Where Innovation Meets Imagination
Honeybee Robotics has received four Nasa Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I awards and two Nasa Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I award to develop new spacecraft systems and enabling technologies.
The awards will allow Honeybee to analyze concepts for advanced future planetary exploration, sampling, in-situ resource utilization, and on-orbit operations. [Read more…] about Honeybee Robotics wins Nasa funding for six spacecraft projects
Exclusive interview with Sharmila Annaswamy, India-based consultant specialising in industry
Apple recently established a manufacturing facility in India, through Foxconn, the Taiwanese company which makes its iPhones, iPads and other devices.
For Sharmila Annaswamy, a Frost & Sullivan consultant specialising in industry, the tech giant’s decision is one of the “remarkable achievements” of the government’s Make in India campaign.
As well as Apple and Foxconn, a number of Chinese companies have set up manufacturing facilities in India. Huawei, for example, plans to make smartphones in the country.
In an exclusive interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, Annaswamy says: “Apple and other large companies moving into India is one of the good things that is happening with the Make in India campaign, which the government has been promoting on a large scale. [Read more…] about What’s in the stars for manufacturing in India?
Industrial automation integrator RoboMotion and software company SoTec have demonstrated a robotics solution which enables users to control an industrial robot through their smartphones.
The two companies say they have developed an integrated solution which enables “robot control from the cloud”, and used the system to control an industrial robot made by Kuka.
The solution essentially eliminates the need to use a programmable logic controller, or PLC, which is basically a computer attached to robotics and automation hardware systems to program and control their movements. [Read more…] about RoboMotion and SoTec demonstrate cloud robotics solution using Kuka Agilus
Comau has agreed a new partnership with MVB Automation in Brazil. Founded over 10 years ago, the company is a system integrator based in Camaçari, Bahia, with about 90 experts in the field of factory automation.
MVB serves a variety of customers in general industry with robotics solutions, automation controls, process simulation and tooling.
Comau says this partnership represents its strategy to develop its growing partner network in Latin America. [Read more…] about Comau agrees deal with Brazilian integrator MVB Automation
Business optimism may be fueling recent spike in number of executives reporting increased use of automation
The number of US companies reporting an increase in their use of automation doubled in the first quarter of 2017, fueled in part by a recent spike in business confidence, according to a report released by global talent solutions firm Randstad Sourceright.
Based on a global survey of C-suite and human capital leaders, Randstad Sourceright’s Talent Trends research finds that 36 percent of US companies have increased the use of artificial intelligence and robotics over the last 12 months, up from 18 percent during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Over the same period, the number of respondents indicating that they expect significant growth in the next 12 months soared from 10 percent to 28 percent. [Read more…] about Increased use of AI and robotics linked to brighter outlook for US business growth
A company called Genesis Robotics is claiming that its new innovation could change the world of robotics, as well as the whole area of motion control in general.
The company’s LiveDrive is a component which could replace traditional gears in everything from industrial robots to cars and even bicycles.
In an interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, Genesis Robotics’ president, Michael Gibney, and James Klassen, CTO, both of whom we met at Hannover Messe, provide some background about how the company was formed as well as some insight into the new technology. [Read more…] about Exclusive interviews: Genesis Robotics bosses claim their LiveDrive could ‘change everything’
Acorn Sales, a specialist in customized, handmade rubber stamps and embossing seals, says it has significantly shortened its supply chain by deploying Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer at its facility in Richmond, Virginia.
Family-owned and operated for over three generations, Acorn is a self-described “small business operating in an Amazon world”.
With Sawyer, the company says it has maintained throughput, improved quality and reduced its reliance on outside suppliers, results that even five years ago would have been nearly impossible for a company of its size to attain affordably. [Read more…] about Acorn shortens supply chain with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer
One of the first industrial automation companies in the world, Stäubli, is investing in the next generation of technology for the future.
In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News (video above), Stäubli Robotics group division manager Gerald Vogt says the company is “investing and developing in the software side”.
However, he added that hardware remains fundamental to the company’s business. “I think mechanics will still be the basis on which software is built, meaning that if you don’t have good mechanics, the software will not help.”
Vogt says this is an exciting time for the robotics and automation sector because “we have the technology” to see what the applications of Industry 4.0 technologies are going to be.
The world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer could build a facility in space.
In a wide-ranging interview with RoboticsAndAutomationNews.com, recorded at Hannover Messe, Neil Dueweke – who was competing to be heard over a loud musical band in the background – says the company has big ambitions. (See video below.)
“Anywhere there’s robotics involved, Fanuc will be there,” says Dueweke. “Space robotics? Why not?”
As far-fetched as it might sound, there are many projects involving robots in space – that’s in addition to the robotic rovers which are already widely known.
In one project, the European Space Agency is building a robot holiday resort on the Moon.
And Nasa has a large number of projects involving robots in space, and has even installed an outer space additive manufacturing facility which targets the alien market. [Read more…] about Video: Fanuc open to building manufacturing plant in outer space
Charles Deguire, president and co-founder of Kinova Robotics, explained the benefits of robotics in the health sector before the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
The Committee invited Deguire to testify as senators study the role of automation in the health care system, particularly robotics, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, in direct and indirect care to patients and home care.
Charles Deguire, CEO of Kinova, said: “It is clear to us that the future of medicine depends on robotics and its great ability to empower humanity. People cannot imagine how many technological advances in medical robotics have been made in recent years.
“The scalpel and the hand have not changed in the past 100 years, it’s time for medicine to evolve. Kinova is actively working with surgeons to develop better tools for them and their patients.” [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics explains role of automation in health care to Senate committee
