Robotics & Automation News

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Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation

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Comau has built an advanced, automated welding solution for Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive, a joint venture between Daimler Trucks and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor.

In doing so, Comau is helping support Mercedes-Benz’s first localized heavy-duty truck for the Chinese market, the “Actros”, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz global platform and uses Daimler’s most advanced truck technology.

Featuring 100 percent process automation, the Comau-designed production line is engineered to be completely flexible in order to handle complex model management and variable output management. [Read more…] about Comau builds robotic welding solution for Daimler Trucks China operation

Kivnon to introduce its new forklift pallet stacker at ProMAT

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Kivnon will showcase the latest addition to its AGV portfolio, its Forklift Pallet Stacker, at this year’s ProMAT, running March 20-23 in Chicago.

Kivnon says its AGVs/AMRs are “heavy-duty vehicles that improve safety and process efficiency”.

The new Forklift Pallet Stacker automatically transports stack pallets, handling loads of up to 2,645 lb, and is ideal for any pallet storage application for internal logistics or warehousing. [Read more…] about Kivnon to introduce its new forklift pallet stacker at ProMAT

Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

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Fugro has completed its first fully remote offshore survey inspection in the European North Sea for energy company TAQA using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USV) with Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The complex project, in Europe’s busiest part of the North Sea, involved the inspection of two platforms and over 40 kilometres of pipeline off the coast of the Netherlands.

The inspection investigated the mobility of the seabed, pipeline depth measurements, visual inspections and cathodic protection measurements within the 500-metre zone to ensure the integrity of TAQA’s assets. [Read more…] about Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

Electric Future: MIT showcases electric autonomous boat technology

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If you like the idea of zero-emissions travel on the water, an electric autonomous boat might be the right mode of transportation for you.

Scientists from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Laboratory, together with Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) in the Netherlands, have been showcasing the final project in their self-navigating trilogy: a full-scale, fully autonomous robotic boat that’s ready to be deployed along the canals of Amsterdam.

“Roboat” has come a long way since the team first started prototyping small vessels in the MIT pool in late 2015. Last year, the team released their half-scale, medium model that was 2 meters long and demonstrated promising navigational prowess.

This year, two full-scale Roboats were launched, proving more than just proof-of-concept: these craft can comfortably carry up to five people, collect waste, deliver goods, and provide on-demand infrastructure. [Read more…] about Electric Future: MIT showcases electric autonomous boat technology

Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

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Nvidia researchers show how training in simulation enables the transfer of complex manipulation skills to a robot hand with project DeXtreme

The human hand is one of the most remarkable outcomes of millions of years of evolution. The ability to pick up all sorts of objects and use them as tools is a crucial differentiator allowing us to shape the world around us.

For robots to work in the everyday human world, the ability to deftly interact with our tools and the environment around them is critical. Without that capability, they will continue to be useful only in specialized domains such as factories or warehouses.

While it has been possible to teach robots with legs how to walk for some time, robots with hands have generally proven to be much trickier to control. A hand with fingers has more joints, and they must move in specific coordinated ways to accomplish a given task. [Read more…] about Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

Arrow partners with Recom to identify ‘optimal power supply solution’ for robots

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Automating industrial processes using robots has typically been the preserve of large companies that have the resources to make the investment and see the project through to completion.

Robco – the Robot Company – is now making the benefits of advanced automation more easily accessible for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with its new approach to building industrial robots.

Constantin Dresel, Robco’s head of development, says: “We want to redefine automation in SMEs with our powerful modular construction kit. This concept allows us to very quickly deliver a customised solution that can be ready to use immediately without any complex programming or reliance on specialised skills.” [Read more…] about Arrow partners with Recom to identify ‘optimal power supply solution’ for robots

Comau to provide robotic systems for Daimler’s first truck production line in China

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Comau has built an advanced, automated welding solution for Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive, a joint venture between Daimler Trucks and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton Motor.

In doing so, Comau is helping support BFDA’s first localized heavy-duty truck for the Chinese market, the “Actros”, which is based on the Mercedes-Benz global platform and uses Daimler’s most advanced truck technology.

Featuring 100 percent process automation, the Comau-designed production line is engineered to be completely flexible in order to handle complex model management and variable output management. [Read more…] about Comau to provide robotic systems for Daimler’s first truck production line in China

Carolina Handling creates ‘world’s largest pallet painting’

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Carolina Handling set the record for creating the world’s largest pallet painting on October 10 in Greenville, South Carolina when it completed a 26,235-square-foot portrait of Lady Liberty.

Presented in partnership with pallet provider 48forty Solutions, The Patriotic Pallet Project featured 2,500 wooden pallets painted 16 different colors and placed in a grid like pattern to reveal the iconic likeness of Lady Liberty. Assembly of the painting was recorded for a video to be released on Veterans Day, November 11.

Donna Waldrep, Carolina Handling director of marketing, says: “We realize that what we do every day is probably not that exciting to those outside our industry. [Read more…] about Carolina Handling creates ‘world’s largest pallet painting’

Beep wins award from Intelligent Transportation Systems World Congress

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Beep, a provider of multi-passenger, autonomous electric mobility solutions, has been selected by ITS World Congress Hall of Fame as the winner of the 2022 Industry Award for the Americas.

The award, announced at the annual ITS World Congress event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, recognizes Beep’s continued expansion of its autonomous mobility network in Lake Nona, a 17-square mile master-planned community and advanced district within the City of Orlando, Florida.

The Lake Nona network is the longest-tenured autonomous shuttle deployment in the United States, with the first routes launched in September 2019. [Read more…] about Beep wins award from Intelligent Transportation Systems World Congress

Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines

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Comau has been selected by Automotive Cells Company – or ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, TotalEnergies/Saft and Mercedes-Benz – to design and develop a “highly integrated” battery module production line for its future Gigafactory in Billy-Bercalu Douvrain, in the north of France.

With the projected capacity to ultimately ramp up to 40 GWh, ACC is set to become a European leader in enabling cleaner, efficient mobility for all. Under the terms of the agreement, Comau will supply ACC with the expertise and equipment needed to automate manufacturing of the next-generation EV batteries.

Featuring the inherent flexibility to handle both 8- and 16-cell modules, the Comau-designed lines will allow ACC to produce up to 8 Gigawatt hours (GWh) annually by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Automotive Cells chooses Comau to build battery production lines