Robotics & Automation News

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Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

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Industrial automation specialist Kuka and Munich-based automotive company BMW have signed a framework agreement for the supply of around 5,000 robots for new production lines and factories.

The Kuka industrial robots will be used around the world at the international production sites of the BMW Group for the manufacture of the current and future generations of vehicle models.

The various robot models from Kuka will be used primarily in body-in-white production and other technologies. [Read more…] about Kuka wins massive order from BMW for 5,000 robots

China crisis: Coronavirus devastates economy, but early drastic action may have limited long-term damage

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If anyone thought they could make coronavirus go away by simply ignoring it – we include ourselves in this – has been proven wrong. Wherever you are in the world, it has been virtually impossible to ignore what is now called Covid-19 by the World Health Organisation, which has declared the virus a pandemic.

A pandemic is a virus or disease that appears on every continent, as coronavirus indeed does.

Some may have argued that Covid-19 is simply a variation of the flu. Even if that’s true, it is far more dangerous than the common or seasonal flu. Coronavirus kills, and has done so on an unprecedented scale. [Read more…] about China crisis: Coronavirus devastates economy, but early drastic action may have limited long-term damage

DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

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DHL Supply Chain is installing 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics. The world’s largest logistics company will integrate the Locus robots at 10 of its US facilities in 2020.

DHL and Locus Robotics have an ongoing working relationship, but the new initiative significantly expands this partnership.

The companies have signed an “Expanded Multi-Site Services Agreement” outlining the terms. [Read more…] about DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

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Universal Robots, the market leader in collaborative robotics, will show attendees at North America’s largest supply chain expo how cobots can automate hard-to-staff palletizing and piece-picking tasks with new applications from partners MDCI Automation, RightHand Robotics, and Cross Automation.

With e-commerce generating the greatest year-over-year growth of all US retail industries, there is now more warehousing space being built in the US than projected warehousing jobs required to fill that space.

When thousands of supply chain professionals were asked in a recent Materials Handling Institute survey what technologies would yield the greatest boost to productivity, “robotics and automation” was their answer. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts new cobot-powered fulfillment solutions at Modex 2020

Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

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in association with SICK AppSpace

The automotive industry is undergoing the most fundamental transformation in its history and, as this article suggests, a flexible approach to software development will become essential to companies that want to stay competitive.

As well as applications development, industry is experiencing the impact of other key technologies such as:

  • robotics and automation;
  • supply chains, warehousing and logistics;
  • digitalisation;
  • electric engines;
  • autonomous systems; and
  • connectivity, or the internet of things.

Clearly, it would be almost impossible to go into any great depth in a 2,000-word article, but we will at least bring to your attention the new technologies that are already changing the automotive landscape. [Read more…] about Special report: Robotics and automation in automotive manufacturing and supply chains

China buys Danish robots to fight coronavirus

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As a new and powerful weapon against the spread of the coronavirus, Chinese hospitals are now deploying Danish disinfection robots from UVD Robots.

Self-driving Danish disinfection robots are now shipping to a number of hospitals in China to help fight the coronavirus, also called COVID-19.

This happened after Sunay Healthcare Supply today signed an agreement with the Danish company UVD Robots. [Read more…] about China buys Danish robots to fight coronavirus

Global robotics market predicted to triple to $275 billion by 2025

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The global robotics market is predicted to triple to $275 billion by 2025, according to analysis of International Federation of Robotics data by DC Advisory.

The investment bank calculates that the market was worth approximately $98 billion in 2018.

DC Advisory says changing consumer market has driven manufacturers and logistics companies to adopt new methods of production and distribution – chiefly the new generations of robotics and automation technology. [Read more…] about Global robotics market predicted to triple to $275 billion by 2025

iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

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iRobot, a maker of consumer robots – most famously a robotic vacuum cleaner, has officially commenced production in Malaysia ahead of schedule.

Working with Jabil Inc, a manufacturing solutions provider based in St Petersburg, Florida, iRobot has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into Malaysia as part of its strategic supply chain diversification initiative.

Jabil has served as one of iRobot’s trusted manufacturing and supply chain partners in China since 2010. [Read more…] about iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

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OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

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OnRobot, a manufacturer of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a new gripper which it describes as “small but powerful”.

OnRobot says the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper addresses customer demand for a small, powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

The new gripper has no compressor and requires no air supply, which eliminates the cost, noise, space, and maintenance of producing compressed air, says OnRobot, adding that the compact electrical gripper is “easy to implement and move”. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper