Robotics & Automation News

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TXI lends weight to America’s ‘Titanium Economy’

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Q&A with Jason Hehman, Client Partner at TXI

Popularized by the bestselling book of the same name, written by three McKinsey analysts, “The Titanium Economy” refers to “a group of companies (that) could consistently outperform the market, create millions of high-quality American jobs and lead technological innovation while building a more sustainable future”.

Such companies already exist, say the authors. They are part of what they called “the Titanium Economy”, a cohort of industrial technology companies that are “redefining the future of US manufacturing”.

One company which could be described as being an integral part of the Titanium Economy is TXI, a digital product innovation firm composed of strategists, designers, and engineers. Below is a Q&A with one of those people. [Read more…] about TXI lends weight to America’s ‘Titanium Economy’

Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

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The warehousing and storage industry faces growing demand to deliver goods across the country as consumers purchase more goods online.

To address the productivity crunch and improve workers’ well-being, policymakers should establish measures to support robotic automation in logistics facilities, according to a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the leading think tank for science and technology policy.

Morgan Stevens, a research assistant at ITIF who wrote the report, says: “Firms need to adopt robotics to help workers accomplish more per hour and stay safe while doing so. [Read more…] about Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

Think Surgical’s miniature robotic system developed with Sagentia gains FDA clearance

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Think Surgical’s Tmini Miniature Robotic System has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Think Surgical chose R&D consultancy Sagentia Innovation, a market-leading advanced surgical robotics developer, to support key aspects of the Tmini system’s development.

The Tmini system includes a wireless robotic handpiece that assists surgeons in performing total knee replacement. Following a CT based three-dimensional surgical plan, the Tmini robotic handpiece automatically compensates for surgeon hand movement to locate bone pins along precisely defined planes. [Read more…] about Think Surgical’s miniature robotic system developed with Sagentia gains FDA clearance

Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport

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Aeroporti di Roma Ventures (ADR Ventures), which is the new Corporate Venture Capital arm of Aeroporti di Roma, has made an “initial venture investment” with Ottonomy, a startup providing contactless deliveries using fully autonomous robots.

After a successful proof of concept (PoC) established during the accelerator program in the Innovation Hub in Fiumicino airport, the autonomous delivery project became part of ADR’s long-term strategy aimed at maintaining the highest levels of service and enhancing passengers’ experience using cutting edge technology and innovation.

Emanuele Calà, president and CEO of ADR Ventures, says: “Our first investment is an additional step towards building the airport of the future, which will be more autonomous and passenger-centric. [Read more…] about Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport

Think Surgical’s miniature surgical robotic system developed with Sagentia gains FDA clearance

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Think Surgical says its TMINI Miniature Robotic System has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Think Surgical chose R&D consultancy Sagentia Innovation, a market-leading advanced surgical robotics developer, to support key aspects of the TMINI system’s development.

The TMINI system includes a wireless robotic handpiece that assists surgeons in performing total knee replacement. Following a CT based three-dimensional surgical plan, the TMINI robotic handpiece automatically compensates for surgeon hand movement to locate bone pins along precisely defined planes. [Read more…] about Think Surgical’s miniature surgical robotic system developed with Sagentia gains FDA clearance

Swedish city Helsingborg receives $258,000 grant to test robotic garbage collection

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By 2027, the city of Helsingborg aims to become one of the world’s best cities to live and work in. Recently, the city received a grant from Sweden’s Innovation Agency, Vinnova, to test autonomous robots in garbage collection.

Traditionally, garbage collection has involved loud trucks blocking the streets and interrupting early mornings. In collaboration with Robot Minds AB and the regional waste management company Nordvästra Skånes Renhållnings AB (NSR), the City of Helsingborg aims to implement a project where service robots collect the garbage instead.

In mid-June, it was decided that the project would receive funding of SEK 2.8 million from Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, through the strategic innovation program Drive Sweden. [Read more…] about Swedish city Helsingborg receives $258,000 grant to test robotic garbage collection

Shadow Robot launches robotics consulting and advisory services

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The Shadow Robot Company, the UK’s pioneering robotics company best-known for its Dextrous Hand series, has announced the launch of its Robotics Consultancy Service.

The Shadow Robot Company, a London-based robotics company that designs and manufactures state-of-the-art anthropomorphic robot hands and systems, is launching its robotics consultancy service to help companies innovate by integrating robotic hand technology into their products and processes.

The robotics consultancy service will provide companies with expert advice and guidance on how to design and use robotic hand technology to enhance their performance, efficiency and competitiveness. [Read more…] about Shadow Robot launches robotics consulting and advisory services

3M highlights major global trends in materials science and charts its own way ahead

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3M Forward is a program that highlights how materials science-based innovation at scale can help society progress amid three unstoppable forces shaping our planet: climate change and resource scarcity, shifting demographics and social change and convergence of the physical and digital worlds. As part of 3M Forward, 3M scientists, engineers and experts share how their solutions are helping to build a brighter future.

Mark Copman, 3M senior vice president, new growth ventures, says: “The global forces highlighted within 3M Forward are disruptive in nature, but we see them as catalysts for new advances in science and positive societal impact.

“Science has the potential to solve the toughest global challenges, and 3M’s diverse global portfolio and vast expertise make us optimally positioned to imagine what’s possible and build what’s next.”  [Read more…] about 3M highlights major global trends in materials science and charts its own way ahead

How have self-operating equipment and other innovations transformed the warehouse?

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In this Q&A interview, Kristi Montgomery, vice president innovation at Kenco Group, a leading third-party logistics provider, explains how automation has changed the supply chain

Question: How has self-operating equipment and other innovations transformed the warehouse?

Answer: It might be easier to ask how haven’t these innovations transformed the warehouse. Automation touches nearly every area of warehouse operations, from the moment the pen hits the blueprint.

For example, supply chain professionals lay warehouses out differently to account for automated lifts that collect and transport goods from racks, invest in automated carts to bring goods directly to pickers, and adopt technology that instructs pickers on exactly which items to pick and how many.

As consumer demand for quick and cheap shipping continues to grow, automation isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a have-to-have. [Read more…] about How have self-operating equipment and other innovations transformed the warehouse?

Mouser Electronics sponsors FIRST Robotics Competition

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Mouser Electronics has confirmed its continued sponsorship of the FIRST Robotics Competition, which inspires innovation and fosters well-rounded life capabilities in tens of thousands of young people every year.

During the 2022-23 FIRST Robotics Competition season, nearly 100,000 high-school students on more than 3,400 teams from across the world are learning, discovering, and solving engineering challenges through a series of robotics events.

Kevin Hess, Mouser’s senior vice president of marketing, says: “Since our founding, education has been a main facet of Mouser’s mission. [Read more…] about Mouser Electronics sponsors FIRST Robotics Competition