Market trends and business perspectives
Schaeffler says it will present at Hannover Messe 2022 an “eagerly anticipated innovative solution package” for collaborative robots and articulated robots.
The manufacturing industry requires lightweight robots that can operate with high dynamics and a high degree of precision.
Ralf Moseberg, head of business field industrial automation at Schaeffler, says the industry is looking for innovation. [Read more…] about Schaeffler to unveil ‘eagerly anticipated innovative solution’ for robots
Roam Robotics, an artificial intelligence and wearable robotics company, has launched its Ascend product, a “first-of-its-kind smart knee orthosis that helps wearers reduce knee pain and regain mobility”, according to the company.
Ascend’s technology is actively adapting, meaning it senses the body’s movement, automatically adjusts to the wearer’s needs, and provides precise support at the right moment for target muscle groups.
It is a registered Class I device with the FDA and will be available for purchase directly and through private and Medicare insurance, radically expanding public accessibility to wearable robotic devices. [Read more…] about Roam Robotics launches ‘smart knee’, a robotic partial exoskeleton
Comau Robotics has unveiled a new “lightweight, ruggedized” version of its exoskeleton.
The new Mate-XT wearable exoskeleton “fully accommodates the specific needs of workers in demanding industrial, non-industrial and open-air environments”, says Comau.
Featuring a slim, lightweight carbon fiber structure and an intuitive regulation system, the water, dust, UV-light and temperature resistant design can be quickly adjusted to fit virtually any body frame. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton
FLIR Systems has launched something called “FLIR Hadron”, which the company describes as the industry’s first dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers.
Designed to help reduce development costs and improve time-to-market, the lightweight, low power, and compact form factor includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the FLIR Boson 320×240 resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-hertz framerate.
Paul Clayton, general manager, components business at FLIR, says: “With the introduction of Hadron, FLIR Systems is leading the way in offering low-cost, dual sensor integration across a variety of industries from commercial drones to industrial imaging systems. [Read more…] about FLIR Systems launches new sensor for drones and robots
BMW has unveiled a new wheel design which it says is more aerodynamic and provides “all-round efficiency”.
The “Aerodynamic Wheel” will feature on the BMW iX3 as well the iNext and i4 models.
In tests, BMW found that the new aerodynamic wheel reduced drag for the iX3 by “about 5 per cent” compared with the conventionally powered BMW X3. [Read more…] about BMW unveils ‘novel aerodynamic wheels’ for the purely electric cars
Clearpath Robotics has unveiled its Dingo Indoor Research Robot, described as a “compact, lightweight and cost-effective indoor robotic platform” that is extensible and programmable, and designed to accelerate robotics research and education.
Julian Ware, general manager at Clearpath Robotics, says: “Dingo offers the reliability and flexibility our customers expect from a Clearpath robot, at an approachable price point.
“We have seen a gap in the market for a system with these capabilities and believe Dingo is a cost-effective, ROS-ready indoor platform suitable for benchtop and laboratory testing. The lower cost also makes the use of multi-robot systems more accessible than with other robots.” [Read more…] about Clearpath unveils new indoor research robot ‘Dingo’
Magna held two grand opening ceremonies last month in China, for new factories in Changsha and Shanghai.
The new plant in Changsha, a joint venture with GAC subsidiary GAC Component Co., Ltd. (GAC Component), began production of composite liftgates for a global automaker’s crossover vehicle in late 2018.
Last month, Magna’s plant in Shanghai started production on active aerodynamic grille shutters for an American brand producing multiple vehicle platforms for the China market.
[Read more…] about Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events
The employees at BMW Group’s Dingolfing Plant have a new, highly responsive assistant: an LBR iiwa lightweight robot from Kuka, which they say takes over “monotonous and physically demanding tasks”.
Previously, BMW employees had to lift a differential case which weighed up to 5.5 kg, and had to manoeuvre it with millimeter-precision, in the assembly of the front axle.
Now the robot is taking over this “ergonomically demanding work”. [Read more…] about Collaborative robotic system makes ‘monotonous and physically demanding tasks’ at BMW easier
Collaborative robots, smart glasses, exoskeletons and innovative work gloves are among the tech being integrated at plants across the group’s worldwide operations
German automaker BMW has been providing a glimpse into the advanced manufacturing technologies at several of its factories – in Germany and the US.
The company says it has been harnessing the potential of innovative automation and flexible assistance systems in production.
In doing so, BMW says it has modernized the work environment and increased the efficiency of its workforce. [Read more…] about BMW shows off its smart factory technologies at its plants worldwide
Kuka’s new, lightweight collaborative robot has gone into series production, says the company.
The Kuka LBR Med – short for medical – is designed to be operated in the “immediate vicinity” of the human operator.
The robot maker sees the new cobot as having applications in the health sector, as “an assistant for tasks rehabilitation or in the operating room”. [Read more…] about Kuka’s new lightweight collaborative robot for medical applications goes into series production
