Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

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ABB has launched the new version of its robotic picking software Pickmaster, which now feature “digital twin technology” to reduce commissioning times. 

The product was introduced today at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. It will be on display next week at Pack Expo in Las Vegas at the ABB Robotics booth C-2051.

The company says the system is now capable of achieving picking times that are “15 percent faster”, enabling it to increases output and total line efficiency by 40 percent.

ABB Robotics says PickMaster is the market-leading robotic software for vision-guided random flow picking and packing applications for the digital factory of the future. [Read more…] about ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

Cornell scientists develop new material to give robots more sensitive touch

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A new synthetic material created by a scientist at Cornell University is said to give robots a “softer touch”.

Developed by PhD student Patricia Xu, at Cornell’s Organic Robotics Lab, the “sensory network” – also dubbed “optical lace” – is said to be similar to the human biological nervous system.

The lab’s paper, Optical Lace for Synthetic Afferent Neural Networks, was published in Science Robotics. [Read more…] about Cornell scientists develop new material to give robots more sensitive touch

US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

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Manufacturing output in the US has reached an “all-time high”, signaling the industry’s strength, according to the National Association of Manufacturers.

For the past two years, manufacturers have been setting new records when it comes to manufacturing output, and through the first quarter of 2019, the industry has continued to reach new heights.

Four out of five manufacturers remain positive about their company’s outlook, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ latest Outlook Survey, and new Bureau of Economic Analysis data find that manufacturers’ level of output hit an all-time high once again. [Read more…] about US manufacturing output reaches ‘all-time high’

NEDO, Sharp, and Toyota to begin public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries

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NEDO, Sharp Corporation, and Toyota Motor plan to commence public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries later this month.

The trials aim to assess the effectiveness of improvements in cruising range and fuel efficiency of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries.

To facilitate the execution of this trial, Sharp modularized its world-class, high-efficiency solar battery cells (conversion efficiency of 34 percent+), previously developed for a NEDO-led project, to create an onboard solar battery panel. [Read more…] about NEDO, Sharp, and Toyota to begin public road trials of electrified vehicles equipped with high-efficiency solar batteries

ABB to supply high power charging for new era of e-mobility in Scandinavia

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ABB is to equip new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Denmark, Norway and Swede, starting with a first station now open in Fredericia, Denmark.

The station, a joint venture with E.ON Drive & Clever, and is part of ABB’s plan to roll out 48 high-power charging stations across the motorways of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The pilot station, which will be one of eight stations to launch in Denmark by the end of 2020, features ABB Ability-enabled high-power chargers, which are capable of adding up to 200 km of range in just eight minutes.

[Read more…] about ABB to supply high power charging for new era of e-mobility in Scandinavia

Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

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Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.’s electric vehicle (EV) inverter has been adopted by Audi for its first mass production EV, the e-tron, which went on sale in Europe in March this year.

With tightened environmental regulations around the world, many countries are driving for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

This has led to the demand for more efficient and higher-output electric motors, inverters, and other electric powertrain systems that will contribute to high performance EVs.

[Read more…] about Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

Komatsu develops electric mini excavator

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Komatsu Ltd has unveiled its electric mini excavator, based on its accumulated technological expertise of hybrid construction equipment and electric forklift trucks.

Equipped with an in-house developed new charger, high-voltage converter and other devices, it offers excavation performance on a par with the internal combustion model of the same power output, while achieving zero exhaust gas emissions and a dynamic reduction in noise levels.

Komatsu expects a wider range of applications for this machine, including construction work near hospitals or schools or in residential areas, where contractors pay special attention to exhaust gas and noise during work, as well as inside tunnels or buildings.

[Read more…] about Komatsu develops electric mini excavator