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Robotic last-mile deliveries to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030

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Robotic last-mile deliveries are forecast to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030, according to a new report by Lux Research.

Automated parcel delivery technologies, such as small mobile delivery robots, are growing due to the rise in consumer demand for faster deliveries.

The rise in e-commerce is fueling rapid growth in parcel delivery volumes, a market expected to grow to $665 billion by 2030. Consumers are increasingly expecting parcels to be delivered quickly. [Read more…] about Robotic last-mile deliveries to generate almost $50 billion in revenue by 2030

ROEQ launches cart and other components for MiR250 mobile robot

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Denmark-based robotics company ROEQ has launched three new products simultaneously with the reveal of Mobile Industrial Robots’ new MiR250 mobile robot at one of the world’s largest logistics expos, MODEX 2020.

ROEQ’s new cart, adapter and top module work seamlessly with the MiR250, providing a fully automated workplace flow.

ROEQ says that when MiR launches a new robot, it’s “imperative” that accessories for the robot are immediately available as well. [Read more…] about ROEQ launches cart and other components for MiR250 mobile robot

Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

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The world’s leading trade fair for intelligent automation and robotics, automatica, will take place in Munich from June 16 to 19.

One main focus of the event will be on making automobile production more flexible.

Numerous exhibitors will present alternatives to conventional assembly line production with stationary conveyor technology, for example driverless transport systems and, of course, cobots for human-robot collaboration applications. [Read more…] about Farewell to the old assembly line: Automation is changing manufacturing processes in the automotive industry

Brain Corp and Dane Technologies partner to build autonomous delivery solutions

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Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence company specialising in robotics, and Dane Technologies, a designer and manufacturer of power assist solutions, have formed a technology partnership to manufacture autonomous material delivery robots for use in public and commercial applications.

Under the partnership, Dane Technologies will license BrainOS, a cloud-connected operating system for commercial autonomous robots, and begin building the delivery robots in Q2 2020. The two companies will pilot the robots with several major retailers this spring.

John Black, SVP of new product development for Brain Corp, says: “Dane Technologies has a successful track record of developing equipment for demanding retail and manufacturing environments, including the pioneering QuicKART shopping cart management system. [Read more…] about Brain Corp and Dane Technologies partner to build autonomous delivery solutions

Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

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The leader of collaborative robotics is expanding its UR+ platform of certified partner products with application kits that remove barriers to industrial automation for small, medium and large companies alike.

Twenty proven software and hardware kits for the most popular cobot applications are now available on the UR+ platform, the industry’s largest and most comprehensive ecosystem of products certified to integrate seamlessly with cobots from Universal Robots (UR).

By reducing recurring engineering decisions for common applications, the “Plug and Produce” kits decrease project risk and complexity and are ready for fast implementation for tasks such as finishing, inspection, assembly, machine tending, material removal, dispensing, and material handling.

Jim Lawton, VP of product and applications management at Universal Robots, says: “As the world’s leader in collaborative robots, Universal Robots is pleased to extend our award-winning UR+ ecosystem to include certified cobot applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots launches UR+ Application Kits to simplify cobot deployments

Kassow Robots begins production of two new 7-axis collaborative robots

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Danish startup Kassow Robots has started production of two new collaborative robots which the company recently added to its product portfolio.

The two new cobots are the KR 1410 and the KR 1805.

Kassow says the KR 1805 has an 1.80-metre robot arm, which gives it an “unrivalled reach in the cobot market”, and opens up completely new applications for customers in industry.   [Read more…] about Kassow Robots begins production of two new 7-axis collaborative robots

How AI Affects the Robotics Industry and What the Future Holds

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AI has continued to create huge impacts across multiple industries and continued research has changed how AI affects the robotic industry. Read on to find out how it’s happening.

While there exists limited applications of AI across some industries, the technology is making a serious impact in the robotics industry and the trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. This article will explore how AI affects the robotic industry and what could happen in the future.

Artificial intelligence is en route to disrupting all industries and the robotics industry is not an exception. Presently, the innovative combination of AI and robotics has created an array of futuristic possibilities in automation. [Read more…] about How AI Affects the Robotics Industry and What the Future Holds

Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

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Universal Robots, the market leader in collaborative robotics, will show attendees at North America’s largest supply chain expo how cobots can automate hard-to-staff palletizing and piece-picking tasks with new applications from partners MDCI Automation, RightHand Robotics, and Cross Automation.

With e-commerce generating the greatest year-over-year growth of all US retail industries, there is now more warehousing space being built in the US than projected warehousing jobs required to fill that space.

When thousands of supply chain professionals were asked in a recent Materials Handling Institute survey what technologies would yield the greatest boost to productivity, “robotics and automation” was their answer. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

Opinion: The incredible potential of soft robotics

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Alternatives to hard components hold potential for applications from surgery to space exploration

In January of 2019, Assistant Professor Ellen Mazumdar arrived in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering with the intention of building a robotic actuator without using a single hard component or material – a feat that, to her knowledge, had never been done before.

“We’re really interested in trying to build fully soft robots,” said Mazumdar. “In many current systems, soft components are hooked up to hard pumps or electronics. We want to move towards robots with soft actuators, soft sensors, soft electronics, and soft energy storage.”

In Mazumdar’s Sensing Technologies Laboratory, she is working with PhD student Noah Kohls to develop a biologically-inspired soft actuator that mimics the form and functionality of Xenia soft corals. [Read more…] about Opinion: The incredible potential of soft robotics

UCLA engineers develop miniaturized ‘warehouse robots’ for biotechnology applications

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UCLA engineers have developed minuscule warehouse logistics robots that could help expedite and automate medical diagnostic technologies and other applications that move and manipulate tiny drops of fluid. The study was published in Science Robotics.

The robots are disc-shaped magnets about 2 millimeters in diameter, designed to work together to move and manipulate droplets of blood or other fluids, with precision.

For example, the robots can cleave one large droplet of fluid into smaller drops that are equal in volume for consistent testing. [Read more…] about UCLA engineers develop miniaturized ‘warehouse robots’ for biotechnology applications