Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Can robotics improve the environment?

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Although conversations about the impact of robots on society more often than not focus on the negative aspects of automation – such as the number of jobs that might be threatened by the rise of AI and robotics – there is also a very real possibility that new technologies like robots can be used to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Nowhere is this possibility truer than in relation to climate change, which is undoubtedly the most pressing problem of our time. But what exactly is the scope of the environmental problem we face and how can robots be used to tackle it? [Read more…] about Can robotics improve the environment?

Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

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Fugro and Petrobras have achieved a major milestone in Brazil’s offshore energy sector by successfully completing the country’s first-ever remote subsea inspection survey.

This technology trial was carried out by Fugro in collaboration with Petrobras under an existing multiyear contract with the aim of minimising risk and improving sustainability during inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) projects.

Fugro utilised a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from the Fugro Aquarius to conduct the survey. Office-based personnel piloted the ROV from an operations centre in Aberdeen, Scotland, instead of from the vessel itself. [Read more…] about Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

OnRobot launches new platform that reduces costs ‘by up to 90 percent’

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OnRobot, the world’s leading provider of hardware and software solutions for collaborative robotic applications, has launched the industry’s first automated platform for deployment of collaborative applications – D:PLOY – in Asia Pacific (APAC).

D:PLOY – the biggest innovation since the collaborative robot (cobot) – will revolutionise and simplify automation for manufacturers in almost every industry.

It offers dramatic savings of up to 90 percent on deployment and redeployment time, enabling manufacturers of all sizes to reap the benefits of automation. D:PLOY will work with any leading collaborative or light industrial robot. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new platform that reduces costs ‘by up to 90 percent’

Opinion: What does the future of robot-human interaction look like?

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Michel Spruijt, GM and VP of BrainCorp Europe, looks at how robots are being integrated into the working environment and how these intelligent machines will operate alongside the human workforce

Technology has seen significant progress over the last half a century, with artificial intelligence playing an important role.

Robots are now no longer a thing of fantasy but instead are being integrated into businesses across multiple industries.

They are making inroads across facilities as the need for greater efficiency in operations becomes a priority. [Read more…] about Opinion: What does the future of robot-human interaction look like?

Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

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Kiwibot, a robotic delivery service that has completed over 150,000 food deliveries with semi-autonomous robots, has expanded its operations to San Jose, Miami-Dade County, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. 

This implementation of sidewalk delivery devices is possible due to a partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds initiatives that ensure that “residents’ voices drive the future of people-centered, smart cities”, says the company.

Each of the four cities will be given up to 10 robots with one human supervisor, making deliveries across these urban zones more efficient and cost-effective through Kiwibot’s last-mile delivery network. [Read more…] about Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

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ABB robots are accelerating coronavirus testing in Singapore through a new robotics lab system which “saves time and costs and keeps lab workers safe”, according to the company.

As part of Singapore’s efforts to enhance its nation-wide COVID-19 testing capabilities, ABB’s high-precision robots have been deployed in a new automated laboratory system, known as the Rapid Automated Volume Enhancer (RAVE).

The system automates some of the manual steps usually required in sample processing. Two sets of RAVE and associated equipment can process an industry-topping throughput of close to 4,000 samples a day. RAVE also reduces test contamination and infection risks for laboratory workers. [Read more…] about ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

Autonomous buses and shuttles reflect ‘strong societal trends’, says report

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Autonomous buses and robotic shuttles reflect “strong societal trends”, such as ageing populations who are less mobile and the record numbers of people moving to cities, according to a new report.

These are among the findings of a study by IDTechEx, Robot Shuttles and Autonomous Buses 2020-2040, said to be the first in-depth report on the subject.

Robot shuttles are an important new, reconfigurable form of transportation for goods and people that may even function as mobile offices, workshops, restaurants and more. [Read more…] about Autonomous buses and shuttles reflect ‘strong societal trends’, says report

Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

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Universal Robots has helped Vietnam-based Vinacomin Motor Industry Joint Stock Company “future-proof” its production processes with collaborative robots.

VMIC is a subsidiary of the Vinacomin Group, a state-owned coal and mining giant.

VMIC, one of the first state-owned manufacturers to deploy cobots, has seen productivity increase two to three times, with improved product quality, leading to a 50 to 60 percent rise in orders. [Read more…] about Universal Robots ‘future-proofs’ production processes at Vietnamese manufacturer with collaborative robots

Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

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Universal Robots, a collaborative robots maker, has identified Malaysia as a key growth market in line with the country’s increased focus on automation and robotics, as outlined in its national policy on Industry 4.0, called “Industry4WRD”, to transform its manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing sector, comprising 98.5 percent of Malaysian SMEs, serves as a major contributor to the country’s economy. In 2018, the sector contributed 22.4 percent of GDP, roughly RM 325 billion.

Sakari Kuikka, general manager, Southeast Asia and Oceania at UR, says: “Malaysia deployed just 45 units of industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2017, almost 50 percent below the global average of 85 units. [Read more…] about Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

Exoskeleton market projected to grow to $6 billion

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The current robotics limelight tends to focus on the ability of new innovations to automate tasks, but a less publicized development is taking place whereby passive exoskeletons have been slowly deployed and adopted to help augment the capability of human workers.

Exoskeleton popularization through passive suits will provide a base for increased resources for powered suits, which will eventually provide significant augmentative capability to the industrial workforce.

By 2028, global Exoskeleton revenues will reach $5 billion with hundreds of thousands of active exoskeletons being deployed, according to ABI Research. The research consultancy’s findings are on its report, Exoskeletons for Industrial Use Cases.

[Read more…] about Exoskeleton market projected to grow to $6 billion