Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

smart manufacturing

The view from Zasche: Where human skill meets smart automation – the case for semi-automated bin picking

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By Ulrich Schäfer, project engineer, Zasche Handling

Manufacturers today are navigating an increasingly complex balancing act. High-mix production, persistent labour shortages, and stricter safety and ergonomic standards are stretching both operators and processes.

Manual handling can no longer keep pace without risking fatigue or injury, yet fully robotic systems are often rigid, costly, and hard to adapt to changing part types. Between these extremes lies a growing opportunity for solutions that blend human expertise with targeted automation.

Semi-automated bin picking sits squarely in this middle ground. It offers a practical alternative when full automation would require disproportionate investment, yet manual lifting and handling exceed what is safe or sustainable over time. [Read more…] about The view from Zasche: Where human skill meets smart automation – the case for semi-automated bin picking

Comau deploys in.Grid robot monitoring platform at Iveco plant

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Comau has deployed its in.Grid Robot Monitoring platform at Italian transport vehicle manufacturer Iveco’s Valladolid plant in Spain, helping support the customer’s industrial digitalization strategy.

Developed to enhance operational visibility and improve maintenance efficiency, the cloud-based system monitors Comau robots on Iveco’s Door Ring and Mascherone assembly lines.

Comau’s in.Grid Robot Monitoring system autonomously captures production and process data, identifies performance deviations, signals anomalies, and verifies user-defined KPIs. [Read more…] about Comau deploys in.Grid robot monitoring platform at Iveco plant

Interstuhl automates seat coating with Dürr’s robotic mould-surface technology

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High-end furniture design company Interstuhl Büromöbel says it relies on modern coating technology from Dürr for the production of its work chairs for industrial and laboratory applications.

The new system automates the coating of the inner surfaces of foam moulds. Utilising the modular EcoSupply2 Core paint supply station and a 2K process controlled by an EcoAUC, Interstuhl has achieved an efficient coating process with up to five colours.

Interstuhl Büromöbel, headquartered in Meßstetten, is one of Europe’s leading chair manufacturers, producing high-quality office chairs for over 60 years. The company now employs innovative coating technology from Dürr in the production of its industrial and laboratory chairs. [Read more…] about Interstuhl automates seat coating with Dürr’s robotic mould-surface technology

The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

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By Anders Billesø Beck, vice president, AI robotics products at Universal Robots

The robotics industry is evolving faster than ever, and the signals of what’s next are already visible. As someone focused on shaping the future of automation, I see four trends that will redefine how robots create value.

From smarter math and cooperative behaviors to industry-specific AI and a new data economy, here’s what I predict will matter most in the years ahead. [Read more…] about The view from Universal Robots: Four physical AI predictions for 2026 and beyond

Siemens and Nvidia expand partnership to build industrial AI operating system

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Siemens and Nvidia have announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership to bring artificial intelligence into the real world.

Together, the companies aim to develop industrial and physical AI solutions that will bring AI-driven innovation to every industry and industrial workflow, as well as accelerate each others’ operations.

To support development, Nvidia will provide AI infrastructure, simulation libraries, models, frameworks and blueprints, while Siemens will commit hundreds of industrial AI experts and leading hardware and software. [Read more…] about Siemens and Nvidia expand partnership to build industrial AI operating system

Smart Manufacturing Technologies: How Innovation is Redefining Production Efficiency

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By 2025, the vocabulary of the plant floor has changed. “Downtime” is being replaced by “predictive interventions,” “batch records” by “digital thread,” and “gut feel” by “data-driven decision.”

What sits behind the new language is a maturing wave of smart manufacturing technologies that are quietly lifting output, squeezing costs, and protecting margins in a stubbornly volatile market.

This article is written for manufacturing leaders, operations managers, and industrial engineers who need a straight-talking tour of where the biggest efficiency gains from technology solutions for manufacturing are actually coming from and how to capture them without derailing ongoing production. [Read more…] about Smart Manufacturing Technologies: How Innovation is Redefining Production Efficiency

Foxconn and Intrinsic launch joint venture to build AI ‘factory of the future’

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Intrinsic, an Alphabet company that makes AI robotics software, and Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, have launched a multi-phased joint venture designed to build the intelligent, flexible and scalable “factory of the future”.

By combining the strengths of Intrinsic’s AI platform and Foxconn’s Smart Manufacturing platform, this new partnership aims to develop and deploy adaptive, intelligent robotics solutions across Foxconn facilities in the US, unlocking new levels of flexibility and productivity in manufacturing.

“In working with Intrinsic, we are able to tap their deep expertise in AI-driven robotics,” said Young Liu, chairman and CEO of Foxconn. “This synergy complements our global manufacturing leadership, enabling us to collaboratively unlock the factory of the future.” [Read more…] about Foxconn and Intrinsic launch joint venture to build AI ‘factory of the future’

5 Signs it’s Time to Upgrade Your Packaging Line

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In the contemporary competitive cart package business, efficiency, accuracy, and speed are all that matter. Your packaging line is the blood pump of your business whether you are making corrugated cartons, folding boxes, or e-commerce-specific packaging. However, there is no shelf life even in the best system.

Machines belabor, technology changes, and market demands change. You may be losing a daily amount of money without knowing it, in case your line is aging. It is also important to note that it is equally important to know when to upgrade as well as what to upgrade.

The following are five outstanding indications that it is time to upgrade your packaging line – and how upgrading your packaging line can radically transform your production performance, product quality, and profit margins. [Read more…] about 5 Signs it’s Time to Upgrade Your Packaging Line

Niryo launches robotic platform to make industrial automation ‘more accessible’

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French industrial company Niryo has launched Nate, its new robotic platform designed to accelerate automation in industry.

With 3,500 robots deployed in over 70 countries, Niryo has established itself as a key player in the field of robotics.

Building on this experience, the company is now accelerating the development of accessible, high-performance solutions for industry, with a clear ambition: to make cutting-edge robotics accessible to companies of all sizes. [Read more…] about Niryo launches robotic platform to make industrial automation ‘more accessible’

Kuka launches new autonomous mobile robot platform

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Kuka has expanded its autonomous mobile robot (AMR) lineup with the launch of the KMP 250P, a mobile platform designed to carry goods and components weighing up to 250 kilograms.

The system, which can also be fitted with a lifting unit, will be available for order in December 2025.

The German automation specialist said the new model adds to its existing AMR portfolio, which already includes platforms with payloads of up to 3,000 kilograms. [Read more…] about Kuka launches new autonomous mobile robot platform