flexible

Geek+ streamlines e-commerce supply chain company Winit’s warehouse operations

July 2, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Geek+, an autonomous mobile robot manufacturer, is providing smart logistics solutions for to Winit, an integrated supply chain solutions provider for cross-border e-commerce.

Winit serves e-commerce leaders like eBay, and Geek+ says its robots will enable enable more efficient and flexible operations at Winit’s fulfillment center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

With an inventory subject to a wide variety of products, massive SKUs, and a rapid increase in online sales, Winit has been looking for solutions that can streamline their warehouse operations, mitigate against management issues due to high turnover of warehouse workers, and enable flexible yet affordable scaling of operations. [Read more…] about Geek+ streamlines e-commerce supply chain company Winit’s warehouse operations

Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

June 18, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Geek+, a global provider of advanced robotics for logistics, has closed its Series C funding round at over $200 million in early 2020.

Geek+ continues to lead the industry with the largest fundraising to date, following a $150 million B series in November 2018, already the largest in the industry.

C1 was led by GGV Capital, D1 Capital Partners along with Warburg Pincus in Summer 2019, while C2, finalized earlier this year, was led by V Fund, along with Redview Capital and Vertex Ventures. [Read more…] about Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

Kuka launches new industrial robot

May 11, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Kuka has unveiled a major new addition to its range of industrial robots – the KR Iontec.

The Iontec has a payload of 30 to 70 kilograms and a reach of 2100mm to 2500mm.

Introducing the robot on its website, Kuka says: “With the KR Iontec, you are opting for a highly flexible robot with the best work envelope in its class and a flexible mounting position for a wide range of applications.” [Read more…] about Kuka launches new industrial robot

Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

April 10, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new method that doesn’t require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots. (See video below.)

The innovation comes from rethinking the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a rigid robot body, the UC San Diego researchers started with a soft body and added rigid features to key components.

The structures were inspired by insect exoskeletons, which have both soft and rigid parts – the researchers called their creations “flexoskeletons”. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

March 12, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

OnRobot, the makers of robotics tools for collaborative applications, has released a compact, large-stroke three-finger gripper.

OnRobot says its 3FG15 makes previously hard-to-automate precision handling of cylindrical parts “easy to program and deploy, and provides flexibility for a wide range of part sizes”.

CEO of OnRobot, Enrico Krog Iversen, says: “Our new 3FG15 three-finger gripper was developed as a response to existing pneumatic three-finger grippers that are bulkier and less flexible. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new gripper for handling cylindrical objects

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

March 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications. [Read more…] about Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

March 9, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile manipulation robots, and OTTO Motors, a maker of industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), have unveiled what they describe as “a demo of the future of warehouse automation”.

In a video (see below), Boston Dynamics’s logistics robot, Handle, can be seen picking boxes and building pallets on top of OTTO AMRs in a distribution center testbed.

Last year, Boston Dynamics announced its efforts to add flexible, highly mobile automation technology to the warehouse with its Handle robot and Pick computer vision system. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

Geek+ nominated for award at Best of Intralogistics 2020

February 23, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Geek+ has been designated as “Best of Intralogistics 2020” as a nominee for the world-renowned IFOY award, one of the industry’s most prestigious recognitions.

Geek+ is the only autonomous mobile robot company to have been recognized by the IFOY committee, alongside other global manufacturers and supply chain leaders.

Geek+ was selected for its boundary-pushing RoboShuttle system, a new multi-level mezzanine robotic shuttle system that guarantees efficiency while maximizing warehouse space utilization. [Read more…] about Geek+ nominated for award at Best of Intralogistics 2020

SICK launches versatile new software development platform

February 22, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Sensors giant SICK has launched a new software development platform that it says is versatile enough to enable programmers to create solutions for the entire industrial process.

SICK says its AppSpace (see video below) offers system integrators and original equipment manufacturers the “freedom and flexibility” to independently develop application solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and requirements of any task.

Whether it’s designing the ideal online user interface, selecting the most suitable programming technology, or distributing the sensor app on various SICK sensors, SICK says AppSpace gives developers the power to develop their own customized solutions. [Read more…] about SICK launches versatile new software development platform

OnRobot unveils compact Gecko gripper for smaller jobs

February 22, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

OnRobot, a global leader in robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a compact, single-pad version of its innovative Gecko no-mark adhesive gripper.

The new Gecko Single Pad (SP) gripper brings the previous model’s revolutionary adaptability to more varied applications with smaller payloads.

It is available in three sizes, SP1, SP3 and SP5, indicating the different grippers’ lifting capacities in kilos. [Read more…] about OnRobot unveils compact Gecko gripper for smaller jobs