Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

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Geek+, a supplier of robotics and AI technologies for warehouses, has launched what it claims is “the world’s first smart factory to use robot arms to make mobile robots”.

Based in Nanjing, the factory uses Geek+’ robots, AI algorithms and other automated solutions to manufacture new Geek+ robots. All of the company’s robots are produced at this factory.

With an increasing demand for customization and limited release products, product cycles are getting shorter and shorter, making flexible production an essential aspect of the manufacturing industry. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches smart factory with ‘robots making robots’

RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac

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RightHand Robotics has installed a multi-robot picking solution PalTac, which is said to be Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.

The US company has also established a new corporate entity in Japan, RightHand Robotics GK.

The subsidiary will enable RightHand to better serve the fast-growing demand for robotic piece-picking in Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics installs robotic picking solution PalTac

Swisslog to install ‘highly automated’ warehouse for Jaycar Electronics

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Swisslog is to install a purpose-built, high-tech, highly automated storage, handling and picking solution for Jaycar Electronics.

Jaycar, an electronics retailer and e-tailer, says it is investing in the advanced warehouse in Sydney so it can deliver the efficiency and performance needed to drive its growing business into the future.

Logistics automation specialists, Swisslog, has been chosen to provide the highly automated storage, handling and picking solution at the core of the new-build site. [Read more…] about Swisslog to install ‘highly automated’ warehouse for Jaycar Electronics

Mitsubishi launches new range of industrial computers

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Mitsubishi Electric Automation has released a new range of its MELIPC Series industrial-use computers for data computing, edge computing, remote monitoring, and the integration of hardware and software technologies.

The MELIPC Series is targeted towards original equipment manufacturers and end users running general manufacturing applications, and especially those who require a computing and data monitoring solution that takes up a limited amount of space with a small footprint.

Most importantly, MELIPC is designed to enable internet of things on factory floors that have not been introduced to it yet, or improve it where it is already enabled. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi launches new range of industrial computers

RightHand Robotics and Element Logic launch integrated robotic piece-picking solution

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation technology, and Element Logic, an AutoStore partner, have launched an integrated robotic piece-picking solution that combines the technologies of both companies. 

The announcement was made in conjunction with IMHX in Birmingham, UK, September 24-27.

The robotic piece-picking solution combines award-winning technology from RightHand Robotics with Element Logic software and AutoStore’s automated storage and retrieval system. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics and Element Logic launch integrated robotic piece-picking solution

BlueBotics says 1,750 AGVs worldwide now use its Ant navigation system

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Just over a year after supplying its 1,000th ANT navigation unit to Swiss customer Cleanfix, BlueBotics says it has now surpassed 1,750 ANT-driven AGVs in operation.

ANT stands for “Autonomous Navigation Technology” and is a hardware-plus-software solution offered by BlueBotics in a variety of configurations.

Nicola Tomatis, CEO of BlueBotics, says: “As we close in on 2,000 vehicles running around the world, we find ourselves considering how we achieved this success. [Read more…] about BlueBotics says 1,750 AGVs worldwide now use its Ant navigation system

Traditional telco services hamstring WAN agility. Is cloud-based SD-WAN the solution?

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In a recent survey, industry insiders predicted over 80 percent of workloads will run in a public, private, or hybrid cloud by 2020.

This shift towards cloud computing is one of the key drivers of SD-WAN overtaking traditional telco services like MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) as the go-to WAN connectivity solution for enterprises.

However, enterprises also care about reliability and managed services, areas where SD-WAN solutions that only offer overlay functionality come up short. [Read more…] about Traditional telco services hamstring WAN agility. Is cloud-based SD-WAN the solution?

Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

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With a growth of 23 percent in annual installations of collaborative robots from 2017 to 2018, the new World Robotics Report, published by International Federation of Robotics, shows a huge demand for end-of-arm-tooling, (EoAT).

In 2018 almost 14,000 new cobot arms were installed, and if this trend continues, that number will double in approximately three years, prompting an unprecedented EoAT market opportunity that OnRobot is ready to address.

For the first time ever, the annual World Robotics Report includes a specific analysis on the market for cobots, documenting a robust 23 percent growth worldwide. [Read more…] about Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

Swisslog installs robot-based warehouse for Axiom Telecom

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Warehouse automation specialist Swisslog has completed a major project for Axiom Telecom for the design and implementation of a new Dubai-based automated warehouse facility with AutoStore.

Axiom is said to be the Middle East’s leading telecom distributor for handsets and accessories.

Swisslog made the announcement at Materials Handling Middle East, the region’s dedicated trade show for warehousing, intralogistics and supply chain solutions. [Read more…] about Swisslog installs robot-based warehouse for Axiom Telecom

Micrologistics startup Takeoff Technologies raises $25 million

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Takeoff Technologies has closed its Series C fundraising with an additional $25 million in investment for 5 percent of the company, with a valuation of $500 million, bringing the total funds raised to $86 million.

The Series C funding was led by Forrestal Capital. This funding is set to propel a rollout scale across North America, Europe and Australia.

Takeoff is at the forefront of microfulfillment as the first and only solution provider with several operating sites in partnership with major grocery retail chains. [Read more…] about Micrologistics startup Takeoff Technologies raises $25 million