Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

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Special Report by Robotics and Automation News in association with SICK

It’s been almost 50 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in the United States after much pressure from labour unions seeking more protection for workers.

In the half-century since OSHA’s creation, it is estimated that many thousands of workers’ lives have been saved and countless more have been kept out of harm’s way.

Today, OSHA, an agency of the Department of Labour, is more important than ever as people start returning to work after months of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused almost 350,000 deaths worldwide to date, and infected 5.5 million more. [Read more…] about 5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

Facilities management leaders call for strategic partnerships to drive robotics and innovation

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With cleaning robots increasing in number and being installed in many types of buildings, a study about the future of facilities management has been published.

In the survey, it was found that the vast majority of facilities management leaders across the EMEA region believe that technology suppliers should offer performance-based contracts in order to improve the success rate of innovation projects within facility management and commercial cleaning.

New research from SoftBank Robotics EMEA, reveals that 89 percent of supply side and 78 percent of demand side facilities management leaders think that performance-based contracts are positive for the cleaning industry. [Read more…] about Facilities management leaders call for strategic partnerships to drive robotics and innovation

Inspection and Diagnostic Robots: What they Mean for Society

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Seventy percent of robots in the United States are employed in just four industries: auto-making, electronics, plastic and chemicals, and metals manufacturing.

Inspection and diagnosing play an important part in all these industries, so a variety of robots have been programmed to inspect equipment and diagnose problems as they arise.

Of course, inspection and diagnosis are not limited to manufacturing; they are the safeguards of society. AI diagnostics and autonomous inspection are helping us in more ways than we can imagine. [Read more…] about Inspection and Diagnostic Robots: What they Mean for Society

SICK continues to grow despite ‘challenging market’

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Sensors giant SICK says its business has continued to grow despite a “challenging market environment”.

Group sales by the sensor producer increased by 7 percent to €1,750.7 million during the 2019 fiscal year (2018: €1,636.8 million).

Growth was considerably higher than the average for the sensor industry, estimated as having shrunk by 1 percent for 2019 by the AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement. [Read more…] about SICK continues to grow despite ‘challenging market’

Global market for autonomous last-mile delivery solutions set to grow to $76 billion

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Last-mile delivery always tends to present a challenge for business ventures across all types of industries.

And, with autonomous solutions being more and more popular these days, industry players have started opting for driverless delivery vehicles, according to a report – Autonomous Last Mile Delivery Market – by Allied Market Research.

Replenishing gaps in the supply chain, these self-directed vehicles are now being perfectly utilized to hand over products to dealers, merchants, retailers, and even common people. [Read more…] about Global market for autonomous last-mile delivery solutions set to grow to $76 billion

Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

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Since 1965, when the first exoskeleton was produced for military use, exoskeletons have been increasingly popular in the manufacturing world, supporting workers and improving the quality of their working hours. (See video below.)

In 2018 more than 7,000 units were sold in manufacturing, according to ABI Research data.

However, the potential market need would be 60,000 units for all types of exoskeleton, with an estimated growth rate of more than 50 percent from 2019 to 2024. [Read more…] about Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

5 Examples How to Improve the Usability of an E-Commerce Store

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Beautiful design of the online store does not guarantee its high conversion rates. Your visitors may like beautiful pictures. But they came to buy something.

And if the process of selecting, comparing and ordering products will be inconvenient, none of designer tricks will hold them.

Moreover, visitors make up their opinion instantly. According to Microsoft research, on average, it takes 10.5 seconds. [Read more…] about 5 Examples How to Improve the Usability of an E-Commerce Store

South Korea reaches new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation

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South Korea has doubled the number of industrial robots over the past five years to reach a new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation.

This is according to figures in the World Robotics report, released by the International Federation of Robotics.

The data shows a new record stock of about 300,000 operational industrial robots in the Republic of Korea – more commonly known as South Korea – in 2018, which is an increase of about 10 percent on the previous year. [Read more…] about South Korea reaches new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation

Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market to grow by 13 percent

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Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market are forecast to grow by more than 13 percent, according to a report by Transparency Market Research.

The global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market is at its nascent stage and therefore, only a fraction of the possible applications have been explored till now by companies, labs, and universities.

This also means that there is much room for this market to grow. As of now the market is filled with start-ups and small companies which are well established.

This makes the global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market fragmented. Some of the leading players in the market are:

  • Vincent Medical;
  • Ekso Bionics;
  • Accuray;
  • Mazor Robotics;
  • DIH Technologies;
  • Reha-Stim Medtec;
  • Intuitive Surgical;
  • AlterG;
  • Instead Technology; and
  • Bionik Laboratories.

According to a market intelligence study, the global robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market will be worth $2,290.3 million by 2025, expanding at a 13.1 percent annual growth from 2017 to 2025.

On the basis of application, the surgery segment led the market. This segment is anticipated to continue to lead in the years to come.

By geography, the market is will witness highest growth in Asia Pacific on account of the growing pool of geriatric population.

Asia Pacific market for robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies is expected to exhibit a 15.3 percent annual growth between 2017 and 2025, with Japan being the foremost revenue generator.

The high cost however, will limit the adoption of robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies by emerging economies in the region.

High Demand for Surgical Assistance During Complex Procedures Predicted

The use of robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies has just begun in the healthcare industry.

Surgical robots are of much assistance during surgeries when surgeons perform complex and minimally invasive procedures.

Robots are also assisting doctors in boosting accuracy during radiation treatment for cancer patients as well as assist with rehabilitation of disabled patients.

Robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies have immense growth opportunities and holds much promise in the healthcare area.

As per the lead author of this report, “the growing instance of strokes which in turn renders people bed-ridden or in a way takes away their ability to move to some degree, will be a key factor boosting the growth of the robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies market”.

Rapid Improvement and Advancements in Technology to Accelerate Growth

The market is also driven by the surge in the geriatric population worldwide. Aged people are also in limited in their ability to move, to some degree and this will create a need for robotic rehabilitation and assistive technologies.

The technological advancements occurring in the field has led to a more efficient use of motors and light materials.

Advancements and innovations have also resulted in sophisticated control, improved safety mechanisms, and power backup.

High Cost of Robotic Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies to Pose a Challenge

On the other hand, it is predicted that the steep price will go against the growth of the market as it will limit the adoption rates, especially in cost sensitive regions of the world.

The cost to performance ratio may not be feasible on account of the high cost of development and relatively low benefit for hospitals or patients will hamper adoption rates.

However, some relief can be expected on account of the improvement in production methods as well as due to favourable reimbursement policies.

North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings

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North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $2.49 billion in billings worldwide in December 2019.

This is according to the December Equipment Market Data Subscription Billings Report published today by SEMI.

The billings figure is 17.5 percent higher than the final November 2019 level of $2.12 billion. [Read more…] about North American semiconductor equipment industry posts high earnings