Robotics & Automation News

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European retail giant Otto Group to install more than 100 Covariant robots at fulfilment centres

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Otto Group, one of the largest online retailers in Europe, is entering into a long-term strategic partnership with Covariant, an AI robotics company. 

Covariant’s AI-powered robots will be used to automate a wide range of manual fulfilment activities that require hand-eye coordination and object manipulation – supporting Otto Group to enhance services for its customers and to take another important step towards a digitalized and AI-driven future.

The Otto Group will deploy Covariant robots to increase operational efficiency, build resilience against labour market challenges, and improve the overall quality of work within their fulfilment centres. [Read more…] about European retail giant Otto Group to install more than 100 Covariant robots at fulfilment centres

Earth Day 2023: Reckless international trade destroying entire world’s forests

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Land area the size of Europe deforested in 10 years

Nearly one-third of the world’s deforested land is a consequence of international trade, underscoring the importance of addressing imported deforestation in the context of global political and economic concerns.

The International Tropical Timber Technical Association (ATIBT) is a distinguished organization with a rich history in biodiversity conservation.

Its primary mission is to combat deforestation by advocating for the protection and restoration of tropical forests, which are crucial for mitigating CO2 emissions. [Read more…] about Earth Day 2023: Reckless international trade destroying entire world’s forests

Comau developing new mobile robot solution for three EU projects

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Comau is designing a “powerful mobile robotics platform” as part of an open, highly collaborative production environment, in the context of three different European Projects.

The integrated solution, which leverages Comau’s proven expertise in IoT-enabled technologies and collaborative robotics, is a natural evolution of the company’s automated workflow optimization systems.

Modular, scalable and completely re-configurable, the platform can be easily adapted to different applications without changing the system’s underlying software or hardware architecture. [Read more…] about Comau developing new mobile robot solution for three EU projects

ACC picks Segula to help build three gigafactories in Europe

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The European automotive market is rapidly electrifying, and the need for batteries to equip vehicles is increasing.

According to the European Commission, demand will increase 12-fold between 2018 and 2030.

This is a revolution for the sector, which is now relying on reindustrialisation and the development of a battery ecosystem sized to ensure the necessary production on the European continent.

This challenge has been taken up by Automotive Cells Company, a company operating in the world of battery technology for electric vehicles, which has selected Segula Technologies, which designs and implements industrial projects, to support it in its plans for three gigafactories dedicated to the production of cells and modules for electric vehicles. [Read more…] about ACC picks Segula to help build three gigafactories in Europe

ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

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A global ABB survey has revealed a growing trend in US and European businesses towards re-shoring or nearshoring operations to build resilience in the face of global challenges – but at the same time, a significant education gap in the skills necessary for these strategies to succeed.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation Business, says: “The world is constantly evolving – businesses are shifting existing structures and adopting new technologies to future-proof their operations for a variety of challenges and uncertainties, with robotic automation playing a key role.

“We need significant investment in continuous education to prepare our existing and future workforce to thrive in an age of robotics and automation, important not only to prepare for the widespread shifts we are seeing, but to create prosperous societies going forward.” [Read more…] about ABB survey reveals re-industrialization ‘at risk’ from global education gap in automation

European Commission launches online ‘meeting point’ for robotics community

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The European Commission has launched a “meeting point” for the online robotics community.

TheEC says its European hub makes it possible to explore “non-technical aspects of robotics that impact society and our lives”.

Robospot: The Responsible Robotics Knowledge Hub is a platform created within the Robotics4EU project, free and open to anyone. [Read more…] about European Commission launches online ‘meeting point’ for robotics community

Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

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Comau has been selected by Automotive Cells Company – or ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft and Mercedes-Benz – to design and develop a “highly integrated” battery module production line for its future Gigafactory in Billy-Bercalu Douvrain, in the north of France.

With the projected capacity to ultimately ramp up to 40 GWh, ACC is set to become a European leader in enabling cleaner, efficient mobility for all. Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will supply ACC with the expertise and equipment needed to automate manufacturing of the next-generation EV batteries.

Featuring the inherent flexibility to handle both 8- and 16-cell modules, the Comau-designed lines will allow ACC to produce up to 8 Gigawatt hours (GWh) annually by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

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While the world eagerly awaits the launch of a spacecraft to the Moon, a robot quietly reaches yet another milestone in space. The newest robotic arm outside the International Space Station woke up, stretched and moved a payload effortlessly from one side to the other of the Nauka science module.

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) successfully completed the first transfer following commands from cosmonauts inside the Space Station last week. Teams in Moscow, Russia and at ESA’s control room in the Netherlands monitored the moves, where the image above was taken by the European team on console on 24 August.

This first motion involved unleashing the payload – a single pin latch and its adapter for the cosmonaut support tool – from Nauka, moving it to the other side of the module and then installing it back to the original position. [Read more…] about ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

Caja Robotics and Fives partner to tackle warehouse automation ‘challenges’

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Caja Robotics, a provider of robotic and flexible goods-to-person solutions in fulfilment, is partnering with Fives Group, an integrator of advanced material handling and smart automation solutions, to tackle what the companies describe as “challenges” of warehouse automation in the European market.

Through the mutual exchange of know-how and technical expertise as well as a “deep understanding of customer needs and market demands”, both companies say they will strengthen their position as key players in warehouse automation.

Caja Robotics’ solution is complementary to Fives’ technology portfolio and will allow Fives to expand its offering in piece picking and to address the apparel and footwear sector to help its customers meet the challenges of omnichannel automation, while giving Caja Robotics the extra boost needed to tackle the southern European markets where Fives claims it demonstrates “leading positions”. [Read more…] about Caja Robotics and Fives partner to tackle warehouse automation ‘challenges’

Lenovo opens first European manufacturing facility in Hungary

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Computer giant Lenovo has officially opened the doors to its first in-house manufacturing facility in Europe.

Based in Ullo, Hungary, the factory focuses primarily on building server infrastructure, storage systems and high-end PC workstations used by customers throughout the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.

Extending Lenovo’s international manufacturing operations, the investment represents significant economic potential for both the private and public sectors in Hungary, with increased production capacity, greater potential for collaboration with local vendors, and the creation of new job openings. [Read more…] about Lenovo opens first European manufacturing facility in Hungary