Robotics & Automation News

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Fanuc demonstrates cobots at Amazon’s re:MARS Conference

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Fanuc America, supplier of robotics, CNCs and Robomachines, has expanded its line of collaborative robots to include six models, on display at  re:MARS Tech Showcase 4-7 June 4-7 in Las Vegas.

The series of power and force limiting collaborative robots can handle 4-35 kg payloads and a 550-1813 mm reach.

The cobots are equipped with Fanuc’s iHMI touch screen user interface. The Hand Guidance feature allows operators to teach a collaborative robot by leading it through paths, and/or use it to lift heavy objects manually.

[Read more…] about Fanuc demonstrates cobots at Amazon’s re:MARS Conference

Volvo signs multi-billion dollar battery supply deals with CATL and LG Chem

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Volvo Car Group has signed long-term agreements with leading battery makers CATL and LG Chem to ensure the multi-billion dollar supply of lithium ion batteries over the coming decade for next generation Volvo and Polestar models.

The automaker’s target is to switch to electric across all its cars by 2025.

The agreements cover the global supply of battery modules for all models on the upcoming SPA2 and Volvo’s existing “Compact Modular Architecture” vehicle platforms and represent “a major step towards realising Volvo Cars’ ambitious electrification strategy”, says the company.

[Read more…] about Volvo signs multi-billion dollar battery supply deals with CATL and LG Chem

Toyota premieres own-brand battery electric vehicles

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Toyota unveiled its C-HR and IZOA battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the opening day of Auto Shanghai 2019.

The C-HR and IZOA will be the first BEVs to launch in China under the Toyota brand. Sales of the new models are expected to start from 2020.

Toyota also displayed other electrified vehicles, such as hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variants for the RAV4 and the Alphard/Vellfire in China, as well as the Corolla and Levin plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) series, launched in March 2019.

[Read more…] about Toyota premieres own-brand battery electric vehicles

Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

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iphones

Foxconn is to produce 95 per cent of the new Apple iPhone, the eighth incarnation of the device, according to a report on PatentlyApple.com. 

It’s not clear from the story whether any of the production will take place in the US, although that’s unlikely given that Foxconn hasn’t even chosen where in the US to expand its manufacturing operations.

The Taiwanese manufacturer has been considering its options, and Michigan is said to be one of the locations being scouted.  [Read more…] about Foxconn to manufacture ‘95 per cent’ of new Apple iPhone 8

New report highlights 5G opportunities for operators

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ADL 5G_Rollout_models

New business models are emerging as enterprises and solution providers get ready for the next generation of mobile networks, according to a new report. 

In its latest report, 5G Deployment Models Are Crystallizing, Arthur D. Little examines the opportunities that exist for telecom operators to facilitate new business ecosystems enabled by the next generation of mobile networks.

Promising huge increases in speed and bandwidth, 5G has the potential to deliver a vast array of realistic, interactive experiences to consumers, for example, in the areas of immersive games and sports viewing, autonomous driving and augmented reality infotainment, with use cases currently being built.  [Read more…] about New report highlights 5G opportunities for operators

Stäubli launches new collaborative industrial robot

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staubli tx cobot TX2-60

Stäubli has unveiled a new collaborative robot which it says represents the company’s “next generation of fast and precise 6-axis robots”. 

Stäubli is releasing two models of the TX2 – the TX2-60 and the TX2-60L. The specifications are listed below.

staubli teach pendant

Gerald Vogt, Stäubli Robotics general manager, Germany, says: “The new machines are lighter in weight and therefore more dynamic and more energy efficient.

“Safety was a main criterion for the development team.

“In this regard, it has been possible to integrate pioneering safety features that present new scope for human-machine co-operation.

“The TX2 generation is opening up new areas in which man and machine will be able to work hand in hand in the future.”

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DataRobot surpass 110 million predictive models

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datarobot

DataRobot customers have surpassed 110 million predictive models using enterprise machine learning platform

Machine learning and data science startup, DataRobot, says its customers have developed more than 110 million models using the SaaS version of the DataRobot automated machine learning platform.

The company says it serves as validation of the company’s mission to “bring automated machine learning to every corner of the enterprise” and made the announcement at the Strata + Hadoop World session, Data Science for Executives, delivered by DataRobot CEO and co-founder, Jeremy Achin.

Enterprises across every industry are embracing machine learning to remain competitive in today’s data-driven world. By allowing more professionals across an organization to use advanced algorithms to derive insights from data, machine learning is helping to alleviate issues caused by a critical shortage of data scientists. [Read more…] about DataRobot surpass 110 million predictive models

Omron to showcase 16,000 factory automation products

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omron

One of the world’s leading robotics and automation systems manufacturers, Omron, says it will introduce a total of 15,583 models in seven categories in its second wave of factory automation control devices built on a common design platform for unified product specifications.

Omron says it has been continuing to work for the innovation of making control panels which house and control factory automation devices on the production front line.

The company unified the design and size of factory automation devices, and introduced products in April 2016 which are built with the company’s proprietary wiring technology “Push-In Plus Terminal Block” for device and control panel makers in need of “downsizing and space-saving” of factory automation devices and control panels, “expedited delivery”, and “response to globalization”.  [Read more…] about Omron to showcase 16,000 factory automation products

Epson expands LS series SCARA industrial robot lineup

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New Epson robot models

Epson says its “robust” SCARA lineup now offers “even more robots for more applications” 

Epson Robots, the global leader in SCARA Robots, expands their SCARA robot lineup with the introduction of 3 new robots – the LS20, LS6-500 and LS6-700. 

Built to carry heavy objects at high speeds, the LS20 offers a maximum payload of 20 kg and arm lengths in 800mm and 1000mm. Both arm lengths feature a 420mm Z-Axis length.

Notable features include high speed cycle times, superior accel/decel rates with smooth start/stop motion and reduced vibration due to Epson’s proprietary QMEMS vibration sensing technology.

Epson says the LS20 is “extremely useful in industries ranging from automotive and appliance to industrial”.  [Read more…] about Epson expands LS series SCARA industrial robot lineup

Comau launches new robots at Automatica

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comau robotics

The maker of the world’s most beautifully-coloured industrial robots has launched several new machines and components. 

Comau, which is owned by the Fiat Group which also owns the Ferrari marque, unveiled its latest technology at the Automatica show in Munich, Germany.  [Read more…] about Comau launches new robots at Automatica