Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Want to know how safe your warehouse job is? There’s an app for that

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In 2017 there were nearly 350,000 incidents of workers taking sick leave due to injuries affecting muscles, nerves, ligaments or tendons – like carpal tunnel syndrome – according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Among the workers with the highest number of incidents: people who work in factories and warehouses.

Musculoskeletal disorders happen at work when people use awkward postures or perform repeated tasks. These behaviors generate strain on the body over time. So it’s important to point out and minimize risky behaviors to keep workers healthy on the job. [Read more…] about Want to know how safe your warehouse job is? There’s an app for that

Columbia university demonstrates robotic cane to ‘improve stability in walking’

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Columbia University has demonstrated a robotic cane which it claims can “improve stability in walking”.

The developers say the device acts as a cane-like mobile assistant to provide “light-touch” operation to help the elderly and others with impaired mobility.

By adding electronics and computation technology to a simple cane that has been around since ancient times, a team of researchers at Columbia Engineering have transformed it into a 21st-century robotic device that can provide light-touch assistance in walking to the aged and others with impaired mobility. [Read more…] about Columbia university demonstrates robotic cane to ‘improve stability in walking’

Recogni launches with $25 million to develop AI processing for autonomous vehicles

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A US-German startup called Recogni has raised $25 million in Series A funding to make “fully-autonomous vehicles a reality”.

Until now, Recogni has been in “stealth mode” while it develops its “high-performance, low-power AI processing for autonomous vehicles”.

Recogni says it has designed a vision-oriented artificial intelligence platform for autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Recogni launches with $25 million to develop AI processing for autonomous vehicles

Human-robot teams work better ‘when there’s an emotional connection’, say researchers

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Humans and robots work better together when there’s an emotional connection, according to a study by the University of Michigan.

The researchers observed that soldiers develop attachments to the robots that help them diffuse bombs in the field. They add that, despite numerous warnings about privacy, “millions of us trust smart speakers like Alexa to listen into our daily lives”.

“Some of us name our cars and even shed tears when we trade them in for shiny new vehicles,” they say. [Read more…] about Human-robot teams work better ‘when there’s an emotional connection’, say researchers

General Motors unveils its digital vehicle platform

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General Motors has unveiled its all-new electronic platform for its next-generation of vehicles.

As the automotive industry and vehicles evolve in the next five to 10 years, more electrical bandwidth and connectivity will be needed to ensure that features such as electric propulsion systems, the Super Cruise driver assistance feature and advanced active safety systems can all run in conjunction with each other.

Debuting on the recently-unveiled 2020 Cadillac CT5 sedan, the electronic platform will go into production later this year and should be rolled out to most vehicles within GM’s global lineup by 2023.

[Read more…] about General Motors unveils its digital vehicle platform

JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

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JMP Solutions has acquired Calgary-based Hi-Def Controls, enhancing their presence in Western Canada while benefitting from additional competencies specifically in the oil and gas, water and wastewater, and power systems industry segments.

The two organizations say they are “a natural fit” not only due to their focused industry alignment, but most notably, their common customer-centric philosophy, which revolves around supporting their clients throughout the lifetime of their systems, not just for the length of the project; a culture which truly sets them apart from the bulk of the System Integrator market.

Scott Shawyer, JMP president and CEO, says: “We are very happy that the Hi-Def team has decided to join us at JMP. Their capabilities are world class and allow us to ensure our customers have effective strategies in place for managing and optimizing their systems, information and technologies. [Read more…] about JMP Solutions acquires Hi-Def Controls

European robotics organisation looking for external evaluators

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ESMERA, short for European SME Robotics Application, an EU-funded robotics organisation, is looking for external evaluators.

Within the robotics project ESMERA, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, a number of proposals are submitted by potential applicants.

To guarantee a neutral evaluation of these proposals, they are evaluated by a team of independent, external experts. [Read more…] about European robotics organisation looking for external evaluators

Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

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Houston Mechatronics (HMI) unveiled Aquanaut at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, one year after the announcement of the platform concept.

Aquanaut is a revolutionary multi-mode transforming all-electric undersea vehicle. The vehicle is capable of efficient long-distance transit and data collection in ‘AUV’ (autonomous underwater vehicle) mode.

After transforming into ‘ROV’ (remotely operated vehicle) mode the head of the vehicle pitches up, the hull separates, and two arms are activated so that Aquanaut may manipulate its environment.

[Read more…] about Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

ZF unveils electric truck prototype for Japan

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ZF has developed an electric light commercial vehicle specifically for the Japanese market.

The company has been electrifying a wide range of systems not only for passenger cars and commercial vehicles but also for industrial machines.

This prototype vehicle has been developed by ZF Japan’s engineering team at their Tech Centre in Yokohama, collaborating with a team in ZF HQ in Germany in order to satisfy Japan’s unique requirements.

[Read more…] about ZF unveils electric truck prototype for Japan

UTC begins work on hybrid electric aeroplane

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United Technologies (UTC) has recently launched the advanced projects group within the company, which moves at speed to build and pilot ambitious product and service demonstrators.

The group’s first product demonstrator is a hybrid-electric X-plane under the project name, Project 804.

The number “804” represents the straight-line mileage between the Pratt & Whitney facility in Longueuil, Québec, and the Collins Aerospace facility in Rockford, Illinois.

[Read more…] about UTC begins work on hybrid electric aeroplane