Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

percent

Microtechnology exhibition EPHJ successfully holds 19th edition

by

Switzerland’s largest international trade show dedicated to high-precision technologies, EPHJ – which showcases microtechnology innovations in sectors such as watchmaking and medicine – has successfully held its 19th edition.

The organisers say this year’s event has shown “positive results”.

They add that, in a delicate event context in a period of health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the satisfaction and attendance indicators at the end of the EPHJ trade show are “encouraging”. [Read more…] about Microtechnology exhibition EPHJ successfully holds 19th edition

ABB Robotics offers South Africa’s food and beverage industry ‘a taste of the future’

by

By Linda Eales, robotics division manager at ABB South Africa

The future has never looked more unpredictable for South Africa’s food and beverage (F&B) sector, as it battles a perfect storm of pressure brought on by Covid-19, changing consumer and retail consumption patterns, disrupted supply chains and ongoing scrutiny around food safety.

The food and beverage sector has been battered by a couple of high-profile food safety scares in recent years, and is scrambling to keep up with mega-trends like digitalisation and shifting consumption patterns. The good news is that this could be the perfect opportunity for the local F&B industry to reposition itself for the present and future.

F&B manufacturers increasingly need more flexibility on their production lines to enable them to adapt to changing consumer tastes and demands. At the same time, they require higher levels of productivity and efficiency, while maintaining the highest levels of product quality. In many cases, the answer to these challenges is to install a robotics solution, which makes F&B operations safer and more productive. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics offers South Africa’s food and beverage industry ‘a taste of the future’

Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

by

Vecna Robotics, a developer of pallet-handling autonomous mobile robots and workflow orchestration, announced at Pack Expo its latest innovation designed to deliver the best AMR performance in the industry.

The new Mark 3 software release helps warehouse, distribution and manufacturing organizations double fleet performance to improve efficiency and throughput, while continuing to exceed industry safety standards.

According to a recent Peerless Research Group industry report, 24 percent of organizations plan to implement AGV or AMR technology within the next year. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

by

Baidu has launched testing of its Apollo Go in Shanghai, marking the fifth city where passengers have the ability to trial the robotaxi mobile platform. Baidu is the only company to offer this service in the three first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The Shanghai operation will include 150 stations opened in phases throughout the city to provide users convenient access to residential areas, commercial areas, offices and public transportation. Passengers can use the service from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm every day of the week.

This launch comes on the heels of another milestone for Baidu Apollo – the expansion of Apollo Go to Tongzhou District in Beijing, where the service will enable residents and visitors of the suburb to experience travel in an autonomous vehicle. [Read more…] about Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

by

Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotics and automation systems for supply chain processes, has launched its AI-powered Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (RSPW) solution for e-commerce order fulfillment.

The RSPW is an automated put wall that increases capacity and throughput with robotic automation, which the company says is “more important than ever”, given today’s heightened customer expectations for fast and efficient fulfillment and the parallel industry pressure of labor scarcity.

Kevin Prouty, analyst at IDC, says: “Businesses will continue to see e-commerce orders rise as global e-commerce sales expect to approach $5 trillion by the end of 2021. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

by

ABB is expanding its range of SCARA robots with the launch of the IRB 920T.

The company says the machine is designed to meet the requirements of the electronics industry for high-speed production in increasingly complex manufacturing processes.

The IRB 920T provides “the highest levels of speed, accuracy and repeatability for assembly, picking and handling tasks”, says ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America

by

Flow Robotics, a Denmark-based designer and producer of robots for automated liquid handling and the creator of the flowbot One, has established its North American subsidiary, with operations in Princeton, New Jersey. 

The company’s first product, the flowbot One, is designed to transform how liquid handling responsibilities are performed in the laboratory by automating manual pipetting tasks.

The robot will be showcased for the first time in the US at the SLAS 2021 Americas Sample Management Hybrid Symposium September 9-10 in La Jolla, California. [Read more…] about Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America

Monogram Orthopedics attracts 5,000 investors on way to raising $30 million

by

Monogram Orthopedics, the startup advancing the future of joint replacement surgery, has attracted 5,000 Series B investors – and almost $1 million – on crowdfunding platform StartEngine.

Aiming to personalize the $19.6 billion joint replacement market through artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing, Monogram Orthopedics is targeting a $34 million raise to scale and bring their technology to market.

The company expects to kick off its unmatched personalized approach with its first Total Knee Arthroplasty implant FDA submission planned for later this year. [Read more…] about Monogram Orthopedics attracts 5,000 investors on way to raising $30 million

Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

by

Sarcos Robotics, a developer of exoskeletons and other robotic systems, has signed up Pine Environmental Services as an official distributor.

Pine Environmental is a professional services company providing equipment for environmental monitoring, nondestructive testing, visual inspection, and continuous emissions monitoring.

The agreement will see Pine Environmental become an official distributor of the award-winning Guardian S remote visual inspection and surveillance robot. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

Revenues from robotics in warehouses to exceed $51 billion by 2030

by

The warehousing industry has ramped up its automation efforts considering the increased order volume and labor shortages fueled by the pandemic.

In addition to technology solutions such as augmented reality powered smart glasses and handheld devices with enhanced capabilities, autonomous, collaborative, and mobile robots are proving to be the most popular and fastest-growing productivity-enhancing solution in the warehouse workspace.

According to ABI Research, a global tech market advisory firm, worldwide commercial robot revenue in warehouses will have a compounded annual growth rate of over 23 percent from 2021 to 2030 and exceed $51 billion by 2030. [Read more…] about Revenues from robotics in warehouses to exceed $51 billion by 2030