Robotics & Automation News

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House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

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House built using robots and 3D printing technologies claimed to be a first

ETH university in Zurich, in partnership with industrial companies, has built what is claimed to be “the world’s first” inhabited house to be digitally planned and digitally built with the help of robots and 3D printers. (See video below.)

Called the “DFAB House” (main picture), the construction is part of a project that involves the Empa materials science and technology project and Eawag, an aquatic research company. [Read more…] about House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

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

Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’

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Switzerland-based Teralytics has raised $17.5 million for what is described as “the world’s first intelligent mobility operating system”.

innogy Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of innogy Innovation Hub, has invested in Teralytics as part of a $17.5 million funding round. innogy Ventures and innogy Innovation Hub are backed by innogy SE, a leading German energy company.

The round was led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital, the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group. Other participants included Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, LBBW Venture Capital and Liil Ventures, as well as existing investors Atomico and Lakestar. [Read more…] about Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’

Mercedes inaugurates new testing facility for EMC and antenna systems

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Daimler-Mercedes-Benz has inaugurated a new testing facility for electromagnetic compatibility and antenna systems in Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart, southern Germany.

The auto giant says electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a key prerequisite for the future of connectivity, autonomous driving, shared, and electric drivetrain.

With the new test facility, Mercedes-Benz takes an important step as a pioneer in the digitisation of the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Mercedes inaugurates new testing facility for EMC and antenna systems

Hitachi wins lift order in Hyderabad, India

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Hitachi has been awarded a contract to supply 106 lifts for large-scale office buildings to be constructed in Hyderabad, a major city in South India. This is the largest order for Hitachi group’s lifts and escalators in India.

Hitachi Building Systems and Hitachi Lift India will deliver 72 lifts for the large-scale building complex Phoenix Spaces 285, located in a suburb of Hyderabad’s financial district and scheduled for completion in February 2020.

Hitachi Lift India will also deliver 34 lifts for Phoenix Aquilia, an office building located in the centre of Hyderabad’s financial district, which is scheduled to be completed in December 2019.

DB Schenker opens first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway

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Global logistics service provider DB Schenker is opening its first low-carbon city distribution centre in Oslo, the new Oslo City Hub.

The centrally-located new terminal will reduce CO2 emissions of city goods distribution by 80%, using electric cars and e-bikes.

Oslo City Hub is part of Electric City, the Oslo district’s focus on activities associated with its status as European Green Capital 2019.

[Read more…] about DB Schenker opens first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway

Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

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Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka has signed what it describes as a “strategic partnership” with Schüco.

The goal of the exclusive cooperation is the joint development and implementation of automation solutions for tomorrow’s production of windows, doors, and façades.

In the initial phase, the main focus of development is the production of aluminum windows and doors. [Read more…] about Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

Wanted: Robot to load dishwasher. Must be careful

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Chris Roberts, head of industrial robotics at Cambridge Consultants, provides an overview of the jobs robots could potentially do in future

Cambridge Consultants recently announced a new technology for automating one of the most unloved jobs in a commercial kitchen – loading the dishwasher.

This technology combines innovative robotics with cutting edge AI to achieve something hitherto impossible – detecting and handling a wide variety of dirty crockery haphazardly arranged on a tray.

However, the fundamental techniques used in this product can be applied to a wider range of situations and problems. There are many different tasks that it is only now possible to automate.

[Read more…] about Wanted: Robot to load dishwasher. Must be careful

Yaskawa opens new production facility in Slovenia

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Following two years of construction, Japanese technology group Yaskawa has officially opened its new robot production facility with European robotics development center at Kočevje, Slovenia. (See video below.)

Yaskawa already started European production of its Motoman robots at the end of 2018. The investment volume is about 25 million euros.

The new plant supplements the existing production facilities in Japan and China and will satisfy about 80 per cent of the European demand for Motoman robots.

[Read more…] about Yaskawa opens new production facility in Slovenia

Cleaning robots vacuum the floors at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya

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More and more households are buying robotic vacuum cleaners because they effectively lessen the labour of cleaning the home.

Panasonic teamed up with real-estate developer Mitsui Fudosan to apply that technology and know-how to developing a commercial-grade robotic vacuum cleaner that can efficiently clean buildings.

Named the RULO Pro, the resulting product has been introduced in multiple facilities, beginning with Tokyo Midtown Hibiya.

[Read more…] about Cleaning robots vacuum the floors at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya