Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robots

ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

by

ABB robots are accelerating coronavirus testing in Singapore through a new robotics lab system which “saves time and costs and keeps lab workers safe”, according to the company.

As part of Singapore’s efforts to enhance its nation-wide COVID-19 testing capabilities, ABB’s high-precision robots have been deployed in a new automated laboratory system, known as the Rapid Automated Volume Enhancer (RAVE).

The system automates some of the manual steps usually required in sample processing. Two sets of RAVE and associated equipment can process an industry-topping throughput of close to 4,000 samples a day. RAVE also reduces test contamination and infection risks for laboratory workers. [Read more…] about ABB robots accelerate coronavirus testing in Singapore

Hyundai Robotics to automate fast-food production for KFC

by

Hyundai Robotics is entering the food technology market in cooperation with the global chicken franchise, KFC.

Hyundai Robotics has signed an agreement outlining “research and co-operation in automated production manufacturing” with KFC at the restaurant chain’s Eungam restaurant in Seoul, South Korea.

Hyundai Robotics’ COO Seo Yoo Seong and KFC Korea’s CEO Eom Ik-soo attended the signing ceremony. [Read more…] about Hyundai Robotics to automate fast-food production for KFC

Comau robots ‘proud’ to have built new Fiat 500

by

Comau Robotics says it is “proud” to have participated in the production of the New 500, the latest version of the Fiat 500, first unveiled in 1957 and today one of the most popular cars ever to have been released.

Comau says it has provided its parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Fiat brand with advanced automation solutions and its know-how in the development of “innovative industrial processes” to produce FCA’s first fully electric vehicle, a “Made in Turin” product.

The path started symbolically in July 2019 with the installation of the first Comau robot, which initiated the production line of the new full-electric model inside FCA’s historic Mirafiori plant. [Read more…] about Comau robots ‘proud’ to have built new Fiat 500

Top Australian retailer installs more than 100 Geek+ warehouse robots in partnership with Körber

by

Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, has been chosen by Catch.com.au, one of Australia’s leading online retailers, to provide more than 100 AMRs through its global integration partner Körber.

The companies say the partnership is bringing new opportunities for the e-commerce marketplace in Australia and New Zealand.

In the past year, Catch.com.au has seen its already rapidly growing business expand with thousands of additional SKUs being added to its already extensive range of brands and products. [Read more…] about Top Australian retailer installs more than 100 Geek+ warehouse robots in partnership with Körber

Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

by

Major European and Japanese car manufacturers are integrating Techman Robot collaborative robots into their supply chains.

Collaborative robots that can be flexibly applied to a small-volume but large-variety production line, focus on human-robot collaboration and facilitate smart manufacturing are emerging.

Compared to other industries, the level of automation in the automotive industry is much higher. The latest report from Kenneth Research predicts that the shipment and sales revenue brought by collaborative robots in the automotive industry will increase by 43 percent every year by 2022. [Read more…] about Major European and Japanese car manufacturers integrate Techman Robot into supply chains

Showing robots how to drive a car… in just a few easy lessons

by

USC researchers have developed a method that could allow robots to learn new tasks, like setting a table or driving a car, from observing a small number of demonstrations.

Imagine if robots could learn from watching demonstrations: you could show a domestic robot how to do routine chores or set a dinner table. In the workplace, you could train robots like new employees, showing them how to perform many duties. On the road, your self-driving car could learn how to drive safely by watching you drive around your neighborhood.

Making progress on that vision, USC researchers have designed a system that lets robots autonomously learn complicated tasks from a very small number of demonstrations – even imperfect ones. The paper, titled Learning from Demonstrations Using Signal Temporal Logic, was presented at the Conference on Robot Learning (CoRL). [Read more…] about Showing robots how to drive a car… in just a few easy lessons

The bicycle industry and the use of robots

by

No one was taking the initiative at first. There were too many “what ifs” roaming inside the mind of the business tycoons. But what can we say? The most stubborn creation on this green-and-blue planet wasn’t going to let the adventurous proposition pass by.

So, the scientists ultimately convinced the bicycle brand owners to take the big step. Enters the robot in the bike industry and changed the history onwards. But how does one take such an impossible step? What provokes the folks to make the intimidating move?

We are going to find the answers right now with much more to explore. Read on to learn the bicycle industry and the use of robots, what’s going on inside those production houses, and, most importantly, how’s the modern-day wonder of science making the business flourish. [Read more…] about The bicycle industry and the use of robots

Telerobotics: A ’smart’ remedy for productivity during Covid-19

by

By Neil Tardella, CEO, Energid

A surgeon in New York performs a robot-assisted surgery on a patient in India. An engineer in London programs and monitors a robotic work cell in Shenzhen, China.

An assembly line worker or welder unable to enter their auto manufacturing factories in Michigan performs their job remotely, with robots aiding in the process.

It’s called telerobotics – the area of robotics focused on controlling robots from a distance – and it’s bound to play an increasingly important role in society in the wake of the Covid pandemic. [Read more…] about Telerobotics: A ’smart’ remedy for productivity during Covid-19

Badger Technologies and STCR plan to take Autonomous Robots to independent grocers

by

Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil, is teaming up with STCR, a provider of advanced retail point of sale (POS) and self-checkout solutions, to increase the momentum of multipurpose robot rollouts by independent and regional grocers around the world.

This collaboration will speed deployments of Badger Technologies autonomous robots to address critical out-of-stock, price integrity, planogram compliance and other operational inefficiencies.

Farrell McKenna, GM of STCR, says: “Our mission is to bring much-needed retail automation to the independent and regional grocer, empowering them to run their stores more efficiently while competing more effectively with the largest supermarket chains. [Read more…] about Badger Technologies and STCR plan to take Autonomous Robots to independent grocers

ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system

by

ABB has unveiled a new “compact” robotic interior painting system, mainly aimed at the automotive manufacturing sector.

The Compact Interior Painting station enables automotive manufacturers to reduce the size of their vehicle interior painting stations by one-third, while saving costs and making automotive paint facilities more sustainable.

ABB says its latest innovative solution for automotive manufacturing – the Compact Interior Paint station – combines 12 robots to offer a space-saving alternative to traditional robotic interior painting solutions, helping automotive original equipment manufacturers reduce the footprint of their paint booths “by up to 33 percent”, while being able to paint a variety of vehicle types, from cars and SUVs to large MPVs. [Read more…] about ABB unveils new ‘compact’ robotic interior painting system