Robotics & Automation News

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SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

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At PackExpo this year, SICK is presenting numerous demonstrations and one educational session that highlight how intelligent sensors can help you create the factory of the future that includes robotics, quality inspection, and digital transformation.

Intelligent sensor solutions from SICK enhance mobile and stationary robotic applications. In its booth (C-2160) at PackExpo 2021, demos about sensor solutions for robotics and quality inspection are available throughout the show.

From 3D vision robot guidance systems for more efficient bin picking to safety and LiDAR solutions for AMRs, SICK prioritizes improving the supply chain with solutions for mobile robot safety, LiDAR localization, and robot vision systems. [Read more…] about SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

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Vecna Robotics, a developer of pallet-handling autonomous mobile robots and workflow orchestration, announced at Pack Expo its latest innovation designed to deliver the best AMR performance in the industry.

The new Mark 3 software release helps warehouse, distribution and manufacturing organizations double fleet performance to improve efficiency and throughput, while continuing to exceed industry safety standards.

According to a recent Peerless Research Group industry report, 24 percent of organizations plan to implement AGV or AMR technology within the next year. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

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In a milestone moment slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for autonomous technology, Sea Machines will circumnavigate Denmark on a multi-week 1,000 nautical mile remotely commanded commercial voyage.

Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, says it will embark on a 1,000 nautical mile autonomous and remotely commanded journey around Denmark later this month.

Aptly named “The Machine Odyssey”, the voyage marks a landmark moment for autonomous transportation and is slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for long-range autonomy.

The Machine Odyssey will depart from Hamburg, Germany, on September 30, with full onboard vessel control managed by autonomous technology, while operating under the authority of commanding officers located in the United States. [Read more…] about Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

5 manufacturing trends to look forward to in 2021

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The past year has highlighted the need for sweeping and immediate changes across the manufacturing industry. It has been facing several evolving challenges accelerated by the pandemic.

To improve efficiency and productivity, here are five manufacturing trends you should look forward to in 2021:

Continued Focus On the Development of IoT
IoT (the internet of things) remains a buzzword in manufacturing owing to its adaptability and disruptive nature. As companies and their equipment continue to be digitized, IoT can help companies in multiple ways. [Read more…] about 5 manufacturing trends to look forward to in 2021

Advanced driver assistance systems market projected to reach $60 billion by 2026

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The advanced driver assistance system market is likely to exceed a valuation of $60 billion by the end of 2026, according to a research report by Global Market Insights.

Growing number of research and development activities centered on integrating technologies like AI to enhance passenger safety is stimulating the development of new ADAS systems.

The advanced driver assistance systems form an integral and intelligent cog of the automobile interiors. These systems assist the main driver in ample ways by providing them the vital information about traffic, roadblock, congestion levels, suggested routes, and others. [Read more…] about Advanced driver assistance systems market projected to reach $60 billion by 2026

Driving will be outlawed for humans by 2050, says IDTechEx

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Autonomous cars will match or exceed human safety by 2024, after which they will grow rapidly at aan annual rate of 30 percent, according to IDTechEx’s new report Autonomous Cars, Robotaxis & Sensors 2022–2042.

By the 2040s, they will be capable of fulfilling the world’s mobility needs without a single collision. So why should humans be allowed to continue driving?

For a long time, the parameters around how we can drive our vehicles have been restricted. Speed limits exist to increase safety, seatbelts are mandated to increase safety, and city centers are becoming pedestrianized to increase safety for pedestrians. [Read more…] about Driving will be outlawed for humans by 2050, says IDTechEx

Autonomous vehicles ranked among top 10 innovations attracting investment

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The convergence of automotive and technology industries is accelerating the pace of innovation in the mobility and transportation sectors, leading to a surge in patent grants relevant to autonomous vehicles while also attracting venture capital investors’ interest in the area.

GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, has ranked autonomous vehicles among the top 10 innovation-led technologies.

GlobalData’s Technology Innovation Intensity framework is a proprietary data-driven model that incorporates key innovation drivers from alternative datasets such as patents and deals to track a technology’s pace of innovation as well as its lifecycle stage. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicles ranked among top 10 innovations attracting investment

Velodyne to provide its lidar sensors to Renu Robotics

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Velodyne Lidar has reached a multi-year agreement to provide its Puck lidar sensors to Renu Robotics, an industry leader in autonomous vegetation management systems.

Renu Robotics’ Renubot, a fully autonomous, all-electric mower, helps solar and energy facilities cut costs, time and carbon emissions, while maintaining the grounds for maximum performance of the facility.

Renu Robotics selected the Puck after a competitive product review. The company found that Velodyne’s Puck offered superior quality, reliability and performance, including significantly less system interference for optimal positional accuracy. [Read more…] about Velodyne to provide its lidar sensors to Renu Robotics

Tas Global commercializes ‘world’s first’ ship hull cleaning robot system

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A startup company called Tas Global is commercializing what it says is the world’s only robot capable of cleaning freely on curved surfaces.

The company has registered more than 30 patents in 16 countries including the US on the journey to bringing the robotic system to market.

Selected as a South Korean government project, Tas started by developing technology for processing organisms attached on a ship’s hull. [Read more…] about Tas Global commercializes ‘world’s first’ ship hull cleaning robot system

Getting dressed with help from robots

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MIT has demonstrated a “human-aware motion planning algorithm” that addresses the safety gap in collaboration between robots and humans – and could be used to make robots help people get dressed. (See video below.)

Basic safety needs in the paleolithic era have largely evolved with the onset of the industrial and cognitive revolutions. We interact a little less with raw materials, and interface a little more with machines.

Robots don’t have the same hardwired behavioral awareness and control, so secure collaboration with humans requires methodical planning and coordination. You can likely assume your friend can fill up your morning coffee cup without spilling on you, but for a robot, this seemingly simple task requires careful observation and comprehension of human behavior.

Scientists from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have recently created a new algorithm to help a robot find efficient motion plans to ensure physical safety of its human counterpart. In this case, the bot helped put a jacket on a human, which could potentially prove to be a powerful tool in expanding assistance for those with disabilities or limited mobility. [Read more…] about Getting dressed with help from robots