Robotics & Automation News

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Spare humans: Top 10 humanoids and androids from sci-fi films

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Humanoid robots have been central characters in many movies from the very beginning of the film industry, and have regularly featured prominently throughout this time. And they have never – or at least rarely – failed to kindle a certain kind of feeling that combines fascination with a slightly unsettling sense of fear.

Now it seems there will be an increase in the number of films featuring human-like robots. Two major films in two years – Subservience, starring Megan Fox, last year, and Companion, starring Sophie Thatcher, this year – might not represent a deluge, but we think this is a sign of things to come.

What I mean is that I believe there will be many more films featuring humanoid robots and androids from now on, mainly because we as a society are increasingly having to deal with artificial intelligence which lives inside computers but communicates with us all the time, as well as actual AI machines in the our three-dimensional physical world that move and talk and walk and drive us around – often referred to as “embodied artificial intelligence”. [Read more…] about Spare humans: Top 10 humanoids and androids from sci-fi films

Can robotics improve the environment?

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Although conversations about the impact of robots on society more often than not focus on the negative aspects of automation – such as the number of jobs that might be threatened by the rise of AI and robotics – there is also a very real possibility that new technologies like robots can be used to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Nowhere is this possibility truer than in relation to climate change, which is undoubtedly the most pressing problem of our time. But what exactly is the scope of the environmental problem we face and how can robots be used to tackle it? [Read more…] about Can robotics improve the environment?

Geodis almost doubles case picking throughput with Vecna Robotics solution

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of flexible material handling automation solutions, has collaborated with Geodis, a transport and logistics company, to implement a “first-of-its-kind” autonomous mobile robot solution for case picking at Geodis’ Indianapolis campus.

Starting in late 2022, the implementation completely rethinks the human-robot interaction, reducing inefficient travel and nearly doubling workflow throughput.

Anthony Moschella, SVP of product management at Vecna Robotics, says: “Our engagement with Geodis is a true advancement in material handling innovation. [Read more…] about Geodis almost doubles case picking throughput with Vecna Robotics solution

Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

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Performing human-like motions that involve multiple contacts is challenging for robots. In this regard, a researcher from the Tokyo University Science has envisioned an interactive cyber-physical human (iCPH) platform with complementary humanoid (physical twin) and simulation (digital twin) elements.

iCPH combines human measurement data, musculoskeletal analysis, and machine learning for data collection and augmentation. As a result, iCPH can understand, predict, and synthesize whole-body contact motions.

Humans naturally perform numerous complex tasks. These include sitting down, picking something up from a table, and pushing a cart. These activities involve various movements and require multiple contacts, which makes it difficult to program robots to perform them. [Read more…] about Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

Halodi Robotics uses Ansys to simulate humanoid robots

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Halodi Robotics is using Ansys simulation software through the Ansys Startup Program to develop its humanoid robots designed to work among humans in everyday environments.

Humanoid robots can help alleviate the growing labour shortage, and free critical personnel to focus on tasks that require their high-level skills.

These robots will perform jobs such as patrolling buildings at night, stocking grocery shelves, and executing logistical tasks at hospitals. With Elite Channel Partner EDRMedeso, Ansys enabled Halodi Robotics to shorten development time by months. [Read more…] about Halodi Robotics uses Ansys to simulate humanoid robots

Veo Robotics launches ‘new and improved’ safeguarding system for human-robot collaboration

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Veo Robotics, the industrial automation company that created FreeMove, a 3D safeguarding system for industrial robots that enables dynamic human-robot collaboration, has released its new and improved FreeMove 2.0 Engine. 

The redesigned FreeMove 2.0 Engine is a high-performance industrial computer with a proprietary safety architecture that works alongside FreeMove Sensors to monitor workcells in 3D. It implements dynamic Speed and Separation Monitoring to enable safe interaction between humans and robots.

The launch coincides with a growing need for manufacturers to create safer facility floors as their use of automation – and in particular robots – increases. [Read more…] about Veo Robotics launches ‘new and improved’ safeguarding system for human-robot collaboration

Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

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Ritsumeikan University researchers develop a soft robotic microfinger that enables interaction with insects through tactile sensing

Human-robot interactions not only allow robots to interact with humans but also with the environment. Microrobots, for instance, can interact with insects and measure the force exerted by them during flight or walking.

However, this interaction is not direct, with the microrobots measuring insect behavior primarily. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a soft micro-robotic finger that allows humans to directly interact with insects. This could enable human-environment interaction at previously inaccessible scales.

Humans have always been fascinated by scales different than theirs, from giant objects such as stars, planets and galaxies, to the world of the tiny: insects, bacteria, viruses and other microscopic objects. While the microscope allows us to view and observe the microscopic world, it is still difficult to interact with it directly. [Read more…] about Ritsumeikan University develops ‘soft microfingers’ for robots

Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

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Peer Robotics, a new mobile robotics solution for manufacturing, has raised $2.3 million in seed funding led by Kalaari Capital, with participation from existing investors Axilor Ventures, Connecticut Innovations and Innopact VC.

Rishabh Agarwal, co-founder, and CEO of Peer Robotics, says: “Small and medium-size companies are struggling with the labor shortage today, not to mention high turn-over.

“Also, many operations are still manual with employees operating at a high risk of injuries and fatigue. Solutions to date have been too expensive and complex. [Read more…] about Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

15 benefits to using Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting

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Die casting is a process that has been used for many years to create products from metal using die casting mould. It is often used when there is a need for mass production of parts, as it can be done quickly and relatively cheaply.

In recent years, however, die casting has begun to be replaced by a new process called Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting. [Read more…] about 15 benefits to using Automation in High-Pressure Die Casting

How Automation is Influencing the Automotive Industry Today

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Last year, robot orders were up by 67 percent in comparison to the previous year. And according to the International Federation of Robotics, 1 in every 2 industrial robots sold globally is bought by US automakers. This goes to show just how much the auto industry appreciates the benefits of automation.

Automakers have always been pioneers of automation; they started using sensor technology and industrial robots in their assembly plants years ago to increase efficiency and productivity. Want to know how automation is influencing the automotive industry today? Read on. [Read more…] about How Automation is Influencing the Automotive Industry Today