Robotics & Automation News

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Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

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Wikifactory, an online collaboration platform for physical product design and development, has completed a “total upgrade” that it says will enable users the ability to make anything with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection.

Wikifactory says its new Collaborative CAD Tool with in-built chat will “transform the way products are made”, enabling designers, engineers, manufacturers and enterprise to collaborate remotely on virtually any CAD model, from concept through to finished prototype.

The new Collaborative CAD Tool allows product developers of all skill levels in virtually any industry to explore, review and discuss 3D models in over 30 file formats in real-time. [Read more…] about Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

10 Benefits of ERP integration for B2B eCommerce

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In their 2020 report, Digital Commerce 360 estimated last year, online sales on B2B eCommerce sites have increased by 18.2% to $1.3 trillion.

This growth in sales spans across manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and B2B businesses of all sizes operating in various industries. As B2Bs embrace digital transformation initiatives and move to eCommerce, a seamless ERP integration must be on top of their list.

Gartner predicts that B2B businesses that consider their integration capabilities as strategic investments will grow from 40% in 2019 to 65% in 2024. The main driver of growth is expected to be in online systems integration between tools like ERP, CRM, and eCommerce. [Read more…] about 10 Benefits of ERP integration for B2B eCommerce

The Most Popular Enhanced Security and Surveillance Robots Today

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Robotic systems are an excellent representation of how much technology has achieved in these past few decades.

Advanced robots in the modern era utilize innovative mechanisms such as HD camera systems, long-distance sensors, AI, and computer processing technology. This is a clear indicator of the future of technology.

It can serve as a representation of what to expect in the world of IT and car tech. Mechanical components are designed to interconnect through an intelligent machine structure. The robot utilizes a high-speed internet server connection to maintain a link between the various aspects of functionality. [Read more…] about The Most Popular Enhanced Security and Surveillance Robots Today

SICK launches ‘ready-made, very versatile’ quality control system

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SICK’s newly-developed MQCS (Modular Quality Control System) is an “off the shelf”, multifunctional machine vision system, and is sold as a ready-to-use package of hardware and pre-written software. Suitable for code reading, 2D or 3D inspection duties, the MQCS reduces cost and development time needed to set up automated quality inspection and logistics applications.

Originally, developed as a solution for non-contact 3D inspection of chocolate moulds in the confectionery industry, the MQCS soon demonstrated its versatility to be adapted for other applications such as “right product/right packaging” code matching, counting and aggregation of varied packages, monitoring the cycle life of materials handling equipment, and other 3D inspection and measurement tasks. [Read more…] about SICK launches ‘ready-made, very versatile’ quality control system

Toyota unveils two new autonomous warehouse vehicles

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Toyota Forklift has unveiled two new autonomous warehouse vehicles, developed in partnership with Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company.

The “Center-Controlled Rider” and “Core Tow Tractor Automated Forklifts” were designed for manufacturing facilities and distribution center operations where tasks are highly standardized, repetitive, and easily accomplished without the need of advanced human management.

The vehicles use ANT software from BlueBotics. ANT is like an operating system for autonomous mobile robots or automated guided vehicles. [Read more…] about Toyota unveils two new autonomous warehouse vehicles

How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

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In today’s fast-paced, global marketplace, supply chain software can help improve your company’s efficiency and productivity.

You may find yourself needing to monitor and track multiple business functions and processes, but, sometimes, you can’t be there physically to oversee each aspect of your business. With this type of software, you can be sure that all of your business operations are being tracked and accounted for.

This can help you better plan and control how your business functions and allows you to make more informed decisions. In this article, you’ll learn in detail how supply chain software can benefit your business. Read on. [Read more…] about How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

Daimler and Volvo launch €1.2 billion venture to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for trucks

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Volvo Group and Daimler Trucks have entered into a joint venture to develop, produce and commercialize hydrogen fuel-cell systems for use in heavy-duty trucks as the primary focus, as well as other applications.

The ambition of both partners is to make the new company a leading global manufacturer of fuel cells, and thus help the world take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050.

Volvo will acquire 50 percent of the partnership interests in Daimler Truck Fuel Cell for approximately €600 million on a cash and debt-free basis. Closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2021. [Read more…] about Daimler and Volvo launch €1.2 billion venture to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for trucks

Visteon unveils ‘first’ wireless automotive battery management system

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Automotive technology company Visteon has announced a first production-intent, completely wireless battery management system (BMS) to monitor battery packs continuously for state of health and charge.

GM will be the first OEM to equip its electric vehicles (EVs) with the systems solution from Visteon, GM and other technology partners. GM will make the system standard on all planned EV models powered by its Ultium batteries.

Sachin Lawande, president and CEO, Visteon, says: “Our wireless BMS technology eliminates wiring harnesses found in the battery packs of traditional systems, delivering a solution that offers a secure, safe and robust battery system for EVs.” [Read more…] about Visteon unveils ‘first’ wireless automotive battery management system

SSI Schaffer provides Coop with ‘one of the largest automation solutions in the world’

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Coop, one of the leading food retailers in Sweden, has chosen SSI Schaefer as its general contractor for intralogistics to provide a highly automated logistics solution for the company’s new 77,000 sqm distribution center in Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Coop’s new distribution center, strategically positioned in the heart of Sweden, will handle the distribution of goods to Coop’s 800+ stores around the country.

The majority of the material flow will be processed by two highly automated robotic case picking systems for chilled and ambient products. The result will be a sustainable warehouse that will handle more than 600,000 units per day. [Read more…] about SSI Schaffer provides Coop with ‘one of the largest automation solutions in the world’

FBI installs AutoStore for centralized automated record filing and retrieval solution

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The General Service Administration (GSA) has installed an automated record filing and retrieval system from robotics technology company AutoStore inside a recently completed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) central records complex in Winchester, Virginia.

The facility includes the country’s first robotic filing and retrieval warehouse in a GSA project.

Certified by the National Archives and Records Administration, this secure, “state-of-the-art”, 250,000-square-foot facility was built to consolidate and contain records previously housed within 256 field offices around the world. [Read more…] about FBI installs AutoStore for centralized automated record filing and retrieval solution