Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

plant

Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

by Leave a Comment

The robotics company Magazino wins commercial vehicle maker MAN as a customer for a pilot project with the SOTO robot.

The mobile robot SOTO automates the material supply between the warehouse and the assembly line, by handling and transporting small load carriers (KLT) completely autonomously.

The pilot operation started at the Nuremberg site in the engine production for trucks and offers both sides the opportunity to gain experience with the robot for a future live operation. [Read more…] about Commercial vehicle maker MAN selects Magazino robot for warehouse work

Plant Prefab selected to build luxury residences in Olympic Valley, California

by Leave a Comment

Plant Prefab, the first Certified B Corporation building technology company dedicated to sustainable design, materials and operations, has won a bid to prefabricate the final phase of custom homes in The Palisades at Olympic Valley, a luxury home community near Lake Tahoe designed by The Brown Studio.

Initially sourced to build one of the development’s first-phase duplex homes, Plant Prefab has since been retained to prefabricate all 33 of the development’s single-family homes.

The agreement to produce the Summit residences, the development’s premier offering of three 4,627-square-foot custom homes, is Plant Prefab’s third contract with the San Diego-based developer. [Read more…] about Plant Prefab selected to build luxury residences in Olympic Valley, California

6 Trends in Process Automation Changing How Cars are Made

by Leave a Comment

Process automation has had a significant impact on how cars are made. From the early days of Henry Ford’s simple conveyor belt production lines to modern advances in AI and robotics.

Moreover, with EVs and self-driving vehicles, you can expect new applications for process automation. Additionally, the intricacies of modern EVs require new automated tech that needs to evolve. As a result, manufacturing and automation are constantly changing. [Read more…] about 6 Trends in Process Automation Changing How Cars are Made

ABB to deliver ‘multiple’ robotic systems to large vehicle maker Scania’s highly automated battery assembly plant

by Leave a Comment

ABB has entered into an agreement with Scania, one of world’s largest truck and bus manufacturers, to provide “a comprehensive range of robotic solutions” for Scania’s new highly automated battery assembly plant in Sweden.

The new facility will be a key milestone on Scania’s journey towards the electrification of heavy vehicles. Scania will invest more than SEK 1 billion ($108 million) in the facility over several years and the new Södertälje plant is expected to be fully operational by 2023.

Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics’ automotive business line, says: “We are delighted to work with one of our longest-standing clients to help deliver their electrification roadmap. [Read more…] about ABB to deliver ‘multiple’ robotic systems to large vehicle maker Scania’s highly automated battery assembly plant

General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

by Leave a Comment

General Motors says it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites, creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000, and significantly increasing battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity.

This is the single largest investment announcement in GM history. The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, says: “We are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the US, and our North American EV production capacity. [Read more…] about General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

Helping robots ‘see’ by using advanced AI and video in manufacturing

by Leave a Comment

Not long ago, a world inhabited by robots was merely a sci-fi storyline.

Today, robots have become part and parcel of many manufacturing lines. We’ve become used to seeing them assemble, pick and pack, and zip down warehouses looking for the latest item for delivery.

They have become indispensable to many organizations and individuals, where many work hand-in-hand with human colleagues. Now, they are being given the ability to see and are using video technology to be even more efficient. [Read more…] about Helping robots ‘see’ by using advanced AI and video in manufacturing

Prefabricated construction startup to establish $30 million automated factory to build sustainable homes

by Leave a Comment

Plant Prefab, which says it is the first Certified B Corporation building technology company dedicated to sustainable design, materials, and operations, has signed a long-term lease to open America’s “first automated factory devoted to efficiently and sustainably building multifamily developments and custom single-family homes”.

The new 270,000-square-foot facility will be situated on 17 acres in the Tejon Ranch Commerce Center 25 miles south of Bakersfield, California, and will serve as Plant Prefab’s third factory.

Slated to break ground in January 2022, the facility will be purpose-built to efficiently manufacture custom-prefabricated panelized and modular building components. [Read more…] about Prefabricated construction startup to establish $30 million automated factory to build sustainable homes

Panasonic Robot and Welding expands collaboration with Claas Saulgau

by Leave a Comment

Panasonic Robot and Welding System Solutions, a business unit of Panasonic Factory Solutions, and Claas Saulgau GmbH, a producer of agricultural machinery with over 100 years of experience, say they have “intensified” their existing collaboration.

Claas Saugau is extending its production facilities with three new welding systems with a total of five Panasonic welding robots of the latest generation and technology.

Frederik Kahlbau, key account manager for Claas Saulgau, says: “We delivered the first Panasonic welding system to Claas Saulgau GmbH in 2014. [Read more…] about Panasonic Robot and Welding expands collaboration with Claas Saulgau

How to Become a More Eco-Friendly Industrial Business

by Leave a Comment

A few key industrial organizations around the world are now known to be the biggest culprits when it comes to emissions, so it’s as important as ever for production lines and other similar plants to begin moving toward more eco-friendly operations.

Thankfully, figuring out how your industrial business can reduce its carbon footprint and become a more environmentally conscious brand doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as there are in fact just a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of to turn your green dreams into a reality in no time.

So, if you’re interested in finding out more, then simply read on. [Read more…] about How to Become a More Eco-Friendly Industrial Business

Unikie and Valmet implement automated parking solution at factory

by Leave a Comment

Finnish technology company Unikie and the automotive service provider Valmet Automotive are testing and validating an automated parking solution at a factory.

The two companies say the “Automated Factory Parking” technology, developed by Unikie, is being assessed in a “business-critical factory environment”, and is an important step in taking the new technology to the production stage.

Describing it as an “innovative logistics solution”, the technology is being applied at Valmet’s car plant site in Uusikaupunki, Finland. [Read more…] about Unikie and Valmet implement automated parking solution at factory