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ZF launches its ‘most advanced’ autonomous emergency braking system for commercial vehicles in China

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Automotive systems manufacturer ZF is preparing for volume production of its most advanced autonomous emergency braking assistance system in China. OnGuardMAX will be installed in new truck models by two leading Chinese manufacturers from this year.

Sophisticated data integration with state-of-the-art camera and radar sensor helps the system autonomously detect, classify and react on moving and stationary vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles.

The system warns the driver of imminent collisions and, if necessary, can autonomously bring the vehicle to a complete stop. This advanced object detection and autonomous braking capability further enables the new ZF system to help avoid or mitigate accidents involving pedestrians. [Read more…] about ZF launches its ‘most advanced’ autonomous emergency braking system for commercial vehicles in China

SICK launches ‘world’s first’ LiDAR multibeam scanner for small vehicles

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SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched what it describes as “the world’s first” LiDAR multibeam scanner with safe, solid-state technology for line-guided small vehicles.

The scanGrid2 safe multibeam scanner from SICK is the first of its kind in the world. The compact sensor uses a novel and in-house developed solid-state LiDAR technology to increase the productivity of small autonomous and line-guided transport vehicles.

Certified as a Type 2/SIL 1 safety sensor according to IEC 61496-3, the scanGrid2 can protect hazardous areas up to performance level c and works well for collision avoidance. An app and cloning function also ensure a high level of up time and fast fleet deployment. [Read more…] about SICK launches ‘world’s first’ LiDAR multibeam scanner for small vehicles

Webinar: Fast Solution for Speed and Separation Monitoring in a Collaborative Robot Application

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Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-anVothsTM2a7mMUOfdViQ

SICK Sensor Inc announces the latest webinar in association with Robotics and Automation News. 

Collaborative robot adaptation is growing faster than ever before and leading the charge is Universal Robots.

SICK has partnered with UR to create the fastest way to implement speed and separation monitoring for collaborative robot applications.

The webinar will take place on 15th April and the guest speaker will be Nate Gose, Manager of Safety Services at SICK Sensor Inc.

Nate Gose, Manager of Safety Services at SICK Sensor Inc

Nate has been with SICK for over seven years, providing safety expertise to customers in various industries and will cover the following points during the webinar:

  • How to quickly and easily implement speed and separation monitoring for robot protective measures
  • How programming a safety scanner can be achieved without the use of a separate PC or software
  • The benefits of using a collaborative robot with an integrated safety scanner

Webinar: Fast Solution for Speed and Separation Monitoring in a Collaborative Robot Application

by

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-anVothsTM2a7mMUOfdViQ

SICK Sensor Inc announces the latest webinar in association with Robotics and Automation News. 

Collaborative robot adaptation is growing faster than ever before and leading the charge is Universal Robots.

SICK has partnered with UR to create the fastest way to implement speed and separation monitoring for collaborative robot applications.

The webinar will take place on 15th April and the guest speaker will be Nate Gose, Manager of Safety Services at SICK Sensor Inc.

Nate Gose, Manager of Safety Services at SICK Sensor Inc

Nate has been with SICK for over seven years, providing safety expertise to customers in various industries and will cover the following points during the webinar:

  • How to quickly and easily implement speed and separation monitoring for robot protective measures
  • How programming a safety scanner can be achieved without the use of a separate PC or software
  • The benefits of using a collaborative robot with an integrated safety scanner

 

Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

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Omron has released its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor, which can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed bulk automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick and place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity.

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply, says Omron. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers.

Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex shaped parts. [Read more…] about Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

Lidar sensor makers choose Nvidia Drive for development

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Baraja, Hesai, Innoviz, Magna and Ouster join Nvidia Drive developer ecosystem

When it comes to autonomous vehicle sensor innovation, it’s best to keep an open mind – and an open development platform, according to chipmaker Nvidia. 

That’s why Nvidia Drive is the chosen platform on which the majority of these sensors run, says the company.

In addition to camera sensors, Nvidia has long recognized that lidar is a crucial component to an autonomous vehicle’s perception stack. By emitting invisible lasers at incredibly fast speeds, lidar sensors can paint a detailed 3D picture from the signals that bounce back instantaneously. [Read more…] about Lidar sensor makers choose Nvidia Drive for development

ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

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ATI Industrial Automation has developed CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits, providing Fanuc CRX cobot users a simple and effective way to increase the flexibility of collaborative robotic automation. (See video below.)

These all-in-one packages include robust options for automatic tool changing, force sensing, and material removal, and enable tasks such as assembly, machine tending, part inspection, surface preparation and others to be implemented and executed easily.

CRX-Ready End-Effector Kits include everything needed to get Fanuc CRX cobot applications up and running. In addition to the end-effector, the kit features all the hardware and software required for system connection. [Read more…] about ATI launches end effector kits for Fanuc collaborative robots

Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

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Ibeo Automotive Systems and SICK Sensor Intelligence are partnering in what is described as the “largest ever LiDAR co-operation agreement”. The technology partnership between Hamburg-based automotive LiDAR specialist Ibeo and SICK will result in a 3D solid-state LiDAR sensor for industrial applications.

The technology, developed by Ibeo to automotive standards, is based on a new photon laser measurement technology and is entirely free of moving parts. An additional, camera-like reference image adds a “fourth dimension” to the measurement provided by the sensor.

The market for autonomous and semi-autonomous systems in an industrial context is predicted to grow at above-average rates. There is particular demand for durable, small, and cost-efficient sensor solutions. [Read more…] about Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire

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When one of the cylinders in an engine doesn’t function properly, that’s referred to as an engine misfire. The amount of power that your engine is able to produce will significantly drop.

Identifying the cause of a misfire can be challenging, but once you’ve figured out the problem, in some cases, there are simple solutions that will solve it. In other cases, in-depth repairs might be required. Here’s what you need to know about fixing an engine misfire. [Read more…] about What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire

SICK unveils new sensor that takes laser-based ranging to ‘new levels and applications’ for warehouse robots

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SICK has expanded its 2D LiDAR sensor offerings for localization and anti-collision applications with the compact TiM2xx product family. This is in response to the new requirements on functionality, size, and price.

Globally, the e-commerce sector continues to experience strong growth. This has also led to an increase in demand for automation solutions to support the growing logistics infrastructure and the transport of goods and products.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are handling more logistics tasks of varying kinds. Simultaneously, the latest AMR designs are becoming increasingly compact and streamlined. [Read more…] about SICK unveils new sensor that takes laser-based ranging to ‘new levels and applications’ for warehouse robots