Market trends and business perspectives
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
Epson Robots will showcase its latest robotic solutions in simulated demos at the Automation Technology Expo, ATX West.
The latest entry-level robot is available at a cost of $13,900 – the VT6L All-in-One 6-Axis robot comes with a built-in controller, a 900mm reach and payload of up to 6kg, and offers 110 V and 220 V power.
This robot will show a simple pick-and-place operation illustrating how it can handle larger end-of-arm tooling for dual pick applications. [Read more…] about Epson to showcase latest robotic solutions at ATX West
Festo has presented the latest innovations in its BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm technologies.
Combined with the BionicSoftArm, a pneumatic lightweight robot, the Future Concepts are “suitable for human-robot collaboration”, says Festo.
Whether its grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing – in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. [Read more…] about Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm
UBTECH has launched a portable social robot with what the company describes as “loving” artificial intelligence.
AlphaMini, a portable humanoid robot, which is is said to be able to chat, read, sing and dance, made its debut today in South Korea.
Built by UBTECH robotics, a manufacturer of intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, the cute-looking creature combines advanced robotics and highly extensible AI platform to give you the most intimate human-robot interactive experiences. [Read more…] about UBTECH launches portable social robot with ‘loving AI’
Omron has introduced what it claims is the “industry’s fastest” 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands.
The compact vision sensors can three-dimensionally recognize the position and orientation of target objects.
Incorporating this technology with robots will enable fast and accurate assembly of bulk parts by automating the conventional human-intensive process. [Read more…] about Omron unveils ‘industry’s fastest’ 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have created a new metallic material which they say is suitable for flexible soft robots. (See video below.)
NUS Assistant Professor Chen Po-Yen (main picture, right) and doctoral student Yang Haitao and their team say the new material is also suitable for “origami robots”.
Origami robots are described as “state-of-the-art soft and flexible robots” that are being tested for use in various applications including drug delivery in human bodies, search and rescue missions in disaster environments and humanoid robotic arms. [Read more…] about Researchers create new metallic material for flexible soft robots
Invertek Drives, a designer and manufacturer of variable frequency drives (VFDs), has incorporated two Universal Robots UR5 collaborative robots into the testing phase of its production line.
Earlier this year, Invertek Drives opened the doors to its new 5,500 square metre global manufacturing and distribution facility in Welshpool, UK, enabling production of up to 400,000 VFDs a year.
Its VFDs are used to control electric motors in a variety of industrial, commercial and energy-saving applications, exporting to more than 80 countries. [Read more…] about Invertek Drives boosts product testing with collaborative robots
by Mai Tao
Geek+, a supplier of robotics and AI technologies for warehouses, has launched what it claims is “the world’s first smart factory to use robot arms to make mobile robots”.
Based in Nanjing, the factory uses Geek+’ robots, AI algorithms and other automated solutions to manufacture new Geek+ robots. All of the company’s robots are produced at this factory.
With an increasing demand for customization and limited release products, product cycles are getting shorter and shorter, making flexible production an essential aspect of the manufacturing industry. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’
DMG MORI and Jungheinrich have formed a partnership to develop driverless transport systems – and have already demonstrated a first product.
The company says the DMG MORI PH-AGV 50 (main picture) “heralds a new era of flexible automation solutions in intralogistics”.
Because the driverless transport system enables the fully automated loading and unloading of workpiece pallets on machine tools. [Read more…] about DMG MORI and Jungheinrich partner to develop driverless transport technologies
by Sam Francis
Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.
The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.
B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation
Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.
Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.
Thank you.
This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.
If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.
We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.
We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
