Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robot

Universal Robots sells almost 40,000 units

by

Universal Robots has sold almost 40,000 units to date, but says the market for collaborative robots remains “largely untapped”.

The company started selling its collaborative robots more than 10 years ago, and has become the leader in a category which it effectively created.

At the time, collaborative robots were unheard of, and industrial robots were always thought of as big, powerful machines which needed to be caged off in case of danger to human workers. [Read more…] about Universal Robots sells almost 40,000 units

ABB launches new robot and controller

by

ABB is introducing a new harsh environment version of its IRB 1100 robot and OmniCore controller, designed with enhanced protection against water and dust.

The entire body of the new IRB 1100 model has an IP67 rating, with all electrical components sealed against contaminants.

This makes it resistant to water and provides the robot with “complete protection from dust ingress”, claims ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robot and controller

Samsung rolls out new spherical robot at CES

by

Samsung has made a keynote presentation at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show which featured a number of robotic developments.

Samsung Consumer Electronics President and CEO, H.S. Kim, unveiled the company’s vision of robots as “life companions”, and introduced Ballie, a small, rolling robot that “understands you, supports you, and reacts to your needs to be actively helpful around the house”, according to Samsung.

Sebastian Seung, executive vice president and chief research scientist at Samsung Electronics elaborated on Ballie, explaining that its on-device artificial intelligence capabilities enable it to be a fitness assistant and a mobile interface that seeks solutions for people’s changing needs. [Read more…] about Samsung rolls out new spherical robot at CES

Autonomous buses and shuttles reflect ‘strong societal trends’, says report

by

Autonomous buses and robotic shuttles reflect “strong societal trends”, such as ageing populations who are less mobile and the record numbers of people moving to cities, according to a new report.

These are among the findings of a study by IDTechEx, Robot Shuttles and Autonomous Buses 2020-2040, said to be the first in-depth report on the subject.

Robot shuttles are an important new, reconfigurable form of transportation for goods and people that may even function as mobile offices, workshops, restaurants and more. [Read more…] about Autonomous buses and shuttles reflect ‘strong societal trends’, says report

Agility Robotics’ humanoid gets job at Ford

by

Ford is the first customer for Agility Robotics’ humanoid robot, Digit (main picture).

Agility’s robot has arms and legs and can work with humans and in human spaces, for commercial sales.

Ford is receiving the first two robots off the line. [Read more…] about Agility Robotics’ humanoid gets job at Ford

OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

by

OptiPro Metrology Lab is using a system supplied by New Scale Robotics to inspect small parts. (See video below.)

The optics manufacturer is using New Scale’s Q-Span technology, based on its “precision gripper / caliper”, to automate measurement and machine tending.

The optics measuring solution involves a collaborative robot from Universal Robots and end effectors developed by New Scale. [Read more…] about OptiPro uses New Scale Robotics system to inspect small parts

How to Choose A Gripper for Your Collaborative Robot

by

Most modern robots are built with both affordability and practicality in mind. This is because there is work that robots can do really well, and there are some simple things that human beings can do better than robots.

It is for this reason that collaborative robots have gained popularity in all major industries – robots that work alongside humans to not only increase productivity, but also safety in facilities.

Collaborative robots can be programmed to do almost any task. [Read more…] about How to Choose A Gripper for Your Collaborative Robot

Fanuc says its new robot ‘raises the bar’ in collaborative technology

by

Fanuc, the world’s largest supplier of industrial robots, says its new robot “raises the bar” in collaborative technology.

Fanuc says its new CRX-10iA and CRX-10iA/L long arm version collaborative robots “set new standards in terms of ease of use, reliability and safety”.

Fanuc introduced the new collaborative robots at the 2019 International Robot Exhibition, in Tokyo, recently. [Read more…] about Fanuc says its new robot ‘raises the bar’ in collaborative technology

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

by

OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

by

Panasonic has obtained the international safety standard IEC 62061 certification for its safety control system designed for robotic mobility chair.

The IEC standard is required by the international safety standard ISO 13482 applicable to personal care robots.

This certification means that the Japan Quality Assurance Organization has recognized that Panasonic’s safety control system for personal care robots conforms to the IEC 62061 standard: “Safety of machinery – functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems”. [Read more…] about Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair