Robotics & Automation News

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Columbia develops ‘robotic trunk support assists’ for people with spinal cord injuries

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Engineers at Columbia university have invented a robotic trunk-support-trainer to retrain patients with spinal cord injury to sit more stably and gain an expanded active sitting workspace. (See video below.)

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can cause devastating damage, including loss of mobility and sensation. Every year, there are an estimated 17,000 new SCIs in the US alone, a rate higher than in most regions of the world.

In addition, the rate of SCIs in people 65 years or older is expected to rise in the US, from 13 percent in 2010 to 16.1 percent by 2020. [Read more…] about Columbia develops ‘robotic trunk support assists’ for people with spinal cord injuries

Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

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Panasonic has obtained the international safety standard IEC 62061 certification for its safety control system designed for robotic mobility chair.

The IEC standard is required by the international safety standard ISO 13482 applicable to personal care robots.

This certification means that the Japan Quality Assurance Organization has recognized that Panasonic’s safety control system for personal care robots conforms to the IEC 62061 standard: “Safety of machinery – functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems”. [Read more…] about Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

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Omron has launched the sixth wave of its factory automation control devices built on a common design platform for further innovation in control panel building.

The new products include 237 models in six categories low voltage switch gear: J7KC, J7TC, J7MC, J7KCA and J7KCR series low voltage switching gears (LVSG), S8V-CP series DC electronic circuit protectors, and PTF-XX-PU socket for LY relays with Push-In Plus technology.

With its Value Design products, Omron’s goal is to provide a complete solution to panel builders, while saving space and reducing the workload and total cost of ownership. [Read more…] about Omron launches 237 new factory automation control devices

Parrot launches new SDK for its thermal drones

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Parrot has launched a new SDK Partner program to help both enterprise and start-ups create new applications, software and hardware to seamlessly integrate with Parrot ANAFI and ANAFI Thermal drones.

Parrot’s SDK program currently allows developers to create their own iOS and Android applications and service programs for ANAFI and ANAFI Thermal drones.

Now, industry partners will gain access to both hardware and software support, along with go-to-market strategy support to business partners across the globe. [Read more…] about Parrot launches new SDK for its thermal drones

Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

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Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC.

The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a smaller space”, while also providing the web access and network connectivity demanded by the latest smart factory applications.

Mitsubishi Electric launched its first range of micro controllers, the FX family of PLCs, over 35 years ago as part of the MELSEC-F series. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller

ABB and B&R launch ‘first fully integrated machine-centric robotics’ solution

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B&R, a unit of ABB’s robotics and discrete automation business unit, has unveiled an initiative which involves the integration of ABB robots into its automation portfolio.

B&R says the move will enable it to offer “unprecedented levels of machine flexibility and precision”, merging robotics with machine control into one unified architecture will enable manufacturers to “embrace the trend of mass customization and optimize their lot size one processes”.

Fully integrating ABB’s robots into its automation systems means that B&R will now be able to supply machine builders with machine automation and robotics from a single source. [Read more…] about ABB and B&R launch ‘first fully integrated machine-centric robotics’ solution

SICK launches sensors that ‘clean up signal response in six axes’

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SICK has launched its first dynamic 6-axis inclination sensors – the TMS88 D and TMM88 D. It says the new sensors “achieve unrivalled measurement precision and rapid response times”.

The company adds that the sensors will “aid the real-time safe and efficient operation of outdoor vehicles and machinery, such as mobile cranes, construction and agricultural machinery, or municipal vehicles”.

The SICK TMS88 Dynamic and TMM88 Dynamic inclination sensors use inbuilt gyroscope compensation and an intelligent “sensor fusion” algorithm to clean up signal interference caused by sideways slews, shocks and vibrations. [Read more…] about SICK launches sensors that ‘clean up signal response in six axes’

ABB launches IoT Dashboard for mid-sized commercial building automation solutions

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ABB has launched its new “user-friendly IoT Dashboard” to improve usability and reduce maintenance in smart buildings.

The company’s says the launch is in response to its finding that “preventative maintenance is three to nine times cheaper than reactive maintenance”.

ABB says its IoT Dashboard is “easy to commission, simple to install and intuitive to use”, and allows stronger control, monitoring and automation of all building functions, from dimming and switching of lights to controlling blinds, heating and ventilation. [Read more…] about ABB launches IoT Dashboard for mid-sized commercial building automation solutions

Invertek Drives boosts product testing with collaborative robots

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Invertek Drives, a designer and manufacturer of variable frequency drives (VFDs), has incorporated two Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robots into the testing phase of its production line.

Earlier this year, Invertek Drives opened the doors to its new 5,500 square metre global manufacturing and distribution facility in Welshpool, UK, enabling production of up to 400,000 VFDs a year.

Its VFDs are used to control electric motors in a variety of industrial, commercial and energy-saving applications, exporting to more than 80 countries. [Read more…] about Invertek Drives boosts product testing with collaborative robots

Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles

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Continental says its new server concept is a “central element” for the conversion to a service-oriented electronics architecture in highly connected ID electric cars.

Volkswagen uses the server as an in-car application server (ICAS1) for ID vehicle models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).

High computing power and a consistent separation of hardware and software are paving the way for new functions and convenient over-the-air updates. [Read more…] about Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles