Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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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

Scallog launches ‘Flexytote’ for its warehouse robots

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Scallog has launched what it calls “Flexytote” – a shelf unit – for its warehouse robots.

The French designer and manufacturer of robotic solutions is expanding its range with a new solution dedicated to multi-bin transfer in warehouse.

Scallog specializes in goods-to-picker robots, and says the Flexytote allows the automation of transfer, loading and unloading of bins and boxes during multi-order preparations. [Read more…] about Scallog launches ‘Flexytote’ for its warehouse robots

ABB creates ‘intelligent’ football stadium for FK Austria

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ABB was appointed to transform Austria’s Generali Arena, originally built in 1925, into an intelligent, future-proofed venue that incorporates the latest in smart building technology and energy efficient power distribution.

This is also the first sustainable football venue in Austria. It was retrofitted in co-operation with the Austrian Sustainable Building Council, who helped with planning the design and implementation, which includes a photovoltaic system on the roof of the north stand.

The stadium’s entire electrification value chain – from medium-voltage distribution to each individual socket – has been raised to an advanced level.

[Read more…] about ABB creates ‘intelligent’ football stadium for FK Austria

Efficient supply chains: From quirky packaging to highly functional boxes

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Designers can be awkward sometimes. Actually, they can be awkward a lot of the time. Something to do with the artistic temperament probably. 

To be fair to them, their job is to make their work stand out from what is often an overcrowded marketplace.

So, as a result, in packaging design, for example, you see all sorts of shapes and sizes that could make life really difficult for the people who actually make the physical packaging.  [Read more…] about Efficient supply chains: From quirky packaging to highly functional boxes