Robotics & Automation News

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Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

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Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

OnRobot launches new 2.5D vision system

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OnRobot has launched “Eyes”, its new 2.5D vision system. The company says it brings together “unrivaled ease-of-use to vision-guided robotic applications”. (See video below.)

Eyes’ advanced, affordable 2.5D vision adds depth perception and parts recognition for all leading robotic arms, offering seamless integration, one-picture calibration, intuitive programming, and none of the complexity of existing vision systems.

Eyes can be flexibly mounted both on the robot wrist or externally, making it ideal for almost any unstructured application in need of vision guidance. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches new 2.5D vision system

Fast Company includes UBTech Robotics on list of ‘most innovative companies worldwide’

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UBTech Robotics, an artificial intelligence and robotics company specializing in the services and education sectors, has been selected by Fast Company into its latest list of most innovative companies worldwide.

The Shenzhen-based company has been included in the robotics category for advancing the art of humanoid service for various business environments.

The enterprise-grade, cloud-connected Cruzr robot has been used in retail stores, airports, banks, and other environments. With wheels and arms, the gleaming white bot is already performing tasks such as providing directions and discounts to shoppers at EasyHome, China’s largest home-innovation chain. [Read more…] about Fast Company includes UBTech Robotics on list of ‘most innovative companies worldwide’

Robotic last-mile deliveries to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030

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Robotic last-mile deliveries are forecast to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030, according to a new report by Lux Research.

Automated parcel delivery technologies, such as small mobile delivery robots, are growing due to the rise in consumer demand for faster deliveries.

The rise in e-commerce is fueling rapid growth in parcel delivery volumes, a market expected to grow to $665 billion by 2030. Consumers are increasingly expecting parcels to be delivered quickly. [Read more…] about Robotic last-mile deliveries to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030

Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

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Universal Robots, the market leader in collaborative robotics, will show attendees at North America’s largest supply chain expo how cobots can automate hard-to-staff palletizing and piece-picking tasks with new applications from partners MDCI Automation, RightHand Robotics, and Cross Automation.

With e-commerce generating the greatest year-over-year growth of all US retail industries, there is now more warehousing space being built in the US than projected warehousing jobs required to fill that space.

When thousands of supply chain professionals were asked in a recent Materials Handling Institute survey what technologies would yield the greatest boost to productivity, “robotics and automation” was their answer. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe

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RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider autonomous robotic picking solutions, is continuing its global expansion with the establishment of a sales and business development office in Frankfurt, Germany.

With multiple customers and partners based in Europe, RHR’s German operation will strengthen the company’s business and enable them to further expand their presence as the market grows and their customer base deepens in the region.

With broad experience in next-generation fulfillment solutions, Jon Schechter has been named to lead RHR’s German office, serving as head of Europe. Schechter spent 10 years designing robotic fulfillment centers for e-commerce and retail distribution as part of Kiva Systems and Amazon Robotics. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe

Columbia engineers develop ‘tactile robot finger with no blind spots’

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Researchers at Columbia Engineering say they have developed a new type of robotic finger with a sense of touch. Their finger can localize touch with very high precision – less than 1 mm – over a large, multicurved surface, much like its human counterpart. (See video below.)

Matei Ciocarlie, associate professor in the departments of mechanical engineering and computer science, says: “There has long been a gap between standalone tactile sensors and fully integrated tactile fingers–tactile sensing is still far from ubiquitous in robotic manipulation.”

Ciocarlie led this work in collaboration with Electrical Engineering Professor Ioannis Kymissis. [Read more…] about Columbia engineers develop ‘tactile robot finger with no blind spots’

Robotics Plus named in top 50 agritech companies list

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Robotics Plus, an agricultural production automation company, has been named in the Thrive Top 50, an annual ranking of leading global AgTech companies exemplifying the best in agriculture innovation.

Robotics Plus, the only New Zealand company to make the 2020 Top 50 ranking, was just one of five companies featured in the Robotics & Automation category.

Robotics Plus CEO Dr Matt Glenn says it’s a “huge honour” to receive a coveted spot on Thrive’s Top 50 global list. [Read more…] about Robotics Plus named in top 50 agritech companies list

Lyro Robotics secures seed funding to build pick-and-pack robots

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Lyro Robotics has secured seed funding to build artificial intelligence-powered pick-and-pack robots.

The Australian company says its software will enable robots to work alongside humans, and enable them to “see and understand the job at hand”.

The company’s plan is to install Lyro’s solutions into the robots which can then be used in call-out duties in time-critical industries. [Read more…] about Lyro Robotics secures seed funding to build pick-and-pack robots

OnRobot unveils compact Gecko gripper for smaller jobs

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OnRobot, a global leader in robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a compact, single-pad version of its innovative Gecko no-mark adhesive gripper.

The new Gecko Single Pad (SP) gripper brings the previous model’s revolutionary adaptability to more varied applications with smaller payloads.

It is available in three sizes, SP1, SP3 and SP5, indicating the different grippers’ lifting capacities in kilos. [Read more…] about OnRobot unveils compact Gecko gripper for smaller jobs