Robotics & Automation News

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Siasun installs robotic system for inspection and categorization of rails

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Siasun has installed a robotic system for the inspection and categorization of rail and beam material manufactured at an Anshan Iron and Steel facility.

The trial robotic system integrates eight industrial robotic arms which are equipped with sensing technology, mechanical control, artificial intelligence, and bionics.

Siasun says the robots have high accuracy, reliability and consistency, and “can fully cope with the harsh and dangerous in the steel production process”. [Read more…] about Siasun installs robotic system for inspection and categorization of rails

5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

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Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

UN sends five robots to Rwanda to detect coronavirus

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A new type of robot has been sent to Rwanda by the United Nations in an effort to help detect coronavirus infections.

The hardware for the robot was built by Chinese company UBTech Robotics, and the software was developed by Belgian company ZoraBots.

ZoraBots says the new kind of robot help healthcare professionals, governments and international organizations to limit the spread of the coronavirus. [Read more…] about UN sends five robots to Rwanda to detect coronavirus

Komatsu integrates automated collision avoidance system as standard in its excavators

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Komatsu has launched hydraulic excavators equipped with the in-house developed “KomVision Human Detection & Collision Mitigation System” as a standard feature.

The company, which also produces giant autonomous trucks for the mining industry, claims that the new collision avoidance systems is an industry first in the Japanese market.

Komatsu has developed this system by upgrading the “KomVision” bird’s eye view camera system equipped with conventional models as standard in the Japanese market. [Read more…] about Komatsu integrates automated collision avoidance system as standard in its excavators

The Future of Self-Driving Construction Equipment

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The global self-driving vehicle market is expected to reach $1 million this year, with a projected growth rate of $1.6 million by 2025, according to Allied Research Market.

We have seen driverless shuttles being utilized in exhibition areas, logistics, and even in transporting goods.

In the construction industry, the development of on-site equipment is incorporating robotics and AI technology to make them more efficient when used on construction sites. [Read more…] about The Future of Self-Driving Construction Equipment

Math experts use drones to show it’s possible to ‘see’ perfectly using sound

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The discovery’s potential applications include self-driving cars, smartphones that can guide the visually impaired and drones that can help firefighters at night

As the industry for self-driving cars, robots and other unmanned vehicles quickly evolves – and engineers work to overcome the limitations of sensors that use visual, infrared or thermal information – math experts at Purdue University and the Technical University of Munich have proven there’s another, equally viable solution: using sound. 

Mireille “Mimi” Boutin, associate professor of mathematics at Purdue University, and Gregor Kemper, professor of algorithmic algebra at Technical University, found that a drone equipped with four microphones and a loudspeaker can precisely reconstruct the wall configuration of a room by listening to echoes, similar to how bats use echolocation to orient themselves.

Their work is significant because it demonstrates the feasibility of using sound for navigation in unmanned systems, leading to many potential applications such as cars, drones, underwater vehicles or even devices that people can carry, such as a smartphone.  [Read more…] about Math experts use drones to show it’s possible to ‘see’ perfectly using sound

Smart 5G patrol robots equipped with Advantech’s edge computer employed to fight coronavirus

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As part of its effort to contain the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19, China is using 5G patrol robots developed by Guangzhou Gosuncn Robot, using Advantech technology to monitor mask wearing and body temperatures in public places.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the Guangzhou Gosuncn Robot, a leading provider of smart city internet of things products and services, upgraded its 5G-powered police patrol robot with new capabilities to assist first-line police officers in conducting disease prevention inspections.

Because the manual measurement of body temperature exposes public safety personnel to potential health risks, these robots are equipped with 5 high-resolution cameras and infrared thermometers capable of scanning the temperature of 10 people simultaneously within a radius of 5 meters. [Read more…] about Smart 5G patrol robots equipped with Advantech’s edge computer employed to fight coronavirus

Panasonic develops ‘multifunctional secure’ IC for industrial IoT

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Panasonic has developed a multifunctional secure integrated circuit in response to the need for enhanced security measures to protect internet of things and industrial devices used in facilities such as factories and warehouses.

When installed in such devices, Panasonic says its new IC with unique encrypting functions will “boost their security”. The company will start sample shipments in February 2020.

The use of IoT devices has been growing rapidly in a variety of fields, requiring improved measures against increasingly sophisticated and diverse security attacks. [Read more…] about Panasonic develops ‘multifunctional secure’ IC for industrial IoT

Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

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Yaskawa Electric, one of the largest industrial robot manufacturers in the world, has begun sales of its new collaborative robot.

The Motoman HC20 DT is said to be anti-dust and drip-proof, with a payload capacity of 20kg and a maximum reach of 1,700 mm.

Yaskawa launches its new cobot against the background of a labor shortage that is worsening due to a decline in the working-age population. [Read more…] about Yaskawa begins sales of its new collaborative robot

John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech

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John Deere, probably the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world, has been showcasing a new autonomous tractor and other new technology at the ongoing Agritechnica event.

In a new exhibition concept at this year’s Agritechnica, Deere is demonstrating its leading position in precision agriculture in the Future Technology Zone.

Nine different product developments and research projects in the fields of electrification, autonomy through automation and artificial intelligence show how agriculture could work even more sustainably and productively in the future. [Read more…] about John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech