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Merger of Velodyne and Ouster creates $550 million lidar giant

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Velodyne and Ouster have merged to create what could be described as a “lidar giant” at a time when interest in lidar – light detection and ranging – sensors are at an all-time high because of their applications in so many robotic and automated machines. 

Ouster and Velodyne describe their successful deal as a “merger of equals”. The combined company will keep the name Ouster and continue to trade on New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “OUST”. The two companies have a combined market capitalization of more than $550 million.

The merger creates a lidar powerhouse with over 850 customers spanning the automotive, industrial, robotics, and smart infrastructure industries supported by a robust product portfolio of innovative hardware and software solutions in addition to top-tier engineering and commercial teams. [Read more…] about Merger of Velodyne and Ouster creates $550 million lidar giant

Mitsubishi Electric to invest $223 million to build new factory in India

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will invest approximately 26.7 billion yen (about $222.5 million), in its subsidiary company Mitsubishi Electric India to establish a factory for the production of room air conditioners and compressors in India.

Local production, targeted to start in October 2025, is expected to help the company meet growing demand in the Indian market. Initial annual capacity will total 300,000 room air conditioner outdoor units and, beginning in December 2025, 650,000 compressors.

The demand to replace older air conditioning and refrigeration systems with newer models is expected to continue growing as consumers and companies shift to energy-saving and low-GWP refrigerants. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to invest $223 million to build new factory in India

SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

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The SSI Schaefer Group, an international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions employing some 10,000 people, and DS Automotion, a provider of mobile robotics such as automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, have signed an agreement under which SSI Schaefer will acquire all shares in DS Automotion.

Through the new agreement, SSI Schaefer will expand the minority interest it has held since 2018 to reflect the growing importance of autonomous and mobile robotics and the AGV business in intralogistics.

The acquisition of the remaining shares will take effect on March 1st, 2023 and is subject to approval by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority. [Read more…] about SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

Hannover Messe planning to be a ‘showcase for artificial intelligence’ this year

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Hannover Messe, one of the world’s largest trade shows for industrial technologies, is planning to make this year’s event a “showcase for artificial intelligence”.

From 17 to 21 April 2023, Hannover Messe, held in Germany, will be shining a spotlight on the topic of “AI in manufacturing”.

Along with the subject of process optimization, exhibitors will be focusing on the role of AI in simulation, testing and product development. Generative AI is also making major inroads into industry. [Read more…] about Hannover Messe planning to be a ‘showcase for artificial intelligence’ this year

Flexiv launches ‘revolutionary’ force-controlled parallel robot

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Flexiv, a builder of general-purpose robotics solutions, has released the latest addition to its product portfolio, the Moonlight adaptive parallel robot. 

Flexiv says Moonlight is the world’s first force-controlled parallel robot and is ideal for applications that require precise motion and force control, such as screw fastening, ultra-accurate loading, and polishing. It adds the new machine is “revolutionary”.

Incorporating Flexiv’s innovative force control technology, Moonlight can precisely measure force down to 0.1 N so even delicate objects can be handled. This makes tasks polishing and sanding uneven surfaces possible while guaranteeing output quality and practically eliminating workpiece damage. [Read more…] about Flexiv launches ‘revolutionary’ force-controlled parallel robot

Flexiv to unveil new robots at company event

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Flexiv, a builder of general-purpose robotics solutions, will be launching a range of new products at its inaugural Flexiverse event today.

A spokesperson for the company says: “Although the new releases are top secret for the moment, i can tell you that one is a new type of Delta robot and another is a revolutionary new robotic gripper.”

The live presentation will see the founding members of Flexiv and various department managers take to the stage to showcase Flexiv’s latest product releases, and the progress Flexiv has made over the past year. [Read more…] about Flexiv to unveil new robots at company event

Why is Competition Good for Business?

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When you start a business, there are a million things you need to think about. Even if that number seems like an exaggeration, the truth is that there are certainly more things you need to think about than in most other careers.

After all, if you work for someone else, it’s them who will be doing all the worrying and planning, and you’ll just have to do the work you’re given to do. When you’re the boss, you have to take on a number of different responsibilities.

One of those responsibilities is to understand your competitors more. You need to know who they are, what they do, and how they do it, and you need to know how all of that will impact your own business. [Read more…] about Why is Competition Good for Business?

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Universal Robots outlines automation trends for the year ahead

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The collaborative robot pioneer and market front runner Universal Robots has announced January as ‘National Cobot Awareness Month’, spearheading new products and initiatives prompting manufacturers to address hiring woes and production challenges

Gone are the days of manufacturers buying a robot arm only to struggle figuring out how to integrate it in an application cell, according to Universal Robots, which adds that turnkey robotic solutions, complete with all hardware, software, sensors and interfaces, will be powerful automation drivers in 2023.

Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development and strategic marketing at Universal Robots (UR), says: “In 2023, cobot automation will become more sophisticated yet more straightforward to use.

“We are going to continue seeing phenomenal growth within complete robotic systems for applications such as welding, palletizing and machine tending, propelled by UR partners creating full solutions powered by our collaborative robot arms.” [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Universal Robots outlines automation trends for the year ahead

SICK launches new linear encoder for industrial applications

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SICK has launched a new linear encoder product family for high-precision detection of piston positions in hydraulic cylinders and the monitoring of linear movements in machines. The DAX linear encoder product family provides flexibility for countless industrial applications.

The product family offers three designs to suit these applications, all with industry-appropriate measuring ranges. An Online Configurator provides step-by-step assistance to users in selecting a suitable DAX.

For applications with special requirements, the smart and flexible system architecture of the product family allows for tailored and efficient customization. [Read more…] about SICK launches new linear encoder for industrial applications

Brain Corp partners with Google Cloud to introduce analytics solution for retailers

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Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence company creating technologies in robotics, is partnering with Google Cloud to launch “BrainOS Inventory Insights”, a new and proprietary solution able to deliver next generation in-store inventory analytics to retailers. 

Brain Corp, which already powers the largest global fleet of autonomous robots in public spaces and the world’s largest fleet of robotic inventory scanners, will now offer retail customers “a true end-to-end solution” for analyzing the inventory data collected by its BrainOS powered inventory scanning robots.

Using BrainOS Inventory Insights, retailers will be able to quickly identify out-of-stock and low stock events, assess product details such as where an item is (product location), if it’s in the correct location (planogram compliance) and ensure it’s priced correctly (​​price tag compliance). [Read more…] about Brain Corp partners with Google Cloud to introduce analytics solution for retailers