Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

future

ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

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ExRobotics and Yokogawa Electric have signed a licensing agreement that will enable Yokogawa to sell and deploy ExRobotics’ inspection robot hardware and software platforms worldwide.

ExRobotics is a Netherlands-based developer of robotics technology for hazardous environments, and Yokogawa Electric Corporation is a global provider of industrial automation, control, and measurement technology.

ExRobotics was established in 2017 to commercialise robotics technology for use in the potentially explosive atmospheres found at oil and gas production and processing facilities, which are often in remote locations with harsh environments. [Read more…] about ExRobotics and Yokogawa to develop robotics for inspection of hazardous environments

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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Download our new white paper, Smart Factory: Material Handing in the Factory of the Future

The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

UPS attains FAA’s first full approval for drone airline

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UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward says it has received the US government’s first full Part 135 Standard certification to operate a drone airline.

The company will initially expand its drone delivery service further to support hospital campuses around the country, and to provide solutions for customers beyond those in the healthcare industry.

UPS Flight Forward plans in the future to transport a variety of items for customers in many industries, and regularly fly drones beyond the operators’ visual line of sight. [Read more…] about UPS attains FAA’s first full approval for drone airline

US manufacturing sector faces ‘workforce crisis’, says Manufacturing Institute

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The US is facing a “workforce crisis”, according to the Manufacturing Institute.

The Institute, and the education and workforce partner of the National Association of Manufacturers, kicked off a month-long celebration of modern manufacturing last week on Manufacturing Day – October 4th.

Held annually on the first Friday in October, MFG Day helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers in an industry that is vital to our economy. [Read more…] about US manufacturing sector faces ‘workforce crisis’, says Manufacturing Institute

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

Continental shows off autonomous mobility tech to German chancellor

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Automotive components giant Continental has been showing off its latest autonomous mobility technology to the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the IAA event.

Continental says Merkel’s visit is an implicit acknowledgment that autonomous vehicles have the potential to change everyone’s lives.

Chancellor was pictured (above) getting off a driverless “Robo-Taxi” – also called the “CUbE” and “EZ10 Shuttle” – which Continental developed in partnership with French company EasyMile, of which Continental has been a shareholder since 2017. [Read more…] about Continental shows off autonomous mobility tech to German chancellor

Metalworking event EMO builds on successful previous event

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EMO Hannover 2019 closed its doors today following a six-day run. From 16 to 21 September, round about 117,000 production specialists from 150 countries convened at the world’s leading trade show for the metalworking industry.

Carl Martin Welcker, EMO general commissioner, says: “This EMO Hannover 2019 built on the success of our boom year in 2017.

“In the context of subdued economic expectations over the past several months, the moderate decline in attendance has to be viewed as a success. [Read more…] about Metalworking event EMO builds on successful previous event

How the Energy Industry Can Help Us Towards a Greener Future

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Generating energy is vitally important to our survival as a species, but it is also one of the biggest contributors to our carbon footprint.

Fortunately, the industry is starting to wake up to these challenges and has a potentially huge role to play in securing our environmental future.

Renewable Sources of Energy

One of the most important steps that the energy sector is taking to reduce its environmental impact is the transition towards renewable sources of energy. [Read more…] about How the Energy Industry Can Help Us Towards a Greener Future

The Future of Auto Transportation

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We live in a world of automation. Our worlds are in the palm of our hands, thanks to mobile technology. We have more access to everything, faster, and drones are already delivering parcels. Self-driving cars are fast approaching the next stage after experimentation.

But what does this mean for the future of the auto transportation industry?

Freight demand continues to grow, placing significant strain on freeways. In fact, the Department of Transport estimates that “… by 2040, nearly 30,000 miles of our busiest highways will be clogged on a daily basis. Truck congestion will waste $27 billion in time and fuel economy annually”. [Read more…] about The Future of Auto Transportation

Omron to debut new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo

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Omron is planning to debut a new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo in Las Vegas. 

Omron says its booth at the event will be “a unique opportunity to explore near-future manufacturing equipment as part of a wide-ranging, interactive demo”.

In particular, Omron’s new autonomous mobile manipulator and the integration between Omron’s TM Series collaborative robot and Robotiq’s vacuum grippers (main picture) are innovations to see. [Read more…] about Omron to debut new autonomous mobile manipulator and Robotiq vacuum grippers at Pack Expo