Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robotics

Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

by

Unique testing facility accelerates progress of robotics for inspection and maintenance

Quasset Test Facility has opened in the Netherlands to facilitate the experimentation and validation of robotic solutions for inspection and maintenance.

The 600-square-meter testing facility offers a highly flexible and controlled environment, housing a range of decommissioned assets which serve to test crawling, flying and swimming robotic systems.

As an independent facility, QTF provides third-party assessments of technology for robotic and inspection systems. From start-ups to leading oil and gas companies, service providers have the opportunity to work in consultation with QTF’s specialist robotics staff. [Read more…] about Robotic test facility opens in the Netherlands

Manhattan Associates creates new program to advance warehouse robotics and automation

by

Manhattan Associates has launched the Manhattan Automation Network, a program designed to speed the development and implementation of modern distribution center automation and robotics in partnership with leading warehouse automation solution providers.

The program is designed to deliver joint solution design, integration touchpoints and implementation approaches between the industry’s leading warehouse management solution and innovative robotics providers.

The Manhattan Automation Network is launching with five inaugural members:

  • Kindred AI;
  • Locus Robotics;
  • Matthews Automation Solutions;
  • Right Hand Robotics; and
  • VCO Systems.

[Read more…] about Manhattan Associates creates new program to advance warehouse robotics and automation

Inspection and maintenance robotics event to take place in the Netherlands

by

The second edition of the World Conference for Inspection and Maintenance Robotics will take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The conference and exhibition are organized by the Sprint Robotics Collaborative, an end-user driven, not-for-profit foundation.

The initiative gathers a global community to share the innovative progress and rapid development of robotics techniques and solutions, focusing on the use of robotics for inspection, maintenance, repairs and cleaning. [Read more…] about Inspection and maintenance robotics event to take place in the Netherlands

Adena to invest $70m in orthopaedic and robotics centre

by

Adena Health System is to construct a five-story Orthopedic and Robotics Center on the campus of Adena Regional Medical Center (ARMC), located in Chillicothe, Ohio, USA.

The  $70-million investment will include at least six operating rooms to meet the specific technological and space needs for current and future orthopaedic and robot-assisted surgeries.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the new centre opening in 2021.

ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

by

Industrial automation provider ABB and telecommunications equipment company Ericsson have strengthened their commitment to accelerate the industrial ecosystem for flexible wireless automation, which will enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future. 

The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Hannover Messe 2019, establishing their joint vision for future flexible production with automation and wireless communication.

The collaboration comes during the Industry 4.0 era and 5G connectivity which allow businesses to realize increased productivity, with the help of automation and digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB and Ericsson partner to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories

Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

by

Industrial robotics and automation company Kuka has signed what it describes as a “strategic partnership” with Schüco.

The goal of the exclusive cooperation is the joint development and implementation of automation solutions for tomorrow’s production of windows, doors, and façades.

In the initial phase, the main focus of development is the production of aluminum windows and doors. [Read more…] about Kuka forms ‘strategic partnership’ with Schüco

Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

by

Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment warehouses, and RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider of integrated robotic piece-picking solutions, announced a partnership to deliver cross-platform robotics solutions for warehouse fulfilment operators.

Locus and RHR will give a preview of their multi-stage fulfilment solution at Manhattan Associates’ Momentum Conference 2019 from May 20 -23rd in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Their approach combines Locus’s autonomous multi-robot model for piece handling with RHR’s autonomous work cell to provide greater automation, addressing multiple fulfilment processes, from picking to packing, especially in high-volume environments.

[Read more…] about Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

Geek Plus Robotics to showcase warehouse automation system at Deliver Portugal

by

Geek Plus Robotics, a supplier of warehouse automation technologies, is to showcase its “Picking System” at the Deliver Portugal event, at booth C7.

Deliver has been described as “the Davos of the e-commerce world”, although it takes place at various locations, such as London and, in this instance, Lisbon, Portugal, from 5-6 June 2019.

It’s an event that attracts the world’s leading e-commerce companies, as well as many technology providers. [Read more…] about Geek Plus Robotics to showcase warehouse automation system at Deliver Portugal

Omron robotics boss envisages cars building themselves

by

A senior executive at industrial giant Omron foresees a time in which cars virtually build themselves in factories. (See interview below.)

Bruno Adam, director of Omron’s mobile robot business director in Europe, says that in the future, factories will operate completely differently.

The current process sees car bodies moved along a linear, straight production line where different robots and people work on their assembly.

[Read more…] about Omron robotics boss envisages cars building themselves

The rise of the Robot Operating System

by

Nearly 55 percent of total commercial robots shipped in 2024 will have at least one Robot Operating System package installed, according to ABI Research

The Robot Operating System, or ROS, is a flexible and collaborative open-source framework for building operating systems for robotics.

As its adoption continues to grow, ROS is aiming to become the industry standard for robotics middleware.

According to ABI Research, a market research company, nearly 55 percent of total commercial robots shipped in 2024 – over 915,000 units – will have at least one ROS package installed, creating a large installed base of ROS-enabled robots.

[Read more…] about The rise of the Robot Operating System