Robotics & Automation News

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World’s oldest consultancy claims new car tech will change auto manufacturing

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Arthur D. Little, which claims to be the world’s first consultancy company, predicts how future mobility solutions will affect automotive manufacturing.

In a new report, The Future of Automotive Mobility, the company says – somewhat surprisingly – that the future vehicle technology will depend less on consumer preferences than government regulations.

The company draws its conclusions on a global survey of 6,500 participants, including customers, industry players and regulators. Its research examines how the megatrends of electric mobility, car sharing and autonomous driving are likely to impact on the global automotive ecosystem and future original equipment manufacturing sales.  [Read more…] about World’s oldest consultancy claims new car tech will change auto manufacturing

Epson Flexion N-Series wins 2017 Golden Mousetrap Award

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Epson’s newest 6-axis robot recognized for industry innovation

Epson Robots’ Flexion N-Series has won the highly acclaimed Golden Mousetrap Award in the category of Automation & Control: Motors and Mechanical Motion Devices.

The Golden Mousetrap awards celebrate leading companies, products, and people who are driving innovation in design, engineering, and manufacturing.

The winners were announced at an awards ceremony held a few weeks ago.  [Read more…] about Epson Flexion N-Series wins 2017 Golden Mousetrap Award

Universal Robots to showcase expanding ecosystem of solutions at Automate 2017

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universal robots automate show

Universal Robots to exhibit what it calls “7th axis capability” at this year’s Automate event. 

The collaborative robots maker will also exhibit new force torque sensors, augmented reality-assisted assembly, and a wide range of other new partner solutions certified to work with UR robots through the Universal Robots+ platform.

Occupying one of the largest booths at Automate 2017 in Chicago, April 3-6, the cobot manufacturer will showcase more than 20 new Universal Robots+ products from 14 different developers.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots to showcase expanding ecosystem of solutions at Automate 2017

Automate 2017 to host US-China robotics forum

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automate 2017

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has organised a joint US-China Robotics Forum to be held April 4 at the Automate 2017 Show and Conference at Chicago’s McCormick Place.

The forum will bring together A3’s Robotic Industries Association, the leading North American robotics industry trade organization, and its counterpart, the China Robot Industry Alliance.

According to the World Robotics Report 2016, published by the International Federation of Robotics, China has significantly expanded its leading position as the largest robotics market in the world purchasing 27 per cent of the total supply in 2015.  [Read more…] about Automate 2017 to host US-China robotics forum

HIT Robot Group to showcase products at Automate 2017 for the first time

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HIT Robot Group, which claims to be China’s leading robotics manufacturer, will make its debut appearance at Automate 2017, the largest show of robots and automation technology in North America.

The company will bring its latest smart factory model of robot and hopes Automate will provide a platform for seeking global partners.

Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) every other year, Automate is one of the top 10 manufacturing shows in the US.

This year the event will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago from April 3rd to April 6th, and will attract big names in the automation industry like ABB, Denso and Kawasaki.  [Read more…] about HIT Robot Group to showcase products at Automate 2017 for the first time

Kuka and VIP launch new system to teach industrial robots without programming

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All Kuka robots can now be “easily and intuitively” guided by hand in the workspace using a new navigation system developed by Very Important Product. 

The VIP Navigator was developed in partnership with Kuka.

VIP is a special-machine engineering expert and is now offering what the companies call the ready-to-use package, “ready2_pilot”, through its Navigator product.

The new system enables “quick and easy robot programming” using intuitive guidance – physically teaching the robot – instead of computer coding.  [Read more…] about Kuka and VIP launch new system to teach industrial robots without programming

Universal Robots launches free online training in industrial robot programming

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universal robots training
The UR Academy modules takes the student through basic tasks such as
programming the UR robot arm to place parts in a box arriving on a conveyor

“It’s unprecedented to make inter-active teaching material of this caliber free of charge – we’re basically the first in the industry to take this approach,” says Universal Robots spokesperson

Universal Robots has developed online training modules to enable users of its industrial robots learn more about their machines’ operations and applications.

The hands-on modules are offered free of charge, open to all, and built to deliver hands-on learning via interactive simulations to maximize user engagement, says the company.

Learning how to set up and program a collaborative robot – or cobot – no longer depends on real life access to a robot or a training class, says Universal.

Now everybody with a desire to learn the concepts of cobots can log in to the Universal Robots Academy and get the introduction necessary to master basic programming skills.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches free online training in industrial robot programming

Auto manufacturers refusing to take responsibility for their robot car failures, says campaign group

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Outspoken safety advocate says the same week in which Volkswagen pleaded guilty to felonies in connection with vast emissions deception, the automaker claimed it would stand on its record when it comes to autonomous vehicles

The Safe Autonomous Vehicles Campaign says that out of more than a dozen automakers it challenged to take responsibility for failures in their autonomous vehicle technology, only Volvo has publicly agreed to accept responsibility for their robot cars at some levels of automation.

Meanwhile, the campaign noted that VW, just days after pleading guilty to a massive effort to deceive customers, responded to the challenge by pledging that its “long track record … stand on its own merits”.  [Read more…] about Auto manufacturers refusing to take responsibility for their robot car failures, says campaign group

ABB sells its first ever industrial robot manufactured in the US

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The ABB IRB 2600 industrial robot

ABB says customer is Hitachi Powdered Metals USA, and that production at Auburn Hills, Michigan facility “progressing on schedule”

ABB has sold its first robot manufactured in the United States. The IRB 2600 industrial robot is the first to be produced at the ABB Auburn Hills, Michigan facility, and was sold by ABB partner CIM Systems to Hitachi Powdered Metals USA.

The compact robot, which is painted with special commemorative red, white and blue paint, will be used for material handling of in-process engine component parts at the Hitachi Greensburg, Indiana facility. It is the 180th ABB robot at the Hitachi plant, which installed its first ABB robot in 2005.  [Read more…] about ABB sells its first ever industrial robot manufactured in the US

Universal Robots delivers high double-digit growth again

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Jürgen von Hollen, the new president of Universal Robots
Jürgen von Hollen, president of Universal Robots

Universal Robots has continued its rapid expansion worldwide with a growth rate of 62 per cent from 2015 to 2016.

The company that pioneered and commercialised collaborative robot technology continues to leverage its first mover advantage and market leadership position.

Cage-free, user-friendly collaborative robots of all sizes have now become the market driver within industrial robotics.

The 2016 annual result of Universal Robots is a testament to that market growth, with revenue reaching $98.4 million and delivering a profit of $13.7 million before tax.

President of Universal Robots, Jürgen von Hollen, considers net income to be satisfactory and expects revenue growth of 50 per cent or greater in 2017, which means that the company will stay on target to reach $148.6 million by the end of 2017. [Read more…] about Universal Robots delivers high double-digit growth again