Robotics & Automation News

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Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

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For the third-straight quarter, robot sales in North America hit a record high, driven by a resurgence in sales to automotive companies and an ongoing need to manage increasing demand to automate logistics for e-commerce.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), of the 12,305 robots sold in Q2 2022, 59 percent of the orders came from the automotive industry with the remaining orders from non-automotive companies largely in the food and consumer goods industry, which saw a 13 percent increase in unit orders over the same period, April through June, in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, A3 President, says: “While automotive entities have long been the frontrunner in deploying robotics and automation, the last few years have seen food & consumer goods, life sciences and other industries grow at even higher rates. [Read more…] about Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

Airbus to expand robotic usage at Rochefort logistics site

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Airbus, the world’s largest airplane manufacturer, is expanding its usage of robotic solutions at its Rochefort, France logistics facility.

Airbus expects to be manufacturing a staggering 1,000 aircraft a year by 2025, which would significantly increase its requirements for parts picking in its warehouses.

Airbus’ partners at the Rochefort warehouse are Blondel Group and Scallog. Specifically, logistics company Blondel manages the warehouse and has installed Scallog robotic systems to accelerate operations. [Read more…] about Airbus to expand robotic usage at Rochefort logistics site

Revenues from robotics implemented in retail stores to cross $8.4 billion by 2030

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As the world emerges from the global pandemic, retail is growing at levels not seen in the last two decades. Retail sales grew by 7 percent in 2020 and by over 14 percent in 2021, which is in stark contrast to the 3.7 percent annual growth between 2010 and 2019.

The increased demand for retail has put a strain on supply chains and retail operations worldwide. As a result, retailers and stakeholders are turning to automation solutions such as mobile robotics for operational ease.

According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, worldwide commercial robot revenue in retail stores will have a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of over 25 percent from 2022 to 2030 and exceed $8.4 billion by 2030. [Read more…] about Revenues from robotics implemented in retail stores to cross $8.4 billion by 2030

Volvo Group to establish battery production plant in Sweden

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The Volvo Group has initiated the process to establish a large-scale production plant for battery cells in Sweden.

The company says the initiative is designed to meet “the growing demand for battery electric heavy-duty vehicles and machines”.

Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of the Volvo Group, says: “We aim to lead the transition to a decarbonized transport system and have the long-term ambition to offer our customers solutions that are 100 percent fossil free. [Read more…] about Volvo Group to establish battery production plant in Sweden

Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots, says it has achieved “record orders” in the first six months of 2022.

At €2,545.4 million, the value of Kuka Group’s orders received in the first half of the year was 34.8 percent higher than in the previous year, and sales revenues increased by 13.5 percent to around €1.7 billion.

In addition, Kuka improved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to €48.6 million (H1/21: €33.8 million). The EBIT margin increased to 2.8 percent in the first half-year 2022. [Read more…] about Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot maker, has reported Q2 revenue of $83 million, describing it as “robust growth” for the company.

Kim Povlsen, president of Universal Robots, says: “In headline terms, second quarter revenue is up 8 percent on the same period last year but in local Danish currency the company has seen growth of 22 percent for Q2.”

Povlsen adds that, measured this way, Universal Robots has seen growth of 30 percent across the first two quarters of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2

Industrial robot sales in North America ‘continue record surge into 2022’

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North American companies started the year by purchasing “the most robots ever in a single quarter”, with 11,595 robots sold at a value of $646 million.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation, these Q1 numbers represent growth of 28 percent and 43 percent respectively over the first quarter of 2021 and 7 percent and 25 percent respectively over the previous best quarter, Q4 of 2021. Each industry segment experienced double-digit growth over the same quarter of 2021. [Read more…] about Industrial robot sales in North America ‘continue record surge into 2022’

On-demand manufacturer Fictiv secures $100 million in funding

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Fictiv, an on-demand manufacturing startup, has closed a $100 million Series E funding round.

The investment will advance Fictiv’s mission to accelerate product innovation with an expanded focus on decreasing supply chain risk through its best-in-category technology and product experience.

This unique combination of benefits helps Fictiv’s customers tackle both the continuous, competitive pressures to innovate faster and address the relentless, daily supply chain disruptions. [Read more…] about On-demand manufacturer Fictiv secures $100 million in funding

Electronic component manufacturer Stego expands headquarters

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Stego, a manufacturer of electronic components, is expanding its capacity at the group’s headquarters in Schwäbisch Hall, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

A doubling of warehouse volume for production is already complete. The construction of an office block is now starting. This should be completed by the end of 2023 and provide space for over 70 employees with 1,500 square metres.

The Stego Group in Schwäbisch Hall is growing. Even during the pandemic. Almost without restraint. Rising product demand has led to a strain on material supply and logistics. [Read more…] about Electronic component manufacturer Stego expands headquarters

Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion

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Global semiconductor equipment billings grew 5 percent year-over-year to $24.7 billion in the first quarter of 2022, according industry association SEMI.

The figures were revealed in SEMI’s Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics Report. Quarter-over-quarter billings in the seasonally soft first quarter declined 10 percent.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “Year-over-year first quarter equipment revenue growth is in sync with positive forecasts for 2022 as the semiconductor industry continues its robust increase of fab capacity. North America and Europe logged healthy quarter-over-quarter rises in equipment spending as they intensify efforts to bolster domestic chipmaking.” [Read more…] about Global semiconductor equipment sales grow 5 percent to $25 billion