robots

Old Versus New Robotics: How Things Are Changing

May 30, 2020 by Polly Leave a Comment

The history of robotics is a long one, with roots in ancient Egypt as far back as 1500 BC. While the “robots” of those days are far from being able to exhibit the intelligence of robots today, it is still worth mentioning.

However, the beginning of the evolution of modern robotics as we know it can be traced to France with the innovation of a robot duck. The duck could flap its wings, quack, and do some other basic duck-ly things.

And today, we have robots working in every sector of human society, making contributions in the smart and efficient manner that only robots can manage. [Read more…] about Old Versus New Robotics: How Things Are Changing

Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

May 29, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Robotics and artificial intelligence will drive a deep and transformative change in the agricultural world during the coming decades, according to a new report by IDTechEx.

Seeing, localising, and taking plant-specific intelligent action are no longer the exclusive realm of humans, says the research company.

Machines have demonstrated the technical viability and the emphasis has long shifted to the finer details of return on investment, reliability, business model, and so on. [Read more…] about Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

May 29, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Electronics and household appliances giant LG is partnering with unicorn startup Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots.

The partnership will aim to produce mobile robots that can deliver food to people’s homes as well to the tables of customers at restaurants.

While LG is well known around the world, Woowa Brothers is a startup which achieved unicorn status – became worth more than $1 billion – when German company Delivery Hero acquired it for around $4 billion in January this year. [Read more…] about LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

May 29, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Sheep are often herded using a real sheepdog, clever canines which run around directing the animals into a pen on a farm.

But a clever software company is conducting a test by replacing the dog with Boston Dynamics’ terrifying canine robot, Spot.

New Zealand is at the very edge of human civilisation on Earth, and the sheep there probably see the robot as an alien. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics canine robot Spot gets a job as a terrifying alien sheepdog

IPsoft and GlobalDWS launch service robot powered by Amelia

May 28, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

IPsoft, a developer of virtual robot for business, and GlobalDWS, a systems integrator and technology solutions provider, have partnered to enable Amelia, IPsoft’s conversational artificial intelligence solution, on GlobalDWS’ service robot platform. (See video below.)

The result of this agreement is a new disinfection service robot that combines GlobalDWS’ autonomous, voice-enabled robot platform with an Amelia-driven Covid-19 Assistant.

The robot is equipped with a high-pressure atomizer containing disinfectant liquid and UV-C lights to effectively eliminate 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria and viruses from a target area – for example, floors, desks, doors – while providing Covid-19 risk assessments and information through an interactive assistant. [Read more…] about IPsoft and GlobalDWS launch service robot powered by Amelia

Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

May 28, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Universal Robots has launched what it describes as “the world’s largest virtual conference and exhibition for collaborative robots”.

Named “WeAreCobots”, the event will take place June 16-18, 2020, targeting a European audience with automation trend keynotes and an extensive range of product news and demonstrations in five different languages.

With Europe’s trade fair scene being turned upside down because of coronavirus and the resulting lockdowns, Universal Robots says it is breaking new ground. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches ‘world’s largest’ virtual conference for collaborative robots

Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

May 26, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Mitsubishi Electric has launched what is believed to be its first series of collaborative robots, which the company has named “Melfa Assista” (main picture).

The “RV-5AS-D” model of the cobot has a 5 kg load capacity and 6-axis movement.

The company says the robots can work collaboratively with humans based on safety features such as collision detection and strict compliance with the international safety and robotic standards ISO 10218-1 and ISO/TS15066.

The series also will introduce an intuitive engineering software, RT VisualBox, for “quick, easy system deployment”, says Mitsubishi. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches ‘Melfa Assista’ series of collaborative robots

Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

May 26, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

A group of students have built a robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology.

The 13 students were given three days to build a machine that uses robots to sort garbage at the international Smart Green Island Makeathon engineering competition.

Austrian automation specialist B&R supported an interdisciplinary team of students from Brno University of Technology, the Kempten University of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Ostrava, the University of Applied Sciences in Bremerhaven and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. [Read more…] about Students build robotic garbage-sorting system using B&R technology

Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

May 25, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Geek+ Robotics has launched a pair of disinfection robots in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company says the new robots are designed to help keep facilities free of any viruses and germs that may endanger health.

After the unprecedented health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Geek+ says robots “can play a key role in ensuring safe and healthy work and living environments”.

The two robots the company have two disinfection methods. “Lavender” is armed with smart ultraviolet rays while “Jasmin” uses liquid agents to execute swift and automated sterilization. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches disinfection robots to help with coronavirus cleanup

5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

May 25, 2020 by Abdul Montaqim Leave a Comment

Special Report by Robotics and Automation News in association with SICK

It’s been almost 50 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in the United States after much pressure from labour unions seeking more protection for workers.

In the half-century since OSHA’s creation, it is estimated that many thousands of workers’ lives have been saved and countless more have been kept out of harm’s way.

Today, OSHA, an agency of the Department of Labour, is more important than ever as people start returning to work after months of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused almost 350,000 deaths worldwide to date, and infected 5.5 million more. [Read more…] about 5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter