important functions that technologies, and especially the Internet of Things (IoT), have today are related to their implementation by different industries.

As a result, the main beneficiaries are enterprises that have the possibility to fully transform their approach to organizing various processes. [Read more…] about Automation‌ ‌and‌ ‌IoT‌‌: ‌Transforming‌ ‌How‌ ‌Industries‌ ‌Function‌

BMC selects Zebra to automate operations

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Zebra Technologies, an industrial automation company, says Bespoke Manufacturing Company, an apparel manufacturer, has selected S&H Systems and Zebra’s Fetch autonomous mobile robots and fixed industrial scanners to improve visibility and productivity.

Zebra’s solution will improve BMC’s workflow visibility from the initial printing and cutting of fabric to the final phase of packing and shipping, increasing efficiency and productivity and allowing the manufacturer to scale up to meet growing demand.

BMC selected Zebra’s end-to-end industrial and robotics automation solution to enable front-line workers to focus on production. Its entire workflow logistics are delegated to Zebra’s Fetch AMRs and fixed industrial scanners which move, trace and direct workpieces to their destinations. [Read more…] about BMC selects Zebra to automate operations

ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

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A global ABB survey has revealed a growing trend in US and European businesses towards re-shoring or nearshoring operations to build resilience in the face of global challenges – but at the same time, a significant education gap in the skills necessary for these strategies to succeed.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation Business, says: “The world is constantly evolving – businesses are shifting existing structures and adopting new technologies to future-proof their operations for a variety of challenges and uncertainties, with robotic automation playing a key role.

“We need significant investment in continuous education to prepare our existing and future workforce to thrive in an age of robotics and automation, important not only to prepare for the widespread shifts we are seeing, but to create prosperous societies going forward.” [Read more…] about ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

Addverb Technologies expands US presence with R&D center in Silicon Valley

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Addverb Technologies, an automation solutions provider for warehouses and distribution centers, has opened a new Center of Excellence for Advanced Robotics Research and Development in Fremont, California.

The center, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, will focus on developing state-of-the-art platforms for autonomous mobile robotics and automated guided vehicles, as well as advanced algorithms for human-machine collaboration and biomedical robotics.

Overseeing the center’s operation is Tapan Pattnayak, who was named director of system architecture at Addverb in April 2022. [Read more…] about Addverb Technologies expands US presence with R&D center in Silicon Valley

Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

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Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

Edson to debut new robotic cell at Pack Expo

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Edson, a ProMach brand, is debuting its new KDF Stack Prep System, a robotic cell that automates the infeed area of a case packer, in booth N-5348 at Pack Expo 2022, October 23-26, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

Edson is a manufacturer of case and tray packing solutions for the converted paper, diaper, and nonwoven markets.

After stacks are loaded onto the case packer’s infeed conveyors, the KDF (knocked down flat) Stack Prep System prepares the cases by cutting bands and removing dunnage and other cardboard or paper materials used during transportation. The stacks are then straightened, squared, and presented to the case packer. [Read more…] about Edson to debut new robotic cell at Pack Expo