Robotics & Automation News

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predictive maintenance

AI Meets Field Robotics: Why Smart Inspections Go Beyond Automation

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The Hidden Weakness of Automation

At first glance, many workshops give the impression that machines are running the show. A welding arm sends out brief showers of sparks, a drone hovers around a steel beam, and a small transport unit winds its way between stacks of pallets.

From a distance it looks like a closed system without weak points. A closer look tells another story.

Motors that run smoothly for most of the shift can hide tiny fractures that end in sudden stoppage. In one automotive plant, a single unnoticed crack in a gearbox housing forced an entire line to shut down for two days. [Read more…] about AI Meets Field Robotics: Why Smart Inspections Go Beyond Automation

4 Emerging Technologies Enhancing Warehouse Automation Solutions

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Warehousing has evolved into a critical link in the global supply chain, where operational speed, precision, and adaptability can make or break a business.

Driven by rising consumer expectations, rapid e-commerce growth, and the push for cost efficiency, companies are rethinking how their facilities operate.

Automation is no longer limited to a few conveyor belts or barcode scanners; it now encompasses intelligent systems capable of decision-making, real-time adjustments, and seamless coordination across multiple processes.

These advancements are transforming warehouses from static storage areas into agile, data-driven environments that respond instantly to demand shifts and production needs. [Read more…] about 4 Emerging Technologies Enhancing Warehouse Automation Solutions

Top 10 predictive maintenance companies: Using AI to keep robotic systems running smoothly

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Unplanned downtime is the enemy of efficiency in modern manufacturing and logistics. When a robotic system fails unexpectedly, it can halt entire production lines, delay deliveries, and rack up costly repairs.

As factories and warehouses become more reliant on robots, ensuring their continuous operation is critical – and that’s where predictive maintenance comes in.

Predictive maintenance, powered by artificial intelligence, uses real-time sensor data to forecast failures before they happen. It’s a powerful evolution from traditional maintenance strategies, and it’s helping businesses across industries keep their robotic systems running smoothly. [Read more…] about Top 10 predictive maintenance companies: Using AI to keep robotic systems running smoothly

Are We Nearing the End of the Edge vs. Cloud Debate for Smart Robots?

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Robots have evolved from isolated, pre-programmed units to intelligent, connected collaborators.

In this new era, one of the biggest questions that engineers, technologists, and robot operators continue to grapple with is: Are we nearing the end of the edge vs. cloud debate for smart robots?

For the longest time, robot design and deployment came down to choosing between edge processing – relying on local hardware for computational needs – and cloud processing, which taps into remote servers for greater data storage and AI capabilities. [Read more…] about Are We Nearing the End of the Edge vs. Cloud Debate for Smart Robots?

Exclusive interview with Nokia: The rise of automation and robotics in mining transportation

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Once famous for its iconic mobile phones, Nokia has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades.

Now a global leader in network infrastructure, the Finnish company provides critical connectivity solutions that power everything from 5G communications to industrial automation.

At the forefront of this evolution is David de Lancellotti, vice president of CNS enterprise campus edge sales at Nokia, who plays a key role in enabling digital transformation across industries – especially those traditionally seen as slow to innovate. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview with Nokia: The rise of automation and robotics in mining transportation

AI-Driven Tool Wear Detection in Precision Milling

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Tool wear is a predominant aspect in precision milling environments that affects accuracy, surface finish, and cost efficiency.

Tool wear detection systems have previously utilized AI-based approaches, enabling real-time insights into sensor data streams comprising vibration, acoustic emissions, and spindle load variations.

Scrap and rework are also minimized as these systems enable proactive changes of tools before a drop in performance can be noticed. [Read more…] about AI-Driven Tool Wear Detection in Precision Milling

Exclusive interview: LG’s big bet on smart robotics for the household and beyond

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LG Electronics, formerly Lucky-Goldstar, is one of South Korea’s largest and most globally recognised engineering powerhouses.

A household name for decades, LG has built a reputation through its expansive portfolio of consumer appliances – from televisions and refrigerators to washing machines and air conditioners.

But behind the scenes, LG is also rapidly becoming a serious force in industrial and service robotics, with ambitions that stretch well beyond your kitchen or laundry room. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview: LG’s big bet on smart robotics for the household and beyond

Navigating the ‘messy middle’: Safety and compliance considerations for autonomous fleet transition

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By Glen Mitchell, head of product management, Powerfleet

The transformation from traditional driver-operated trucks to fully autonomous vehicles isn’t happening overnight.

Instead, fleet operators find themselves navigating what industry experts call the “messy middle” – a complex transition period where human drivers, semi-autonomous systems, and emerging regulations intersect in unpredictable ways.

Recent milestones underscore the rapid evolution of this landscape. Aurora Innovation launched America’s first commercial driverless truck operations on Texas highways in May 2025, completing over 1,200 miles without a safety driver. [Read more…] about Navigating the ‘messy middle’: Safety and compliance considerations for autonomous fleet transition

Rethinking packaging: How automation is transforming production lines

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As manufacturing faces growing pressure from labor shortages, sustainability, and quality demands, packaging is becoming a critical point of focus, especially in high-volume sectors like wood processing.

The article examines how one of the Baltic region’s largest furniture producers restructured its packaging operations through automation, revealing broader shifts in how industrial systems are designed and staffed.

Across global manufacturing, packaging is emerging as one of the most urgent frontiers for automation. [Read more…] about Rethinking packaging: How automation is transforming production lines

How to establish a continuous production system

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Continuous production is one of three production system options, the other two being jobbing and batch production.

Continuous production is distinguished by completing products in one physical location, in a series of continuous operations, using raw materials or subassemblies as inputs.

Depending on whether the continuous process consists of mass, process, or assembly production types, outputs will consist of either one standardized product, different products from different stages of the manufacturing process, or completed products from sub-assemblies. [Read more…] about How to establish a continuous production system