Robotics & Automation News

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OTTO Motors launches ‘world’s smartest autonomous forklift’

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OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has launched the OTTO Lifter, describing it as “the smartest autonomous forklift on the market”.

With more than a decade of autonomous material handling expertise, OTTO Motors has built the most productive AMRs with the best driving capabilities for some of the biggest brands in the world.

With the addition of OTTO Lifter and its ability to pick up and drop off pallets autonomously, OTTO Motors now has the most comprehensive offering of material handling robots on the market. [Read more…] about OTTO Motors launches ‘world’s smartest autonomous forklift’

How Do Robots Widely Apply in PCB Manufacturing

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The PCB manufacturing industry is becoming complex daily with the shrinking size of components and circuits.

The high density of components, multiple layers, delicate and tiny parts, and small pitches demand precision and extra care in this industry.

As a result, despite being a technology-intensive industry, it is still labor intensive. [Read more…] about How Do Robots Widely Apply in PCB Manufacturing

ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

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ABB is adding two new robot ranges to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications.

Delivering “enhanced speed, accuracy, flexibility, and a more robust design including integrated process cabling”, ABB’s IRB 5710 and 5720 robots deliver increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications including electric vehicle (EV) manufacture, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics, and metal fabrication.

Available in eight variants, the IRB 5710 and IRB 5720 present a choice of options for payloads from 70 kg to 180 kg and reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new large robots for material handling in EV battery production

Seegrid agrees strategic partnership with RōBEX

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Seegrid, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, has agreed a strategic partnership with RōBEX, a systems integrator specializing in industrial robots.

The collaboration agreement enables RōBEX to introduce their customers to the full portfolio of Seegrid Palion autonomous mobile robots and Fleet Central enterprise software solutions.

RōBEX automates critical production processes for leading manufacturing and consumer goods brands to increase productivity, improve safety, and enhance quality. [Read more…] about Seegrid agrees strategic partnership with RōBEX

Festo unveils extended version of robotic systems design software

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Festo has unveiled an extended version of its robotic systems design software, saying it enables the design of Cartesian robots “in minutes”.

Festo’s Handling Guide Online (HGO) now includes 3D cantilever systems in addition to linear, planar surface and 3D handling systems.

The company says these improvements mean that design engineers can now plan “extremely compact or extremely dynamic Cartesian robots in a matter of minutes” using the HGO’s intuitive configuration and ordering software. [Read more…] about Festo unveils extended version of robotic systems design software

Kollmorgen performs 5G tests with Ericsson to explore autonomous mobile robot capabilities

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Motion control solutions provider Kollmorgen is currently performing 5G tests with Ericsson to explore the future capabilities of autonomous mobile robot of the type used in an increasing number of warehouses around the world.

5G can enable new levels of AI and Machine Learning, simplify requirements for infrastructure, and increase network stability – which could dramatically increase performance and cost efficiency for Kollmorgen’s partners, that today include six out of the top 10 global players in material handling, such as Toyota Material Handling, Jungheinrich, and Mitsubishi Logisnext (Rocla).

Peter Bladh, director research and development, Kollmorgen, says: “We want to continue to push the boundaries of mobile robot applications with our NDC Solutions platform. [Read more…] about Kollmorgen performs 5G tests with Ericsson to explore autonomous mobile robot capabilities

Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of robotic material handling automation, has raised $65 million in its Series C funding round led by Tiger Global Management, along with additional funding from new investors Lineage Logistics, Proficio Capital Partners, and Impulse.

The new financing will help fund the company’s technology roadmap with new autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software, and will accelerate fulfillment of new orders and expanded operations to address the $165 billion market opportunity for pallet-moving autonomy.

Craig Malloy, CEO of Vecna Robotics, says: “There is huge headroom for growth in automated material handling with over 5 billion pallets in the world being moved by more than 5 million forklifts and nearly 5 million manual operators. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

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Fanuc America, the world’s largest maker of industrial robots, has introduced the new M-1000iA robot capable of handling very heavy products including automotive components, construction materials and battery packs for electric vehicles.

The M-1000iA’s serial-link construction gives the robot a wider range of motion in every direction. It can extend its arm upright or rotate it backwards, which is not possible for typical heavy-payload robots with a parallel-link mechanism.

With a 1,000 kg payload, a 3,253 mm horizontal reach, and a 4,297 mm vertical reach the M-1000iA is ready to go to work for manufacturers looking to increase output and maximize their production line’s efficiency. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new 1,000 kg payload industrial robotic arm

Stäubli Robots to unveil new hygienic robotic solutions at trade show

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Stäubli Robotics will present live demonstrations plus an educational session on its new hygienic robotic solutions for the food industry at IPPE 2022 in Atlanta.

The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) takes place January 25-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a leading provider of advanced automation solutions for the food industry, Stäubli Robotics is a must-see for inventively engineered robots used in food production, processing and packaging applications. [Read more…] about Stäubli Robots to unveil new hygienic robotic solutions at trade show

Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation

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Ouster, a provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, has signed a strategic customer agreement with Vecna Robotics, a material handling automation company and autonomous mobile robot maker.

The agreement includes a non-binding forecast for approximately 3,000 OS digital lidar sensors through 2025 as Vecna Robotics scales production to meet increasing customer demand for warehouse and logistics automation.

Vecna Robotics plans to fuse Ouster lidar into its multi-sensor autonomy stack to equip self-driving pallet trucks, tow tractors, and lift trucks for high-capacity material handling operations. [Read more…] about Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation