Robotics & Automation News

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Toyota and Mazda to invest extra $830 million into US factory

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Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda are planning to invest an additional $830 million into a manufacturing facility in the US, according to a report on Nikkei Asian Review. 

The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing site in Huntsville, Alabama will build sports utility vehicles and the total investment in the facility is estimated to be more than $2.3 billion.

The original plan, announced a couple of years ago, forecast investment to be $1.6 billion, and production was scheduled to start in 2021. Now, says Nikkei, production is expected to start in 2022. [Read more…] about Toyota and Mazda to invest extra $830 million into US factory

4 Tips to Enhancing Productivity in Manufacturing

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The manufacturing industry is critical to the global economy. Imagine a world where no one produces flat screen TVs, automobiles, or ballpoint pens.

It’s so hard to overlook the fact that everything that we have ever bought at the mall and used at the office are made at factories producing such goods everyday.

You know this if you are the owner and manager of a manufacturing facility. You need to ensure that the supply chain is fed and consumers get the items they need or want. [Read more…] about 4 Tips to Enhancing Productivity in Manufacturing

FedEx introduces robots to ‘most difficult’ job in sorting facility

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FedEx has installed industrial robotic arms to do what is considered the “most difficult” job to automate in a sorting facility in Memphis, USA. 

As shown in the Wall Street Journal video below, FedEx has integrated Yaskawa robots and software from Plus One Robotics into a robotic system that performs a task which involves picking up parcels or envelopes from a tray and placing them on a conveyor.

While this is a simple job for a human, automating this step in a warehouse has proved very difficult in the past. [Read more…] about FedEx introduces robots to ‘most difficult’ job in sorting facility

ABB breaks ground on new $30 million facility to manufacture electric vehicle chargers

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ABB has marked the start of construction at its new facility in San Giovanni Valdarno, Italy, which will serve as a global Center of Excellence and production site for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The company says the 16,000 square meter facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.

As a global market leader in e-mobility solutions, the $30 million investment in this new facility is further evidence of ABB’s continued commitment to driving innovation in this fast-growing sector. [Read more…] about ABB breaks ground on new $30 million facility to manufacture electric vehicle chargers

Fetch Robotics and Piedmont to launch autonomous disinfecting robot

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Fetch Robotics, a warehouse and cloud robotics company, and automated packaging solutions supplier Piedmont National are to launch the SmartGuardUV disinfecting autonomous mobile robot (AMR).

Purpose built to autonomously disinfect high-traffic areas such as warehouse facilities, retail stores, office spaces and hospital rooms, SmartGuardUV combines the safety and flexibility of the Fetch Robotics cloud robotics platform, the strength of PURO Lighting pulsed Xenon UV lamp technology, and the advanced disinfecting reporting of the Piedmont 4Site cloud analytics platform.

The result is a completely autonomous, broad spectrum UV disinfection robot that eliminates up to 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria with UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A as well as reports on the results of the disinfection. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics and Piedmont to launch autonomous disinfecting robot

JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International

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Acquisition ‘strengthens JTEKT’s global ECU development capabilities’, says company

Koyo Canada, a subsidiary of automotive technology company JTEKT, has acquired the assets of a Halifax, Nova Scotia research and development facility previously owned by KSR International, a Canadian company.

The acquisition strengthens JTEKT global engine control unit (ECU) development for vehicle steering and driveline products, and will set the foundation for further expansion of its global electrification capabilities and plans.

The new KCI Halifax R&D facility allows JTEKT to more efficiently respond to the expanding demands of autonomous driving support, steer-by-wire and high voltage systems. [Read more…] about JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International

GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

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General Motors and LG Chem have started to prepare the ground at their new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown. 

The two companies have established a joint venture called “Ultium Cells” for the battery cell manufacturing business.

Construction has started with ground prep activities for the future site of the Ultium battery cell manufacturing facility in Lordstown. [Read more…] about GM and LG Chem prepare ground at new electric vehicle battery cell facility in Lordstown

Brain Corp launches $1.6 million ‘Robot Relief’ program to support essential businesses

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Brain Corp has launched a $1.6 million “Robot Relief” program to support essential businesses.

The company says it will make its technology available to qualifying organisations that are helping in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.

Commercial cleaning robots provide verifiable, consistent cleaning at a time when customer and employee safety has never been more important. [Read more…] about Brain Corp launches $1.6 million ‘Robot Relief’ program to support essential businesses

Omron launches simulation software for automated factories

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Omron is making available its Sysmac Studio 3D simulation software available to industrial companies. (See video below.)

The company says it will be the first in the industry to provide such a system, which “can integrate and verify the movements of robots and peripheral devices that make up facilities”.

Omron says its “extensive knowledge and technology of control equipment”, including robots, helped in its development of the software. [Read more…] about Omron launches simulation software for automated factories

SICK adds flagship safety light curtain to US production lines

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SICK has launched new flagship light curtain line called deTec4

As a sensor supplier for major manufacturers throughout the United States, SICK has local United States production capabilities that enables us to better serve its customers to keep the supply chain moving.

SICK produces materials in a close-to-the-market fashion, with a regional focus.

In the US, SICK has positioned production sites in each region to meet the demand from customers in each region. [Read more…] about SICK adds flagship safety light curtain to US production lines