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The evolution of the industrial robotic arm and how humanoids might make it go extinct

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Industrial robotic arms have been a cornerstone of manufacturing since their inception in the mid-20th century.

From the earliest iterations like the Unimate to today’s sensor-packed collaborative robots, these mechanical arms have transformed industries, defined automation, and become a symbol of industrial efficiency.

But as humanoid robots emerge as a potential competitor, the future of robotic arms is more uncertain than ever. This article delves into their evolution, market growth, and the challenges they face in maintaining their dominance. [Read more…] about The evolution of the industrial robotic arm and how humanoids might make it go extinct

Will humanoid robots make industrial robotic arms obsolete?

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Two of the biggest trends we have noticed and covered over the past seven years or so since we started this website have been what are called “autonomous mobile robots”, or AMRs, and collaborative robotic arms, or “cobots”, which are different from traditional robotic arms in that they do not need to be kept separate and can be used much like power tools.

Traditional industrial robotic arms were generally too dangerous to be too close to. They don’t know you’re there and have the power to cause injury or death if they make contact with you in the course of doing their job.

But even these “traditional” industrial robots have increasingly become more collaborative through, for example, being installed with sensors to detect human presence or touch, and stop when they might cause harm. [Read more…] about Will humanoid robots make industrial robotic arms obsolete?

One Equity Partners buys controlling stake in Comau

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One Equity Partners, a middle market private equity firm, has completed a majority investment in Comau, making Stellantis – one of the world’s largest automakers and the previous owner of Comau – an active minority shareholder.

Comau is a global technology company specializing in industrial automation and advanced robotics.

As previously communicated, Comau’s executive chairman Alessandro Nasi, and CEO Pietro Gorlier will continue leading the company and its future growth. The executive management team will also retain their current positions. [Read more…] about One Equity Partners buys controlling stake in Comau

Inside Yoke Industrial’s smart factory: 108 robotic arms and 71 automation systems working to enhance quality and efficiency

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What’s described as a “bifocal modernisation strategy”, implemented in 2011, is ongoing at Yoke Industrial’s pioneering industrial lifting equipment manufacturing facility

Production at Taiwanese company Yoke Industrial Corp started in 1997.

A lot has changed since, as we’ll explore in this article. What hasn’t changed, however, is that there are long-term career opportunities in an ever-evolving manufacturing environment.

Yoke’s approximately 56,000 square-metre facility produces a staggering 20 million pieces per year. The smart factory is built on 71 automation systems with 108 robotic arms; it is an automated fleet of state-of-the-art Fanuc equipment, that represents around $30 million worth of investment. In October 2024, for example, the total time of robotics operation topped 5,176 hours. [Read more…] about Inside Yoke Industrial’s smart factory: 108 robotic arms and 71 automation systems working to enhance quality and efficiency

Skyline Robotics and Alimak partner to automate building maintenance for new construction sites globally

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Skyline Robotics, a developer of window-cleaning robots for skyscrapers, and Alimak Group have reached a mutually exclusive agreement between the companies to create a “next-generation automated building maintenance unit” setting a new standard for architectural and asset management industries.

Alimak Group’s global expertise in vertical access solutions and Skyline’s deep tech and robotics expertise is a powerful combination in transforming the industry faced with increasingly complex design challenges, labor shortages and best practices.

Alimak Group has also made an undisclosed strategic investment in Skyline Robotics to further along the project development. [Read more…] about Skyline Robotics and Alimak partner to automate building maintenance for new construction sites globally

Pudu Robotics launches new industrial sweeper

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Pudu Robotics, a service robotics specialist, has unveiled its AI-powered robotic sweeper, the PUDU MT1.

Traditional cleaning in expansive settings like arenas, warehouses, and manufacturing plants is often labor-intensive and less efficient.

Available now for North and South American markets, and other regions around the world, the PUDU MT1 aims to revolutionize this with advanced technology, enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining high cleanliness standards.

Designed for large-scale environments the PUDU MT1 can efficiently handle cleaning regions exceeding 100,000 square meters, leveraging sophisticated AI-driven features to handle the unique challenges of large environments with ease and accuracy. [Read more…] about Pudu Robotics launches new industrial sweeper

Siemens and Microsoft scale industrial AI

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Siemens says it is “revolutionizing” industrial automation with Microsoft. Through their collaboration, they have taken the Siemens Industrial Copilot to “the next level”, enabling it to handle the most demanding environments at scale.

Combining Siemens’ unique domain know-how across industries with Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service, the Copilot further improves handling of rigorous requirements in manufacturing and automation.

Over 100 companies, including Schaeffler and thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, are currently using the Siemens Industrial Copilot to streamline processes, address labor shortages, and drive innovation. [Read more…] about Siemens and Microsoft scale industrial AI

Honeywell and Google Cloud to accelerate autonomous operations with AI agents for the industrial sector

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Honeywell and Google Cloud are partnering to launch a “unique collaboration” connecting artificial intelligence (AI) agents with assets, people and processes to accelerate safer, autonomous operations for the industrial sector.

This partnership will bring together the multimodality and natural language capabilities of Gemini on Vertex AI – Google Cloud’s AI platform – and the massive data set on Honeywell Forge, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) platform for industrials.

This will unleash easy-to-understand, enterprise-wide insights across a multitude of use cases. Honeywell’s customers across the industrial sector will benefit from opportunities to reduce maintenance costs, increase operational productivity and upskill employees. [Read more…] about Honeywell and Google Cloud to accelerate autonomous operations with AI agents for the industrial sector

B&R introduces new coding environment with cloud collaboration and AI assistant

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Industrial automation specialist, B&R, part of the ABB Group, has released a “major update” to its suite of engineering and runtime software.

The company showcased the upgrade at this year’s SPS exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany.

With Automation Studio Code, B&R says it has introduced an entirely new engineering experience. It incorporates an array of advanced editing functions, drawing from the latest the software industry has to offer. [Read more…] about B&R introduces new coding environment with cloud collaboration and AI assistant

Fanuc launches new ‘heavyweight’ industrial robot

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Fanuc, a world leader in industrial robotics and factory automation, has introduced the M-950iA “heavyweight industrial robot”, capable of lifting 500 kg – including automotive components, construction materials and EV battery packs.

Fitting perfectly between Fanuc’s M-900iB and M-1000iA families, the serial-link structured M-950iA/500 offers a much wider range of motion than standard parallel-link robots, offering flexibility that easily adapts to tight workspaces and variable layouts.

A high-rigidity design makes it suited for payloads up to 500 kg and its reach of 2,830 mm is paired with an impressive range of motion on the robot’s J3 axis, allowing it to flip over backwards. [Read more…] about Fanuc launches new ‘heavyweight’ industrial robot