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DFI provides ‘the most reliable brain and cerebellum’ for giant AGV in LCD panel factories

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DFI’s AMR-dedicated AI computer enhances mobility and accuracy of mobile robots

The humble LCD panel was originally one of the Taiwanese government’s “Two Trillion & Twin Star” plan to develop its high-tech sectors. Now, it’s one of the country’s most significant symbols of electronics manufacturing.

With the trend of panel generation becoming larger and larger, in the production line of large-size panels, handling technology is also relatively important. [Read more…] about DFI provides ‘the most reliable brain and cerebellum’ for giant AGV in LCD panel factories

ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

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Nine out of 10 construction businesses predict a skills crisis by 2030, with 81 percent saying they will introduce robots in the next 10 years, while safety and the environment both catalysts for accelerating investment in robotics

ABB Robotics is driving automation in the construction industry with new robotic automation solutions to address key challenges, including the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly housing and to reduce the environmental impact of construction, amidst a labor and skills shortage.

Robotic automation offers huge potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and manufacturing flexibility throughout the construction industry, including automating the fabrication of modular homes and building components off-site, robotic welding and material handling on building sites and robot 3D printing of houses and customized structures.

As well as making the industry safer and more cost effective, robots are improving sustainability and reducing environmental impact by enhancing quality and cutting waste. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

Demand for delivery robots has ‘quadrupled’ in past year, says Starship Technologies

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Starship Technologies, the world’s leading provider of autonomous delivery services, says its delivery numbers have “quadrupled globally since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic”, and the service is now available to 1 million people around the world.

Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, says: “This past year has been a game changer for autonomous delivery, moving adoption ahead by years.

“When we launched commercial delivery three years ago, we didn’t expect to be at the point we are today. We marked the significant milestone of one million deliveries in January 2021 and we’ve since surpassed 1.5 million deliveries. [Read more…] about Demand for delivery robots has ‘quadrupled’ in past year, says Starship Technologies

ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

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Producing a solar collector every six minutes, ABB robots make Absolicon’s solar technology a cost-competitive alternative to conventional heating.

To enable the transformation to a sustainable society and preserve resources, production of solar collector panels must be precise, highly efficient and cost effective.

To achieve this, Absolicon and ABB have developed the world’s only complete solution for the mass production of concentrated solar collectors, in Absolicon’s factory in Härnösand, Sweden. [Read more…] about ABB robots increase automation in solar industry

Fanuc expands range of SCARA robots

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Fanuc America has expanded its line of high-performance SCARA robots, offering more reach and payload options to companies with assembly, packaging, pick and place, and inspection processes.

Fanuc’s range of 4-axis SCARA robots has grown to include the SR-3iA, SR-6iA, SR-12iA, and new SR-20iA models with 3kg, 6kg, 12kg and 20kg payload capacities, and a 400-1,100mm reach, respectively.

The small SR-3iA and SR-6iA SCARAs have a compact footprint and space-saving design for maximum efficiency. [Read more…] about Fanuc expands range of SCARA robots

RTI releases ‘first’ software framework for widely distributed autonomous systems

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Real-Time Innovations, a software framework company for autonomous systems, has released the latest version of its software framework, RTI Connext.

RTI says Connext 6.1 is “the first software framework designed to address the development and deployment challenges faced by companies building remotely-operated autonomous systems”.

Autonomous systems must operate in inaccessible, remote, or hazardous environments. [Read more…] about RTI releases ‘first’ software framework for widely distributed autonomous systems

Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

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Kiwibot, a service using semi-autonomous robots to reimagine and democratize robotic delivery, says that the concept prototype of its next-generation robot 4.0, Kiwibot Plus+, has won the world-renowned iF Design Award 2021 for Professional Concept.

Led by Alejandro Otálora, the company’s head designer, it is the first Colombian-run project ever to receive the award in this category.

Almost 10,000 entries were submitted from 52 countries to the world’s oldest independent design organization, Hannover-based iF International Forum Design. [Read more…] about Kiwibot and designer Alejandro Otálora receive iF Design Award

Opinion: Collaborative robots enable effective high-mix, low-volume production

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Oliver Giertz, product manager for servo/motion and robotics for the EMEA region at Mitsubishi Electric, factory automation, explains how collaborative robots are helping manufacturers to increase flexibility, boost quality, and drive down operational costs.

With increased competition, often on a global scale, manufacturers need to differentiate themselves by tailoring products more closely to customer demand.

This, of course, carries with it an implicit reduction in batch sizes and has seen the rise of high-mix, low-volume production.

Collaborative robots, or cobots, can enable manufacturers to effectively meet individual customer requirements with greater product variety in smaller batches. [Read more…] about Opinion: Collaborative robots enable effective high-mix, low-volume production

Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

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With the global industrial robot market projected to grow at a 9 percent annual rate and reach $75.84 billion by 2025, Ultimation Industries is expanding its autonomous mobile robot line-up to include automated solutions that allow companies of all sizes to transform their facilities into fully integrated warehouses. 

Ultimation is a leader in conveyor technology and automation for over 30 years.

Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries, says: “To compete today and in the future, manufacturers and distributors will need the productivity and efficiency gains that come from integrating AMR technology – or warehouse robots – into their existing material handling systems. [Read more…] about Ultimation Industries partners with Otto Motors and expands its autonomous mobile robot line-up

Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot

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Omron Industrial Automation Europe has signed a new distribution agreement with OnRobot, the Danish manufacturer of tools for collaborative robot (cobot) applications.

This will enable Omron to offer OnRobot’s products – which can be fully integrated with the Omron TM cobot – to its customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The agreement between the two companies will give their customers greater agility when implementing collaborative solutions. [Read more…] about Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot