Robotics & Automation News

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New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

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As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, robots are becoming smarter and more human-like, presenting new ethical challenges. In a new book, scholars from Japan, Italy, the United States, and other countries examine the legal, policy, and regulatory issues surrounding human-robot interaction.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled robots are becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. Real-time, flexible interactions between humans and robots are no longer just science fiction.

As robots become smarter and more human-like in both behavior and appearance, they are transforming from mere tools to potential partners and social entities.

This rapid evolution presents significant challenges to our legal and ethical frameworks, including concerns about privacy, safety, and regulation in the context of AI and robots. [Read more…] about New book by academic experts questions whether humans are ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots

Abu Dhabi hosts ‘record numbers’ of delegates and visitors for IROS robotics conference

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The 36th edition of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2024) successfully concluded in Abu Dhabi today, October 18th, 2024, with a “record number of nearly 10,000, visitors, delegates and participants in attendance”.

The success of what is arguably the world’s most prestigious robotics exhibition has “emphatically raised the profile of Abu Dhabi as a global destination for robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as for advanced technology innovation”, say the organizers. 

Researchers, academics, scientists and regulatory stakeholders inspired guests and visitors with their impactful plenary talks, keynote sessions, and individual poster and oral presentations at IROS 2024 that opened on 14 October at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).

[Read more…] about Abu Dhabi hosts ‘record numbers’ of delegates and visitors for IROS robotics conference

MassRobotics reveals its 2024 awards winners

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MassRobotics, a robotics innovation organization, has revealed its 2024 Robotics Medal and Rising Star recipients at the IEEE ICRA@40 conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The Robotics Medal is the world’s first major prize to recognize the wide-ranging impact of female researchers focusing on the development of robotics around the globe.

The Robotics Medal is awarded to a woman-identifying, researcher-nominated professor in robotics to recognize their impactful contributions to the field and includes a $50,000 prize awarded to the individual.

[Read more…] about MassRobotics reveals its 2024 awards winners

Nvidia showcases new robotics research on geometric fabrics, surgical robots, and more at ICRA

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During the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) May 13-17 in Yokohama, Japan, many people will be discussing geometric fabrics.

That topic is the subject of one of seven papers submitted by members of the Nvidia Robotics Research Lab, along with collaborators, and featured at ICRA this week.

[Read more…] about Nvidia showcases new robotics research on geometric fabrics, surgical robots, and more at ICRA

Digital manufacturing needs Time-Sensitive Networking

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Thomas Burke, Global Strategic Advisor at the CC-Link Partner Association, looks at why TSN is the future of industrial communications

Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is a game-changing technology that can substantially reshape industrial communications and factory operations.

By enhancing the capabilities of conventional industrial Ethernet and providing new functionalities, TSN can truly support futureproof digital manufacturing. Because of this disruptive potential, businesses should implement TSN now.

TSN is an innovative technology defined by IEEE 802.1 standards that resides at the Layer 2 (Data Link) of the Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model for communications. It ultimately makes Ethernet deterministic by design, thus improving data transfer accuracy and reliability. [Read more…] about Digital manufacturing needs Time-Sensitive Networking

IEEE adopts MIPI A-PHY, first industry-standard, long-reach data communications for automotive applications

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The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has adopted the MIPI A-PHY v1.0 specification as an IEEE standard.

Published as IEEE 2977-2021, IEEE Standard for Adoption of MIPI Alliance Specification for A-PHY Interface (A-PHY) Version 1.0, A-PHY is the first asymmetric, industry-standard, long-reach, serializer-deserializer (SerDes) physical layer interface for automotive applications.

Joel Huloux, chairman of MIPI Alliance, says: “This is the first time MIPI has sought adoption by another standards body for one of our specifications. [Read more…] about IEEE adopts MIPI A-PHY, first industry-standard, long-reach data communications for automotive applications

World’s largest robotics conference to take place in Canada for first time

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ICRA, the world’s largest robotics conference, is set to be held in Canada for the first time, offering insights into the future of robotics across the globe.

ICRA, short for International Conference on Robotics and Automation, is organised by the IEEE, the world’s largest engineering association. Specifically, the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society.

With global spending on robotics systems and drones forecast to total $115.7 billion this year alone – an increase of 17.6 percent over 2018 – the world’s largest robotics conference is scheduled to get under way in Montreal later this month, unveiling the latest and greatest in robotics research and innovations from 71 countries under one roof.

[Read more…] about World’s largest robotics conference to take place in Canada for first time

Opinion: How assistive robots will transform the workplace and elderly care

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By Dr Antonio Espingardeiro, member of the IEEE

Robots can bring significant benefits to the workplace, positively impacting productivity, efficiency and quality.

There are challenges to realising these benefits – not least the complex subject of the degree and quality of human interaction that we want or need robots to deliver.

However, robotics offers tremendous scope for helping humanity, so the field will continue to develop the advanced technologies that make it possible.  [Read more…] about Opinion: How assistive robots will transform the workplace and elderly care

New $10,000 collaborative robot can build copies of itself

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FRANKA EMIKA industrial robot
The Franka Emika industrial robot

The makers of a new, collaborative robot called Franka Emika say the machine could build copies of itself. 

In an article published in the IEEE magazine, the robot’s creator, Sami Haddadin, is quoted as saying “there will be Frankas building Frankas”.

The article also suggests that Franka’s price is around $10,000 – and reveals the prices of other collaborative robots:

  • Rethink’s Sawyer ~ $30,000; and
  • Universal Robots’ best-selling UR5 ~ $35,000.

The collaborative robots market is currently dominated by Universal Robots, which has sold so many robots, it’s made it on the list of industrial robot manufacturers with the largest install base, with approximately 10,000 sold worldwide so far.

Full article on IEEE Spectrum