Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

final

Startup company Final Aim builds delivery robot using Ultimaker 3D printer

by Leave a Comment

Japanese startup Final Aim has utilized the Ultimaker S3 3D printer to rapidly design the first autonomous delivery robot in use for Singapore.

Final Aim collaborated with the robotics start-up OTSAW Digital to develop the robot Camello to tackle inefficiency issues that Singapore faces in the last mile of the logistics chain.

Brulé, official sales partner of Ultimaker in Japan, served as a knowledge and support partner for the teams to make this happen. [Read more…] about Startup company Final Aim builds delivery robot using Ultimaker 3D printer

Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

by Leave a Comment

Darpa has selected eight teams to compete for a prize competition in which the winner will receive $2 million, the runner-up will get $1 million, and third place will earn half a million dollars.

The Darpa Subterranean (SubT) Challenge Systems Competition Final Event will be held on September 21-23, 2021, when the teams’ robots will have to quickly navigate unfamiliar underground environments at the Louisville Mega Cavern in search of common items including backpacks, cell phones, trapped survivors, and even invisible gas.

Those who find and identify the most items will win prizes of $2 million for first place, $1 million for second place, and $500,000 for third place. [Read more…] about Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

ABB Dynamic Assembly Pack provides ‘missing last piece’ in automating final trim assembly applications

by Leave a Comment

ABB says its Dynamic Assembly Pack provides the “missing last piece” in automating final trim assembly applications. (See video below.)

New force control sensors enable robots to accurately perform assembly tasks during final trim assembly, improving productivity, ergonomics and quality.

Designed to offer a fast, accurate and safe automated solution for installing anything from seats, dashboards and carpets inside vehicle bodies, to doors, bumpers and wheels outside the vehicle, ABB’s new Dynamic Assembly Pack for Final Trim and Assembly (FTA) combines real time vision cameras on the robot gripper and arms with integrated force control sensors to allow the robot to precisely track the position of the car body as it enters the workstation. [Read more…] about ABB Dynamic Assembly Pack provides ‘missing last piece’ in automating final trim assembly applications

Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

by Leave a Comment

Industrial robot maker Kuka says its “sensitive robot” is helping to increase efficiency at the final stages of assembly in the automotive manufacturing sector.

The company says car manufacturers are always looking for solutions to increase the efficiency of assembly on the assembly line.

Innovative automation solutions should increase the degree of automation, says Kuka, and human and robot increasingly share the workplace along the assembly line. [Read more…] about Kuka says its ‘sensitive robot’ increases efficiency in automotive final assembly

Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

by Leave a Comment

Five robotic technology experiments have moved into the final phase of a competition run by Esmera, the European Union-funded project set up to develop innovative technologies.

The five entrants are:

  • Nix;
  • Minotaur-R (energy sector);
  • Reflect;
  • Wire Cobots (manufacturing); and
  • Cobolleague (construction).

They have all been selected to move into the second phase of Esmera, which is an abbreviation of European SMEs Robotic Applications. [Read more…] about Five robotic technology innovations move to final phase of Esmera competition

ZVerse partners with 3D Systems to provide more access to expertise

by Leave a Comment

ZVerse, the developer of a CAD as a Service platform for digital manufacturing, is partnering with 3D Systems, a provider of parts manufacturing services.

The strategic alignment will provide 3D Systems’ customers with access to ZVerse’s network of certified designers who can lend their expertise to optimize file formats – facilitating desired final parts.

Theseservicesincludeeverythingfromdesignmodificationstorevisingfileformats to ensure the final part matches the customer’s requirements. [Read more…] about ZVerse partners with 3D Systems to provide more access to expertise

Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

by

Automaker Ford has for the first time introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside engineers in Cologne, Germany, to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.

The six cobots complete a choreographed sequence to sand the entire body surface in just 35 seconds. The initiative does not replace employees but allows operators to use their time on more complex tasks and avoid suffering the strains associated with performing repetitive tasks.

Dennis Kuhn, senior manufacturing engineer, paint shop, Ford of Europe, says: “The cobots can feel when more force needs to be applied, just like we can, and they can more easily get to hard-to-reach places, like the centre of the roof.” [Read more…] about Ford installs team of collaborative robots on Fiesta assembly line

Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

by

Houston Mechatronics (HMI) unveiled Aquanaut at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, one year after the announcement of the platform concept.

Aquanaut is a revolutionary multi-mode transforming all-electric undersea vehicle. The vehicle is capable of efficient long-distance transit and data collection in ‘AUV’ (autonomous underwater vehicle) mode.

After transforming into ‘ROV’ (remotely operated vehicle) mode the head of the vehicle pitches up, the hull separates, and two arms are activated so that Aquanaut may manipulate its environment.

[Read more…] about Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

GM confirms discussions to sell Lordstown Complex to Workhorse

by

General Motors has confirmed that it is in discussions with Workhorse Group and an affiliated, newly formed entity to sell the company’s Lordstown Complex in Lordstown, Ohio.

The move – which was informally announced by US President Donald Trump earlier –  has the potential to bring significant production and electric vehicle assembly jobs to the plant, says GM.

Upon final agreement, the entity, led by Workhorse founder Steve Burns, would acquire the facility. Workhorse would hold a minority interest in the new entity. [Read more…] about GM confirms discussions to sell Lordstown Complex to Workhorse