Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

percent

Collaborative robot market forecast to grow beyond $11 billion by 2030

by

The collaborative robot market will exceed $11 billion by 2030, representing 29 percent of the total industrial robot market, according to ABI Research.

Buoyed by early innovators and adopters, the collaborative robotics market will become increasingly mainstream over the next 10 years.

The new analysis from global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research finds that the yearly revenue for cobot arms will reach $11.8 billion by 2030, an enormous increase from $711 million in 2019. [Read more…] about Collaborative robot market forecast to grow beyond $11 billion by 2030

Cashier-less shopping ‘not in demand’ for US small businesses

by

Small businesses should keep their cashiers, according to the 2019 Cox Business Consumer Pulse on Small Businesses in the US.

The Amazon Go cashier-less shopping model is only of growing interest among respondents ages 18-29 – up eight percentage points from last year. Seventy-seven percent of surveyed consumers prefer to interact with other people at the checkout.

The preference for person-to-person interaction likely has to do with the level of service small businesses deliver. Fifty-three percent of surveyed consumers said small businesses provide better customer service than larger businesses.

[Read more…] about Cashier-less shopping ‘not in demand’ for US small businesses

Ket-Met reduces machine costs by more than 40 percent, says Universal Robots

by

Ket-Met has been able to reduce machine costs by more than 40 percent through the application of collaborative robots, according to a case study by Universal Robots

Ket-Met is a Finnish subcontract machine tooling shop.

Until recently, the company had progressively lost its cost competitiveness – the main reason for this was that its traditional way of using CNC machines required too much manpower.

Machine hour costs were reduced by over 40 percent due to Universal Robots’ cobots.

This helped the company win new orders. [Read more…] about Ket-Met reduces machine costs by more than 40 percent, says Universal Robots

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

by

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

Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

by

After recently increasing the percentage of tariffs and applying them to a broader range of Chinese imports, US President Donald Trump has now imposed new tariffs on imports from Mexico. 

The proposed 5 percent tariff on all Mexican imports is yet to be made official, but Trump’s announcement has already caused concern across a range of sectors.

Trump said today on Twitter: “On June 10th, the United States will impose a 5% Tariff on all goods coming into our Country from Mexico, until such time as illegal migrants coming through Mexico, and into our Country, STOP. The Tariff will gradually increase until the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied, at which time the Tariffs will be removed. Details from the White House to follow.” [Read more…] about Trump announces tariffs on imports from Mexico

US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

by

More than 200 footwear manufacturers in the US have sent President Donald Trump an open letter calling for an end to what they call the “catastrophic” and “unfathomable” new tariffs on Chinese imports. 

The companies include global and household names such as Adidas, Cat, Converse, K-Swiss, Nike, Puma, Ugg, and Under Armour, among many others.

The letter was sent under the auspices of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the leading industry association, representing a total of 500 companies and brands worldwide. [Read more…] about US footwear manufacturers call for Trump to end new China tariffs

Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

by

Universal Robots, a collaborative robots maker, has identified Malaysia as a key growth market in line with the country’s increased focus on automation and robotics, as outlined in its national policy on Industry 4.0, called “Industry4WRD”, to transform its manufacturing sector.

The manufacturing sector, comprising 98.5 percent of Malaysian SMEs, serves as a major contributor to the country’s economy. In 2018, the sector contributed 22.4 percent of GDP, roughly RM 325 billion.

Sakari Kuikka, general manager, Southeast Asia and Oceania at UR, says: “Malaysia deployed just 45 units of industrial robots per 10,000 employees in 2017, almost 50 percent below the global average of 85 units. [Read more…] about Universal Robots looks for opportunities created by Malaysia’s Industry4WRD program

ABB creates CO2-neutral and energy self-sufficient factory of the future

by

ABB’s commitment to combating climate change includes limiting the environmental impact of its own operations.

At its site in Lüdenscheid, Germany, ABB is showing how a sustainable energy transition can succeed with digital energy management.

After a two-year design and construction phase, as part of its “Mission to Zero” project, ABB has opened its first CO2-neutral and energy self-sufficient production site in the world, with the commissioning of a solar power plant at a factory of its subsidiary Busch-Jaeger.

[Read more…] about ABB creates CO2-neutral and energy self-sufficient factory of the future

ABB powers tourists to the Niagara Falls with first US-built all-electric vessels

by

Visitors to Niagara Falls will soon be able to experience one of the US’s top landmarks emission-free.

Two new Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will be powered entirely by high-capacity battery packs, becoming the first all-electric vessels ever built in the US.

The new vessels will benefit from ABB’s zero-emission technology when they start operating later this year, allowing guests to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust fumes from a conventional diesel engine.

[Read more…] about ABB powers tourists to the Niagara Falls with first US-built all-electric vessels

Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules

by

Chinese export companies have strongly criticized President Donald Trump for deciding to increase tariffs on imports into the US by another 10 percent, bringing them up to 25 percent for hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of manufactured goods.

Comments reported by the South China Morning Post say Chinese exporters are decrying Trump as a business “killer” who “never plays by the rules”.

One exporter, Liao Yu, who produces bags and suitcases, said: “A 25 per cent [tariff] will kill everyone.”

[Read more…] about Chinese exporters accuse Trump of not playing by the rules