Robotics & Automation News

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Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

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Kiwibot, a service using semi-autonomous robots to reimagine and democratize robotic delivery, says that the concept prototype of its next-generation robot 4.0, Kiwibot Plus+, has won the world-renowned iF Design Award 2021 for Professional Concept.

Led by Alejandro Otálora, the company’s head designer, it is the first Colombian-run project ever to receive the award in this category.

Almost 10,000 entries were submitted from 52 countries to the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design. [Read more…] about Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

Sesto Robotics expands into Europe, targeting Germany, Austria, Switzerland

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Singapore-based Sesto Robotics is expanding into Europe, targeting Germany, Austria, Switzerland.

Sesto is believed to be the first Singapore-based robotics company to provide autonomous mobile robot solutions for smart manufacturing in Europe.

Sesto says it is Singapore’s leading autonomous mobile robot company, and is partnering with the Germany-based automation specialist Baumüller, to bring its flagship AMR Sesto Magnus (Magnus) to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. [Read more…] about Sesto Robotics expands into Europe, targeting Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

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With the global industrial robot market projected to grow at a 9 percent annual rate and reach $75.84 billion by 2025, Ultimation Industries is expanding its autonomous mobile robot line-up to include automated solutions that allow companies of all sizes to transform their facilities into fully integrated warehouses. 

Ultimation is a leader in conveyor technology and automation for over 30 years.

Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries, says: “To compete today and in the future, manufacturers and distributors will need the productivity and efficiency gains that come from integrating AMR technology – or warehouse robots – into their existing material handling systems. [Read more…] about Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot

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Omron Industrial Automation Europe has signed a new distribution agreement with OnRobot, the Danish manufacturer of tools for collaborative robot (cobot) applications.

This will enable Omron to offer OnRobot’s products – which can be fully integrated with the Omron TM cobot – to its customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The agreement between the two companies will give their customers greater agility when implementing collaborative solutions. [Read more…] about Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot

GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

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GSR, the deep-sea exploratory division of the DEME Group, has successfully recovered its prototype deep-seabed mining robot – which had become uncoupled from a cable connecting it to a surface vessel – from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

Patania II – GSR’s purpose-built prototype nodule collector – is currently being trialled in 4,500 metre water depth in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean.

On its final dive in the GSR area on 25 April, a lifting point separated and Patania II was uncoupled from the 5 km cable that connects it to the surface vessel. [Read more…] about GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

Hirebotics’ new ‘Cobot Welder’ can be used through smartphone app

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Hirebotics says its Cobot Welder system delivers advanced robot welding through an “easy-to-use” smartphone application.

The company says that the robotic welding system, powered by Beacon, is a complete, user-friendly collaborative robot welding system that enables “painless automated welding deployments”.

Rob Goldiez, co-founder and CEO, Hirebotics, says: “The Cobot Welder is a major leap forward in easy-to-use welding automation that combines industrial grade robot welding functionality with consumer level ease-of-use and a phenomenal price point.” [Read more…] about Hirebotics’ new ‘Cobot Welder’ can be used through smartphone app

MIT unveils robot that can brush your hair

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MIT has unveiled a robot that can brush your hair for you as you can’t be bothered because this is the 10,000th lockdown and no one has seen you for decades and your hair hasn’t even seen the light of day for at least a year. (See video below.)

MIT says the robotic arm is equipped with a hairbrush helps with brushing tasks and could be “an asset in assistive care settings”.

With rapidly growing demands on health care systems, nurses typically spend 18 to 40 percent of their time performing direct patient care tasks, oftentimes for many patients and with little time to spare. Personal care robots that brush your hair could provide substantial help and relief. [Read more…] about MIT unveils robot that can brush your hair

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

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

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To better address demand for its popular ActiNav flexible machine loading system, Universal Robots has “handpicked” a number of integrators as ActiNav solutions providers.

Today, solutions for unstructured picking and placing of parts into machines are solely focused on the vision aspect, often requiring additional programming to bridge the gap from “pick” to “place” – especially if the “place” is not just dropping into a box but accurately inserting parts into fixtures for further processing.

Universal says its ActiNav product changes all that, combining real-time autonomous motion control, Universal Robots cobots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading