Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

industrial robots

Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

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Traditional industrial robots tend to be very large and potentially dangerous, which is why they tend to be caged off and kept separate from human workers.

But a new company called Veo Robotics says it has the technology to transform traditional industrial robotic arms into safe machines that humans can work alongside, within close proximity.

Veo’s solution could make every industrial robot a collaborative robot. The term “collaborative” is recognized by international standards organizations and usually applies to much smaller, newer types of robots which are specifically designed to safe for humans to work with.  [Read more…] about Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

Boston Dynamics buys Kinema Systems for its brains

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Boston Dynamics, maker of the world’s most terrifying robots (see video below for proof), has agreed to acquire Kinema Systems, a company that enables industrial robotic arms with deep learning technology to locate and move boxes on complex pallets.

Using a combination of vision sensors and deep learning software, Kinema Systems’ Pick technology works with leading commercial robotic arms to move boxes off pallets to conveyors or build stacks of boxes on pallets.

Pick enables logistics, retail, and manufacturing companies to achieve high rates of box moving with minimal setup or training for both multi-SKU and single-SKU pallets.  [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics buys Kinema Systems for its brains

Kuka to integrate 800 industrial robots and a number of AGVs for Daimler

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Kuka says it has won another major automotive contract, this time with German giant Daimler.

Kuka says Daimler is “increasingly investing in leading-edge technology products from Augsburg”, meaning Kuka, because Kuka is based in Augsberg.

For the body-in-white production of the new C-class, Daimler has awarded a major contract to Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka to integrate 800 industrial robots and a number of AGVs for Daimler

China-US trade dispute causing industrial robot makers to forecast lower earnings

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The ongoing trade dispute between China and the US has caused three of the world’s largest industrial robot makers to lower their earnings forecasts, according to a report on Nikkei.

Yaskawa, Kuka, and Fanuc have all “downgraded their full-year earnings forecasts”, reports Nikkei.

Fanuc predicts net profit of $1.26 billion for the year ending March 2019, which is approximately $26 million lower than its previous forecast.  [Read more…] about China-US trade dispute causing industrial robot makers to forecast lower earnings

ABB launches new robotic systems for food and beverage industry at PackExpo

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ABB is launching a new “Food & Beverage Assessment Portfolio” at the Pack Expo event, which is taking place now in Chicago, USA. 

The company says the robotic systems it is showcasing are aimed at helping food and beverage manufacturers improve processes and reduce production costs by giving them a better understanding of their plant, from power to automation to digital readiness.

ABB says it will highlight its “assessment services and expertise” in booth N-4930 at the event.  [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic systems for food and beverage industry at PackExpo

Kuka to partner with Canadian university to ‘advance robotics knowledge’

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Partnership to focus on industrial applications of the latest Industry 4.0 robotics systems

Humber College and Kuka Canada are entering into a five-year partnership agreement focused on bringing the latest robotics technology to Humber and working together on robotics systems integration applications.

Kuka Canada will make significant investments in robotic equipment, advanced software and contribute to curriculum development for Humber, with financial contributions each year for five years.

Humber will receive two Industry 4.0 ready collaborative robots as part of the partnership. These will complement the college’s extensive collection of robotic technology and will be housed within Humber’s Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation, the college’s hub for bringing industry and education together.  [Read more…] about Kuka to partner with Canadian university to ‘advance robotics knowledge’

New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper

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New Scale Robotics, a division of New Scale Technologies, has received Universal Robots certification for its NSR-PG-10-20-UR Precision Parallel Gripper.

Universal Robots certification confirms that the smart gripper is fully compatible with UR collaborative robots and meets all published specifications.

David Henderson, CEO of New Scale Technologies, says: “We are delighted to receive endorsement from Universal Robots for the NSR-PG, created specifically to install and operate on UR robots in under 30 minutes.  [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics gains Universal Robots certification for precision parallel gripper

Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS

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Techman Robot has launched several new industrial automation systems – including the new TM12 and TM14 robots – at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, currently taking place in Chicago.

The company boasts that its Techman robot is “the most intelligent collaborative industrial robot in the world” and recently signed a partnership with industrial automation giant Omron.

Techman Robot has a built-in visual system and “innovative” user interface. The company says it has become one of the industrial robots with “the fastest sales growth in the global market”.  [Read more…] about Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS

IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

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ABB says its robots are helping machine shops meet the challenges of high-mix, low volume production – or the “new normal”, as the company puts it.

The company will showcase solutions to increase machine tool utilization and unlock the full potential of the flexible, connected and collaborative factory at IMTS, the world’s largest industrial technology show, due to be held in Chicago next week.

With more efficient and advanced machine tools entering the market, the demand for more intelligent and flexible robotic automation for machining applications is ever increasing.  [Read more…] about IMTS: ABB to showcase robot solutions for ‘high-mix, low volume production’

OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics

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Purple Robotics, which developed an innovative vacuum gripper within one year – the world’s first gripper specifically for cobots – has now been acquired by OnRobot.

The acquisition takes place just two months after the OnRobot merger of three robotics companies – Perceptron from the US, OptoForce from Hungary, and OnRobot from Denmark – to create one global player with a strong focus on the market for industrial robot accessories.

Now, OnRobot in Odense, Denmark, adds what it regards as another “trail-blazing technology” to its product mix.  [Read more…] about OnRobot strengthens its grip on market with acquisition of Purple Robotics