Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

industry

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

by

More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

by

Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

The rise of the Robot Operating System

by

Nearly 55 percent of total commercial robots shipped in 2024 will have at least one Robot Operating System package installed, according to ABI Research

The Robot Operating System, or ROS, is a flexible and collaborative open-source framework for building operating systems for robotics.

As its adoption continues to grow, ROS is aiming to become the industry standard for robotics middleware.

According to ABI Research, a market research company, nearly 55 percent of total commercial robots shipped in 2024 – over 915,000 units – will have at least one ROS package installed, creating a large installed base of ROS-enabled robots.

[Read more…] about The rise of the Robot Operating System

Cambridge Consultants unveils ‘dexterous robot with the human touch’

by

Technology research and development company Cambridge Consultants has unveiled what it describes as a “dexterous robot with the human touch”. (See video below.)

Breakthrough innovation specialist Cambridge Consultants has developed Hank, a robot with flexible robotic fingers inspired by the human hand.

Hank uses a pioneering sensory system embedded in its pneumatic fingers, providing a sophisticated sense of touch and slip, meaning it can emulate the human ability to hold and grip delicate objects using just the right amount of pressure.

[Read more…] about Cambridge Consultants unveils ‘dexterous robot with the human touch’

Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

by

Universal Robots, a collaborative robots maker, has identified Malaysia as a key growth market in line with the country’s increased focus on automation and robotics, as outlined in its national policy on Industry 4.0, called “Industry4WRD”, to transform its manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing sector, comprising 98.5 percent of Malaysian SMEs, serves as a major contributor to the country’s economy. In 2018, the sector contributed 22.4 percent of GDP, roughly RM 325 billion.

Sakari Kuikka, general manager, Southeast Asia and Oceania at UR, says: “Malaysia deployed just 45 units of industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2017, almost 50 percent below the global average of 85 units. [Read more…] about Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

FEIMEC 2020 launches its new sales cycle as the ‘largest exhibition in the industry in Latin America’

by

The third edition of the machinery and industrial equipment trade show FEIMEC will have even more exhibition space than in previous years. Its official launch occurs within a moment of positive expectations for the Brazilian market.

Within the marketplace’s positive expectations for economic growth, the third edition of FEIMEC 2020 – Brazil International Machinery and Equipment Exhibition has been launched.

The exhibition will take place in Sao Paulo on May 5-9, 2020 and will have 62,000 sq m of exhibition space, 700 exhibitors and will receive over 65,000 industry professionals.

[Read more…] about FEIMEC 2020 launches its new sales cycle as the ‘largest exhibition in the industry in Latin America’

Volkswagen partners with Infineon for electric vehicles

by

Infineon Technologies is a new partner in the Volkswagen Group’s strategic supplier network called “Fast”, short for Future Automotive Supply Tracks.

Infineon says the program is aimed at developing close cooperation in key future fields.

As the market leader in semiconductors for electro-mobility, Infineon says it contributes significantly to the move toward electric drivetrains by the world’s largest car maker.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen partners with Infineon for electric vehicles

Eclipse Foundation launches openMobility group to plan future of autonomous cars

by

The Eclipse Foundation has launched the openMobility Working Group, which will focus on open and shared collaboration around one of the major issues in urban planning around autonomous vehicles and future transportation requirements – traffic simulation and modelling.

The Eclipse Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit corporation that acts as a steward of the Eclipse open source software development community.

Based on the cutting-edge Eclipse Simulation of Urban Mobility project that originated at the German Aerospace Center, the openMobility Working Group brings together researchers and industry to create a common simulation platform for urban areas in a shared collaboration, open source environment.

[Read more…] about Eclipse Foundation launches openMobility group to plan future of autonomous cars

Volkswagen to invest €1 billion in new battery cell production facility

by

Volkswagen is planning to move into the battery cell manufacturing market with an investment of €1 billion in a new production facility in Europe.

The automotive giant will set up the battery cell production facility in the Lower Saxony region of its native Germany.

The company is working with the local government to choose a suitable location for the factory complex, and is likely to partner with businesses from relevant sectors.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen to invest €1 billion in new battery cell production facility

Denmark conference highlights high-growth robotics companies

by

The biggest event for direct investment in Odense, home to the world-famous Danish robotics cluster, Odense Investor Summit 19, takes place June 26.

The event offers a unique opportunity to see the most promising and exciting technologies in the fields of robotics, drones and health tech plus access to fellow investors and investor networks.

With the prospect of an estimated 2-300 per cent growth by 2025, the Danish robotics cluster has a unique appeal to international investors.

[Read more…] about Denmark conference highlights high-growth robotics companies