Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

automotive manufacturing automation

ABB Robotics survey shows acceleration in automation investment for automotive manufacturers

by

Automotive manufacturers and key supply chain companies are accelerating investment in robotics and automation as they seek to remain competitive, control costs and address ongoing workforce and energy pressures, according to ABB Robotics’ latest Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey.

“The intelligent factory is no longer a future ambition – it has become essential for manufacturers looking to stay competitive in a challenging and fast-moving environment,” said Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics automotive business line.

“This year’s survey shows that automation, particularly more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVRTM), are increasingly viewed as a practical, near-term solution to cost pressures, labor availability and energy efficiency challenges.” [Read more…] about ABB Robotics survey shows acceleration in automation investment for automotive manufacturers

Dürr unveils robotic system that prints custom designs on vehicle bodies

by

Dürr has launched EcoNextJet, which prints complex graphics, patterns and lettering directly onto vehicle surfaces: in high resolution, both horizontally and vertically, and in two colours when required.

Dürr’s new application system integrates custom designs directly into the painting process, replacing films and manual steps with an automated sequence that frees up resources.

The vehicle personalisation trend shows no signs of slowing down. Until now, the process involved manually gluing on elaborate patterns or lettering – often multi-layered, difficult-to-recycle films with noticeable edges and limited adhesion.

EcoNextJet automates this labour-intensive step, transforming creative design into a serial process. [Read more…] about Dürr unveils robotic system that prints custom designs on vehicle bodies

Doosan Robotics to supply large-scale manufacturing robot solutions to Kwangjin Group

by

Doosan Robotics says it will supply more than 100 manufacturing robot solutions to Kwangjin Group, a global automotive components manufacturer, under a strategic partnership.

Doosan Robotics announced yesterday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kwangjin Group at Bundang Doosan Tower in Seongnam, Korea. Through this agreement, the two companies will collaborate on manufacturing process automation and strengthen quality competitiveness by deploying Doosan robot solutions.

Kwangjin Group specializes in automotive door system components and operates production facilities in key global markets, including the United States, Mexico, India, and Vietnam. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics to supply large-scale manufacturing robot solutions to Kwangjin Group

BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

by

The BMW Group is preparing to test humanoid robots in its car production in Europe for the first time, as the company accelerates its push to integrate artificial intelligence directly into factory operations.

The pilot project will take place at the company’s Leipzig plant in Germany, where engineers will test how humanoid robots can work alongside existing manufacturing systems in series vehicle production. The robots will also be evaluated for use in battery assembly and component manufacturing.

The project is part of BMW’s broader effort to introduce what it describes as “Physical AI” – the combination of digital artificial intelligence with physical machines such as robots operating in real industrial environments. [Read more…] about BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

Toyota Canada to deploy Agility Robotics’ humanoid Digit in manufacturing operations

by

Agility Robotics, creator of the general-purpose humanoid robot Digit, says Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) has signed a commercial agreement with the company.

After a successful pilot, TMMC plans to deploy Agility’s robot, Digit, in its facilities to support employees with manufacturing, supply chain and logistics operations.

Tim Hollander, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, says: “Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has long been a leader in automotive manufacturing innovation. [Read more…] about Toyota Canada to deploy Agility Robotics’ humanoid Digit in manufacturing operations

Comau deploys in.Grid robot monitoring platform at Iveco plant

by

Comau has deployed its in.Grid Robot Monitoring platform at Italian transport vehicle manufacturer Iveco’s Valladolid plant in Spain, helping support the customer’s industrial digitalization strategy.

Developed to enhance operational visibility and improve maintenance efficiency, the cloud-based system monitors Comau robots on Iveco’s Door Ring and Mascherone assembly lines.

Comau’s in.Grid Robot Monitoring system autonomously captures production and process data, identifies performance deviations, signals anomalies, and verifies user-defined KPIs. [Read more…] about Comau deploys in.Grid robot monitoring platform at Iveco plant

Heavy-duty industrial robots: The big dragons of big industry

by

Walk into a modern automotive plant, a railcar factory, or a metal fabrication shop, and you will almost always find one thing: very large, very powerful robots doing the heavy lifting.

These machines do not resemble the compact cobots that dominate marketing campaigns, nor the humanoid prototypes that tend to draw public attention.

Instead, they are the unseen giants of industrial automation – rigid, anchored, high-payload robots designed to move, weld, grind, assemble and manipulate components that weigh hundreds of kilograms, sometimes more than a tonne. [Read more…] about Heavy-duty industrial robots: The big dragons of big industry

Inbolt and Fanuc launch ‘breakthrough robots that can think and act on the fly at moving assembly line speeds’

by

French startup Inbolt and the world’s largest industrial robotics company Fanuc are launching what they describe as a “manufacturing breakthrough” enabling Fanuc robots to tackle one of the most complex automation challenges.

The companies claim that the robots can “perform production tasks on continuously moving parts at assembly line speeds”.

With Inbolt’s AI-powered 3D vision, manufacturers can now automate screw insertion, bolt rundown, glue application and other high-precision tasks on parts moving down the line without costly infrastructure investments or cycle time compromises. [Read more…] about Inbolt and Fanuc launch ‘breakthrough robots that can think and act on the fly at moving assembly line speeds’