Robotics & Automation News

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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

Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

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Register here for the free and live webinar now on Tuesday 18th May, 11am EDT
Webinar: How Automation Can Hold the Key to Increased Efficiency for Healthcare Fulfilment, on Tuesday 18th May (11am EDT)

Healthcare supply chains have been placed under huge stress over the past 15 months given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with warehouse operations having been heavily affected due to demand fluctuations and workforce capabilities.

Supply chain leaders from healthcare providers and distributors must ensure that they have the capabilities to deliver in line with the ongoing volatile nature of the market. [Read more…] about Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

Chinese companies planning to bid for German industrial giant FFT, says Reuters

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Chinese firms including the Jiangsu Hagong Intelligent Robot Company are planning to make a bid to buy German industrial giant FFT, according to a report on Reuters.com. 

Other companies said to be interested include state-owned Shanghai Electric and equity firm AGIC Capital, says Reuters.

FFT, which builds manufacturing facilities for automakers and other industrial companies, is said to be valued at around $712 million.

FFT is owned by an equity investment company called Aton, and any deal is not likely to cause any political controversies, according to people Reuters quotes.  [Read more…] about Chinese companies planning to bid for German industrial giant FFT, says Reuters

Epson boss says company’s advanced sensor could change the way industrial robots are used

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Minoru-Usui-the-Global-President-of-Japanese-Company-Seiko-Epson-Corporation

Seiko Epson president Minoru Usui says sensor technology the company has developed could change the way robots are used. 

In an interview with Reuters, Usui says he wants the company to increase its robot sales worldwide by more than five times what they are now.

And the Micro Piezo force sensor could help to achieve at least some of that growth.

Currently, Epson Robots is one of the top 10 industrial robot makers in the world, according to a list compiled by RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com. The company is placed ninth, with 55,000 industrial robots installed worldwide.  [Read more…] about Epson boss says company’s advanced sensor could change the way industrial robots are used

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looking for a ‘good solution’ in response to Chinese bid for Kuka Robots

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Chancellor Angela Merkel says she does not see why there cannot be a German solution to the Chinese takeover of Kuka Robots

Chancellor Angela Merkel is reported by Reuters news agency as saying she is looking for a “good solution” in response to the Chinese takeover bid for Kuka, one of the biggest industrial robot manufacturers in the world.

Midea, a Chinese producer of household appliances, recently offered $5 billion to take over Kuka, and the robot-maker’s chairman, Dr Till Reuter, has already said the bid “can support our strategy”.

However, Dr Reuter’s apparently positive vibes has many in Germany seething and looking for a counter-offer which will keep Kuka under German control.  [Read more…] about German Chancellor Angela Merkel looking for a ‘good solution’ in response to Chinese bid for Kuka Robots

Kuka takeover bid welcomed by Reuter, according to Reuters

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Dr Till Reuter, chief executive of Kuka

The boss of Kuka has welcomed the takeover bid by Chinese company Midea, according to the Reuters news agency. 

Dr Till Reuter, chief executive of Kuka, is said to have made the comments at a shareholders’ meeting today.

Speaking of the proposal by Midea, Dr Reuter says: “The bid, as it has been announced, can support our strategy.”   [Read more…] about Kuka takeover bid welcomed by Reuter, according to Reuters

Apple releases robot that takes apart iPhones and saves valuable components

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apple liam robot
The Apple Liam robot deconstructs iPhones and saves components and materials for recycling

Apple has introduced a robot that takes apart discarded iPhones and recycles the valuable components inside, according to a report on the Reuters website.

Liam is reported to have been in development for three years, and will start with disassembling the iPhone 6.

Apple says it will modify the robot so it can handle a variety of devices and recover more of their components and materials.

According to Reuters, the Liam system consists of 29 robotic modules on a single site near Apple’s headquarters in California. It will focus initially on iPhone 6 phones. A second Liam robot is being installed in Europe, Apple said.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of environment, policy and social initiatives, said Liam can help push the technology sector toward more recycling, by manufacturers and consumers. “We need more R&D if we are going to realize the idea of a circular economy in electronics,” she said.

Apple made the announcement about Liam the robot at the same time as it launched its new range of technologies, which included a tiny iPhone SE.

Full story at the Reuters.com.