Robotics & Automation News

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UK’s Universities and Colleges Admission Service renews contract with Infosys to drive automation

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The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has renewed its contract with Infosys for another three years in an attempt to increase automation and the efficiency of its services for students.

According to Sander Kristel, UCAS’s chief operations officer, the deal marks a very real move forward in the partnership between the two organizations that has existed since 2015.

“UCAS is seeing an increase in student demand across all areas. A demographic uplift and a growing demand from mature students and overseas applicants means we are anticipating a million undergraduate applicants by 2025. [Read more…] about UK’s Universities and Colleges Admission Service renews contract with Infosys to drive automation

IDS launches new ‘extremely high-resolution’ camera sensor

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IDS has launched its 20.35 MP IMX541 sensor from the Pregius S series.

IDS says the high-performance, extremely high-resolution sensor IMX541 from the Pregius S series is integrated into the versatile uEye SE camera family. Its compact 1.1″ format means the 20.35 MP CMOS sensor is compatible with C-mount lenses.

The industrial cameras feature a practical USB3 Vision interface, deliver 20 fps and will be available from September either as board-level models or with a robust metal housing. [Read more…] about IDS launches new ‘extremely high-resolution’ camera sensor

Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

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Heraeus Electronics, a provider of material solutions for electronics packaging, has launched what it describes as a “next-generation wire for power applications”.

The product, named CucorAl Plus, renews Heraeus’ existing CucorAl product and offers “superior electrical and mechanical properties combined with a better processability”, according to the company.

Dr Klemens Brunner, president of Heraeus Electronics, says: “By replacing aluminum wire with CucorAl Plus, our customers can extend module lifetime by a factor of five without changing the module design. [Read more…] about Heraeus Electronics unveils new copper wire encased in aluminium

ABB releases ‘faster, higher payload’ delta robot

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ABB has released what it says is a “faster, higher payload and more flexible” delta robot – the IRB 390 FlexPacker.

The industrial giant says the machine, along with its other solutions, will its enhance robotic picking and packing portfolio and transform omnichannel order fulfillment and retail logistics.

The new IRB 390 FlexPacker is designed for applications such as customized packaging, vertical packing and high-speed, high-variation sorting and on demand order picking in logistics and e-commerce fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about ABB releases ‘faster, higher payload’ delta robot

North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

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North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.49 billion in billings worldwide in December 2019.

This is according to the December Equipment Market Data Subscription Billings Report published today by SEMI.

The billings figure is 17.5 percent higher than the final November 2019 level of $2.12 billion. [Read more…] about North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

Zebra Technologies unveils new robot for retail operations

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Zebra Technologies has introduced SmartSight, a robot for mass merchants, grocers, and supermarkets and hypermarkets.

The company is showcasing the new machine at NRF 2020, the retail technology show currently being held in Chicago, USA.

SmartSight leverages the computer vision, machine learning, workflow automation and robotic capabilities of Zebra’s EMA50 enterprise mobile automation system to accurately identify out-of-stock conditions, pricing inconsistencies and planogram issues on the shelf. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies unveils new robot for retail operations

Robotics poised to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, says new report

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Robotics and automation technologies are likely to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, according to a new report.

As the adoption and use of robotics increase, a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the world’s top-ranked think tank for science and technology policy, evaluates the impact robotics is likely to have on the future of production.

The report shows that robotics has the potential to reshore manufacturing production to developed countries, and it argues that most forecasts exaggerate the impact automation brought by robotics will have on employment. [Read more…] about Robotics poised to increase productivity and reshore manufacturing, says new report

Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

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With a growth of 23 percent in annual installations of collaborative robots from 2017 to 2018, the new World Robotics Report, published by International Federation of Robotics, shows a huge demand for end-of-arm-tooling, (EoAT).

In 2018 almost 14,000 new cobot arms were installed, and if this trend continues, that number will double in approximately three years, prompting an unprecedented EoAT market opportunity that OnRobot is ready to address.

For the first time ever, the annual World Robotics Report includes a specific analysis on the market for cobots, documenting a robust 23 percent growth worldwide. [Read more…] about Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

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One of Germany’s leading metal-working events, EMO, has opened today amid news of greater investment in the sector, as well as a greater emphasis on “smart” technologies – which usually refers to higher levels of automation and digitalisation. 

Organisers claim EMO to be “the world’s leading metalworking trade fair”, and had a line-up of prominent figures for the launch, including:

  • Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure;
  • Lower Saxony’s First Minister Stephan Weil;
  • Member of the Board of Management of Deutsche Telekom Adel Al-Saleh;
  • Cecimo President Dr Roland Feichtl; and
  • EMO General Commissioner Carl Martin Welcker.

EMO lasts for six days, and is located in the northern German city of Hannover. [Read more…] about Metalworking event EMO opens amid news of greater investment

Continental launches series production of technologies for robo-taxis

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Continental’s technology for driverless vehicles will be in production for the first time in French company EasyMile’s EZ10 autonomous shuttle. Continental has held a stake in this driverless vehicle manufacturer since 2017.

Driverless robo-taxis will become an important part of mobility in urban centers, helping to reduce traffic congestion and increase efficiency, says the company.

Driverless transport systems of this kind are still rare. Small autonomous shuttle buses with room for several passengers – which also qualify as robo-taxis – have driven on short, straightforward public routes during pilot projects and in designated areas at airports, hospitals, universities, and exhibition grounds.

[Read more…] about Continental launches series production of technologies for robo-taxis