Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

control

Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

by

Geek+, a provider of autonomous mobile robots and warehouse automation, and Universal Logic, a developer of a software “brain” for robots, have agreed a new partnership.

Together, the two technology leaders declare a joint commitment to support the manufacturing and logistics industry with a paradigm-shifting goods-to-robot solution, for automating supply chain operations and elevating industry 4.0.

With large parts of the supply chain dependent on fixed automation and manual materials handling, the rise in demand for customization and made-to-stock capabilities have resulted in strained processes. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

Volvo Penta launches autonomous boat docking system

by

Volvo Penta has launched what it describes as “the industry’s first fully integrated Assisted Docking system” at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Volvo says the Assisted Docking system gives the captain better control when docking a boat by automating his or her intentions, compensating for some dynamic variables, such as wind and current, and helping the vessel stay on its intended course.

The technology will be on display at Volvo Penta’s virtual booth at CES from 11-14 January 2021. [Read more…] about Volvo Penta launches autonomous boat docking system

SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

by

SICK’s microScan3 family of safety laser scanners is now offering Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) integration.

SICK says this is the world’s first safety laser scanner with this capability.

Originally launching in 2016, the microScan3 is an extremely intelligent and durable safety laser scanner that enhances machine availability and productivity due to its safeHDDM scanning technology. [Read more…] about SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

SICK launches ‘ready-made, very versatile’ quality control system

by

SICK’s newly-developed MQCS (Modular Quality Control System) is an “off the shelf”, multifunctional machine vision system, and is sold as a ready-to-use package of hardware and pre-written software. Suitable for code reading, 2D or 3D inspection duties, the MQCS reduces cost and development time needed to set up automated quality inspection and logistics applications.

Originally, developed as a solution for non-contact 3D inspection of chocolate moulds in the confectionery industry, the MQCS soon demonstrated its versatility to be adapted for other applications such as “right product/right packaging” code matching, counting and aggregation of varied packages, monitoring the cycle life of materials handling equipment, and other 3D inspection and measurement tasks. [Read more…] about SICK launches ‘ready-made, very versatile’ quality control system

Flexiv Launches 100th Adaptive Robot

by

The company also released its new product, Rizon 4s

Flexiv, the world-leading robotics company that created the first adaptive robot Rizon, has announced it has completed production of its 100th robot, marking significant progress in the mass production of adaptive robots, at the Force-Controlled Robotics Forum 2020 in Foshan, China.

At the forum, Flexiv showcased its newest version of the adaptive robot, Rizon 4s, featuring stronger force control performance, better disturbance-rejection abilities and multi-contact force control. [Read more…] about Flexiv Launches 100th Adaptive Robot

Autonomous boats could be your next ride

by

Five years in the making, MIT’s autonomous floating vessels get an upgrade in size and learn a new way to communicate aboard the waters

The feverish race to produce the shiniest, safest, speediest self-driving car has spilled over into our wheelchairs, scooters, and even golf carts.

Moreover, recently, there’s been movement from land to sea, as marine autonomy stands to change the canals of our cities, with the potential to deliver goods and services and collect waste across our waterways.

In an update to a five-year project from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Lab, researchers have been developing the world’s first fleet of autonomous boats for the city of Amsterdam, and have recently added a new, larger vessel to the group: “Roboat II”. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Autonomous boats could be your next ride

Schilling Robotics to integrate Energid software into its Gemini underwater robot

by

Schilling Robotics has selected Energid’s Actin software to be integrated into what is described as “the world’s most advanced work class remotely operated vehicles”, or ROVs, which are basically underwater robots.

Schilling is a division of TechnipFMC and will integrate Actin into its new automated Gemini ROV System.

Schilling Robotics is leveraging advanced motion control features of the Actin software to enhance the performance and effectiveness of the Gemini manipulators, one of the many break-through features of the Gemini ROV. [Read more…] about Schilling Robotics to integrate Energid software into its Gemini underwater robot

Honeywell to provide flight control technology for unmanned cargo plane

by

Pipistrel has selected Honeywell’s Compact Fly-By-Wire system for the Nuuva V300 cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), choosing a modern, lightweight, highly capable system with a proven architecture ideally suited for their autonomous cargo UAV.

Fly-by-wire computers act as the “brains” of an aircraft’s flight controls by operating them electronically and can be found inside nearly all large fixed-wing aircraft today.

The compact version from Honeywell has features derived from decades of expertise in fly-by-wire systems for airliners, but it’s much smaller – roughly the size of a paperback book. [Read more…] about Honeywell to provide flight control technology for unmanned cargo plane

Are Robots After Your Job?

by

With all the new technology being developed lately, it’s common to worry about job security, especially when we consider that robotics and automation are bound to eventually replace a lot of workers. In fact, it’s pretty common to find businesses automating tasks that we once performed by humans.

Not only are machines more reliable, they’re also unhindered by things like fatigue and stress, which essentially minimizes the margin of error.

Coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic and the migration of business to the online landscape, job security is now more important than ever. [Read more…] about Are Robots After Your Job?

Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform

by

Yaskawa, a manufacturer of motion control, robotics, and variable speed drives, and Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of automation solutions, have agreed a partnership to develop a new programmable logic controller platform.

The companies say they will utilize PLCnext Technology from Phoenix Contact in the development of the “next generation machine controller and PLC platform”, realizing the i3-Mechatronics solution concept lead by Yaskawa.

The common goal of both companies is to offer an open and future-proof ecosystem for industrial automation. In this context, Phoenix Contact has licensed its PLCnext runtime environment to Yaskawa and agrees on further joint developments. [Read more…] about Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact partner to develop new PLC platform