Robotics & Automation News

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ABB launches robot alignment software to ‘increase electronics manufacturing speed and accuracy’

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ABB Robotics has launched an industry leading, pioneering software solution to transform speed and accuracy in electronics assembly.

Packed with 50 years of software expertise, ABB’s High Speed Alignment software is the first to offer manufacturers the ability to increase the speed of 6-axis robots by 70 percent, and accuracy by 50 percent – significantly reducing time-to-market while increasing accuracy levels.

The PC-based software includes Visual Servoing technology using one or more cameras, combined with a computer vision system, to control the position of the robot relative to the workpiece. [Read more…] about ABB launches robot alignment software to ‘increase electronics manufacturing speed and accuracy’

7 Robotics Trends to Watch for in 2022

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There was a 10 percent global increase in industrial robot usage to over 3 million units in operation in 2020, caused by the pandemic.

At the same time, there was an overall 12 percent market increase for service robots to $6.7 billion with the market for cleaning robots increased by 92 percent.

Since the pandemic is still there as well as there are new global factors, such as the war in Ukraine, we wonder if these trends will continue in 2022. [Read more…] about 7 Robotics Trends to Watch for in 2022

How Robotnik’s RB-KAIROS+ mobile manipulator can helps improve productivity in SMEs

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A recent Roland Berger study, which analyses the impact of robotics in logistics, provides some interesting data in this regard.

It indicates a cost reduction of between 20 percent and 40 percent and an improvement in productivity of between 25 percent and 70 percent.

Increased production and cost reduction is already a reality for many small and medium-sized companies that are experiencing increased profitability and reduced production costs thanks to the automation of certain processes using mobile manipulators such as Robotnik’s RB-KAIROS+. [Read more…] about How Robotnik’s RB-KAIROS+ mobile manipulator can helps improve productivity in SMEs

Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

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Global fab equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to jump 18 percent year-over-year to an all-time high of $107 billion in 2022, marking a third consecutive year of growth following a 42 percent surge in 2021, according to a report by industry association SEMI.

Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI, says: “Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic ​milestone for the semiconductor industry.

“This ​significant achievement is a tribute to the relentless drive to add and upgrade capacity to address a diverse range of markets and emerging applications, solidifying expectations for long-term industry growth to enable electronics for the digital world.” [Read more…] about Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

China aims for global leadership in robotics with new five-year plan

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The new five-year plan for the robotics industry in China, released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in Beijing, focuses on promoting innovation.

The government wants to make China a global leader for robot technology and industrial advancement.

The statistical department of the International Federation of Robotics reports about the domestic and foreign engagement on the world’s largest market.

Milton Guerry, president of the International Federation of Robotics, says: “China is by far the biggest robot market in the world regarding annual sales and the operational stock. [Read more…] about China aims for global leadership in robotics with new five-year plan

Global industrial robot density in manufacturing sector doubles over 2021

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The use of industrial robots in factories around the world is accelerating at a high rate: 126 robots per 10,000 employees is the new average of global robot density in the manufacturing industries.

That is nearly double the number five years ago. In 2015, the figure was 66 units.

This is according to the 2021 World Robot Report, published by the International Federation of Robotics.

By regions, the average robot density in Asia/Australia is 134 units, in Europe 123 units and in the Americas 111 units. The top 5 most automated countries in the world are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany, and Sweden. [Read more…] about Global industrial robot density in manufacturing sector doubles over 2021

Almost 50,000 robots expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026

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More than 47,000 collaborative robots are expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026, according to ABI Research, which included the estimate in its report, 38 Technology Stats You Need to Know for 2022.

The Covid-19 pandemic quickened the pace of digital transformation, placing technologies at the very center of how people live and work – and that pace shows no signs of slowing down.

In its new white paper, 38 Technology Stats You Need to Know for 2022, global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has identified and highlighted the most impactful forecasts that illuminate the direction in which digital transformation is truly heading. [Read more…] about Almost 50,000 robots expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026

Airbus boss backs hydrogen airplanes as the ‘ultimate solution’

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The CEO of Airbus, currently the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, says he believes hydrogen-powered airplanes are the “ultimate solution” to the unfair criticism of the aerospace industry as a planet-polluting monster.

The World Wildlife Fund says the aviation industry is “one of the fastest-growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change”, adding that air travel is “currently the most carbon intensive activity an individual can make”.

These things have been true for many decades, but with completely crazy extreme weather systems attacking different parts of the world on an almost weekly basis over the past couple of years, the search for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) has taken on a new urgency. [Read more…] about Airbus boss backs hydrogen airplanes as the ‘ultimate solution’

BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

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BMW i Ventures took a lead investment in HeyCharge, the German start-up providing electric vehicle charging stations in apartment complexes, office buildings and other infrastructure locations.

HeyCharge was in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 batch of start-ups.

Kasper Sage, managing partner, BMW i Ventures, says: “The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market in coming years will necessitate greater infrastructure build-out of charging solutions around the globe. [Read more…] about BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

Continental claims all its production runs on ‘100 percent green electricity’

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Continental, one of the world’s largest suppliers of vehicle tyres and automotive components and systems, claims that all of its production has been running on “100 percent green electricity’ for the past couple of years at least.

Continental claims to have been procuring all of the electricity for its production sites from renewable energy sources as of fiscal 2020. The company says this is the “clear conclusion” reached in a report by auditor KPMG.

By purchasing approximately 4 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of green energy, Continental reduced its own direct and indirect global CO2 emissions by 70 percent from around 3.2 million metric tons in 2019 to 0.99 million metric tons in 2020. [Read more…] about Continental claims all its production runs on ‘100 percent green electricity’