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SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit announced

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Global industry executives from all seven SEMI regions will gather online for the inaugural SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit, February 15-19, 2021, for keynotes on the power of technology to unite the world and insights on how the microelectronics industry can shape the digital future.

The virtual event will connect industry leaders and stakeholders across the entire electronics design and manufacturing value chain for the latest developments, trends and innovations in key areas of industry growth including smart mobility, smart medtech, and MEMS and sensors. Registration is open. [Read more…] about SEMI Technology Unites Global Summit announced

BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

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The BMW Group is breaking new ground in the field of logistics as it founds warehouse robotics company IDEALworks – a fully-owned subsidiary headquartered in Munich. 

This marks the first time a major automotive brand is building and supplying what are often called autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The aim is to become a leading supplier of autonomous robotics solutions in the logistics sector. The name “IDEAL” stands for Industry Driven Engineering for Autonomous Logistics. [Read more…] about BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

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

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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

Estonian company launches ‘first’ autonomous bus in Greece

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An autonomous bus named “Iseauto” has started its work in Greece, in the city of Lamia. The bus has been developed in Estonia and offers a full-scale autonomous service that was first piloted in the summer in Tallinn, in Ülemiste City.

For the first time in Greek history, a fully street-legal autonomous vehicle is operational in the context of an autonomous public transport pilot project led by Estonians.

The autonomous minibus developed by AuveTech in Estonia is the first “4th category” – or Level 4 – autonomous vehicle that has been pigeonholed “street-legal” in Greece. [Read more…] about Estonian company launches ‘first’ autonomous bus in Greece

Toyota venture fund invests in robotic kitchen startup

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Toyota AI Ventures, Toyota’s early-stage venture capital fund, has decided to invest in YPC Technologies, a robotic kitchen startup based in Montreal, Canada.

The funding follows YPC Technologies’ participation in the 2020 Toyota AI Ventures “call for innovation” focused on smart, connected cities that launched earlier this year in partnership with Toyota Research Institute – Advanced Development (TRI-AD) and Toyota Research Institute (TRI).

Toyota AI Ventures views cities as a platform for innovation, and this year’s global call for innovation focused on attracting and investing in early-stage startups that are building solutions for smart and connected cities in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomy, mobility, cloud, or data. [Read more…] about Toyota venture fund invests in robotic kitchen startup

Smart Home Upgrades for Modern Living

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A smart home is a happy home. At least, in the sense that the easier you make things for yourself and your family, the better!

These days, planning and going about renovations is as much about smart home upgrades as it is the usual decorative touches. A gadget here, a convenience there and before you know it you’re wondering how you got by without them.

But which smart home upgrades for modern living should appear at the top of your ‘must-buy’ list? If you’re planning on bringing a few 21st century mod-cons into your home this year, which indispensable gadgets should you make a beeline for? [Read more…] about Smart Home Upgrades for Modern Living

Cheetah Mobile’s epidemic prevention and control robots keeping busy in China

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More than 30 hospitals and public venues in six major Chinese cities have been using Cheetah Mobile’s robots for epidemic prevention and control. (See video below.)

The locations include Wuhan’s Huoshenshan Hospital, the emergency specialty field hospital that was built in 10 days in response to the virus outbreak. [Read more…] about Cheetah Mobile’s epidemic prevention and control robots keeping busy in China

Robotics and Automation News Review: Fanuc and Kuka launch new robots, Pittsburgh ready to go to ‘infinity and beyond’, Foxconn moves operations out of China, and much more…

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Friday 14 August 2020: This is a new, weekly column – to be published every Friday – which rounds up all the most interesting news from the robotics and automation industry in the past seven days, in brief form. 

This Robotics and Automation News Review is also available to view on our YouTube channel.

Comau Robotics says it has created an “innovative, in-line testing and quality control system that optimizes the construction and assembly of batteries”. The company says the MI.RA / Thermography system uses thermal imaging and artificial intelligence to perform non-invasive automated assessment and control of welded joints, to ensure battery integrity and prevent waste.

Kuka Robotics has launched a new compact industrial robot. The company says its new KR 4 Agilus is “a hot candidate for first place in the small robotics charts from October onwards”.

Fanuc Robotics has launched a new “extremely compact” robot which it claims has the “best precision in its class”. The new M-10iD/16S robot is the most compact model of the M-10iD series, says Fanuc, adding that it combines the best features of its two predecessors, M-10iA/10MS and M-10iA/12S.

Hyundai Robotics has signed an agreement with Korea’s Asan Medical Center and KT for joint development and commercialization of smart hospital solutions on June 30th. The company is planning to prepare for the post-corona era with a smart hospital solution for infection management by ICT-based digital transformation.

Techman Robot, a manufacturer of collaborative robots, says it has adopted proactive steps against the new coronavirus. Techman Robot says it checks the health of its employees on a daily bases and collects global virus information. It also implementing prevention measures. The company maintains business communications online and is frequently in touch with all overseas offices, global distributors, partners, and customers.

HRG International Institute of Research and Innovation has unveiled a new floor cleaning robot, the SW10. The company says it is exclusively designed for floor cleaning tasks in commercial and industrial environments. The robot is combined with sweeping, mopping and vacuum cleaning functions and its work can maintain 2,000 square meters per hour.

Denso has established the Pittsburgh Innovation Lab, a new US research and development center designed to strengthen open innovation and enhance technology development that enables automated driving.

FedEx has installed industrial robotic arms to do what is considered the “most difficult” job to automate in a sorting facility in Memphis, USA. The logistics giant has integrated Yaskawa robots and software from Plus One Robotics into a robotic system that performs a task which involves picking up parcels or envelopes from a tray and placing them on a conveyor.

Foxconn, Apple’s main contract manufacturing partner, has moved a significant portion of its operations outside of China. The company has already moved an additional 5 percent of its operations to countries other than China, bring it up to 30 percent, compared with 25 percent last year.

Pittsburgh local authorities say they are looking to “infinity and beyond” after NASA awarded a local company, Astrobotic Technology, a $200 million contract to build and send the first-ever US robotic rover to the Moon by 2023.

Geek+ partners with Kuecker to offer ‘smart logistics’ across North America

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Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has agreed a new distribution partnership with Kuecker Logistics Group, a material handling systems integrator.

The two companies will work together to provide smart logistics solutions to customers across North America.

Geek+ has built up an extensive portfolio of successful cases across industries and a wide variety of artificial intelligence-driven robotics solutions. [Read more…] about Geek+ partners with Kuecker to offer ‘smart logistics’ across North America

Techman Robot targets smart manufacturing market with TÜV professional training for its employees

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Techman Robot is targeting growth in the smart manufacturing market, and the company believes the best starting point is TÜV professional training for its employees.

Smart manufacturing is a hot topic in the industrial sector. Many countries now believe that smart robots will play an increasingly central role in future technological development.

However, during the production process, potential hazards still exist between mechanical equipment and humans. [Read more…] about Techman Robot targets smart manufacturing market with TÜV professional training for its employees