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SICK earns Innovation Award from Robotics Business Review for LiDAR Localization Product

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SICK has received an Innovation Award from the Robotics Business Review for its LiDAR-LOC product, a software solution that enables contour-based localization using LiDAR technology.

This is the third consecutive year that SICK has been given an award from the Robotics Business Review.

RBR50 is an annual list that recognizes and celebrates forward thinking companies and the original, impact solutions created by these companies. [Read more…] about SICK earns Innovation Award from Robotics Business Review for LiDAR Localization Product

SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

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SoftBank, the Japanese telecommunications giant which has in the past few years become a huge force in the robotics market, is set to halt production of Pepper, the humanoid robot, according to a report by Reuters. 

The news agency cites sources and documents to say that “production of the humanoid Pepper… was stopped last year”, adding that “it would be costly to restart production”.

Pepper was being manufactured by Foxconn, famous for being Apple’s main manufacturer. [Read more…] about SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

Path Robotics expands headquarters and production, creating 140 new jobs

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Path Robotics, a Columbus-based artificial intelligence robotics company producing the world’s first truly autonomous robotic manufacturing system, announced plans to expand its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, creating 140 new jobs.

Hiring for software development, engineering and product positions is under way.

Path Robotics plans to expand personnel throughout Columbus at both its existing facility at 524 Maier Place, as well as at its additional facility at 3950 Business Park Drive. [Read more…] about Path Robotics expands headquarters and production, creating 140 new jobs

Micropsi Industries’ AI-based control system speeds complex and precise robot training and implementation

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Industrial and collaborative robots learn to perform camera-guided movements more quickly with the latest version of Micropsi Industries’ MIRAI robot control system.

Using artificial intelligence (AI), MIRAI enables robots to flexibly react to variances in their tasks in real time by learning from humans.

Variances in position, shape, surface properties or lighting conditions are a common challenge for robotic automation of machine tending, assembly or test applications. [Read more…] about Micropsi Industries’ AI-based control system speeds complex and precise robot training and implementation

Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

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Comau, an industrial robotics and automation specialist, has designed and developed a “high-volume module manufacturing line” to produce new generation lithium-ion batteries for Leclanché, a provider of energy storage solutions for the heavy transportation, naval and railway industries.

Comau says the “state-of-the-art, highly automated line” is the result of a simultaneous engineering process and combines industrial robots, vision systems, laser welding, and the automated in-line validation of joints via artificial intelligence. Priority was given to ensuring multi-module configurability, full traceability and the highest level of safety.

The line includes the latest quality and process control technologies, thus setting the foundation for the transition towards Industry 4.0 principles. It will also allow Leclanché to produce up to six times the company’s current capacity, reaching an output of more than 60,000 modules per year. The solution is also expected to reduce costs by up to 20 percent, support 50 different product configurations and save Leclanché valuable time when introducing new formats into the manufacturing line.  [Read more…] about Comau designs ‘highly automated, high-volume’ battery manufacturing line

The Benefits of Cobots in Industrial Production

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Robots in industrial production can help human employees lighten their workload and – indirectly – even protect them. item America is exploring these and other benefits of human-robot collaboration.

Although it’s nearly impossible to imagine our modern everyday lives without technical equipment, humans and machines are still often seen as rivals; however, this ‘either/or’ mindset fails to consider the valuable third option of collaboration that has become ever more important in the face of digitalization and Industry 4.0.

We’re talking about human-robot collaboration. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Cobots in Industrial Production

COVID-19 Crisis: Employers Automating Workplaces to Fill in Reduced Workforce

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The world has been at a standstill since March 2020 – thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic and the impending lockdown in many places.

Some of the worst-hit sectors are manufacturing industries, which are facing a labor shortage and thus are not able to operate at 100 percent of their strength.

With lower productivity comes reduced revenue, which could be perilous when the economy is taking a hit. [Read more…] about COVID-19 Crisis: Employers Automating Workplaces to Fill in Reduced Workforce

Teradyne leads $20 million funding round for MachineMetrics

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MachineMetrics, an industrial data startup that helps improve manufacturing performance through autonomous machining, has raised $20 million in Series B financing.

The company will use the funding to scale its platform globally and democratize access to the machine insights that power manufacturing operations.

Bill Bither, co-founder and CEO of MachineMetrics, says: “Manufacturing is on the brink of a digital renaissance. The intersection of software, big data and physical machinery is the next frontier for manufacturing and a proven solution for overcoming the production and labor shortages we are experiencing right now. [Read more…] about Teradyne leads $20 million funding round for MachineMetrics

Startup company launches new class of robot – the Wyzo ‘sidebot’

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Wyzo, a startup company with backing from established companies such as Demaurex, the inventor of the delta robot, has launched a new class of robot – the Wyzo “sidebot”.

Wyzo – which is described as “the world’s first high-speed pick-and-place sidebot” – is now available for companies making their first steps into automation, as well as for large manufacturers looking for “unrivalled versatility”.

Compact and agile, Wyzo works safely side-by-side with humans without protective barriers or performance compromises. Critically, the robot uses the “revolutionary” new direct drive invented by Genesis Robotics. [Read more…] about Startup company launches new class of robot – the Wyzo ‘sidebot’

Manufacturing Masks – Using Your Own Production Facilities

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The coronavirus pandemic saw the demand for masks skyrocket. Meeting that demand meant finding solutions fast.

The demand for medical face masks has risen particularly steeply. These are not the everyday fabric or “community” masks that keen crafters around the world are now churning out.

Although such face coverings do lower the risk of the wearer passing on the coronavirus to others (source control), they fall short of the stringent requirements in medical and industrial environments, where the wearer needs to be protected from infection and/or pollutants. [Read more…] about Manufacturing Masks – Using Your Own Production Facilities