Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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The Benefits of Sustainable Packaging for Your Business

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Businesses aren’t going green for the first time. Sustainable packaging is becoming more common among companies in recent years.

The trend has not yet caught on with everyone if that is the right term to use. There are many ways firms can be eco-conscious, but they are often overlooked.

A simple change in business practices can make a big difference. It doesn’t always need to be a major change. Taking care of the environment is beneficial in many ways, one of which is going green with packaging. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Sustainable Packaging for Your Business

DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

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DHL Supply Chain, the world’s biggest logistics company and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has become the first company to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot developed for carton unloading of trucks.

The successful deployment of the robot comes just one year after DHL Supply Chain announced its $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

In the application, Stretch robots take packages from the back of trailers and place them on a flexible conveyor. [Read more…] about DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

Beyond Imagination receives order for 1,000 humanoid robots

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Robotics innovator Beyond Imagination has entered into an agreement with SELF Labs to provide at least 1,000 humanoid robots for use in agricultural “grow boxes”. This is believed to be the largest deal of its kind.

SELF and Beyond are announcing a partnership to develop automated off-the-grid grow boxes. Each box will be equipped with solar panels, windmills, atmospheric water generators, 5G, and an advanced version of Beyond Imagination’s Beomni robot with its Omni-Purpose AI Brain.

By aligning the visions of Milan Cheeks of SELF and Dr Harry Kloor of Beyond, this futuristic take on farming will be made possible through a uniquely powerful combination of Omni-Purpose AI, humanoid robotics, blockchain, and game technology. [Read more…] about Beyond Imagination receives order for 1,000 humanoid robots

ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

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ABB has launched the “ABB Robotic Depalletizer”, a solution for handling complex depalletizing tasks in the logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods industries.

Using machine vision software, ABB’s new solution can quickly assess a wide variety of box types, enabling customers to efficiently process assorted loads with very little engineering effort and short set-up time.

Marc Segura, ABB’s Robotics division president, says: “Changes in consumer behavior are leading to a rise in new sales channels such as omni-channel, direct to consumer and e-commerce. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

Ambi Robotics launches ‘multi-robot kitting system’ aimed at e-commerce operations

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Ambi Robotics, a developer of robotics systems, has launched AmbiKit, which the company says is “the industry’s first multi-robot kitting system that leverages AI data collection to expedite e-commerce kitting operations”.

AmbiKit automates product bundling for faster delivery, increasing order accuracy and reducing operating costs.

The new kitting system includes a five-robot picking line, currently deployed to augment the pick and place tasks associated with one of today’s fastest growing e-commerce opportunities: online subscription boxes. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics launches ‘multi-robot kitting system’ aimed at e-commerce operations

Ranpak launches ‘completely automated packaging solution’ in North America

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Ranpak, a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, has launched its AutoFill solution in North America.

AutoFill is described as a “next-generation, fully automated end-of-line packaging solution that enhances throughput, reduces labor costs, and ensures the optimal amount of void fill in each package”.

Ranpak’s proprietary solution uses smart sensors to scan the package, computing the box size and the volume of objects inside, and then dispenses the optimal amount of paper needed to protect items during shipping. [Read more…] about Ranpak launches ‘completely automated packaging solution’ in North America

Robots who goof: Can we trust them again?

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When robots make mistakes – and they do from time to time – re-establishing trust with human co-workers depends on how the machines own up to the errors and how human-like they appear, according to University of Michigan research.

In a study that examined multiple trust repair strategies – apologies, denials, explanations or promises – the researchers found that certain approaches directed at human co-workers are better than others and often are impacted by how the robots look.

Lionel Robert (main picture), associate professor at the U-M School of Information, says: “Robots are definitely a technology but their interactions with humans are social and we must account for these social interactions if we hope to have humans comfortably trust and rely on their robot co-workers. [Read more…] about Robots who goof: Can we trust them again?

Japan Post and Yamato to test delivery robots in Tokyo

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Logistics and snail-mail delivery giant Japan Post is partnering with Yamato, one of Japan’s largest door-to-door delivery service companies, to test delivery robots on the streets of Tokyo, according to Nikkei.

The robot the two companies are using was built by a local company called ZMP, which appears to specialise in autonomous mobile vehicles, be they delivery robots or cars.

This particular one is called “DeliRo” (main picture), probably short for “delivery robot”. [Read more…] about Japan Post and Yamato to test delivery robots in Tokyo

Robotic surgery: Catheter navigation proving to be the fastest growing sector

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IDTechEx reports that the robotic surgery market will reach over $12 billion by 2030. Within this industry, catheter navigation is an emerging, but lesser known application, that is rapidly gaining traction.

IDTechEx’s findings are detailed in the recently published report Innovations in Robotic Surgery 2020-2030: Technologies, Players & Markets.

Catheters are widely used to conduct an intervention within the blood vessels or airways. Traditional catheter ablation procedures have a success rate of approximately 60 percent and can be very long – sometimes several hours. [Read more…] about Robotic surgery: Catheter navigation proving to be the fastest growing sector

Boston Scientific introduces ‘touchless distribution’ at its distribution center

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Boston Scientific has offices in more than 100 countries and says it is committed to changing lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. 

At the distribution center in Kerkrade, Boston Scientific began automating its distribution center in 2013. The aim of the manufacturer and distributor of medical products is: “touchless distribution”.

The implementation of intralogistics company Inther Group’s Automated Document Applicator (ADA) is an important part of this.

 [Read more…] about Boston Scientific introduces ‘touchless distribution’ at its distribution center