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ETH succeeds in printing robot parts with different polymers and new laser scanning technique

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Scientists at ETH have succeeded in printing a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons made of different polymers using a new laser scanning technique. It is believed this is the first time such materials and techniques have been used.

3D printing is advancing rapidly, and the range of materials that can be used has expanded considerably. While the technology was previously limited to fast-​curing plastics, it has now been made suitable for slow-​curing plastics as well.

These have decisive advantages as they have enhanced elastic properties and are more durable and robust. [Read more…] about ETH succeeds in printing robot parts with different polymers and new laser scanning technique

ANYbotics provides four-legged robot to inspect offshore oil rigs in Europe

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Aker BP, Cognite, and ANYbotics are partnering to pioneer offshore remote inspections with ANYmal X on the Valhall platform (main picture) in the North Sea, the large body of water between the UK and Scandinavia. 

ANYmal X, the only Ex-certified legged robot, was tested for integrated robotic inspections in offshore Ex-rated zones, showcasing the benefits of Cognite’s real-time digital twins and comprehensive AI-powered data platform. (See video below.)

This is a significant step in Aker BP’s aim to implement remote inspections as an enabler for unmanned operation of complex offshore processing platforms by 2027-2029. [Read more…] about ANYbotics provides four-legged robot to inspect offshore oil rigs in Europe

Brain Corp and Dane Technologies extend robotic partnership

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Brain Corp, a provider of an operating system for robots, and Dane Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of power assist solutions, have expanded their partnership for the development of inventory scanning retail solutions, which will be built on Brain Corp’s next generation robotics platform.

The next generation platform, designed with a new, modular architecture, represents the latest evolution of Brain Corp’s BrainOS robotics platform – which currently powers over 30,000 autonomous robots operating in commercial public spaces.

Promoting faster and easier product development, the next generation robotics platform has been created to underpin a future generation of intelligent robotic solutions able to be applied across multiple commercial sectors. [Read more…] about Brain Corp and Dane Technologies extend robotic partnership

ABB completes testing of robotic system for inserting charges in boreholes in mines

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ABB says it has “successfully completed” testing of the industry-first automated robot charging technology for underground mines in partnership with mine operators Boliden and LKAB.

The goal is to make mines safer by automating one of few manual processes left in mining: charging the blasting holes with explosives.

Blasting schedules in underground mines can vary, but the process takes place up to 15 times per day in larger mines as miners expand the chambers to extract mineral and metal ores. [Read more…] about ABB completes testing of robotic system for inserting charges in boreholes in mines

French institute completes inaugural robotics surgeries with Moon Surgical system

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The Arnault Tzanck Institute and Moon Surgical, a French-American pioneer in collaborative robotics, announced the successful completion of the first ten laparoscopic surgeries leveraging a new, commercially-ready Maestro System in Nice, France.

The weight loss (bariatric) and abdominal surgery procedures were performed by Dr Benjamin Cadière and Dr Georges Debs, both laparoscopic surgeons, and mark the expansion of the hospital’s bariatric practice, which aims to provide integrated care to patients at its new Clinique du Poids Idéale – a one-stop shop for weight loss.

Moon Surgical’s Maestro System is designed to enhance surgeons during surgical procedures by providing an extra set of arms that they can use to control two additional instruments. [Read more…] about French institute completes inaugural robotics surgeries with Moon Surgical system

How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications

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Have you optimized the performance of your robotic arm as it performs milling operations? Machining with articulated robot arms is an attractive alternative to machine tools because they offer ease of set-up, repeatability, a large workspace, and versatility.

However, machine tools are as much as 50 times stiffer than robotic arms. This lack of stiffness in robots makes it challenging to produce the desired performance. Minimizing chatter is a frequent concern and should not be overlooked to ensure the right results the first time.

In this article, we explore some best practices for reducing chatter with a focus on the spindle and tooling. [Read more…] about How to Reduce Chatter in Robotic Milling Applications

Warehouse automation specialist AutoStore launches new robot

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AutoStore, a builder of robotic technologies for warehouses, has introduced its new R5 Pro Robot, the latest version of the company’s R5 Robot.

This new robotic solution is designed to address the specific demands of large-scale e-commerce operations, emphasizing better space usage, higher performance, and reduced total ownership costs for companies running multishift operations at scale.

Carlos Fernandez, chief product officer at AutoStore, points to the growing demand for large, high-throughput systems in the e-commerce sector. [Read more…] about Warehouse automation specialist AutoStore launches new robot

Continental acquires Kinexon’s robot operating systems division

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Continental has acquired Kinexon’s specialist division for on-board operating systems for the intelligent control of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), thereby strengthening its own position in the strategic growth field of mobile robotics.

The core of the acquisition is the “Brain” on-board operating system developed for the precise and networked control of autonomous mobile transport robots, including the IP rights to this market-leading and proven solution.

In addition, the division’s highly qualified development team is moving from Kinexon to Continental. Through this acquisition, Continental is expanding its own depth of value creation, extending its robotics expertise in software and hardware, and thus strengthening its own range of customer solutions for mobile robots. [Read more…] about Continental acquires Kinexon’s robot operating systems division

Rivelin Robotics CEO hails Hardware as a Service as ‘transformative concept’

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By Robert Bush, CEO, Rivelin Robotics

Across the ever-evolving landscape of technology and business, Hardware as a Service (HaaS) is proving to be a transformative concept. The world at large has become familiar and comfortable with software delivered as a service commodity via subscription model both for professional organisations and individuals.

This has laid the foundation for a similar approach to hardware service contracts, which are increasingly being viewed as a savvy way to scale up in-house capabilities without huge capital expenditure.

This innovative approach to managing hardware needs is changing the way many manufacturing organisations handle their hardware portfolios and associated service contracts. [Read more…] about Rivelin Robotics CEO hails Hardware as a Service as ‘transformative concept’

Startups in the Robotics Industry

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By Michael Mayr, industrial equipment industry sales strategy expert, Dassault Systèmes

Every robotics startup starts with just a clever idea. A clever idea that will bring technology to a specific industry, use case or application and answer the growing need for automation, due in particular to worldwide human aging and the labor shortage it creates, but also for re- and nearshoring demand based on global supply-chain issues.

Figures reflect this observation. The number of industrial robots has consistently increased in the past few years and will keep doing so: we can expect a growth of 7 percent per year from 2023 until 2030. There is a similar trend for services robots with a growth of 37 percent of professional service robots in 2021.

Traditional Robotics players will not be able to cover the increasing gap of robotic-based automation worldwide alone the next 10 years. Therefor the attention from the markets is extremely high to the new powerful Robotics Startups communities to close the gap. [Read more…] about Startups in the Robotics Industry