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ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

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ABB robots are accelerating coronavirus testing in Singapore through a new robotics lab system which “saves time and costs and keeps lab workers safe”, according to the company.

As part of Singapore’s efforts to enhance its nation-wide COVID-19 testing capabilities, ABB’s high-precision robots have been deployed in a new automated laboratory system, known as the Rapid Automated Volume Enhancer (RAVE).

The system automates some of the manual steps usually required in sample processing. Two sets of RAVE and associated equipment can process an industry-topping throughput of close to 4,000 samples a day. RAVE also reduces test contamination and infection risks for laboratory workers. [Read more…] about ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

Autonomous shuttle market forecast to be worth $18 billion

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The autonomous shuttle market is forecast to be worth $18 billion by IDTechEx, which includes driverless minibuses and small, sidewalk delivery robots in the category. 

An increasing number of commercial vehicles are going battery-electric, assisted by battery life of one million miles and ranges of up to 600 miles being imminent. Shenzhen alone has 70,000 electric logistics vehicles.

Next come robot buses, robotrucks and robotaxis with driver elimination reducing cost by intensive use. IDTechEx has a report on the topic, Electric, Hybrid & Fuel Cell Light Commercial Vehicles 2021-2041. [Read more…] about Autonomous shuttle market forecast to be worth $18 billion

Whirly Max launches landscaping robot Yardroid

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Whirly Max is introducing its intelligent landscaping robot Yardroid, which is described as looking like a “mini tank”. It runs on tracks, is able to turn on the spot, can climb over vertical obstacles up to 6 inches high and slopes of up to 45 degrees.

The company says that Yardroid is a big step up from the perimeter guided robotic lawn mowers available today. Yardroid is controlled by computer vision and artificial intelligence.

It can find its way around an area by special proprietary computer algorithms. Instead of randomly criss-crossing a lawn, Yardroid drives in a defined pattern. It can automatically change the mowing height. [Read more…] about Whirly Max launches landscaping robot Yardroid

Sarcos Robotics exoskeleton included in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 list

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Sarcos Robotics, a maker of robots that augment humans to enhance productivity and safety, says that its Guardian XO industrial exoskeleton has been chosen by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020.

Sarcos says its exoskeleton is “the world’s first full-body, battery-powered wearable industrial robot designed to increase strength and endurance”.

The Guardian XO exoskeleton was selected for this prestigious annual list in the Productivity category, among three other products designed to streamline the way we work. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics exoskeleton included in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 list

Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

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Major European and Japanese car manufacturers are integrating Techman Robot collaborative robots into their supply chains.

Collaborative robots that can be flexibly applied to a small-volume but large-variety production line, focus on human-robot collaboration and facilitate smart manufacturing are emerging.

Compared to other industries, the level of automation in the automotive industry is much higher. The latest report from Kenneth Research predicts that the shipment and sales revenue brought by collaborative robots in the automotive industry will increase by 43 percent every year by 2022. [Read more…] about Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

Think Surgical receives FDA clearance for new robot

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Think Surgical has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for its second-generation “active robot”.

Think Surgical is an innovator in the field of orthopedic active robot surgery, and says the FDA has cleared the its robotic system called TSolution One Total Knee Application.

The system features an active robot for total knee replacement, providing fully automated bone preparation, and gives surgeons a choice of implant options. [Read more…] about Think Surgical receives FDA clearance for new robot

Showing robots how to drive a car… in just a few easy lessons

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USC researchers have developed a method that could allow robots to learn new tasks, like setting a table or driving a car, from observing a small number of demonstrations.

Imagine if robots could learn from watching demonstrations: you could show a domestic robot how to do routine chores or set a dinner table. In the workplace, you could train robots like new employees, showing them how to perform many duties. On the road, your self-driving car could learn how to drive safely by watching you drive around your neighborhood.

Making progress on that vision, USC researchers have designed a system that lets robots autonomously learn complicated tasks from a very small number of demonstrations – even imperfect ones. The paper, titled Learning from Demonstrations Using Signal Temporal Logic, was presented at the Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL). [Read more…] about Showing robots how to drive a car… in just a few easy lessons

BMG unveils robotic paper cup manufacturing system

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Brown Machine Group (BMG) has designed a robotic paper cup manufacturing system for use in paper cup manufacturing applications.

BMG says its aXatronics C-Rush System is the first of its kind to automatically remove sidewalls, or Blanks, from high-speed, vertical die-cutters and robotically place them into work-in-progress containers, the C-Rush System significantly reduces manual labor and improves die-cutter productivity.

C-Rush is equipped with Smart-Dola – a new patent pending die-cutter output lane assembly (Dola) fixture that dramatically improves overall system throughput. [Read more…] about BMG unveils robotic paper cup manufacturing system

The bicycle industry and the use of robots

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No one was taking the initiative at first. There were too many “what ifs” roaming inside the mind of the business tycoons. But what can we say? The most stubborn creation on this green-and-blue planet wasn’t going to let the adventurous proposition pass by.

So, the scientists ultimately convinced the bicycle brand owners to take the big step. Enters the robot in the bike industry and changed the history onwards. But how does one take such an impossible step? What provokes the folks to make the intimidating move?

We are going to find the answers right now with much more to explore. Read on to learn the bicycle industry and the use of robots, what’s going on inside those production houses, and, most importantly, how’s the modern-day wonder of science making the business flourish. [Read more…] about The bicycle industry and the use of robots

Telerobotics: A ’smart’ remedy for productivity during Covid-19

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By Neil Tardella, CEO, Energid

A surgeon in New York performs a robot-assisted surgery on a patient in India. An engineer in London programs and monitors a robotic work cell in Shenzhen, China.

An assembly line worker or welder unable to enter their auto manufacturing factories in Michigan performs their job remotely, with robots aiding in the process.

It’s called telerobotics – the area of robotics focused on controlling robots from a distance – and it’s bound to play an increasingly important role in society in the wake of the Covid pandemic. [Read more…] about Telerobotics: A ’smart’ remedy for productivity during Covid-19