Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

technology

When Automation Works Alongside Humans

by

When we talk about automation, we often imagine a future in which everything we do will be almost entirely handled by machines. Cars will drive themselves. Management decisions will be handed over to an AI. Even the creative arts might one day be taken over by robots.

But for the time being, automation isn’t quite there. And so, some compromise between machine and human worker is needed. A synergy between the two has already yielded great results – just think about an autopilot guiding a plane for the majority of a flight, and human pilot intervening only for take-off and landing.

A more commonplace example of machine-assistance comes in the form of a spell-checker on a word-processing program. And these are getting more sophisticated. Apps like Grammarly and ProWritingAid not only identify grammatical or spelling errors; they now also identify more stylistic problems, and help us to make writing clearer and more concise, even when it isn’t technically wrong. [Read more…] about When Automation Works Alongside Humans

Makr Shakr opens latest robotic bars in Milan and London

by

A startup company called Makr Shakr has opened its latest robotic bars in the European cities of Milan and London.

Makr Shakr was founded in 2014 by MIT professor Carlo Ratti and claims to be the world’s leading producer of robotic bars.

The Milan installation is in the heart of the Italy’s fashion capital, and is said to be the city’s very first robotic bar. [Read more…] about Makr Shakr opens latest robotic bars in Milan and London

Robotic surgery startup claims to be first to enable laser cutting of bone tissue

by

A robotic surgery startup in Switzerland claims to have become the first to enable the laser cutting of bone tissue. 

Bones in humans have been cut using saw for “thousands of years”, says Advanced Osteotomy Tools, adding that the company now offers the “technology reinvent bone surgery”.

The instrument AOT has developed is called “Carlo”, short for “cold ablation robot-guided laser osteotomes”. [Read more…] about Robotic surgery startup claims to be first to enable laser cutting of bone tissue

Public policy group calls for updating of laws to enable driverless truck platooning

by

A US public policy organization called the Competitive Enterprise Institute is urging states to update their laws to enable driverless truck platooning.

The CEO says the measures would offers safety, economic, and environmental benefits.

New automated vehicle technology will help freight truck companies transport consumer goods in a more fuel-efficient way, reducing transportation costs and emissions and boosting highway safety thanks to always-on automatic emergency braking. [Read more…] about Public policy group calls for updating of laws to enable driverless truck platooning

Kia car to feature ‘first’ CVVD engine technology

by

Hyundai Motor Group, Kia Motors‘ parent company, has developed the world’s first Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology to feature in future Kia vehicles.

The innovation was revealed at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang alongside the Smartstream G1.6 T-GDi, the first engine to feature the technology.

CVVD is claimed to optimise both engine performance and fuel efficiency while also being eco-friendly.

[Read more…] about Kia car to feature ‘first’ CVVD engine technology

Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

by

Launched less than a year ago, Bosch Rexroth’s innovative Subsea Valve Actuator (SVA) – an entirely new concept for underwater actuators which offers SIL3 safety levels and up to 75 per cent lower energy consumption – has been granted a Mechanical Engineering Design Award.

The SVA was developed to help address some of the challenges and shortcomings associated with either purely electromechanical or electrohydraulic actuator technology used on the sea floor for oil and gas exploration and production systems.

Until now, underwater actuators required large, central hydraulic power units above water. Designed to supply the actuators with fluid, the fluid-lines themselves can be miles long. [Read more…] about Subsea valve actuator ‘reduces energy consumption by up to 75 per cent’, says Rexroth

Hyundai reorganises R&D centre structure to streamline vehicle development

by

Hyundai Motor Group has begun a series of sweeping changes to its R&D organisations and development processes, enabling greater responsiveness to the changing future mobility technology landscape.

Promoting a keener focus on customer needs, the new approach will also streamline the decision-making and development processes to achieve efficiencies and cost optimisation.

Through reorganisation under Architecture-Driven System-Based Organisation (SBO), technology units at the Group’s R&D Division in Korea will align their operational processes to transform the Group.

[Read more…] about Hyundai reorganises R&D centre structure to streamline vehicle development

Denso and Toyota to set up R&D joint venture for in-vehicle semiconductors

by

Denso Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have agreed to establish a joint venture for research and advanced development of next-generation, in-vehicle semiconductors. The two companies will study the details and aim to establish the new company in April 2020.

Recently, electronic controls have been increasingly introduced in vehicles, the number of in-vehicle semiconductors has also grown, and the performance of these semiconductors has continuously improved.

To create a future of mobility that is safe and sustainable, it is necessary to develop next-generation semiconductors that are integral to technology innovations, such as connected cars, automated driving, sharing mobility and electrification.

[Read more…] about Denso and Toyota to set up R&D joint venture for in-vehicle semiconductors

AT&T joins US Digital Manufacturing Institute to ‘boost 5G innovation’

by

US national telecommunications carrier AT&T has become a member of MxD, a national association for manufacturers also known as the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute.

AT&T says it plans to install 5G and edge computing technologies at the MxD Institute in order to “develop and test applications with US manufacturing companies”.

MxD is like a support organisation for manufacturers and is affiliated to a government-backed public-private partnership program called Manufacturing USA. [Read more…] about AT&T joins US Digital Manufacturing Institute to ‘boost 5G innovation’

Industrial measurement and testing: Faster commissioning results in quicker time to market

by

Bosch Rexroth provides insight into measurement and testing processes

To ensure consistency, repeatability, quality and compliance with regulations, many companies employ rigorous testing and measurement processes.

Kraus automation technology (KAT), specialises in providing tailored testing systems for life-span, fatigue and material tests.

To offer testing systems which meet the needs of their diverse customer base, KAT use National Instruments’ LabView software to create custom user interfaces for engineers. [Read more…] about Industrial measurement and testing: Faster commissioning results in quicker time to market