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Clearpath develops autonomous ice resurfacer that smooths skating rink with GPS navigation

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Every year, Clearpath Robotics holds a Hack Day – an entire workday dedicated to pet robotics projects to push and challenge itself. Numerous teams come together to draft and build out their ideas from the ground up and then present them to the entire Clearpath team. (See video below.) 

This is the chance to test out fun experiments in a supportive and constructive environment. This year, however, one team decided to stick close to Clearpath’s Canadian roots.

For Hack Day 2021, a team presented an autonomous ice resurfacer using Husky UGV equipped with its GPS Waypoint Navigation package. [Read more…] about Clearpath develops autonomous ice resurfacer that smooths skating rink with GPS navigation

The Role of Robotics and Automation in Industry 4.0

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As the global manufacturing industry enters its fourth revolution, innovations such as robotics, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are set to take over. (1)

The number of active industrial robots worldwide is increasing by approximately 14% year on year, and automation continues to create new types of robots with improved utility and function. [Read more…] about The Role of Robotics and Automation in Industry 4.0

Waypoint Robotics partners with Productive Robotics to build mobile manipulation robot

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Waypoint Robotics has teamed up with Productive Robotics to build a new kind of robot that aims to make mobile manipulation accessible for small to mid sized companies. 

The machine – called the Vector AMR – combines Waypoint’s omnidirectional autonomous mobile robot with Productive Robotics’ 7 axis collaborative robot arm, which the companies say makes it easier and more cost effective to implement mobile manipulators for manufacturing and logistics applications.

Workers can use this mobile platform to perform repetitive tasks such as machine tending, quality assurance sampling, material replenishment, packaging, and many others, so they can focus on the high skilled jobs for which they are uniquely qualified. [Read more…] about Waypoint Robotics partners with Productive Robotics to build mobile manipulation robot

Kuka releases new operating system for its industrial robots

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Kuka has released a new operating system that the company says will “mark the beginning of a new era in robotics”.

Claiming it is “as easy to use as a smartphone”, Kuka launched the new operating system at Hannover Messe, the annual industrial trade show in Germany, where the company gave audiences the first look at the OS, called iiQKA.OS.

Kuka says iiQKA.OS will “significantly simplify robot use”. [Read more…] about Kuka releases new operating system for its industrial robots

Kuka releases new delta robot for which ‘hygiene is the essence’

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Kuka Robotics has launched a new delta robot for which “hygiene is of the essence”, according to the company.

Kuka says the new robot is made entirely of stainless steel and calls it “the hygiene robot”, adding that it “impressively performs challenging pick-and-place applications in the food and packaging industries”.

It also scores highly in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries with flexible application possibilities. [Read more…] about Kuka releases new delta robot for which ‘hygiene is the essence’

Doosan Robotics introduces ‘industry’s first’ ROS package for its machines

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Doosan Robotics has released the Doosan ROS 2 package, compatible with the latest ROS 2 Foxy Fitzroy.

By releasing the package in early 2021, Doosan Robotics says it has positioned itself as “the first to operate collaborative robots driven by the newest version of ROS 2”.

Doosan Robotics strategically designed its ROS 2 Foxy package to provide both convenience and accessibility. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics introduces ‘industry’s first’ ROS package for its machines

Rockwell Automation and Comau partner to ‘simplify robot integration for manufacturers’

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Rockwell Automation and Comau are partnering to, as they say, “give businesses worldwide vital tools to maximize manufacturing efficiencies through unified robot control solutions”.

Blake Moret, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, says: “Industrial companies are looking for efficient ways to integrate robotics into their operations for process optimization and agility.

“Rockwell Automation’s collaboration with Comau will simplify programming and lifecycle management, accelerating time to value for our customers.” [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation and Comau partner to ‘simplify robot integration for manufacturers’

IAM Robotics launches new mid-size AMR

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IAM Robotics says it is “breaking boundaries” in the midline autonomous mobile robot market with its new robot, ​Bolt​.

Making its debut April 12, 2021 at ​ProMat DX​, Bolt gives you the power to do more in material handling—faster, longer, and farther.

IAM says Bolt is “packed with high-tech features”, is built to thrive in warehouse and manufacturing environments, and can elevate productivity and efficiency to new heights and stands out as an autonomous mobility solution. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics launches new mid-size AMR

Taurob and Equinor to introduce autonomous robots on Norway’s offshore platforms

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Norwegian petroleum refining company Equinor is introducing autonomous ATEX-certified robots on their oil and gas installations.

ATEX is the European certification given to equipment tested and approved to be “intrinsically safe”.

Partner in the project is inspection robotics specialist Taurob of Austria. Its robot will be used to conduct routine inspection and maintenance tasks on offshore installations.

Taurob started developing robotics applied for human safety, particularly in emergency response situations, 11 years ago. Safety is also the main driver for the energy domain to step into robotics. [Read more…] about Taurob and Equinor to introduce autonomous robots on Norway’s offshore platforms

SAE International launches 12-week robotics for autonomous vehicle systems training ‘Bootcamp’

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Virtual 12-week experience provides career development opportunities for engineers entering the fast-growing autonomous vehicles industry

SAE International has announced the new 12-week Robotics for Autonomous Vehicle Systems Bootcamp for recent graduates and/or entry-level mechanical, electrical and computer science engineers joining the industry to support autonomous vehicle (AV) system development.

In partnership with Clemson University and Argo AI, SAE designed the rigorous, virtual-only workforce development experience to provide participants with an in-depth technical understanding of how to build autonomous systems.

“Companies can spend upwards of 10 months onboarding entry-level AV positions, which in this fast-moving industry can directly hinder the development and deployment cycles. The Robotics for Autonomous Vehicle Systems Bootcamp aims to support both employers and professionals by bridging the training gap through an accelerated 12-week bootcamp,” said Elizabeth Melville, director of learning at SAE International. [Read more…] about SAE International launches 12-week robotics for autonomous vehicle systems training ‘Bootcamp’