Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robots

A legged robotic system for playing soccer on various terrains

by

The new system enables a quadruped robot to dribble a soccer ball on landscapes such as sand, gravel, mud, and snow, using reinforcement learning to adapt to varying ball dynamics

If you’ve ever played soccer with a robot, it’s a familiar feeling. Sun glistens down on your face as the smell of grass permeates the air. You look around. A four-legged robot is hustling towards you, dribbling with determination.

While not a common occurrence for many, nor anything close to a well-matched adversary to Lionel Messi, it’s an impressive in-the-wild dribbling system nonetheless.

Researchers from MIT’s Improbable Artificial Intelligence Lab, part of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory developed a legged robotic system that can dribble a soccer ball under the same conditions as humans. [Read more…] about A legged robotic system for playing soccer on various terrains

Starship Technologies delivery robots clock 10 million km

by

Starship Technologies, a provider of autonomous delivery services, has reached what it says is “an industry first”, with the company’s robots having now passed the 10 million km mark (over 6 million miles) in terms of distance traveled around the world.

This comes as the company is marking five years of commercial delivery services.

This milestone distance is further than any other company in the industry, and more than six times that of the 1 million mile mark recently announced by international self-driving car developers, Waymo and Cruise. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies delivery robots clock 10 million km

Autonomous mobile robots market expected to expand at 22 percent a year

by

In 2022, the market for autonomous mobile robots was expected to be worth $2.85 billion. By 2032, the market is anticipated to reach a value greater than $20.99 billion. The forecast period is expected to see this market expand at a compound annual growth rate of 22.1 percent, according to Fact Market Research.

The rising demand for automation in manufacturing and logistics industry is expected to drive the growth of the autonomous mobile robots market. The increasing need to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency and accuracy, and enhance productivity is anticipated to boost the growth of the market.

The growing trend of automation in warehousing operations is also a major factor driving the growth of the autonomous mobile robots market. The growing demand for these robots in industrial applications is expected to continue to fuel the growth of the market. [Read more…] about Autonomous mobile robots market expected to expand at 22 percent a year

Will a robot take my job? Notre Dame researcher says this view is overly pessimistic

by

With the impact of industrial robots on the US labor markets in the past two decades, and an ever-increasing presence of machine-driven technology (such as artificial intelligence and ChatGPT), many employees have feared that one day robots will take their jobs.

Not necessarily so, according to research recently published by Yong Suk Lee, an assistant professor in the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.

He and his co-author, Auburn University’s John Chung, found that industrial robots, particularly those used within the automotive industry, complemented human workers rather than replaced them – some even working collaboratively, side-by-side. [Read more…] about Will a robot take my job? Notre Dame researcher says this view is overly pessimistic

ABI Research gives 16 autonomous forklift system vendors competitive rankings

by

A new competitive ranking by technology research firm ABI Research provides “an in-depth and unbiased examination” of the autonomous forklift solutions offered by 16 autonomous forklift suppliers, according to the company.

A total of eight criteria were chosen for the analysis and segmented across innovation and implementation clusters. These include the vehicle solutions across three major categories of autonomous forklifts, namely reach truck, counterbalance stacker, and pallet truck, the level of maturity in navigation solutions, fleet management and orchestration, as well as the vendors’ integration and optimization capability.

The report further evaluates the vendors’ revenue and funding, customer reference, regional presence, the company’s distribution networks, and technology partners. [Read more…] about ABI Research gives 16 autonomous forklift system vendors competitive rankings

euroTECH’s Vacuum Lifter System Increases Efficiency and Ergonomics in Wood Processing

by

A long-standing wood processing company in the Black Forest, Germany, is facing challenges in maintaining efficiency and ergonomics in a tight labor market.

To tackle this issue, the company has implemented partial automation through the use of euroTECH’s vacuum lifter solution for loading the crosscut saw.

This system reduces the workload of employees, making the company a more attractive employer in a physically demanding industry. [Read more…] about euroTECH’s Vacuum Lifter System Increases Efficiency and Ergonomics in Wood Processing

Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot

by

Otto Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has unveiled its newest AMR, Otto 600, which the company describes as “the toughest and most nimble AMR in its class”.

With the launch of Otto 600, Otto Motors now offers the most comprehensive autonomous material handling fleet on the market.

Otto 600 unlocks important new workflows with its ability to move pallets, carts and other payloads up to 600 kg (1,322 lb). With an all-metal construction and IP54 rating, Otto 600 follows the Otto Motors legacy of AMRs built to deliver results in the most demanding of factory environments. [Read more…] about Otto Motors launches new ‘mid-sized’ autonomous mobile robot

Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows

by

Europalco, a Portuguese company which claims to be “the largest provider of solutions for events and shows in Southern Europe”, has recently invested in two Kuka robots to “create differentiating events with a new ‘wow factor’” for its clients.

Europalco plans to use the Kuka KR210 robots in many ways, with LED walls, LCD, lasers, and even artists or people assisting the events. The robots can hold, move, or animate monitors or video screens. They can also be used to produce props and mobile stage designs. The range of applications is limitless.

The Kuka KR210 are fast, dynamic, and flexible to bring splendid effects to the stage and the event. Engineers can leverage the flexibility of robots to create fascinating static stage sets for performance. [Read more…] about Europalco buys two robots from Kuka to add ‘wow factor’ to shows

Top Benefits of Using Automation in Your Business

by

When you think of robotics, what comes to mind? If you’re a sci-fi buff, you might automatically think of The Terminator. After all, it’s a great movie and probably made you excited for what was to come.

But the thing is, technology has come a long way since then. Now, it’s normal to find robots working in a variety of sectors.

In terms of business, robotics and automation can transform how you run your company. Aside from automating routine tasks, there’s quite a few other benefits to implementing both into your daily operations. [Read more…] about Top Benefits of Using Automation in Your Business

Factory Visit: Investment bankers tour client’s robot-filled machine shop

by

Investment and automation specialists John Slater and Jorge Maceyras, of Focus Investment Banking, make a factory visit to a client of theirs, and find that robotics is integral to the operation.

Do you have any robots?

When we posed that somewhat naïve question to the CEO of an extreme high precision machine shop in 2014, we got the response we deserved.

“Look up on the landing.”

There, we saw a hulking industrial robot our client had acquired years before to satisfy his auto industry customer that had a factory full of such behemoths. The unwieldy, difficult to program, creature had no role in the high mix low volume shop and had long been consigned to serve as the firm’s robot museum. [Read more…] about Factory Visit: Investment bankers tour client’s robot-filled machine shop