Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

production

Festo looks to AI to make automation more profitable

by

Festo is looking to implement artificial intelligence systems to make automation even more productive and efficient.

The company says it currently offers intelligent component and process monitoring. But Festo intends to further increase the productivity of its customers by means of self-learning machines.

The company is relying here on AI at three network levels:

  • on edge;
  • on premises; and
  • in the cloud.

In addition to the complex services that can be offered in a cloud, Festo sees great potential in simple real-time data analysis by means of AI – either directly on the field component (AI on edge) or in the control of either the system or a production plant (AI on premises).

[Read more…] about Festo looks to AI to make automation more profitable

Panasonic says it has sold 100 million household refrigerators

by

Panasonic says its production of household refrigerators reached a grand total of 100 million in 2018, 65 years since the company first began to manufacture them in 1953.

Panasonic began working on refrigerators as well as televisions and washing machines in anticipation of the approaching electrical age after the Second World War.

In 1952 an alliance was formed with Nakagawa Kikai Company, a specialist machine tool manufacturer that had made refrigerators. [Read more…] about Panasonic says it has sold 100 million household refrigerators

Isra Vision launches ‘quad-camera sensor solution’ for bin picking

by

Isra Vision has launched what it says is a “quad-camera sensor solution” for bin picking.

Robot-guided bin picking is significantly increasing the level of automation in industrial production, while also enabling maximum flexibility.

That is why another large German supplier in the automotive sector has now chosen the PowerPick3D bin picking system. [Read more…] about Isra Vision launches ‘quad-camera sensor solution’ for bin picking

Samsung Electronics to invest $115 billion in logic chip businesses by 2030

by

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, will invest KRW 133 trillion (US$115 billion) by 2030 to strengthen its competitiveness in System LSI and Foundry businesses.

The investment plan is expected to help the company to reach its goal of becoming the world leader in not only memory semiconductors but also logic chips by 2030.

The company also plans to create 15,000 jobs in R&D and production to bolster its technological prowess.

[Read more…] about Samsung Electronics to invest $115 billion in logic chip businesses by 2030

Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

by

Sensors supplier Sick showcased a new “smart logistics” system at the recent ProMAT Show, one of the world’s largest material handling exhibitions.

Sick says its system demonstrates how to obtain greater efficiency throughout supply chain operations.

Sick presented its new innovations under the banner of “Logistics Gets Smart”, and says they are designed to provide “highly efficient solutions for intralogistics applications”. [Read more…] about Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

by

By Thomas Knudsen, general manager Northern Europe, OnRobot

Within a diverse and innovative sector like the manufacturing industry, flexibility is key.

Robotics, a key enabler of this, has already taken this industry by storm, allowing factories worldwide to automate more and more tasks, cutting costs and increasing productivity.

However, simple automation is no longer enough. Manufacturers now require unique automation solutions for each specific production environment, to tackle the talent shortage they are facing, but can’t redesign facilities for every different process and application.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

Denso to Invest $1.6 bn in automotive electrification

by

Denso is to invest approximately 180 billion yen (US$1.6 billion) over three years – from FY2018 to late FY2020 – to support development and production of electrified automotive products, systems and technologies.

To accelerate business execution around electrification, Denso is establishing the Electrification Innovation Center at its plant in Anjo, Aichi, Japan, in May 2020.

The centre will conduct advanced R&D, develop and test prototypes, and launch mass produce newly developed automotive electrification products, systems and technologies.

[Read more…] about Denso to Invest $1.6 bn in automotive electrification

Van production expands for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi in France

by

The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance has added new production capacity in its manufacturing facilities in Maubeuge and Sandouville, France.

Maubeuge serves as Renault’s small van center of excellence and Sandouville is the production center for the Renault Trafic van.

By the end of the strategic plan, Alliance 2022, the Alliance aims to double annual synergies to €10 billion.  [Read more…] about Van production expands for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi in France

Groupe PSA increases SUV production capacity in Europe

by

The recent introduction of 11 SUV models by the PSA Group’s five brands – Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Opel and Vauxhall – has led to an increased share of the European SUV market, rising to 16.9% at the beginning of 2018 with 250,000 registrations in Europe in the first quarter of 2018.

As of end-March, the Group was among segment leaders and the offensive was being pursued, with the upcoming roll-out of the Citroën C5 Aircross in September in Europe.

The Group has decided to increase its production capacity in Europe, with the Citroën C5 Aircross starting production in Rennes (France), along with the Peugeot 5008.

[Read more…] about Groupe PSA increases SUV production capacity in Europe

German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

by

 

The German robotics and automation industry is growing at a faster rate than previously forecast, according to the VDMA, and will break records. 

The sector will reach €14 billion ($16.4 billion) annually for the first time, says the VDMA.

The VDMA is the German industrial association, said to be the largest in Europe, with more than 3,200 member companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The organisation has a section called VDMA Robotics + Automation, a specialist association with more than 270 members, which includes suppliers of components and systems from the areas of robotics, integrated assembly solutions, and industrial image processing.  [Read more…] about German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected