Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Hyundai and Kia to develops mobile robots for space exploration

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South Korean automotive giants Hyundai and Kia have agreed a partnership to develop robotic technology for space exploration.

The two companies say they “are now expanding their vision beyond the bounds of Earth and into space” are specifically concentrating on robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

Hyundai and Kia recently signed joint research agreements with six Korean research institutes and formed a consultative body to develop mobility solutions to explore the surface of the moon. This follows Korea’s successful launch of a domestically produced rocket in June. [Read more…] about Hyundai and Kia to develops mobile robots for space exploration

Effects of CNC Machining on Surface Roughness in Fused Deposition Modelling Products

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Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a 3D printing technology that uses melted plastic filament to build up objects layer by layer. FDM parts are typically made from thermoplastic materials such as ABS, PLA, or PC.

Once the object is printed, it can be finished using various methods, such as sanding, painting, or machining. CNC machining is one of the most common ways to finish an FDM part.

It involves using computer-controlled cutting tools to remove material from the surface of the object until it reaches the desired shape and size. [Read more…] about Effects of CNC Machining on Surface Roughness in Fused Deposition Modelling Products

Nauticus Robotics launches ‘pioneering’ underwater robot fleet system for offshore industry

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Nauticus Robotics, a Houston-area developer of subsea and surface robotic services using autonomy software, has launched the initial production run of Nauticus Fleet, a robotic navy of 20 Hydronaut-Aquanaut pairs.

These tandem pairs will be deployed in multiple offshore industries serving applications ranging from subsea maintenance and intervention to data collection activities.

These first sets of robots will be delivered in Q4 2022, with the remainder being fulfilled by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics launches ‘pioneering’ underwater robot fleet system for offshore industry

Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

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Motiv Space Systems is has won a key contract with NASA that will continue to power the future of space exploration and innovation, with eyes set on NASA’s Artemis program.

Motiv was recently awarded a $5 million contract to begin development of the Distributed Extreme Environments Drive System (DEEDS) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Sequential Phase II Program.

This revolutionary technology has applications across a broad spectrum of missions, including in-situ resource utilization systems, robotics, payload offloading systems and mobility systems on the Lunar and Martian surfaces. [Read more…] about Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

Winter Olympics provide China opportunity to showcase its robots

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The Winter Olympics – or Beijing 2022 – are under way in China, and the country’s roboticists are using it as an opportunity to show off their technologies. 

This is not unexpected, of course. Japan used the Summer Olympics to showcase its engineering prowess in the area of vehicle technologies as well as robots.

In fact, there’s probably less robotic showing off going on in Beijing than one might have expected, given that China is now the world’s largest buyer of robots. It’s also now the world’s largest car market, much of which is slowly becoming autonomous. [Read more…] about Winter Olympics provide China opportunity to showcase its robots

Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

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“How do we build robots that can optimally explore space?” is the core question behind Dr Frances Zhu’s research at the University of Hawai’i. One part of the answer is, “with motion capture”.

“It is my hope that my research contributes to the way extraterrestrial robots move and make decisions on other planets,” explains Zhu (main image), an assistant researcher and deputy director at the University’s Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology.

That research is in its early stages, but NASA has seen the value in it and awarded Zhu an EPSCoR grant by the name “Autonomous Rover Operations for Planetary Surface Exploration using Machine Learning Algorithms”. [Read more…] about Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

Fugro launches its new generation of uncrewed surface vessels in the Netherlands

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Fugro’s Blue Essence, an offshore certified uncrewed surface vessel (USV) with an electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV), will begin its first project in the Netherlands. 

During operations the vessel is controlled from an onshore remote operations centre (ROC) via a satellite connection and will be used for the inspection of offshore assets, construction support services, and hydrographic and geophysical surveys.

USVs play an important role in the future of the maritime sector by improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and delivering data more efficiently. [Read more…] about Fugro launches its new generation of uncrewed surface vessels in the Netherlands

SIS 2021: The benchmark event for surface inspection and quality assurance systems

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The preliminary agenda is set, exhibitors have confirmed their participation and the doors to the 2021 Surface Inspection Summit (SIS) in Aachen, Germany are ready to open from November 9th to 10th.

Visitors can look forward to the comprehensive agenda covering new developments in industrial and institutional research, spanning industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and automation. Experts will also deep dive into product-specific case studies and share their knowledge and experiences.

Throughout the exhibition, manufacturers of OIS and OIS components will present new breakthroughs and products. [Read more…] about SIS 2021: The benchmark event for surface inspection and quality assurance systems

Intelligent multi-camera system for quality control of vaccine bottles

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Combating the Covid-19 pandemic is at the top of the global agenda. Around the world, efforts are being made to supply the population with vaccine as quickly as possible. But providing around 8 billion doses – at least one for every person in the world – is no easy task.

Glass vials are a crucial factor in the delivery of the billions of doses of vaccine. About 50 billion of them are produced worldwide every year. Currently the producers of the vials are massively ramping up their production so as not to become the proverbial bottleneck in the supply chain.

However, medical-grade vaccine vials are not standard glass tubes. Whether rolled-rim bottles, threaded bottles or ampoules, they are all made of the special glass borosilicate and require customized production lines. [Read more…] about Intelligent multi-camera system for quality control of vaccine bottles

GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

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GSR, the deep-sea exploratory division of the DEME Group, has successfully recovered its prototype deep-seabed mining robot – which had become uncoupled from a cable connecting it to a surface vessel – from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

Patania II – GSR’s purpose-built prototype nodule collector – is currently being trialled in 4,500 metre water depth in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean.

On its final dive in the GSR area on 25 April, a lifting point separated and Patania II was uncoupled from the 5 km cable that connects it to the surface vessel. [Read more…] about GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot