Robotics & Automation News

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Cobots and no code: Robotics for everyone

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Almost three months before the start of automatica, which takes place from June 21 to 24 at the Munich Exhibition Center, one thing is certain: never before has there been such a wide range of collaborative robots as this year. And they are easier to use than ever.

The latter also applies to industrial robots. Here, no-code robotics allows an almost playful handling of robots.

These and many other developments pursue one goal: the democratization of robotics. In the future, anyone should be able to operate robots without special knowledge. With cobots, this is already possible thanks to simple programming options. [Read more…] about Cobots and no code: Robotics for everyone

Automatica event right back on track, say organisers

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Organisers of Automatica, one of the world’s largest industrial robotics and automation trade shows, say the event is “right back on track” after a terrible pandemic which virtually destroyed the entire events sector.

In a press release, Automatica organisers say: “The indicators for automatica 2022, which will be held at the Munich exhibition grounds from June 21 to 24, are very positive. All industry leaders have already applied half a year before the event.”

Companies such as ABB, Denso, Doosan Robotics, Epson, Fanuc, Hanwha, igus, Kawasaki, Kuka, Omron, Stäubli, Universal Robots, Yamaha, and Yaskawa will represent the robotics sector. [Read more…] about Automatica event right back on track, say organisers

aiMotive opens Munich office

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aiMotive, a supplier of automated driving technologies, has opened a new office in Munich, Germany.

Beyond supporting business operations, the new office will include a workshop to enable testing and data collection in Germany.

László Kishonti, founder and CEO of aiMotive, says: “Munich is an important center of the European automotive industry and a transportation hub in the middle of the continent. A perfect location for our second European office.” [Read more…] about aiMotive opens Munich office

Apple to invest over €1 billion in Germany and plans European Silicon Design Center in Munich

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Apple is adding a new facility in Munich to develop 5G and future wireless technologies

Apple says it will make Munich its European Silicon Design Center, adding hundreds of new employees and a new “state-of-the-art facility” to develop connectivity and wireless technologies.

Munich is already Apple’s largest engineering hub in Europe, with close to 1,500 engineers from 40 countries working in a variety of areas including power management design, application processors, and wireless technologies.

Their work is contributing to Apple’s custom silicon designs with industry-leading performance, powerful features, and incredible efficiency. [Read more…] about Apple to invest over €1 billion in Germany and plans European Silicon Design Center in Munich

Kuka unveils robotics for modern treatment of tumors

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A Munich therapy center uses a medical product with an integrated Kuka robot as a high-precision instrument in tumor treatment.

The CyberKnife system of Accuray, a kind of virtual knife, is an alternative to conventional radiotherapy.

Thanks to high-precision robot- and image-guided irradiation, the CyberKnife Center in Munich is able to treat tumors anywhere in the body – from the brain to the spinal column to various organs, such as the lungs, liver, kidneys or prostate. [Read more…] about Kuka unveils robotics for modern treatment of tumors

BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

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BMW says it uses an “ongoing algorithm-based analysis” of dust content in vehicle paint booths and compares them to a database to predict the quality of coating it applies to cars

Artificial intelligence can bring even greater precision to controlling highly sensitive systems in automotive production, as a pilot project in the paint shop of the BMW’s Munich plant has demonstrated.

Despite state-of-the-art filtration technology, the content of finest dust particles in paint lines varies depending on the ambient air drawn in. If the dust content exceeded the threshold, the still wet paint could trap particles, thus visually impairing the painted surface.

AI specialists from what BMW calls its “central planning” and the Munich plant have now found a way to avoid this situation altogether: every freshly painted car body must undergo an automatic surface inspection in the paint shop. [Read more…] about BMW applies AI dust particle analysis to ‘increase paint shop quality’

Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

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Global advisory and asset management specialist, Gordon Brothers, is conducting the “unprecedented sale” of an ex-BMW Munich Engine Assembly and Test facility.

The sale features state-of-the-art equipment supplied from world renowned German automotive original equipment manufacturers GROB, KUKA, and J W Froehlich, supported by the latest Siemen’s and Thyssen Krupp hardware, software and operating systems.

The sale also encompasses all necessary equipment to assemble and test full dressed engines. To ensure throughput at the desired rate of assembly the facility includes 15 off KUKA and J W Froehlich Test units covering engine Cold test, Leak test and Helium test. [Read more…] about Former BMW Munich engine assembly and test facility for sale

BMW building ‘world’s most advanced’ driving simulation facility in Munich

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German auto giant BMW says it is building “the world’s most advanced” driving simulation centre in Munich.

The company says the facility is “the most advanced of its kind” and provides “unique possibilities for development of autonomous driving systems”.

The construction of the centre begins as part of BMW’s so-called “FIZ Future” masterplan, and completion is scheduled for 2020.  [Read more…] about BMW building ‘world’s most advanced’ driving simulation facility in Munich

BMW to start research with IBM Watson artificial intelligence system

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Auto giant to locate research team at IBM’s Munich Watson IoT HQ, as computing colossus explores conversational interfaces in BMW i8 hybrid sports cars

IBM has entered into a new collaboration with the BMW Group, through which the companies will work together to explore the role of Watson cognitive computing in personalizing the driving experience and creating more intuitive driver support systems for cars of the future.

As part of the agreement, the BMW Group will collocate a team of researchers at IBM’s global headquarters for Watson Internet of Things (IoT) in Munich, Germany and the companies will work together explore how to improve intelligent assistant functions for drivers.

IBM recently pledged to invest $200 million to make its new Munich center one of the world’s most advanced facilities for collaborative innovation as part of a global investment of $3 billion to bring Watson cognitive computing to the Internet of Things.  [Read more…] about BMW to start research with IBM Watson artificial intelligence system

Stäubli to showcase new robots at Automatica

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A range of Stäubli robots
A range of Stäubli robots

Stäubli is to launch a new range of products at the Automatica event, which takes place in Munich, Germany towards the end of June.

In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News, Paul Deady, Stäubli’s US automotive segment manager, says the new products are the company’s response to the growing interest in collaborative robots.

Deady says: “At the Automatica show, we will be commercially launching our CS9 robot controller and TX2 robot models.

“They’re our answer to the collaborative robots phase, and they comply with industry standards on safety and performance. They’re also compatible with the internet of things.”  [Read more…] about Stäubli to showcase new robots at Automatica