Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robotics

A Story of 3D Printers and Robots

by

3D printing is a true modern-day marvel. It’s the perfect example of how advancement in one particular technological area can trigger an exponential effect in the industry as a whole, as well as other industries.

With any new technological revelation, the most exciting aspect is how that discovery will impact the world as a whole and what interesting ways people will use it.

And 3D printing is that recent technological trend, which has made its way into every corner of the world. And one of the spheres it has had a huge impact on is the world of robotics. [Read more…] about A Story of 3D Printers and Robots

Pittsburgh looks to ‘infinity and beyond’ with $200 million NASA contract win

by

Pittsburgh local authorities say they are looking to “infinity and beyond” after NASA awarded a local company, Astrobotic Technology, a $200 million contract to build and send the first-ever US rover to the Moon by 2023.

Specialising in the development of space robotics technology for lunar and planetary missions, Astrobotic was founded in 2007 by Carnegie Mellon University professor Red Whittaker and his associates.

Whittaker is considered the “father of field robotics” for his pioneering work and the company was designed with the specific goal of putting a rover on the Moon. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh looks to ‘infinity and beyond’ with $200 million NASA contract win

Logistics companies turning to robotics and automation as way out of coronavirus crisis

by

Logistics companies are turning to robotics and automation as way out of the coronavirus crisis, according to the a new report by the International Finance Corporation, an arm of the World Bank.

Governments around the world have responded to the crisis by designating logistics and supply chain companies as “essential” business and have exempted them from lockdown measures.

But even though they have been allowed to continue operating, logistics and supply chain companies have struggled, particularly with labor shortages. [Read more…] about Logistics companies turning to robotics and automation as way out of coronavirus crisis

Rozum Café develops collaborative robotic system for coffee-making and serving

by

Rozum Robotics has developed a collaborative robotic system for coffee-making and serving, calling it Rozum Café. (See video below.)

The labor shortage is a common challenge in manufacturing. Human-robot collaboration is a promising solution to this problem.

Production lines, where a human and a robot can work shoulder by shoulder, unite robotic efficiency and human creativity. [Read more…] about Rozum Café develops collaborative robotic system for coffee-making and serving

Robotics and Automation News Review: New collaborative robots, an ‘easy’ vision system, an award-winning delivery robot, and more…

by

Friday 7 August 2020: This is a new, weekly column – to be published every Friday – which rounds up all the most interesting news from the robotics and automation industry in the past seven days, in brief form. 

This Robotics and Automation News Review is also available to view on our YouTube channel, and is embedded below, at the end of this article.

Doosan Robotics has introduced six new collaborative robots (main picture), diversifying its product offerings. The new lineup includes four models from the A-Series and two from the H-Series.

SICK is continuing the roll-out of its customisable SensorApps for “easy” machine vision, with the launch of its Colour Inspection and Sorting App (picture below), which the company says is a cost-saving and simple solution for common inline quality control tasks in automated production and packaging applications.

A company called Edwards Vacuum has won an award from SEMI and Semiconductor Digest for its autonomous mobile robot, the ESV-X (see video below), which loads equipment without human intervention and autonomously delivers it to work locations within a semiconductor factory to minimize scheduled and unplanned downtime and the need for other transportation equipment while increasing customer safety.

Renesas has launched the RV1S9353A, a delta-sigma modulator chip used in robotic arm controllers, AC servo controllers, and NC servo controllers employed in a range of smart factory equipment.

GreyOrange says its Ranger GTP robot (pictured below) has become the first Automated Mobile Platforms robot of its kind to be UL Certified to UL 3100, Second Edition for use in commercial and industrial environments, UL being a US-based safety certification company.

Epson Robots has launched what it says are “new and improved” LS3-B SCARA and LS20-B SCARA robots. Notable, new and improved features include batteryless encoder, a lower cable duct profile that is ideal for hard to reach work cell layouts, built-in camera cable for easy vision system setup, and new top-of-arm layout for enhanced usability.

Plexus Health Science has launched the UVC-650, or “Sunslinger” (pictured below), a lightweight robot that emits high-powered UV light to envelop a space that kills microorganisms in “just a few minutes and virtually disinfects the space”. The system can be installed in hospitals, restaurants, offices and in other facilities.

Geek+ says its C200M Bin-to-Person robotic warehouse system can save 50 percent on goods storage. The machine has a 1.5m telescopic fork, modular door frame and multiple bin access. (See video below.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoSrlBRR_ig

Productive Robotics has released its Productive Analytics platform, which provides real-time status monitoring for all OB7 cobots, enabling access to the operating status of all cobots and their production history so customers can optimize their production, identify production errors, minimize downtime, and remotely monitor their robot activity.

Siemens has launched its Desigo building automation controllers – the PXC4 and PXC5. The company says the controllers can transform buildings into high-performing, energy efficient assets. Both controllers concentrate on specific automation elements – the Desigo PXC4 for HVAC plants and Desigo PXC5 for system functions and integration.

Geek+ partners with Kuecker to offer ‘smart logistics’ across North America

by

Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has agreed a new distribution partnership with Kuecker Logistics Group, a material handling systems integrator.

The two companies will work together to provide smart logistics solutions to customers across North America.

Geek+ has built up an extensive portfolio of successful cases across industries and a wide variety of artificial intelligence-driven robotics solutions. [Read more…] about Geek+ partners with Kuecker to offer ‘smart logistics’ across North America

Hyundai increases Hi6 controller steps capability from 20,000 to 10 million

by

Hyundai Robotics says it has significantly increased the number of steps its Hi6 robot controller is capable of – from 20,000 to 10 million.

The company unveiled the new version of Hi6 during a presentation at its Daegu headquarters in South Korea recently.

Hyundai Robotics says: “The 20,000 steps of jobs of the previous Hi5 controller were significantly increased to 10,000,000 steps by expanding storage space through SSD. [Read more…] about Hyundai increases Hi6 controller steps capability from 20,000 to 10 million

igus unveils virtual trade show booth

by

igus, a supplier of components, has unveiled a “virtual trade show booth” to provide some assistance to industry people who are “still bummed out about trade shows being cancelled”. 

The virtual stand is interactive, as you might expect, and features a range of components for many industries, including robotics, material handling, agriculture and many more.

igus says the aim of the stand was to showcase its “new, innovative plastic products for low-cost automation”. [Read more…] about igus unveils virtual trade show booth

Hyundai Robotics partners with Hyundai E&C to develop construction robots

by

Hyundai Robotics is partnering with Hyundai Engineering & Construction to develop construction robots.

Hyundai, a South Korean company, is a giant of the global industrial landscape and each of its business units is larger than most companies anywhere.

Newly established business unit Hyundai Robotics is claimed to be South Korea’s leading industrial robot producer, while Hyundai E&C is major construction company which was establish 73 years ago. [Read more…] about Hyundai Robotics partners with Hyundai E&C to develop construction robots

TM Robotics launches new robot controller

by

TM Robotics has released its new TS5000 robot controller. The company says the launch follows several years of development.

The new controller forms a launch pad for the next generation of industrial robots from Shibaura Machine – formerly known as Toshiba Machine.

TM Robotics says the TS5000 has faster position control, improves robot precision and shortens cycle times. [Read more…] about TM Robotics launches new robot controller