Robotics & Automation News

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Siemens unveils its first virtual PLC and new automation products

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Siemens has unveiled several new automation focused products, including its first virtual programmable logic controller, based on the functions and operation of the Simatic S7-1500 PLC and independent of its hardware.

The virtual PLC can be downloaded similar to an app and integrated directly into the IT environment, helping customers unlock the potential of digitalization.

Siemens also announced its first Sinamics drive to join the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, the new Sinamics G220 high-performance multi-purpose, adjustable speed drive. [Read more…] about Siemens unveils its first virtual PLC and new automation products

AutomationWare prepares for future with new robotic joints

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AutomationWare says it is “looking forward” to the rest of 2023 with the new version of its robotic joints (actuators) in J and T versions and UNI EN ISO 9001 certification for the design and production of systems for automation and industrial robotics.

The era of modular and scalable robotics based on AutomationWare’s J&T actuators begins and Robotics becomes Lego
Innovating the world of high-performance actuators.

AutomationWare has chosen a personal approach to the world of robots, producing high-tech actuators, which it uses both to produce robotic solutions itself (especially collaborative arms with special configurations, sizes and payloads) and to meet the demands of customers oriented towards tailor-made, in-house robotic solutions with degrees of freedom necessary for their application. [Read more…] about AutomationWare prepares for future with new robotic joints

Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

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Ritsumeikan University researchers develop a soft robotic microfinger that enables interaction with insects through tactile sensing

Human-robot interactions not only allow robots to interact with humans but also with the environment. Microrobots, for instance, can interact with insects and measure the force exerted by them during flight or walking.

However, this interaction is not direct, with the microrobots measuring insect behavior primarily. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a soft micro-robotic finger that allows humans to directly interact with insects. This could enable human-environment interaction at previously inaccessible scales.

Humans have always been fascinated by scales different than theirs, from giant objects such as stars, planets and galaxies, to the world of the tiny: insects, bacteria, viruses and other microscopic objects. While the microscope allows us to view and observe the microscopic world, it is still difficult to interact with it directly. [Read more…] about Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

Brain Corp launches mobile app to manage autonomous robot fleets

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Brain Corp, a developer of software for mobile cleaning robots, has launched BrainOS Mobile, a mobile application connecting operators and managers directly with their BrainOS-powered robotic fleets and providing real-time visibility on machine locations, status and performance.

Josh Baylin, vice president of product and marketing at Brain Corp, says: “Our BrainOS Mobile app represents an exciting new step in our company’s goal to make working with advanced robotics incredibly simple and to provide critical insights to our customers.”

“We’re now able to provide operators a more seamless way to interact with their robotic teammates and for managers to oversee their automated operations from almost anywhere, which leads to better operational experiences and performance.” [Read more…] about Brain Corp launches mobile app to manage autonomous robot fleets

IDS introduces AI-complete industrial vision solution: ‘Even more functions thanks to free upgrade’

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The recently released software update for the IDS NXT platform provides users of the all-in-one AI solution IDS NXT ocean with many new features.

It extends the system’s AI capabilities to include object detection, offers turnkey solutions with vision apps and, with a new development environment, ensures that users can program their own image processing tasks and execute them as vision apps on their cameras.

Using OPC UA, AI-based image processing can also be integrated directly into factory automation without writing a single line of code. The update is free and can be used with all IDS NXT cameras. [Read more…] about IDS introduces AI-complete industrial vision solution: ‘Even more functions thanks to free upgrade’

Fanuc plans to triple its production of industrial robots

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, with almost 500,000 units in operation at customer locations around the world, is planning to “triple current monthly production” at its main factory in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. 

This is according to a report by Nikkei Asian Review which says Fanuc is particularly concentrating on its CRX line of collaborative robots.

The term “collaborative robots” refers to a type of robot which is designed to work in close proximity to humans, possibly even directly controlled by human workers through touch and guidance. [Read more…] about Fanuc plans to triple its production of industrial robots

Septentrio launches first-of-a-kind GPS/GNSS receiver for mobile robots

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Septentrio has launched whaat is says is a “first-of-a-kind” GPS/GNSS receiver offering always-on sub-decimeter accuracy without the need for additional correction service subscriptions.

The high-precision GNSS positioning solutions specialist says its AsteRx-m2 Sx OEM board represents a novel approach to high-accuracy positioning.

The Global Navigation Satellite System – GNSS – includes the American GPS, European Galileo, Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou, Japan’s QZSS and India’s NavIC. These satellite constellations broadcast positioning information to receivers which use it to calculate their absolute position. [Read more…] about Septentrio launches first-of-a-kind GPS/GNSS receiver for mobile robots

Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

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Festo has presented the latest innovations in its BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm technologies.

Combined with the BionicSoftArm, a pneumatic lightweight robot, the Future Concepts are “suitable for human-robot collaboration”, says Festo.

Whether its grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing – in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. [Read more…] about Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

Kassow Robots adds three ports to its collaborative robots for end of arm tools

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Kassow Robots, a startup which launched a new collaborative robot last year, has adding ports into its machines to provide integration with end-of-arm tools.

The Danish robot manufacturer, which develops and produces its 7-axis collaborative robots in Copenhagen, says the ports provide “easy connection of end-of-arm tool directly to a Kassow Robot without cable on the outside of the robot”.

Dieter Pletscher, head of sales at Kassow Robots, says: “All our cobots have three ports with various I/Os and power supply signals. Two of the ports are for digital or analogue input/output. [Read more…] about Kassow Robots adds three ports to its collaborative robots for end of arm tools