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Sinocare and Hai Robotics partner to upgrade healthcare logistics operation

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Sinocare, which is said to be Asia’s largest blood glucose meters manufacturer, recently joined forces with Hai Robotics to implement a complete set of Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems into their warehouse in Changsha, China.

Hai Robotics, the pioneer in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems for warehouse logistics, provided a deeper intelligent technology integration and development of in-plant logistics in the healthcare facility, delivering higher workflow efficiency rates and lower labor costs.

Li Zhi, senior manager of Sinocare’s engineering department, says: “The strategy of digitized and intelligent supply chain transformation, with the ACR systems’ help, will continuously foster Sinocare’s business growth now and far into the future.” [Read more…] about Sinocare and Hai Robotics partner to upgrade healthcare logistics operation

Indy Autonomous Challenge to race at iconic Texas speedway

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The Indy Autonomous Challenge will return to racing at another iconic track with “The Indy Autonomous Challenge Powered by Cisco” at the Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, November 11th in Fort Worth, Texas.

This follows a record setting competition at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last October, and making history at CES 2022 in January with the world’s first-ever, head-to-head autonomous racing competition.

Presenting sponsor Cisco Systems will enable critical in-vehicle and car-to-trackside connectivity with Dallara AV-21 racecars using ultra-low latency wireless technology for the head-to-head autonomous racecar competition where nine IAC teams will seek to compete. [Read more…] about Indy Autonomous Challenge to race at iconic Texas speedway

6 River Systems unveils new features for its robotic systems for warehouses

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6 River Systems (6RS), part of e-commerce platform company Shopify, has unveiled new features for its robotic fulfillment solution that enhances productivity and flexibility for warehouse operators.

Integrated with 6RS’ SaaS-based Fulfillment Execution System and autonomous mobile robot (AMR), Chuck, these new features position the company as the most configurable warehouse automation solution provider on the market.

6RS provides the “tools and insights needed to maximize operations as fulfillment speed becomes a competitive differentiator for warehouse operators and the merchants they serve”, says 6RS. [Read more…] about 6 River Systems unveils new features for its robotic systems for warehouses

ASTM forms new robotics group to develop standards for grasping and manipulation technologies

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ASTM International’s committee on robotics, automation, and autonomous systems (F45) has formed a new subcommittee on grasping and manipulation.

This new subcommittee (F45.05) of ASTM (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) will develop standards that evaluate performance in several major areas of robotic manipulation.

The first three task groups of the committee will develop standards for performance of grasping type end-effectors, mobile manipulators, and robotic assembly systems, covering their use in both fixed and mobile base systems. [Read more…] about ASTM forms new robotics group to develop standards for grasping and manipulation technologies

Robot cell guarding: When adaptability trumps strength

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Luke Wilkinson, design and product development manager at Matara, looks at the growing use of aluminium over steel in robot guard frames and the reasons behind its rising popularity

It is estimated that there are around 23,000 robots operating in industrial settings in the UK. The automotive sector is the largest user employing over 9,000, with the food and drink sector recently rising to second place.

With their ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately, swiftly and consistently, it’s not hard to understand why the use of robots across industry is growing. A survey conducted by the British Automation & Robot Association showed sales of robots in the UK to be 7.5% higher in 2020 from the previous year.

Whilst the benefits of using robots in industrial settings are clear, it’s important to take into account the potential safety risk they pose; not of a science fiction nature, but a very real, present in the here and now type risk that primarily stems from people accidentally getting in their way which can have serious consequences if the machine is fast moving, carrying a heavy payload and so on. [Read more…] about Robot cell guarding: When adaptability trumps strength

Doosan Robotics and Air-Oil Systems team up for strategic regional distribution partnership

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Doosan Robotics, one of the world’s leading service robot and collaborative robot manufacturers,has teamed up with automation solutions specialist Air-Oil Systems for a strategic distribution partnership across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all in the United States.

Doosan Robotics’ full lineup of both collaborative and service robots – including their A, H, and M-Series – can now be distributed by Air-Oil to customers across each respective region.

Over recent years, Doosan Robotics has become the largest cobot manufacturer in the industry, as well as among the top five robotics manufacturers in the world and the top manufacturer in South Korea. [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics and Air-Oil Systems team up for strategic regional distribution partnership

ShipHero implements inVia Robotics’ automation system to upgrade warehouse operations

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inVia Robotics, a specialist provider of e-commerce fulfillment automation systems, has been selected by ShipHero, a shipping and logistics platform for more than 5,000 e-commerce brands and third-party logistic providers, to expand its fully autonomous mobile robot solution into two additional fulfillment centers.

After automating picking and replenishment activities in its Jacksonville, Florida location with inVia, ShipHero will now add the technology to its Allentown, Pennsylvania and Las Vegas, Nevada warehouses.

The two companies have already built a native integration between inVia’s warehouse execution system (WES) and ShipHero’s warehouse management system (WMS) software that will ensure rapid and seamless deployments in these additional facilities. [Read more…] about ShipHero implements inVia Robotics’ automation system to upgrade warehouse operations

Mujin debuts new robotic case handler for warehouse automation

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Robotic solutions provider Mujin has debuted its latest product, QuickBot, a comprehensive, quick-deployment robot cell for case handling. The company says the launch of its warehouse solution is poised to make robotic automation in North American logistics a “no-brainer”.

The first application to become available is a depalletizing solution for automating one of the most arduous tasks of the receiving process in warehouses, and QuickBot is designed with everything needed to solve the application.

Mujin boasts that its QuickBot depalletizer – or QB, as it has been nicknamed – is currently the simplest way to automate a warehouse’s receiving operations with robots. QuickBot is easy to install, doesn’t require any tools, and can be picking cases within a few hours. [Read more…] about Mujin debuts new robotic case handler for warehouse automation

Robotics Plus unveils autonomous modular vehicle to ‘alleviate agriculture labour shortages’

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Robotics Plus, a New Zealand-based agritech company, has launched an autonomous multi-use, modular vehicle platform for agriculture designed to carry out a variety of orchard and vineyard machine tasks – to “alleviate ongoing labor shortages and transform the industry”.

The multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) can be supervised in a fleet of vehicles by a single human operator. The vehicle uses a combination of vision systems and other technologies to sense the environment – to optimize tasks and allow intelligent and targeted application of inputs such as sprays.

Growers will be able to rotate multiple tools on the highly adaptable and configurable agriculture platform, depending on the day’s work – for jobs such as spraying, weed control, mulching, mowing and crop analysis. [Read more…] about Robotics Plus unveils autonomous modular vehicle to ‘alleviate agriculture labour shortages’

Vecna Robotics unveils ‘major software release’

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Vecna Robotics, a specialist in material handling automation solutions, has unveiled what it describes as “a major software release and hardware upgrades” to its AFL-class autonomous forklift.

The new capabilities expand the company’s reach within warehouse and factory floors by optimizing material transport between other machinery and equipment, with specific focus on low-lift workflows.

The update supports numerous above-ground workflows including: inbound staging to AS/RS induction; delivering materials to ergonomic lift stands for work-in-process flows; and loading and extracting from robotic palletizers and stretch wrappers. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics unveils ‘major software release’