Robotics & Automation News

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How Automation is Disrupting All Kinds of Manufacturing in 2020

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We are entering an era of smart factories and automated manufacturing. While many speculate it to be the end of manual labor as we know it, the evidence points in a different direction.

Industrial automation has ushered new ways that machines and human effort can collaborate to increase efficiency and drive down complexity.

This is especially true for the emerging automation technologies which, in the past few years, are disrupting all kinds of manufacturing. [Read more…] about How Automation is Disrupting All Kinds of Manufacturing in 2020

5 Examples How to Improve the Usability of an E-Commerce Store

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Beautiful design of the online store does not guarantee its high conversion rates. Your visitors may like beautiful pictures. But they came to buy something.

And if the process of selecting, comparing and ordering products will be inconvenient, none of designer tricks will hold them.

Moreover, visitors make up their opinion instantly. According to Microsoft research, on average, it takes 10.5 seconds. [Read more…] about 5 Examples How to Improve the Usability of an E-Commerce Store

Visteon shows off new dashboard technology

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Visteon, an automotive cockpit electronics technology company, has launched what it describes as its “breakthrough” microZone display technology.

The virtual dashboard element is said to offer offers “significantly higher graphics performance” than traditional LCD displays.

This new, patent-pending high-dynamic range display technology offers high contrast and brightness and wide color gamut that enables automotive displays to achieve parity with consumer mobile devices with life-like imaging capability. [Read more…] about Visteon shows off new dashboard technology

Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market to grow by 13 percent

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Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market are forecast to grow by more than 13 percent, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

The global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market is at its nascent stage and therefore, only a fraction of the possible applications have been explored till now by companies, labs, and universities.

This also means that there is much room for this market to grow. As of now the market is filled with start-ups and small companies which are well established.

This makes the global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market fragmented. Some of the leading players in the market are:

  • Vincent Medical;
  • Ekso Bionics;
  • Accuray;
  • Mazor Robotics;
  • DIH Technologies;
  • Reha-Stim Medtec;
  • Intuitive Surgical;
  • AlterG;
  • Instead Technology; and
  • Bionik Laboratories.

According to a market intelligence study, the global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market will be worth $2,290.3 million by 2025, expanding at a 13.1 percent annual growth from 2017 to 2025.

On the basis of application, the surgery segment led the market. This segment is anticipated to continue to lead in the years to come.

By geography, the market is will witness highest growth in Asia Pacific on account of the growing pool of geriatric population.

Asia Pacific market for robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies is expected to exhibit a 15.3 percent annual growth between 2017 and 2025, with Japan being the foremost revenue generator.

The high cost however, will limit the adoption of robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies by emerging economies in the region.

High Demand for Surgical Assistance During Complex Procedures Predicted

The use of robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies has just begun in the healthcare industry.

Surgical robots are of much assistance during surgeries when surgeons perform complex and minimally invasive procedures.

Robots are also assisting doctors in boosting accuracy during radiation treatment for cancer patients as well as assist with rehabilitation of disabled patients.

Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies have immense growth opportunities and holds much promise in the healthcare area.

As per the lead author of this report, “the growing instance of strokes which in turn renders people bed-ridden or in a way takes away their ability to move to some degree, will be a key factor boosting the growth of the robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market”.

Rapid Improvement and Advancements in Technology to Accelerate Growth

The market is also driven by the surge in the geriatric population worldwide. Aged people are also in limited in their ability to move, to some degree and this will create a need for robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies.

The technological advancements occurring in the field has led to a more efficient use of motors and light materials.

Advancements and innovations have also resulted in sophisticated control, improved safety mechanisms, and power backup.

High Cost of Robotic Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies to Pose a Challenge

On the other hand, it is predicted that the steep price will go against the growth of the market as it will limit the adoption rates, especially in cost sensitive regions of the world.

The cost to performance ratio may not be feasible on account of the high cost of development and relatively low benefit for hospitals or patients will hamper adoption rates.

However, some relief can be expected on account of the improvement in production methods as well as due to favourable reimbursement policies.

Cincoze launches new fanless embedded computer

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Cincoze, a manufacturer of embedded systems, has launched the P2100 Series, including P2102 and P2102E.

The P2102 is a slim, fanless, embedded computer with the P2102E offering greater expandability.

Supporting Cincoze’s innovative modular design, the P2100 Series can also work as a panel PC when combined with various Cincoze display modules. [Read more…] about Cincoze launches new fanless embedded computer

Fanuc invests in Soft Robotics as startup raises $23 million in oversubscribed funding round

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Soft Robotics has raised $23 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round.

The round was co-led by Calibrate Ventures and Material Impact and includes additional existing investors Honeywell, Hyperplane, Scale, Tekfen Ventures, and Yamaha.

With this round Soft Robotics also adds Fanuc, the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, as a new investor. [Read more…] about Fanuc invests in Soft Robotics as startup raises $23 million in oversubscribed funding round

Siemens adds module to Ruggedcom for industrial networks

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Siemens has introduced a new line module for the Ruggedcom RST2228 and RST2228P Layer 2 19” rack switches, the Ruggedcom RMM2972-2RNA.

This module strengthens the Ruggedcom RST2228 19” rack switch offering to the electric power utilities by providing seamless redundancy with PRP/HSR (Parallel Redundancy Protocol/High-availability Seamless Redundancy), enhanced IEEE1588 implementation, high bandwidth uplinks, and traffic filtering and segmentation from a single device.

This module eliminates network downtime due to single points of fault, resulting in high reliability and availability for modern digital substation applications as mandated by the IEC 61850 standard. [Read more…] about Siemens adds module to Ruggedcom for industrial networks

IAM Robotics to open new HQ and showroom in Pittsburgh

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IAM Robotics, inventor of an autonomous mobile manipulation robot, is opening a new, headquarters and showcase innovation center.

The new 30,000 square foot facility will be located in the emerging high tech area of Pittsburgh known as Robotics Row, a stretch of land that has become a hotbed for robotics and technology companies along the Allegheny River.

The IAM Robotics Showcase Innovation Center will feature a distribution center environment where visitors will experience the company’s high tech robotic labor system in action. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics to open new HQ and showroom in Pittsburgh

ABB launches new robot and controller

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ABB is introducing a new harsh environment version of its IRB 1100 robot and OmniCore controller, designed with enhanced protection against water and dust.

The entire body of the new IRB 1100 model has an IP67 rating, with all electrical components sealed against contaminants.

This makes it resistant to water and provides the robot with “complete protection from dust ingress”, claims ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robot and controller

Iowa scientists create nanoscale sensors to ‘better see how high pressure affects materials’

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Scientists at Iowa State University have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures.

As the researchers reported in the journal Science, that matters because, “Pressure alters the physical, chemical and electronic properties of matter.”

Understanding those changes could lead to new materials or new phases of matter for use in all kinds of technologies and applications, said Valery Levitas, a paper co-author and Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering at Iowa State University, the Vance Coffman Faculty Chair and professor in aerospace engineering. [Read more…] about Iowa scientists create nanoscale sensors to ‘better see how high pressure affects materials’