Robotics & Automation News

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Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank pledge another $1 billion investment for Uber

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Taxi-sharing app maker Uber has been promised $1 billion in investment from companies including Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank Vision Fund.

The new funds will help accelerate the development and commercialization of its ridesharing services, says Uber in a statement.

Under the terms, Toyota and Denso will together invest $667 million and SVF will invest $333 million, valuing the new “Uber Advanced Technologies Group” entity at $7.25 billion on a post-money basis. [Read more…] about Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank pledge another $1 billion investment for Uber

Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

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By Thomas Knudsen, general manager Northern Europe, OnRobot

Within a diverse and innovative sector like the manufacturing industry, flexibility is key.

Robotics, a key enabler of this, has already taken this industry by storm, allowing factories worldwide to automate more and more tasks, cutting costs and increasing productivity.

However, simple automation is no longer enough. Manufacturers now require unique automation solutions for each specific production environment, to tackle the talent shortage they are facing, but can’t redesign facilities for every different process and application.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Robotic end-of-arm tools are shaping the manufacturing industry

Doosan Robotics signs up RG Group as first US distributor and integrator

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RG Group has become the first US company to agree on a distribution and integration partnership for Doosan’s collaborative robots.

Doosan Robotics says its collaborative robots can be useful in different industries and processes ranging from assembly and inspection to gluing and packaging.

The company claims to have “the world’s most diversified lineup of collaborative robots” which boast high-performance torque sensors and the industry-leading collision detection technology.  [Read more…] about Doosan Robotics signs up RG Group as first US distributor and integrator

Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

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Traditional industrial robots tend to be very large and potentially dangerous, which is why they tend to be caged off and kept separate from human workers.

But a new company called Veo Robotics says it has the technology to transform traditional industrial robotic arms into safe machines that humans can work alongside, within close proximity.

Veo’s solution could make every industrial robot a collaborative robot. The term “collaborative” is recognized by international standards organizations and usually applies to much smaller, newer types of robots which are specifically designed to safe for humans to work with.  [Read more…] about Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

How to improve workflow with technology

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We rely heavily on technology to get us through our daily lives and with every change and introduction of new innovations, it’s no surprise that technology has created a huge impact on us.

Could you imagine trying to get hold of a business that doesn’t have a phone system or email to contact?

Well, not too long ago computers and technology were not viewed as compulsory. But, modern technology has proved necessary countless times over the years and has presented us with numerous ways to enhance business performance and workflow.  [Read more…] about How to improve workflow with technology

Opinion: China’s ‘three-layered duality’ continues to evolve

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

The past 40 years of reform and liberalization have brought incredible changes and progress to China, turning the image of the country upside down, from a planned economy to one of the world’s most dynamic business landscapes.

Along the way, China has evolved its own development path, without consciously knowing it. At the top, the central government’s guidance is setting goals and directions for the country.

At the grassroots level, private-sector entrepreneurs have re-emerged and become a major force in driving the growth of China.   [Read more…] about Opinion: China’s ‘three-layered duality’ continues to evolve

Bewildered and confused

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Technology is moving so fast that those of us who have been around a while may find a lot of things bewildering and confusing.

Why, for example, do so many websites and apps that you never heard of have so many visitors and users?

Why are startup companies whose product or service you don’t understand attracting tens of millions of dollars in investment money?  [Read more…] about Bewildered and confused

Billion-dollar industrial estate to feature data centre infrastructure as part of its offering

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In what might be a sign that traditional industry is increasingly becoming digital, the developer of an industrial estate is making telecommunications and data processing a fundamental component of its offering. 

Traditionally, the priority for industrial estates have been to provide good road and other transport networks. Nowadays, data networks are sometimes even more important to companies of all types – including those in the manufacturing sector.

Bannon Investment Group, which is developing the 85-acre Elk Grove Technology Park near Chicago O’Hare Airport, says the estate will one of the largest of its kind in the US.  [Read more…] about Billion-dollar industrial estate to feature data centre infrastructure as part of its offering

New robotic painting system saves ‘significant’ resources, claims Fraunhofer

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An automated painting system, involving an industrial robot, is claimed to save significant resources by its developer, the Fraunhofer Institute.

The robotic system – called SelfPaint – is said by Fraunhofer to offer reductions of 20 percent in paint use, 15 percent in energy consumption and 5 percent in production time.

These are “significant advantages” compared to manual painting operations, which have previously been the preferred option, adds Fraunhofer.  [Read more…] about New robotic painting system saves ‘significant’ resources, claims Fraunhofer

Rewired launches $100 million robotics-focused venture studio and fund

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Investments will focus on applied science and technologies that advance machine perception and unlock the next-generation of smart robotics

Rewired has launched a robotics venture studio and fund. To start with, the company is investing $100 million in applied science and technologies that advance machine perception. 

Rewired says its initial proposition is that improving machine perception will unlock the next generation of smart robotics.

To that end, the company is focusing on the sensors, software, and systems that help autonomous machines to interact with unpredictable environments and collaborate with humans.  [Read more…] about Rewired launches $100 million robotics-focused venture studio and fund