Robotics & Automation News

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Astrodyne TDI opens ‘cutting-edge manufacturing facility’ in Malaysia

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Astrodyne TDI, a manufacturer of power electronics, power distribution units, and EMI filters, has opened its new “state-of-the-art manufacturing facility” in Penang, Malaysia.

This development marks a “significant milestone in our company’s growth and commitment to serving our customers with leading-edge manufacturing capabilities”, it says.

ATDI says the new factory boasts 32,000 square feet of initial production space with a committed expansion to 75,000 square feet in 2024. [Read more…] about Astrodyne TDI opens ‘cutting-edge manufacturing facility’ in Malaysia

Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

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Otto Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers, has signed a strategic agreement with Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile robotics and maker of highly innovative machines, to continue automating its logistics operations.

The plan is to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots in more than 10 and Stretch robots in more than 20 of the group’s facilities over the next two years, beginning with Hermes Fulfilment.

The deployment supports Otto Group’s efforts to improve safety, increase operational efficiency and address labor shortages for specific types of warehouse work and the agreement marks the first time both of Boston Dynamics’ commercially available robots will be deployed together at enterprise scale. [Read more…] about Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

Revolutionizing Manufacturing: How Robotics and Automation Are Reshaping Industry Processes

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In today’s world, armed with and desiring constant industrial growth, rapid technological advancements are key factors driving innovation and progress. Robotics and automation, in particular, are reshaping industries.

While leveraging technology to do jobs previously performed by humans keeps sparking debates, it has brought about a marked increase in efficiency and precision that human hands cannot manage.

Naturally, the ramifications of these advancements include a significant contribution to an increased competitive landscape as company production costs have lowered. Whether small or large-scale, to survive in this market, businesses have to invest in the latest technological developments, specifically on the robotics side. [Read more…] about Revolutionizing Manufacturing: How Robotics and Automation Are Reshaping Industry Processes

Outokumpu becomes ‘first’ in steel industry to use robotics in safety management

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Outokumpu, a giant specialist producer of stainless steel, will start to utilize artificial intelligence and safety inspection robots to improve and digitize the company’s facilities’ health and safety monitoring.

Outokumpu recently signed a deal with a Swiss robotics company ANYbotics on autonomous robotics solutions and, in June 2023, the first ANYmal robot arrived to Outokumpu’s site in Krefeld, Germany.

Outokumpu claims this makes the company the “first in the steel industry to use robotics in safety management – supporting the vision of achieving the lowest accident frequency rate in the industry by 2025”. [Read more…] about Outokumpu becomes ‘first’ in steel industry to use robotics in safety management

Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has been awarded a contract with Petrobras, one of the world’s largest energy companies, to deploy Aquanaut, the company’s autonomous subsea robot, to support Petrobras’ offshore activities.

Petrobras has ramped up efforts recently in robotics and artificial intelligence and is pioneering their application to the offshore sectors.

Toward that end, this relevant contract was competitively awarded to Nauticus and will utilize Aquanaut in Petrobras’ Deepwater Production Field using supervised autonomy for infield inspection services. [Read more…] about Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil

XTEND acquires drone inspection specialist Performance Rotors

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XTEND, the developer of XOS, a human-guided autonomous operating system, or human-machine interaction system, has acquired Performance Rotors, a Singapore-based drone inspection specialist.

XTEND says the move will boost its ability to offer human-guided, remote interactive operations in a range of inspection scenarios, and grow its global business. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Aviv Shapira, co-founder, and CEO at XTEND, says: “Our acquisition of Performance Rotors marks the latest step in furthering XTEND’s vision of making remote interactive operations accessible to everyone, in a range of scenarios, including inspection, public safety and security. [Read more…] about XTEND acquires drone inspection specialist Performance Rotors

ANYbotics raises $50 million in Series B investment

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ANYbotics, a Swiss robotics startup specialising in four-legged mobile robots, have raised $50 million in Series B investment.

The funding round was led by international deep tech investors Walden Catalyst and NGP Capital with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, Aramco Ventures, Swisscom Ventures, Swisscanto Private Equity, and other existing investors.

The funds will be used to scale deployments internationally, fuel the development of new capabilities, and solidify ANYbotics’ leading competitive position in robotic inspection solutions. [Read more…] about ANYbotics raises $50 million in Series B investment

Demand for robot vision system is anticipated to reach $7 billion by 2033

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The global robot vision system market is likely to be worth $2,690.4 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.4 percent during the forecast years of 2023-2033.

In order to improve job efficiency and replace human labour, the market for robots is rising and is anticipated to rise more during the coming year.

The market is expanding as a result of increased adoption of machine vision systems and the use of cognitive humanoid robots in end use industries such as automotive industry and others. [Read more…] about Demand for robot vision system is anticipated to reach $7 billion by 2033

Fugro’s marine robot completes ‘world’s first’ fully remote offshore wind ROV inspection

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What is being described as “the world’s first” fully remote inspection of offshore wind farm assets has been successfully carried out by Fugro, using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) with Blue Volta, an electrical remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The inspection at the Aberdeen offshore wind farm in the North Sea (also known as the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre) was jointly funded by Vattenfall and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

This partnership gives innovators in the offshore wind supply chain the opportunity to test and prove technologies in real-world conditions to support innovation in operations and maintenance. [Read more…] about Fugro’s marine robot completes ‘world’s first’ fully remote offshore wind ROV inspection

California Energy Commission awards Liminal $2.75 million grant

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The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a $2.75 million grant for Liminal, a battery manufacturing intelligence company, to advance the assembly of its EchoStat platform from manual to mostly-automated factory-ready equipment.

EchoStat is an EV battery cell inspection system that uses ultrasound inspection and machine learning analytics to provide manufacturers with previously unavailable insights into battery quality, reliability and performance.

Andrew Hsieh, CEO of Liminal, says: “To power the global EV transition, battery production needs to expand by 20 percent annually, but challenges with battery reliability have created setbacks for automakers and battery companies. [Read more…] about California Energy Commission awards Liminal $2.75 million grant