Robotics & Automation News

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Zebra Technologies to acquire Fetch Robotics

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Zebra Technologies, a provider of software and hardware systems for supply chains, is to acquire Fetch Robotics, a developer of warehouse robots and related technologies.

Fetch’s Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are used for optimized picking in fulfillment centers and distribution centers, just-in-time material delivery in manufacturing facilities and automating manual material movement in any facility.

Fetch features the largest portfolio of AMRs in the industry and offers seamless integration with warehouse and manufacturing systems without the need for changes to facilities or infrastructure. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies to acquire Fetch Robotics

MassRobotics publishes ‘world’s first’ open source autonomous mobile robot interoperability standards

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MassRobotics, an independent, non-profit center that serves to educate, inspire and bring robotics initiatives, investments and companies to life, has released the MassRobotics Interoperability Standard.

The new initiative enables Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) from multiple vendors to integrate and work together seamlessly to support safe and efficient operations in global factories, warehouses, distribution and fulfillment centers.

Members of the working group and contributors to the newly introduced standards include Vecna Robotics, 6 River Systems, Waypoint Robotics, Locus Robotics, Seegrid, MiR, Autoguide Mobile Robots, Third Wave Automation, Open Robotics Foundation and others. [Read more…] about MassRobotics publishes ‘world’s first’ open source autonomous mobile robot interoperability standards

COVID-19 Crisis: Employers Automating Workplaces to Fill in Reduced Workforce

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The world has been at a standstill since March 2020 – thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic and the impending lockdown in many places.

Some of the worst-hit sectors are manufacturing industries, which are facing a labor shortage and thus are not able to operate at 100 percent of their strength.

With lower productivity comes reduced revenue, which could be perilous when the economy is taking a hit. [Read more…] about COVID-19 Crisis: Employers Automating Workplaces to Fill in Reduced Workforce

4 Ways to Implement Industrial Automation

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The advent of technology is changing all industries these days – optimizing processes, productions, and systems. In other words, its development is inviting the way for a more competitive and convenient way of doing business.

Industrial automation is the future of work and it has paved the way for various industrial processes to be automated effectively, economically, and safely. This has resulted in the introduction of new jobs, such as industrial technician, industrial engineer, and industrial program manager.

These new job titles, coupled with the increased efficiency brought about by industrial automation, have contributed to reducing unemployment in many industries. [Read more…] about 4 Ways to Implement Industrial Automation

Toyota’s Woven Capital invests in autonomous vehicle fleet platform Ridecell

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Woven Capital, a venture capital unit of Toyota, has made an investment in Ridecell, a platform powering digital transformations and IoT automation for fleet-driven businesses.

Woven Capital is an $800 million global investment fund that supports innovative, growth-stage companies in mobility, automation, artificial intelligence, data and analytics, connectivity, and smart cities.

It is the investment arm of the Woven Planet Group, a Toyota subsidiary which says it is “dedicated to building the safest mobility in the world”. [Read more…] about Toyota’s Woven Capital invests in autonomous vehicle fleet platform Ridecell

Teradyne leads $20 million funding round for MachineMetrics

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MachineMetrics, an industrial data startup that helps improve manufacturing performance through autonomous machining, has raised $20 million in Series B financing.

The company will use the funding to scale its platform globally and democratize access to the machine insights that power manufacturing operations.

Bill Bither, co-founder and CEO of MachineMetrics, says: “Manufacturing is on the brink of a digital renaissance. The intersection of software, big data and physical machinery is the next frontier for manufacturing and a proven solution for overcoming the production and labor shortages we are experiencing right now. [Read more…] about Teradyne leads $20 million funding round for MachineMetrics

ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

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ABB’s PixelPaint robotic “non-overspray” technology for the automotive industry has won this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology.

Launched in 2020, PixelPaint uses inkjet head technology to directly apply high resolution two-tone or individualized designs to a car body in a single pass, enabling manufacturers to easily meet the rising demand for customized paint jobs while eliminating wasteful overspray.

Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Auto OEM business line, says: “We are delighted that our PixelPaint solution has been recognized for its innovative, sustainable technology that helps our customers respond to consumer requests for more personalized design. [Read more…] about ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

Emerson unveils new ‘MTP’ process technology to speed up manufacturing

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Emerson has unveiled the integration of the emerging MTP process automation standard into its control systems, as part of a continued effort to help manufacturers increase speed-to-market and reduce project and operations costs.

Emerson is among the first automation vendors to support the User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries’ (NAMUR) Module Type Package (MTP) standard for both distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

A key challenge for the process industries, particularly life sciences and chemical, is the time it takes to bring products to market or change operations to accommodate new products. [Read more…] about Emerson unveils new ‘MTP’ process technology to speed up manufacturing

SICK and Vention partner to bring enhanced robot guidance systems to manufacturers

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SICK is partnering with Vention, a next-generation manufacturing automation platform.

This partnership combines SICK’s PLB and PLOC2D systems with Vention’s manufacturing automation platform to accelerate the design and deployment of applications custom-built for robot guidance systems.

Vention’s cloud-based platform allows customers to design, automate, and deploy SICK robot guidance systems with 2D and 3D vision solutions for use in automated bin picking applications. [Read more…] about SICK and Vention partner to bring enhanced robot guidance systems to manufacturers

Automation and the Fashion Industry: A Quiet Revolution

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Many believe that we have recently entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is characterized by new modes of design, production and marketing. Being one of the world’s largest and most innovative industries, fashion is at the center stage of this shake-up.

This is not surprising, since fashion is big business. In the UK, for example, the fashion industry is valued at £26 billion, making it the country’s biggest creative industry.

From algorithms that detect what we will be wearing next season to targeted pricing, here are just a few ways automation technology is transforming the fashion industry. [Read more…] about Automation and the Fashion Industry: A Quiet Revolution