Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

regulations

Proposed new European laws will cause ‘severe damage’ to industry, warn global robotics leaders

by Leave a Comment

The European Commission’s proposed AI Act and updated regulations on machinery products will cause “severe damage” to European small businesses, robotics companies and innovation, according to four of the most influential voices in robotics and automation.

Together, the International Federation of Robotics, the VDMA Robotics + Automation Association, EUnited Robotics and REInvest Robotics urgently call on European policymakers to revisit and amend the proposals. [Read more…] about Proposed new European laws will cause ‘severe damage’ to industry, warn global robotics leaders

SkyDrive launches ‘world’s smallest flying car’

by Leave a Comment

A Japanese startup company called SkyDrive has unveiled what it claims is the world’s smallest flying car. (See video below.)

Designed to carry one person, the vehicle could be said to be the aerial equivalent of a motorcycle.

SkyDrive says it can put the what we’ll call the “airbike” into mass production in just two years’ time, by which time there should be more regulations about aerial vehicles. [Read more…] about SkyDrive launches ‘world’s smallest flying car’

Audi to ‘gradually restart production’ in Europe

by Leave a Comment

Audi will gradually initiate the restart of production at its plants in Europe during the coming weeks.

The company had announced the temporary suspension of production at its European sites in mid-March.

The background to the decision was supply bottlenecks and a drop in demand due to the corona pandemic. [Read more…] about Audi to ‘gradually restart production’ in Europe

Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

by

Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.’s electric vehicle (EV) inverter has been adopted by Audi for its first mass production EV, the e-tron, which went on sale in Europe in March this year.

With tightened environmental regulations around the world, many countries are driving for greater adoption of electric vehicles.

This has led to the demand for more efficient and higher-output electric motors, inverters, and other electric powertrain systems that will contribute to high performance EVs.

[Read more…] about Hitachi electric vehicle inverter adopted for the Audi e-tron

Smart trash bin automatically separates and sorts out rubbish

by

bin-e intelligent trash can

It probably looks more stylish than your average bin, and it’s definitely a whole lot smarter. 

What’s being described at the world’s first smart trash can is being developed in Poland.

Its makers, at a company called Bin-e, say the “intelligent bin” will not only facilitate work in an ecologically friendly environment but also allow us to save time devoted to garbage segregation at work.  [Read more…] about Smart trash bin automatically separates and sorts out rubbish

Continuous compliance: The growing role of PLM in compliance management

by

car design mesh

Adam Bannaghan, technical director of product lifecycle management (PLM) provider, Design Rule, discusses the growing role of PLM in managing quality and compliance

The advantages of PLM software are widely understood; improved product quality, lower development costs, valuable design data and a significant reduction in waste. However, one benefit that does not get as much attention is PLM’s support of regulatory compliance.

Nobody would dispute the necessity of regulatory compliance, but in the product development realm it certainly isn’t the most interesting topic. Regardless of its lack of glamour, failure to comply with industry regulations can render the more exciting advantages of PLM redundant.  [Read more…] about Continuous compliance: The growing role of PLM in compliance management

Robotiq explains new collaborative robot specifications from ISO

by

robotiq cobot pic

Robotiq is a company that mainly makes grippers for industrial robots, specialising in two-finger and three-finger robotic hands for the collaborative robots made by Universal Robots. 

However, Robotiq also regularly publish much useful and timely information about the robotics industry, often technical information which only experts in the field – such as those who work at Robotiq – would be able to provide.

This week, Robotiq has published an explanation of the new ISO safety requirements pertaining to collaborative robots, and gave Robotics and Automation News permission to publish the article, which follows.  [Read more…] about Robotiq explains new collaborative robot specifications from ISO