Robotics & Automation News

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ABB robot enhanced with protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

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ABB says its 6-axis IRB 1300 industrial robot now includes new protection elements that enable it to be used in tough industrial applications and contamination-free production processes.

The company says the enhancements open up new opportunities for increased productivity, improved product quality and reduced cycle times in a variety of industries including electronics assembly, automotive and metals fabrication, among others.

Originally launched in 2020, the IRB 1300 is now available in IP67, Foundry Plus 2 and cleanroom ISO 4 versions. This will expand its use in tough environments, with high levels of liquids and dust. [Read more…] about ABB robot enhanced with protection for harsh and cleanroom applications

Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

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Kivnon has expanded its range of mobile robots with a new range of automated forklifts and the new rotational lifting platform.

Kivnon has unveiled three new models of autonomous vehicles: the K03 Twister, the K55 Pallet Stacker and the K50 Pallet Truck, capable of moving around the environment using magnetic guidance or mapping navigation, based on SLAM technology.

The new K03 Twister is a rotational mobile platform with dimensions of 700 x 500 x 280 mm, making it the smallest AGV in Kivnon’s portfolio of mobile robots. [Read more…] about Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

Yaskawa Motoman has sold 500,000 industrial robots

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Yaskawa Motoman, one of the world’s largest industrial automation companies, has sold 500,000 industrial robots.

The company says cumulative shipments of Motoman Yaskawa’s industrial robots reach 500,000 units last month – February 2021.

Yaskawa has attracted a wide range of customers worldwide since its first all-electric industrial robot in Japan Motoman-L10 was shipped in 1977. [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman has sold 500,000 industrial robots

LK Metrology introduces ‘ultra accuracy’ portable measuring arms

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LK Metrology has introduced what it describes as “ultra-accuracy” portable measuring arms.

The company has expanded its Freedom arm range of 3D articulating arm metrology systems, or portable measuring arms, with the launch of five models in both 6-axis and 7-axis variants.

The 10 new arms bring the total number of different varieties available from LK to 34. [Read more…] about LK Metrology introduces ‘ultra accuracy’ portable measuring arms

NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

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NXP Semiconductors has launched new devices within its KW3x range of microcontrollers (MCUs). The new KW39/38/37 MCUs add Bluetooth 5.0 long-range capabilities and expanded Bluetooth advertising channels.

These enhancements are made while offering seamless migration with hardware, software and tools compatibility with the previous generation of devices, KW34/35/36.

The connectivity MCUs allow Bluetooth LE devices to communicate at distances of more than a mile and increase the amount of Bluetooth advertising channels and advertising data within the Bluetooth standard, the predominant IoT protocol. [Read more…] about NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

Safelog AGVs win numerous awards

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Safelog automated guided vehicles have won numerous awards over the past few months, including a German Design Award as well as an IF Design Award.

In the latest success, Safelog’s AGV product range emerged from the Red Dot design competition with two awards. The jury of around 40 international experts commended the series’ excellent design quality, and also awarded the range the prestigious design prize in the “Smart Products” meta-category, which was presented for the first time.

In a statement, the jury said: “The three AGV S2 / M3 and L1 transport robots were designed for complex logistics processes with both a high degree of precision and technological sophistication. [Read more…] about Safelog AGVs win numerous awards

Piab introduces soft gripper range for industrial robots

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Piab has introduced a soft gripper – or end effector – for industrial robots. The company says its piSoftGrip range is developed for the automation of the food and chocolate industry.

Piab once again extends the pi-SoftGrip family with a new pinch gripper developed for the automation of the food/chocolate industry. The vacuum-based soft gripper can grip sensitive and lightweight oblong objects with odd geometries and/or objects with an unusual surface.

piSoftGrip has two gripping fingers and a sealed vacuum cavity, all made in one piece, resulting in a simple and robust product. [Read more…] about Piab introduces soft gripper range for industrial robots

ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

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ForwardX Robotics has launched six new products under its Max range of autonomous mobile robots: Max 300 Lift Lite, Max 300 Conveyor, Max 600 Conveyor, Max 1200 Standard, Max 1200 Lift, and Max 1200 Conveyor.

All the new robots are built to safely and efficiently automate material handling within production and warehousing facilities. The product launch coincided with ForwardX’s appearance at CeMAT Asia last month, where the new products were on show for visitors to see.

Nicolas Chee, founder and CEO of ForwardX Robotics, says: “At ForwardX, our goal has always been to develop mature solutions that actually deliver real value right now. We understand that the manufacturing industry is a complex one with a variety of circumstances and pain points specific to each manufacturer. [Read more…] about ForwardX launches six new autonomous mobile robots

Seoul Robotics launches ‘breakthrough’ perception software platform

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​Seoul Robotics​, a 3D computer vision company using AI and machine learning to power the future of mobility, has made its formal debut in the US market with the launch of its first commercial product, Discovery.

The company, which has been developing sensor agnostic perception software for 3D sensors for the past three years, provides large-scale companies, institutions, and governments with access to LiDAR solutions to support a range of functions and increase efficiency and safety.

The LiDAR market is currently on track to reach more than $3 billion by 2025, fueled over the last decade by companies focused on the development of autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Seoul Robotics launches ‘breakthrough’ perception software platform

Gatik raises $25 million in new funding

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Gatik, a Palo Alto and Toronto based autonomous technology company deploying autonomous vehicles for B2B short-haul middle-mile logistics, announced today it has raised $25 million in Series A funding.

The round was co-led by Wittington Ventures and Innovation Endeavors with participation from FM Capital and Intact Ventures. Existing investors like Dynamo Ventures, Fontinalis Partners, AngelPad and others participated as well.

Gatik’s investors bring a wealth of deep experience in automotive, artificial intelligence and supply chain, making them a strong strategic fit for the company’s rapid growth. [Read more…] about Gatik raises $25 million in new funding