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Omron launches new software for its mobile robots

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Industrial automation solutions provider Omron Automation Americas has released a new software package designed to simplify integration, maximize reliability and support flexibility in mobile robot applications.

Omron says its Fleet Operations Workspace Core – shortened to “Flow Core” – is aimed at increasing the robots’ performance and ease of use while laying the foundation for future service-focused capabilities.

Among the primary advantages that Flow Core provides are a user-focused design that simplifies integration, charge management functionality that maximizes uptime, and intelligent fleet management capabilities that increase flexibility and efficiency. [Read more…] about Omron launches new software for its mobile robots

Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

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Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new method that doesn’t require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots. (See video below.)

The innovation comes from rethinking the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a rigid robot body, the UC San Diego researchers started with a soft body and added rigid features to key components.

The structures were inspired by insect exoskeletons, which have both soft and rigid parts – the researchers called their creations “flexoskeletons”. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

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Starship Technologies has rolled out its robot food delivery service in Tempe.

Locals can now order contact-less delivery from three area restaurants – Fate Brewing Company, Tempe City Tacos and Venezia’s Pizza, which is famous for its multiple references in the popular TV shows Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

More restaurants and grocery stores will be added to the service soon. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

Covid-19 pandemic impact: Mobile robotics market to grow to $23 billion by next year

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The Coronavirus outbreak has highlighted use cases for mobile robotics to successfully disinfect, monitor, survey, and handle and deliver materials.

These proven use cases will propel the overall mobile robotics market to $23 billion by 2021, according to a report by technology market advisory firm, ABI Research.

Rian Whitton, senior analyst at ABI Research, says: “Crises shift perceptions on what is possible regarding investment and transformative action on the part of both private and government actors. [Read more…] about Covid-19 pandemic impact: Mobile robotics market to grow to $23 billion by next year

Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

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The industrial automation sector is “paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger”, according to a report by GlobalData.

The industrial automation sector was not in a great place before Covid-19 struck, having been slowed by flat capital expenditure and declining industrial production, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The virus has since closed factory after factory worldwide with workers sent home. The reality is that despite much hype over the years, advanced factory automation has not been substituted for human workers at scale. [Read more…] about Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

HAHN Group acquires DAHL Automation

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The HAHN Group has acquired DAHL Automation, expanding its competence in the field of intralogistics and autonomous mobile robots.

DAHL Automation is an integrator for robotics, collaborative robots, as well as autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles.

The company has 30 employees currently employed at its headquarters in Meinerzhagen, Germany. [Read more…] about HAHN Group acquires DAHL Automation

Robots and AI playing their part in coronavirus cleanup

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As China finally ends the lockdown it imposed on Wuhan about two-and-a-half months ago, we look at some of the cleanup operations involving robots and artificial intelligence in the country.

UBTech Robotics has been at the forefront of robotic and AI implementations fighting Covid-19 away from of hospitals. Below are some examples.

Back to school

At the school gates of two major middle schools – Kunming Number 3 Middle School and Kunming Dianchi Middle School – in Yunnan province, southwest of China, students returning from prolonged absence for Covid-19 fear are now greeted by a robot instead of a human. [Read more…] about Robots and AI playing their part in coronavirus cleanup

GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

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Using the UR10e, the company says it has eliminated the tedious and physically taxing tests manually conducted by employees

Universal Robots says GÖPEL electronic, a manufacturer of testing and inspection systems for electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, has developed a revolutionary, automated quality control system for its automotive customers using its UR10e cobot.

According to Thomas Schöppe, senior team manager at GÖPEL electronic, the cobot replaces the company’s manual and cumbersome end of line seating test system. He says: “Previously, our employees have to simulate the vehicle-driver interaction.

For example, pressing the seat’s buttons and switches to measure the voltage or current. This process could often result in production errors which proved costly further down the manufacturing line. [Read more…] about GÖPEL improves quality control in automotive manufacturing with Universal Robots

Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

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Automation technology is playing a critical role helping safeguard people and processes during the global coronavirus crisis, according to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3).

A3 is a US industrial association representing members in robotics, vision and imaging, motion control and motors, artificial intelligence and related automation technologies who are now part of the large ecosystem taking part in the battle against Covid-19.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “These critical automation technologies are keeping people safe, helping develop new medicines and treatments, producing key products people need today, and filling other essential roles. [Read more…] about Automation is a ‘critical technology’ to help people during coronavirus crisis, says A3

The Motorcycle Industry and the Use of Production Robots

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In recent years, the use of production robots has revolutionized the motorcycle industry. The use of robots is a new trend that is implemented by many brands because of the improvement in productivity.

When it comes to this industry, robots are used for a large array of uses, from painting, to the actual assembly process and welding.

So, let’s take a look at the companies that started using robots and what they have to say about the results of this transition. [Read more…] about The Motorcycle Industry and the Use of Production Robots