Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Orthopedic surgical robots to carry out joint replacement with precision

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robotic surgery

Various advanced tools and techniques have been implemented by orthopedic surgeons over the past decade to improve patient outcomes.

These tools and techniques help them in improving patient outcomes and offer comfort to patients during treatment. The orthopedic surgery robots use the 3D imaging technology and computer navigation techniques to improve ability of surgeons to place implants with precise alignment.

Many studies have shown that these techniques are safer and more effective as compared to traditional surgical techniques. [Read more…] about Orthopedic surgical robots to carry out joint replacement with precision

SSL to provide robotic arms to Darpa for satellite servicing

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SSL artist rendering robotic arms. Source: Darpa (PRNewsFoto/SSL)

Space Systems Loral (SSL), a provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, has received $20.7 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) to design and build robotic arm flight hardware for the first phase of the agency’s Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program.

SSL is receiving the funds through MDA US Systems, a division of MDA managed by SSL, and is working with the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), which is the prime contractor managing the program.

The contract is for two complete robotic arm systems, which would be able to carefully capture and berth with satellites that were not previously designed for docking.  [Read more…] about SSL to provide robotic arms to Darpa for satellite servicing

Robotiq and Varioptic launch camera for Universal Robots

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Robotiq and Varioptic announce the availability of the Robotiq Camera specifically designed for Universal Robots 

The new Robotiq Camera includes a CMOS sensor and a Caspian module from Varioptic.

It has the ability to focus from as close as 70 mm to infinity and comes with a software package for Universal Robots which allows the camera to be setup within minutes.

It will fit all UR wrists and is accessible directly from the robot controller. [Read more…] about Robotiq and Varioptic launch camera for Universal Robots

Does anyone care to understand robotic process automation?

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New research from Redwood Software and Shared Services Link reveals that limited understanding is hindering the potential of the robotic process automation 

Robotics and automation specialist Redwood Software has  launched new research in association with Shared Services Link, the online community for finance, shared services and outsourcing company.

The Power of Robotics in Shared Services report surveyed over 100 shared services professionals, revealing that 67 per cent of respondents plan on using robotic process automation in the next 12 months.  [Read more…] about Does anyone care to understand robotic process automation?

Jebsen boasts of ‘remarkable achievements’ in China through partnership with F&P Personal Robotics

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f&p personal robotics

Jebsen Industrial is hailing what it says are its “remarkable achiements” in China, partly as a result of its partnership with F&P Personal Robotics. 

Jebsen Group markets and distributes premium products and services across China. One of its business units is Jebsen Industrial, which provides automation services.

Officially called Automation & Services (A&S), the JI business unit is focused on manufacturing automation and intelligence services to provide “green, electronic, intelligent and smart solutions”.

A vital partnership is its F&P Personal Robotics in Switzerland, which is a pioneer in collaborative robots interacting with humans, and providing economic and customizable light weight robotic solutions.  [Read more…] about Jebsen boasts of ‘remarkable achievements’ in China through partnership with F&P Personal Robotics

Kuka’s monstrous robotic vehicle manoeuvres gigantic Airbus components with ‘millimetre precision’

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Kuka claims its humungous robotic vehicle can move with utmost exactness as it manoeuvres massive aircraft components within small spaces at Airbus 

Robot-maker Kuka is boasting about how precise its omniMove robotic vehicle has been during a job at Airbus where it was used to manoeuvre supersize aircraft components. 

Airbus uses two powerful Kuka omniMove heavy-duty mobile transport vehicles for the construction of its A380 flagship in Hamburg.

With their Mecanum wheels, they are able to transport aircraft components weighing up to 90 tonnes with “millimeter precision” in confined spaces, claims Kuka.  [Read more…] about Kuka’s monstrous robotic vehicle manoeuvres gigantic Airbus components with ‘millimetre precision’

The size of things to come: An exciting time for medical robotics

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In this exclusive article for Robotics and Automation News, Chris Wagner, head of advanced surgical systems at Cambridge Consultants, takes a microscopic look at the developments in medical robotics

This is an exciting time for medical robotics, as there is a proliferation of systems on the market or in development.

Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci, the long-time market leader for robotic laparoscopic procedures, now has potential competition from Medtronic, Verb Surgical (backed by Google and J&J), Auris Surgical, Transenterix’s ALF-X, and Titan Medical’s Sport system.

Similarly, the orthopaedics robot market is active with Stryker’s Mako platform, Think Surgical’s TCAT system, Mazor Robotics Renaissance system for spine surgery, and Blue Belt Technologies (now owned by Smith & Nephew) Navio system.

One interesting observation is of the physical size of the various systems as compared to the active operating volume of the robot.  [Read more…] about The size of things to come: An exciting time for medical robotics

FDA approves Auris robotic endoscopy system

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Though Auris has not unveiled its much awaited endoscopy system, the recent approval from the Food and Drug Association has got many industry experts and principal investigator sharing their opinion

How many of us would actually trust a robotic surgeon operating on us? Not many. But the new precise and dexterous medical robot approved by the FDA shows they could soon take over the operation theater.

Within the next 10 years, scientists believe computer-assisted surgery will be a popular and a standard feature in many operation rooms and critical extension of modern medical professionals, say research analysts at Allied Market Research.

Researchers analysing the growth, demand, size, and share of the Medical Robotics and Computer-Assisted Surgery Market say that areas such as Silicon Valley rank among the most active regions in the United States for medical robotics and Auris Surgical Robotics has managed to gain much recognition.  [Read more…] about FDA approves Auris robotic endoscopy system

Robots will become ‘electronic persons’ under European Union plan

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The European Union is considering giving robots human rights under a plan to classify them as “electronic persons” and making their owners liable to pay taxes on their behalf, according to Reuters. 

What’s been called a “robot revolution” in recent years has led to millions of robots of all types being built and utilised in almost every area of society – from robotic arms in the manufacturing industry, through autonomous vehicles in transportation, to domestic or service robots in commercial buildings and in the home.

No one knows exactly what the robot population on Earth is, but it’s likely to overtake segments of the human population in some countries within a decade or two. Moreover, a very large proportion of future robots are likely to be humanoids.

This massive growth of robotics and autonomous technologies has led the European Parliament’s committee on legal affairs to draft a resolution saying “that at least the most sophisticated autonomous robots could be established as having the status of electronic persons with specific rights and obligations”. [Read more…] about Robots will become ‘electronic persons’ under European Union plan

Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica

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Yaskawa has launched a new collaborative industrial robot range at Automatica, along with a number of other innovations, including a new compact controller. 

The hotly anticipated collaborative Motoman HC10 is consistent with the plan to position Yaskawa as one of the world’s leading robot manufacturers in the area of human-robot collaboration.

The manufacturer of Motoman industrial robots is presenting the new development outside Japan for the first time at its stand in the new robotic technology hall (B6-502).  [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica