Robotics & Automation News

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Güdel to showcase linear motion tech for robots at FabTech

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Adding linear motion to articulated robots is now a widely adopted solution to extend flexibility and work envelopes.

But these benefits only apply if the robot runs smoothly on a track that in many production environments will be exposed to dust, soot, abrasives and fine contaminants, which can cause the track’s roller bearings to stop rotating, leading to malfunction and robot downtime.

At FabTech booth W5029, Güdel will showcase its “cam follower advantage”. A cam follower is Güdel’s cylindrical roller bearing mounted on a stud that rides on the guide rail, providing significantly increased resilience to harsh industrial environments compared with traditional profile guides commonly used in 7th axis tracks. [Read more…] about Güdel to showcase linear motion tech for robots at FabTech

AUAR ships ABB robot-centered micro-factories to the US to build homes

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Construction tech startup Automated Architecture (AUAR) is shipping two of its robotic micro-factories to the US, in the company’s first move to expanding operations to North America.

The first of its kind, AUAR’s micro-factories will be deployed by Rival Holdings, a real estate development and construction firm, to build thousands of sustainable and affordable homes across the Midwest.

AUAR’s project caters to a growing need in the region. The partnership between AUAR and Rival Holdings aims to address the ongoing housing crisis in the US.

[Read more…] about AUAR ships ABB robot-centered micro-factories to the US to build homes

EDAP and Avenda Health launch ‘world’s first’ robotic ultrasound cancer surgery system

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EDAP, a specialist developer of robotic energy-based therapies, and Avenda Health, an AI healthcare company, have agreed a collaboration agreement for the purpose of offering personalized prostate cancer care.

The two companies will utilize Avenda’s AI technology, Unfold AI, to launch “the world’s first AI-assisted Focal One robotic high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedures”.

Avenda Health’s Unfold AI is a multimodal AI decision support platform cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that brings “superhuman” abilities to cancer surgeons and oncologists to power the future of cancer care. [Read more…] about EDAP and Avenda Health launch ‘world’s first’ robotic ultrasound cancer surgery system

Artificial muscles propel a robotic leg to walk and jump

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Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have developed a robotic leg with artificial muscles. Inspired by living creatures, it jumps across different terrains in an agile and energy-efficient manner.

Inventors and researchers have been developing robots for almost 70 years. To date, all the machines they have built – whether for factories or elsewhere – have had one thing in common: they are powered by motors, a technology that is already 200 years old.

Even walking robots feature arms and legs that are powered by motors, not by muscles as in humans and animals. This in part suggests why they lack the mobility and adaptability of living creatures.

[Read more…] about Artificial muscles propel a robotic leg to walk and jump

Pickommerce secures $3.4 million investment to advance robotic piece-picking technology

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Pickommerce, a warehouse automation startup, has secured $3.4 million in funding to advance the development, production and marketing of its “innovative PickoBot piece-picking robot”.

Pickommerce’s technology is poised to disrupt the warehouse automation market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 53.4 percent and reach nearly $9 billion by 2029, according to research firm Mordor Intelligence.

The funding round was led by IL Ventures, a fund focused on disruptive technologies for legacy industries, and includes InNegev, Fusion VC, the Israel Innovation Authority and strategic investor ZIM Ventures, the corporate venture arm of maritime shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. [Read more…] about Pickommerce secures $3.4 million investment to advance robotic piece-picking technology

Kongsberg’s robotic underwater vessel completes multi-week fully autonomous mission

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Kongsberg Discovery says it has reached “another successful milestone” in the development of its HUGIN Endurance in completing a “record setting multi-week fully autonomous mission”.

After receiving a final navigation update from a pre-deployed transponder 10 hours into the dive, the 8-ton, 40 ft, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operated completely independent of all human interaction and with no external navigation aiding for the duration of the sortie.

This mission was conducted at depths ranging from 50 metres to 3,400 metres and met the advertised 1,200 nautical mile range. Most impressive of all, was that HUGIN Endurance returned with a position error of approximately 0.02 percent of total distance traveled. [Read more…] about Kongsberg’s robotic underwater vessel completes multi-week fully autonomous mission

Caracol to debut ‘groundbreaking’ robotic large-format additive manufacturing platform at IMTS

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Caracol will use IMTS to demonstrate how manufacturers can produce industrial large-scale 3D printed parts with more efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, thanks to its advanced technology.

Via live on-booth 3D printing with its partner, Kuka, (booth #236807, West Hall), visitors will be able to get an up-close look at the capabilities of LFAM via Caracol’s innovative flagship Heron AM integrated AM platform.

This modular hardware-software robotic system works on 6+ axes to enable manufacturers in key sectors like aerospace, automotive, energy and maritime, to produce thermoplastic composite parts with very complex geometries and with no scale or shape limits. [Read more…] about Caracol to debut ‘groundbreaking’ robotic large-format additive manufacturing platform at IMTS

Harvey Roofing transforms its sustainable roof tile production with new robotic solution

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Harvey Roofing, a division of South Africa’s Macsteel and a provider of roofing solutions, is marking a “significant milestone” in its commitment to innovation and advancement in the industry.

Through a strategic partnership with renowned industrial robotics manufacturer Yaskawa, Harvey Roofing is set to revolutionise its roof tile production process, leveraging a unique prototype product and cutting-edge robotics solutions to enhance efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

As the demand for high-quality roofing materials continues to grow, Harvey Roofing recognised the need for an innovative approach to upgrade its current manufacturing process.

[Read more…] about Harvey Roofing transforms its sustainable roof tile production with new robotic solution

RC Mowers’ remote-operated robotic mowers solve City of Vallejo ‘biggest problems’

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For the City of Vallejo, California, keeping its maintenance workers safe and its more than 8,000 acres of land protected from potential fire hazards was the catalyst for its decision to add three more RC Mowers remote-controlled robotic mowers to its fleet this mowing season.

Robert Ljuba, the facilities maintenance supervisor for the City of Vallejo Water Department, says: “Our team spends a great deal of our work week clearing the brush and other vegetation that serve as fuel for wildfires.

“Because this brush is usually located on hills and in rough terrain, our crews are often put in harm’s way. As a result, we are constantly evaluating equipment that can help mitigate those risks while doing an effective job at removing fire hazards.” [Read more…] about RC Mowers’ remote-operated robotic mowers solve City of Vallejo ‘biggest problems’

Kodiak surpasses 50,000 autonomous long-haul trucking miles in delivery collaboration with JB Hunt and Bridgestone

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J.B. Hunt, one of the largest supply chain solutions providers in North America, Bridgestone, the famous tire brand, and Kodiak Robotics, an autonomous trucking company, are celebrating a successful ongoing weekly delivery collaboration that has surpassed 50,000 autonomous long-haul trucking miles, incorporating Kodiak autonomous trucks to ship Bridgestone passenger car tires between South Carolina and Dallas.

Since launching in January, the autonomous route has been driven with no accidents and achieved 100 percent on-time pick-up and delivery, and the companies have expanded the collaboration to include additional weekly deliveries along the route.

Utilizing Kodiak’s hub-to-hub autonomous delivery model, the long-haul stretch of the route from Atlanta to Dallas – approximately 750 miles and 16 hours – is completed using Kodiak autonomous driving technology, which is fitted with Bridgestone M719 drive tires and R213 steer tires. [Read more…] about Kodiak surpasses 50,000 autonomous long-haul trucking miles in delivery collaboration with JB Hunt and Bridgestone