track

The Future of Robotics in Large-Scale Clearing Operations

July 1, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Remote-controlled garbage bins used to glide through America’s most beloved theme parks, Disneyland and Walt Disney World, encourage visitors to put trash inside of them, but the widespread usage of robotics in larger-scale cleaning operations, such as land clearance, is still on the horizon.

Large machinery, such as mulchers, backhoes, and bulldozers, is generally utilized to clear spaces for new developments, whether they are industrial, commercial, or residential.

The technology used in these large machines is evolving rapidly, so these big machines do provide impressive performance. However, when it comes to efficient, eco-conscious cleaning and clearing in the future, robotics will surely play a bigger role. [Read more…] about The Future of Robotics in Large-Scale Clearing Operations

Norfolk Southern introduces autonomous railtrack inspection system

April 14, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Norfolk Southern says it has achieved a breakthrough in track inspection technology that will “enhance railroad safety and operating efficiencies”. (See video below.)

The company claims that it is the first North American freight railroad to develop and deploy an autonomous track geometry measurement system that is mounted on a locomotive and combines “ingenuity and innovation”.

In contrast, says Norfolk Southern, autonomous track-inspection systems commercially available today are installed on converted freight or passenger rail cars, which require an external power source to operate and occupy space on a train that could be used to move revenue-producing freight. [Read more…] about Norfolk Southern introduces autonomous railtrack inspection system

HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

February 26, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Tech Soft 3D, a provider of software development toolkits to engineering software companies, has released HOOPS Exchange 2020.

The company describes it as “the industry’s fastest and most accurate CAD data access and reuse technology for manufacturing and architecture, engineering and construction workflows”.

Tech Soft adds that HOOPS Exchange 2020 continues to improve support for manufacturing as a service applications. [Read more…] about HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

December 12, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Boeing has reportedly abandoned the use of some robotic systems that were being used for fuselage work such as drilling and fastening.

According to the Seattle Times, the implementation of the robots “proved painful to set up and (was) error-prone”.

The news website quoted Jason Clark, Boeing vice president of 777/777X operations, who said back in 2015, when the robots were first introduced: “It’s a little tough in the teething. But as we get through it, it will create the rewards necessary for us to compete.” [Read more…] about Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

How does a spy app like Hoverwatch help control your children?

October 24, 2019 by Liv

The software items used for stealing information about an individual or an organization are known as spyware programs.

What are spyware programs?

One can use these spyware programs by installing them on android devices secretly as well as without the permission of their owners by following a set of procedures.

These spyware programs are normally used to collect personal information, changing the configuration of the targeted computer as well as advertising and so on. [Read more…] about How does a spy app like Hoverwatch help control your children?

B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

October 4, 2019 by Sam Francis

Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.

The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.

B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

April 23, 2019 by David Edwards

Sick has launched a new compact image-based code reader, Lector621, for reliable detection of 1D, 2D, stacked codes, and plain text.

The high-performance DPM – direct part marking – decoder can read laser or dot-peened codes perfectly, even in the case of low contrast levels, contamination, or poor code quality.

This fills a gap in Sick’s existing portfolio of code readers, by providing a compact solution with increased reading distance, resolution, field of vision, and scanning frequency. [Read more…] about Sick launches new compact image-based code reader

Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

April 18, 2019 by Sam Francis

Sensors supplier Sick showcased a new “smart logistics” system at the recent ProMAT Show, one of the world’s largest material handling exhibitions.

Sick says its system demonstrates how to obtain greater efficiency throughout supply chain operations.

Sick presented its new innovations under the banner of “Logistics Gets Smart”, and says they are designed to provide “highly efficient solutions for intralogistics applications”. [Read more…] about Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

Stanford engineers test autonomous car algorithms in quest for safer driving

March 3, 2016 by David Edwards

When Stanford’s autonomous car Shelley nears speeds of 120 mph as it tears around a racetrack without a driver, observers’ natural inclinations are to exchange high-fives or simply mouth, “wow”.

Chris Gerdes and his students, however, flip open laptops and begin dissecting the car’s performance. How many g-forces did Shelley pull through turns 14 and 15? How did it navigate the twisty chicane? What did the braking forces look like through the tight turn 5?

For the past several years, Gerdes and his students have been testing their autonomous driving algorithms with Shelley, a custom-rigged Audi TTS, on the 3-mile track at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. Although the speedometer needle sometimes flies past 110 mph, the car spends a good deal of the course maneuvering at speeds of 50 to 75 mph. [Read more…] about Stanford engineers test autonomous car algorithms in quest for safer driving