Robotics & Automation News

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Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

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Drivers of electric vehicles will have more locations to recharge their vehicle’s batteries as they travel across Michigan because of $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The EGLE made the funding available for direct current fast chargers located along well-traveled routes. It says this will “make it more convenient for drivers to reach their destinations”.

EGLE says it is committed to the future of mobility through investment in infrastructure that is needed to support EVs and it has identified “optimal charger locations” across Michigan. [Read more…] about Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

Acieta launches new robotic machine loading cell

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Industrial automation specialist Acieta has launched a new, high-speed robotic machine loading cell. (See video below.)

The company says the system will enable manufacturers to solve labor and capacity challenges.

The global coronavirus pandemic has made it a challenging time for companies to recover fast and get production back up to speed to stay competitive in the market. [Read more…] about Acieta launches new robotic machine loading cell

Fast Company includes UBTech Robotics on list of ‘most innovative companies worldwide’

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UBTech Robotics, an artificial intelligence and robotics company specializing in the services and education sectors, has been selected by Fast Company into its latest list of most innovative companies worldwide.

The Shenzhen-based company has been included in the robotics category for advancing the art of humanoid service for various business environments.

The enterprise-grade, cloud-connected Cruzr robot has been used in retail stores, airports, banks, and other environments. With wheels and arms, the gleaming white bot is already performing tasks such as providing directions and discounts to shoppers at EasyHome, China’s largest home-innovation chain. [Read more…] about Fast Company includes UBTech Robotics on list of ‘most innovative companies worldwide’

The first fast food robot in the world. Probably

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Kuka has unveiled what it describes as “the first fast food robot in the world”, adding the word “probably”.

First pioneered by Carlsberg, which used to call its beverage “probably the best lager in the world”, it’s the sort of waffle much favoured by journalists.

Kuka has “probably” noticed that there have been stories about robots being used in fast food operations as well as bars, so it “probably” decided that it’s best not to be too emphatic about its sort of half-claim to be the first. [Read more…] about The first fast food robot in the world. Probably

ABB and Porsche forge exclusive partnership to drive forward e-mobility

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ABB, an industrial technology leader, and the automobile manufacturer Porsche have agreed a new and exclusive partnership to jointly promote e-mobility.

As part of a multi-level agreement, ABB is becoming an official partner of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, with immediate effect.

Porsche Motorsport is in its inaugural year of racing in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship, while ABB is in its third year as title partner of the first all-electric global race series. [Read more…] about ABB and Porsche forge exclusive partnership to drive forward e-mobility

How robotics and AI are changing the fashion industry and warehousing sector

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The fashion industry is investing huge amounts of money in artificial intelligence systems that can provide what is called “sentiment analysis”, which is similar to customer feedback, except that it’s indirectly acquired.

Typically, sentiment analytics systems can gather information from social media pages as well as through natural language processing, perhaps through listening to customer phone calls.

A massive number of data points can be collated and analysed – a quantity of information that only an AI system can process. And after processing it all, conclusions can be drawn. [Read more…] about How robotics and AI are changing the fashion industry and warehousing sector

Rapid Prototyping Services: A Key Empowering Innovation

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There are many operational challenges today that are constraining organizations in their search for new advancements to improve their business procedures and accelerate product development cycles.

Rapid prototyping services has risen as a key empowering innovation, with its capacity to abbreviate item plan and advancement time.

Rapid prototyping services is an innovation for rapidly manufacturing physical models, utilitarian models and little clumps of parts legitimately from PC supported plan (CAD) information. [Read more…] about Rapid Prototyping Services: A Key Empowering Innovation

ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore

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Powering zero-emission, autonomous container transportation with direct current charging infrastructure

ABB has won a contract from ST Engineering Land Systems to deliver and commission integrated smart charging points for automated guided vehicles (AGV) in the new Tuas port of Singapore.

Deliveries of the vehicles, which will be deployed to transport heavy shipping containers at the port terminal, are scheduled to begin from September 2020 through to August 2022.

The ABB chargers and supporting infrastructure are set to be installed towards the end of 2020. [Read more…] about ABB to electrify automated vehicles for new port in Singapore

B&R expands its library of HMI widgets

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The new Skyline widget from B&R‘s mapp View HMI software package displays a clear overview of extensive manufacturing systems.

The widget can also be linked to an alarm system. With important information about their machines available at a glance, plant operators are able to react promptly to error messages. This prevents downtime and increases the productivity of the plant.

The interactive HMI element is suitable for modular machines and plants in any industry. The developer simply drags the widget into place on the HMI screen and configures it as needed.

[Read more…] about B&R expands its library of HMI widgets

Xyrec painting robot to bring a world of colour to aircraft

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Dutch robot manufacturer Xyrec has successfully demonstrated a breakthrough in aircraft painting technology by printing a large digital image on an Airbus A320 fuselage. The demonstration took place in Hamburg, Germany.

This new and unique solution for decorating aircraft uses inkjet technology for digital printing and ink instead of paint.

The printer will be introduced in Xyrec’s Automated Paint Robot for aircraft, and will be the largest robot in the world, says the company.

[Read more…] about Xyrec painting robot to bring a world of colour to aircraft