Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

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Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

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Peer Robotics, a new mobile robotics solution for manufacturing, has raised $2.3 million in seed funding led by Kalaari Capital, with participation from existing investors Axilor Ventures, Connecticut Innovations and Innopact VC.

Rishabh Agarwal, co-founder, and CEO of Peer Robotics, says: “Small and medium-size companies are struggling with the labor shortage today, not to mention high turn-over.

“Also, many operations are still manual with employees operating at a high risk of injuries and fatigue. Solutions to date have been too expensive and complex. [Read more…] about Peer Robotics raises $2.3 million in seed funding round

MicroVision’s lidar solution now supported on Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle platform

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MicroVision, a maker of MEMS-based solid-state automotive lidar and advanced driver-assistance systems, says its Mavin DR dynamic view lidar system is now supported on the Nvidia Drive AGX platform.

Mavin DR, MicroVision’s lidar sensor featuring a dynamic field of view, delivers high resolution at all ranges and with low latency, enabling new ADAS safety features to achieve true highway-pilot functionality that OEMs demand.

Nvidia Drive AGX is a scalable, open, centralized software-defined compute platform that serves as the AI brain for highly automated and fully self-driving vehicles. [Read more…] about MicroVision’s lidar solution now supported on Nvidia’s autonomous vehicle platform

Blaize partners with Accton to bring edge AI computing to robotic inspection

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Computing specialist Blaize has agreed a strategic partnership with Accton, a premier provider of networking and communications solutions, to bring edge AI computing to the AI inspection market.

The Accton Smart Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) solution will utilize the Blaize Pathfinder P1600 Embedded System on Module (SoM) to add visual AI production line inspection for assembly, manufacturing, packaging, and appearance activities.

Colby Chou, IoT business unit head of Accton, says: “We are pleased to partner with Blaize to provide our customers with a cost-effective AI inspection service. Our solution helps our customer reduces up to 85 percent of the operators’ workload and significantly improves product quality. [Read more…] about Blaize partners with Accton to bring edge AI computing to robotic inspection

Acieta unveils new collaborative robotic system for welding

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Acieta has unveiled a new collaborative robotic system for welding. The company says the new “FastARC” cobot can pay back customers’ investment “in as little as six months”.

Acieta says that “everyone is struggling to hire and retain good laborers, especially those with welding skills”. But when the position is unfilled, a welding system sits idle and doesn’t make a profit.

Companies simply cannot afford to wait for the next skilled welder to walk through the door. The labor pool is dwindling and there’s fierce competition to attract those individuals. [Read more…] about Acieta unveils new collaborative robotic system for welding

4 Ways Businesses Can Improve Accessibility

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These days, almost everyone relies on the World Wide Web for information, goods, and services. For this reason, businesses across all industries build online domains that draw in prospective customers quickly.

In other words, websites enable companies to create exposure for their brands and attract a more incredible following, increasing sales and revenue.

But despite the benefits of the Internet on both entrepreneurial ventures and consumers alike, many Web pages remain inaccessible to people who have disabilities. [Read more…] about 4 Ways Businesses Can Improve Accessibility

IDS unveils new camera models for special requirements in factory automation

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IDS Imaging Development Systems has unveiled new industrial camera models for special requirements in factory automation. The uEye FA camera series integrates new sensors – the 12 and 20 MP Sony Starvis and 5 MP polarisation sensor.

uEye FA industrial cameras are particularly robust and therefore ideally suited for demanding environmental conditions, for example in factory automation. Starting in August, IDS will offer three new sensors in the family.

The 12 MP (IMX226) and 20.44 MP (IMX183) Sony sensors are true high-performers with high resolution and low noise. For special requirements, the company will also integrate the 5 MP polarisation sensor IMX250MZR. [Read more…] about IDS unveils new camera models for special requirements in factory automation

Lattice Semiconductor launches chips specially designed for industrial automation

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Lattice Semiconductor has extended its portfolio of comprehensive low power FPGA-based solution stacks with the introduction of Lattice Automate.

The stack includes software tools, industrial IP cores, modular hardware development boards, and software-programmable reference designs and demos that simplify and accelerate implementation of applications like robotics, scalable multi-channel motor control with predictive maintenance, and real-time industrial networking.

Intelligent industrial systems made possible by Automate will play a vital role in automating future smart factories, warehouses, and commercial buildings. [Read more…] about Lattice Semiconductor launches chips specially designed for industrial automation

Kuka unveils new version of Cybertech nano industrial robot

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Kuka has unveiled the new generation of its KR Cybertech nano series of industrial robot. (See video below.)

Kuka says the robot is specialised for continuous-path applications such as arc welding, adhesive bonding or sealant application, and calls it the KR Cybertech nano Arc family.

The company adds that, in the low payload category, the robots deliver maximum performance at minimal costs. [Read more…] about Kuka unveils new version of Cybertech nano industrial robot