Robotics & Automation News

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robotics and automation

ZF Marine and Avikus partner to advance autonomous marine control systems

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ZF Marine, a specialist in marine propulsion and control systems, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Avikus, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation subsidiary.

The agreement will integrate Avikus’ Neuboat Navi with Control Autonomous System into ZF’s TotalCommand electronic control platform, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of intelligent marine operations.

Under the terms of the MOU, Avikus will utilize ZF’s open protocol marine controllers to enable seamless compatibility with its award- winning autonomous navigation technologies. [Read more…] about ZF Marine and Avikus partner to advance autonomous marine control systems

Unitree Robotics planning an IPO valuing it at $7 billion

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China’s Unitree Robotics is planning an initial public offering (IPO) that could value the company at up to 50 billion yuan ($7 billion), according to a report on CNBC. This move highlights the intense global competition in the humanoid robot sector.

Hangzhou-based Unitree has become one of the most prominent in China’s humanoid robotics space. Its planned IPO would make it one of the first companies specializing in this technology to go public, signaling strong investor confidence.

Unitree’s growth is part of a broader, state-backed push in China to lead in advanced technologies like robotics and AI. The government has placed humanoids at the “centre of their national strategy”, supporting the industry through initiatives like a massive trillion-yuan fund for tech startups. [Read more…] about Unitree Robotics planning an IPO valuing it at $7 billion

Beyond the headlines: Inside China’s multi-billion dollar industrial robotic arms market

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China now has more industrial robots than the rest of the world put together, but that headline tells only part of the story. The bigger narrative is the fierce internal competition between global giants and local robot-making startups.

A new report from the International Federation of Robotics delivered a seismic fact: China now operates more industrial robots than the rest of the world combined.

This isn’t just a statistical milestone; it’s the culmination of a decade-long gold rush that has reshaped the global automation industry.

The narrative, however, extends far beyond a simple headline. It’s a story of a fiercely competitive internal market where global titans and ambitious local champions are vying for a piece of an immense financial prize. [Read more…] about Beyond the headlines: Inside China’s multi-billion dollar industrial robotic arms market

Virginia Tech opens new center to ‘shape the future of advanced manufacturing’

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For years, Virginia Tech has forged its place as a powerhouse in advanced manufacturing research. With the launch of Virginia Tech Made: The Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the university welds its mission to shape the future of the field with its commitment to train the workforce to lead it.

Housed within the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Virginia Tech Made will cultivate cross-campus collaborations, expand partnerships with industry and government, and train manufacturing professionals based on the university’s expertise in advanced materials, manufacturing technologies, computational design, data analytics, and digital infrastructure.

As faculty affiliated with the center advance state-of-the-art technology, they’ll focus on workforce development and outreach as key components of the center’s mission. [Read more…] about Virginia Tech opens new center to ‘shape the future of advanced manufacturing’

Opinion: Mechanical engineers and robotics form the basis of competing with China

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By Shaun Edwards, CTO and co-founder, Plus One Robotics

As it falters in its reshoring efforts against China, the US faces a clear obstacle: mechanical engineers.

According to the New York Times, the data are apparent, with China graduating more than 350,000 mechanical engineers each year, while the US lags behind with a mere 45,000.

This puts the US at a structural disadvantage because its ability to innovate is hindered by a lack of a skilled workforce. [Read more…] about Opinion: Mechanical engineers and robotics form the basis of competing with China

New tax rules allow total and immediate deduction of costs of robotics and automation equipment

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New tax rules introduced by the US government would allow companies to immediately deduct all of the costs of investing in robotics and automation equipment, according to a report on Wall Street Journal. 

In fact, the tax break could extend to other types of equipment as well.

Previously, companies were only allowed to write down investments and not have to pay tax on them slowly over the course of a year.  [Read more…] about New tax rules allow total and immediate deduction of costs of robotics and automation equipment

Market research reports: A roundup of the latest surveys about the robotics and automation industry

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There seems to be an increasing number of reports about the robotics and automation market, each looking at different segments, often in a different way. 

It’s difficult to keep track of them all, let alone look too deeply into them and evaluate the data contained within.

So, it seems best to list all the reports currently making the headlines, and maybe readers can decide which ones are relevant and useful to them.  [Read more…] about Market research reports: A roundup of the latest surveys about the robotics and automation industry

German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

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The German robotics and automation industry is growing at a faster rate than previously forecast, according to the VDMA, and will break records. 

The sector will reach €14 billion ($16.4 billion) annually for the first time, says the VDMA.

The VDMA is the German industrial association, said to be the largest in Europe, with more than 3,200 member companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The organisation has a section called VDMA Robotics + Automation, a specialist association with more than 270 members, which includes suppliers of components and systems from the areas of robotics, integrated assembly solutions, and industrial image processing.  [Read more…] about German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected