Robotics & Automation News

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industrial control systems

Enhancing Industrial Automation: Why Compact Mini PCs Are Quietly Becoming the Default Choice for Robotic Controllers

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In most modern factories, the control cabinet has changed a lot compared to even a few years ago. There’s more happening inside it – vision systems, sensors, controllers, networking gear – and somehow engineers are expected to fit all of it into the same limited space.

That’s where compact industrial computers have started to take over roles that used to belong to bulky industrial PCs or even desktop-class machines sitting awkwardly outside the system.

The shift isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about practicality: less space, fewer points of failure, and systems that can run continuously without constant attention. [Read more…] about Enhancing Industrial Automation: Why Compact Mini PCs Are Quietly Becoming the Default Choice for Robotic Controllers

Why Network Security is Critical in the Age of Robotics and Automation

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A few years ago, “network security” usually meant protecting laptops, servers, and the office Wi‑Fi (which somehow always died in the conference room).

In 2026, that definition feels too small. Networks don’t just carry email and video calls anymore; they carry instructions that move real machines.

Robots in warehouses, automated conveyor systems, industrial sensors, smart cameras, access control systems, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), and even building management systems all of them rely on a network to coordinate what happens next. [Read more…] about Why Network Security is Critical in the Age of Robotics and Automation

Why Tech Travelers Need a Personal Killswitch for Hotel Wi-Fi

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Commissioning a project at a remote facility usually involves a suitcase full of proprietary hardware and a laptop housing months of R&D.

In other words, it usually means moving through the world with what feels like your entire life on your back. You may not be as slow as an IRL snail, but you’re certainly as vulnerable as one…

We are accustomed to air-gapped systems and rigid safety protocols on the factory floor. However, the moment the day ends and we retreat to a hotel, that security posture often relaxes as we rely on guest networks that are fundamentally at odds with the sensitivity of the data we carry. [Read more…] about Why Tech Travelers Need a Personal Killswitch for Hotel Wi-Fi

5 Best Servo Drives for Factory Automation Systems

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A servo drive converts electrical commands into precise mechanical motion, influencing the speed, position and torque of every motor it powers. This capability makes it one of the most significant components of any production line.

When a drive falls short, the effects manifest instantly in positioning errors, lost cycles and unplanned downtime. Five solutions stand out for engineers designing factory automation systems. [Read more…] about 5 Best Servo Drives for Factory Automation Systems

ISA releases new standard for SCADA systems

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The ISA-112 Part 1 standard provides a framework for modernizing supervisory control and data acquisition systems and making them easier to design, build, operate and maintain

The International Society of Automation (ISA) – the professional society for automation – has announced the publication of ANSI/ISA-112.00.01-2025, SCADA Systems – Part 1: SCADA Lifecycle, Diagrams and Terminology, which is now available for sale on www.isa.org and is accessible to ISA members as a membership benefit.

Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is an automated control system architecture commonly implemented in industrial, utility and manufacturing environments.

The ISA-112 Part 1 standard provides a vendor-neutral and technology-independent framework for the long-term management of SCADA systems and execution of SCADA modernization projects, offering a high-level overview of the SCADA lifecycle as well as diagrams and terminology. [Read more…] about ISA releases new standard for SCADA systems

Winsted to showcase new consoles for utility and transmission control rooms

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Winsted, a specialist in control room technical furniture solutions, will showcase its new Viking console line at DistribuTECH 2026, taking place February 2-5, 2026 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Designed specifically for the utility and process control room environments, Viking consoles deliver exceptional structural strength, advanced technology integration, and long-term durability for 24/7 mission-critical operations.

Attendees can experience Viking firsthand at Booth #1913, where Winsted will be co-exhibiting with Barco Control Rooms. [Read more…] about Winsted to showcase new consoles for utility and transmission control rooms

The Quiet Infrastructure Behind Every Smart Factory

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Smart factories often draw attention for the robots moving with precision and confidence. Anyone watching sees efficiency, speed, and quiet coordination. Behind that scene sits an entire ecosystem that many people never think about.

Robots perform with precision when the environment provides stability. A robotic arm can weld, lift, or assemble with confidence when power remains clean and signals remain uninterrupted.

The moment that the foundation weakens, accuracy drops, and production slows. Every movement depends on infrastructure that performs without hesitation. [Read more…] about The Quiet Infrastructure Behind Every Smart Factory