Robotics & Automation News

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Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

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Industrial robot maker Kuka says its “sensitive robot” is helping to increase efficiency at the final stages of assembly in the automotive manufacturing sector.

The company says car manufacturers are always looking for solutions to increase the efficiency of assembly on the assembly line.

Innovative automation solutions should increase the degree of automation, says Kuka, and human and robot increasingly share the workplace along the assembly line. [Read more…] about Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has created a “Startup Engagement Program” through its sponsorship of MassRobotics.

MassRobotics, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an independent, non-profit organization that aims to assist startups and existing technology organizations by providing them the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test, and commercialize their products and solutions.

Through the Startup Engagement Program, Mitsubishi Electric Automation is looking to develop proof of concepts and potential investment opportunities. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric Automation creates startup program through sponsorship of MassRobotics

Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

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The haulage industry is an essential part of the network that is keeping the economy going, but for the last decade, there have been whispers of big changes that will ultimately change and revolutionise the way that day-to-day haulage works. 

Huge corporations like UPS and Daimler have been investing in automation technology, working closely with robotics companies to create a standard for the haulage industry that will speed up the process of transporting freight across the world.

There have even been estimations made that 1.2 million lorry driver jobs will be eliminated. But will automation really make the lorry driver obsolete? [Read more…] about Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

Severstal expands automation capabilities with second investment in Airborne

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PAO Severstal, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies, has led a second tranche of investment into Dutch company Airborne, a developer of digital automation platforms for the production of composite parts and products with integrated composites.

The total investment in Airborne has already amounted to “several tens of millions of dollars”, says Severstal.

In spite of the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, which has led to many venture projects on the global market being placed on hold, Severstal led the new investment in Airborne with support of existing shareholders including HPE Growth. [Read more…] about Severstal expands automation capabilities with second investment in Airborne

Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

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Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has raised $29 million in Series C funding. The company says the new funds will be used for the continued expansion of its autonomous mobile robot platform.

The investment, which follows years of rapid growth, was led by Kensington Private Equity Fund with participation from BMO Capital Partners, Export Development Canada, and previous investors iNovia Capital and RRE Ventures.

Including this Series C round, Otto Motors has now raised a total of $83 million in funding. [Read more…] about Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

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Universal Robots has launched what it describes as “the world’s largest virtual conference and exhibition for collaborative robots”.

Named “WeAreCobots”, the event will take place June 16-18, 2020, targeting a European audience with automation trend keynotes and an extensive range of product news and demonstrations in five different languages.

With Europe’s trade fair scene being turned upside down because of coronavirus and the resulting lockdowns, Universal Robots says it is breaking new ground. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

The Future for Contactless Delivery

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By D. A. Rupprecht

The future for contactless product delivery is already here, and a pandemic seems to already be moving this trend forward.

It just needs companies to implement and customers to accept the new delivery and tracking methods, along with other innovations, that will make this so.

When this happens, we may one day look back and quietly thank the lowly coronavirus for catapulting us into a brighter future. [Read more…] about The Future for Contactless Delivery

Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

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A group of students have built a robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology.

The 13 students were given three days to build a machine that uses robots to sort garbage at the international Smart Green Island Makeathon engineering competition.

Austrian automation specialist B&R supported an interdisciplinary team of students from Brno University of Technology, the Kempten University of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Ostrava, the University of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. [Read more…] about Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

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Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new high-accuracy simultaneous 5-axis vertical machining centre, the Variaxis C-600, suitable for a wide range of sectors, including the aerospace and automotive markets.

Mazak says the C-600, which is the successor machine to the highly successful Variaxis j-600/5X, is being marketed at a “highly attractive price point” to provide a high performance and cost-effective 5-axis solution.

The Variaxis C-600 is characterised by its highly agile performance, with no compromise on rigidity. The compact machine, capable of machining workpieces up to Ø730 mm x H450 mm and 500 kg in weight, has been designed with a large machining envelope and a high-rigidity structure featuring a Ø600 mm fully supported trunnion table with roller gear cam on the B- and C-axes. [Read more…] about Mazak launches new 5-axis vertical machining centre

inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software

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inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce businesses, has added “social distancing features” to its inVia Logic software and inVia PickMate user tool.

inVia says the new features proactively keep workers at a safe distance from each other and also notify both warehouse workers and warehouse management if that distance is breached.

The company adds that this “helps businesses immediately enact safety first measures” as the economy starts to cautiously reopen, and have them in place as we navigate towards a new normal which will most certainly include increased e-commerce ordering. [Read more…] about inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software