Robotics & Automation News

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FBI installs AutoStore for centralized automated record filing and retrieval solution

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The General Service Administration (GSA) has installed an automated record filing and retrieval system from robotics technology company AutoStore inside a recently completed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) central records complex in Winchester, Virginia.

The facility includes the country’s first robotic filing and retrieval warehouse in a GSA project.

Certified by the National Archives and Records Administration, this secure, “state-of-the-art”, 250,000-square-foot facility was built to consolidate and contain records previously housed within 256 field offices around the world. [Read more…] about FBI installs AutoStore for centralized automated record filing and retrieval solution

Japanese construction giant Obayashi to integrate SafeAI technology to make its vehicles autonomous

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SafeAI, a technology platform for autonomous heavy equipment, and Obayashi Corporation, a Japanese-based global leader in construction, have agreed a partnership to create autonomous construction sites, beginning with a pilot program on a US test site.

Joining with one of the largest names in construction, SafeAI is demonstrating industrial autonomy in a real world situation and setting a standard for future autonomous heavy equipment.

The news follows Obayashi’s strategic investment in SafeAI in November 2019. [Read more…] about Japanese construction giant Obayashi to integrate SafeAI technology to make its vehicles autonomous

Omron robots ‘speed up the production of Covid-19 tests’

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Medical technology company Senova says it is relying on Omron’s “smart robotics” systems in the production of rapid antibody tests that show immunity “within a few minutes”.

In the fight against the coronavirus, speed and close co-operation are required. This is why Senova, a German developer and manufacturer of rapid test systems for biomarkers, viruses and microorganisms, decided to use the robotics expertise of Omron to enhance its production process.

Previously, the manual production of the tests was very time-consuming. In the past few weeks, in conjunction with Omron and Kraus Maschinenbau, Senova has developed and built machines that significantly accelerate and improve the process. [Read more…] about Omron robots ‘speed up the production of Covid-19 tests’

Omron introduces new control panel equipment for factory automation

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Omron has introduced its sixth wave of factory automation control equipment.

The company says the devices are built on a common design platform for unified product specifications, for further innovation in control panel building.

The products will be available as 237 models in six categories. [Read more…] about Omron introduces new control panel equipment for factory automation

Built Robotics raises $33 million for its autonomous construction vehicles

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Built Robotics has closed a $33 million Series B investment round led by Next47, the new global venture fund backed by Siemens. This brings Built’s total funding to $48 million.

The startup has now raised more than $100 million in customer commitments for its autonomous construction solutions.

Built Robotics says it will use the capital to scale its fleet of autonomous robots, expand into new construction verticals, and develop tools to support the next-generation of equipment operators. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Built Robotics raises $33 million for its autonomous construction vehicles

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’

ThyssenKrupp to invest over €70 million in European warehouses

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ThyssenKrupp’s material handling division is to invest more than €70 million in its European warehousing and logistics network.

The company – which claims to be “the western world’s biggest materials distributor” – says automation and digitalization will “significantly boost productivity”.

ThyssenKrupp Materials Services, the distribution and service provider of the ThyssenKrupp Group, says the €70 million investment in the modernization and expansion will include a state-of-the-art logistics center and new warehouses in Germany, Poland and Hungary. [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp to invest over €70 million in European warehouses

Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of its new electric car ID.3

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Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of the new electric car ID.3, although none are for sale yet.

The initiative involved the conversion of VW’s vehicle factory in Zwickau, which the company says will eventually be “the largest facility for electric mobility in Europe”.

The members of Volkswagen’s group and brand boards of management, as well as the group works council, were able to see that for themselves at today’s site symposium for all three locations in Saxony held at Zwickau. [Read more…] about Volkswagen has already built 200 pre-production vehicles of its new electric car ID.3

Okuma and Hartwig open tech centre in Houston

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Okuma America Corporation, a world leader in CNC machine tool manufacturing, and Okuma distributor Hartwig, have opened a new Okuma Tech Center at Hartwig Houston in Texas, USA.

The 23,000 sq ft showroom which features more than 20 machine tools – including larger machines specifically built for the oil and gas industry.

Wade Anderson, Okuma Product Specialists Sales Manager and Tech Centers Manager, said: “The new space allows us to show the larger machines that are significant to the oil and gas industry, and our customers can see live-cutting applications demonstrated on these Okuma machine tools.”

Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

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Sick has launched a new compact image-based code reader, Lector621, for reliable detection of 1D, 2D, stacked codes, and plain text.

The high-performance DPM – direct part marking – decoder can read laser or dot-peened codes perfectly, even in the case of low contrast levels, contamination, or poor code quality.

This fills a gap in Sick’s existing portfolio of code readers, by providing a compact solution with increased reading distance, resolution, field of vision, and scanning frequency. [Read more…] about Sick launches new compact image-based code reader