Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Swiss university developing mobile robot that learns on the job

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A team from the Autonomous Systems Lab at the public research university ETH Zurich in Switzerland is creating robots and intelligent systems that are able to learn on the job. (See video below.)

The team’s machine – which consists of a robotic arm mounted on a mobile platform – can “autonomously operate in complex and diverse environments”, says an article on Clearpath Robotics’ website.

Using a Clearpath Ridgeback as a base and equipped with a Franka Emika Panda manipulator arm (called RoyalPanda, that is Ridgeback + Panda), the team is experimenting with a series of different scenarios to develop best practices of how a robot could “learn”. [Read more…] about Swiss university developing mobile robot that learns on the job

US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

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The US Federal Aviation Administration has given Amazon permission to make drone deliveries, certifying the company as an “air carrier” – basically like an airline company.

The world’s largest online retailer has been trying to get permits to operate its Amazon Prime Air drones for several years, making test deliveries by drones while it waits.

One sticking point was that the FAA had originally wanted drone operators to maintain human vision on the drone while in the air. [Read more…] about US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

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Modern tech conglomerate Amazon – whose interests range from online shopping, through computing devices such as the Kindle and Amazon Echo, to cloud computing and even space exploration – is in advanced talks to acquire self-driving startup Zoox, according to a report on the Financial Times website. 

It’s not the first time Amazon has shown interest in the automotive sector. The company was the lead investor in Aurora Innovation’s $530 million funding round last year.

Aurora is seen as a rival to Waymo, the driverless car company set up by Google, another tech giant. [Read more…] about Tech giants and driverless cars: Racing against the automakers

Interview: Startup Reflect developing new solution to ‘a real industrial problem’

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Interview with George Papanikolopoulos, CEO of CASP, which is developing a software solution to what he describes as ‘a real industrial problem’

Reflect is one of the experiments that successfully passed to Phase II of the first Open Call in ESMERA, the EU agency that has a multimillion-euro budget to help robotic startups. 

Being one of the 12 experiments that started in ESMERA in the summer of 2019, Reflect proved its concept to external evaluators and has been selected as one of the currently five final experiments in Phase II. [Read more…] about Interview: Startup Reflect developing new solution to ‘a real industrial problem’

Omron developing robotic suitcase with AI to assist visually impaired people

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Omron has joined a consortium which is developing a robotic suitcase with artificial intelligence to assist visually impaired people.

As well as Omron, the consortium includes companies such as IBM Japan, Mitsubishi Motors, and Shimizu Corporation.

The AI suitcase is described as an integrated solution that will help the visually impaired to get around town independently, by supplementing visual information by combining the latest AI with robotics. [Read more…] about Omron developing robotic suitcase with AI to assist visually impaired people

Robotics poised to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, says new report

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Robotics and automation technologies are likely to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, according to a new report.

As the adoption and use of robotics increase, a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy, evaluates the impact robotics is likely to have on the future of production.

The report shows that robotics has the potential to reshore manufacturing production to developed countries, and it argues that most forecasts exaggerate the impact automation brought by robotics will have on employment. [Read more…] about Robotics poised to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, says new report

Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will start construction of a new plant on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Automotive India in Gujarat, India.

The company’s new plant, along with one in Manesar, Haryana, will enable MEAI to expand its output of products such as motor-control units for electric power steering, exhaust gas recirculation valves and giant magnet-resistance sensors.

The demand for these components is expected to grow in line with increasing sales of vehicles offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the Indian market. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

ESMERA opens €200,000 competition to fund small businesses developing robotics solutions

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The EU funded robotics project ESMERA – the European SMEs Robotics Applications – has opened its second open call to help fund small businesses developing robotic solutions for enterprise applications.

Within that call, industrial end-users have defined specific challenges that are to be solved by introducing a robotics solution.

The challenges come from the areas of manufacturing, energy, construction, agriculture, food processing, retail, healthcare and emergency response. [Read more…] about ESMERA opens €200,000 competition to fund small businesses developing robotics solutions

Industry group developing standards for exoskeletons

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ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is developing global standards for exoskeletons.

The group’s proposed “Exoskeletons Guide” aims to provide tools that help assess and ultimately improve the usefulness and usability of exoskeletons and exosuits.

Kevin Purcell, an ergonomist at the US Army Public Health Center’s Aberdeen Proving Ground, says: “Exoskeletons and exosuits can open up a world of possibilities, from helping workers perform industrial tasks while not getting overstressed, to helping stroke victims learning to walk again, to helping soldiers carry heavier rucksacks longer distances. [Read more…] about Industry group developing standards for exoskeletons

Collaborative robots being bought at ‘feverish rate’

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Most commentators and onlookers of the robotics industry hear of and understand the advertised value proposition of collaborative robots.

Cobots are smaller, more dexterous industrial robotic arms that open the possibility between human and machine collaboration without the need for complex programming or external safety infrastructure.

In reality, the value of current collaborative robotics is somewhat more modest. [Read more…] about Collaborative robots being bought at ‘feverish rate’

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