Robotics & Automation News

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Ferrari calls in Comau to help with robotics learning centre

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Industral robotics company Comau says it has developed the “advanced technologies and training solutions” for the educational project e.DO Learning Center, promoted by Ferrari with its ongoing support of an area in Italy.

The Center opened last week in the Istituto Istruzione Superiore (IIS) “Fermo Corni” of Modena (Italy), an Institute of Higher Education and a Secondary School.

The initiative, which highlights the increasing importance of bringing robotics from the factory to an increasing number of new sectors, provides students with a unique learning environment that is both fun and engaging. It is also an important tool to teach skills that can be used for future jobs. [Read more…] about Ferrari calls in Comau to help with robotics learning centre

What is document classification, and how can machine learning help?

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It is hard to classify documents. At least manually.

Imagine this: you head into a standard bookstore where pieces are supposed to be classified as genres – like thriller, romance, science fiction, and more. You want to pick Andy Weir’s Hail Mary – a novel with thriller/mystery and science fiction elements.

While the book choice seems on point, the question is: which genre should you head towards? The book can be on the science fiction shelf or on the thriller counter. It can be anywhere. And that is when the manual document classification becomes troublesome. [Read more…] about What is document classification, and how can machine learning help?

ABB opens $100 million global innovation and training campus for machine automation at B&R in Austria

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ABB opened its new global innovation and training campus at the headquarters of B&R in Eggelsberg, Austria, its global center for machine and factory automation. B&R is a subsidiary of ABB. 

The new campus will create up to 1,000 additional high-tech jobs and includes world-class research and development laboratories, as well as global training facilities for up to 4,000 people per year in collaboration with universities. ABB invested EUR 100 million ($103 million) in the expansion of the B&R headquarters.

Campus innovations around artificial intelligence and machine and factory automation will play an essential role in unlocking the potential of future industrial production – in sectors such as electronics, e-mobility, food and beverage, recycling, logistics, or agriculture. [Read more…] about ABB opens $100 million global innovation and training campus for machine automation at B&R in Austria

DMG MORI building Africa’s first machine tool factory

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DMG MORI, a manufacturing technology company with 12,000 employees in 87 countries and $2 billion in annual sales revenues, is building what it says is “Africa’s first machine tool factory” in Cairo, Egypt.

The decision was formally made at a meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. In the presence of Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly, the company’s chairman, Christian Thönes, and AOI President Lt Gen Abdel Moneam Al Tarras signed the “pioneering cooperation agreement”.

Christian Thönes, chairman of DMG MORI Aktiengesellschaft, says:“Egypt is the door to Africa – a continent full of potential and high demand for future technologies. [Read more…] about DMG MORI building Africa’s first machine tool factory

Data Visualization Comes to Robotics

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The growth of the robotics sector was nothing short of spectacular in 2021. In just one year, robot density in manufacturing processes doubled, leading many to herald the dawn of a new era. Robots are finally here in numbers that matter, and it looks like they’re here to stay.

Robot development, though, is changing. It’s no longer a logical codified process, Instead, it’s more about learning and training, similar to the approach you’d take with a human child.

Unfortunately, getting to grips with all that data is difficult. Not only is the way machines are being programmed changing, but also how engineers and software professionals troubleshoot and analyze outputs. [Read more…] about Data Visualization Comes to Robotics

How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

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By Christoph Elhardt

ETH Zurich researchers led by Marco Hutter have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain.

Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. [Read more…] about How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

Proud Automation named certified system integrator by MiR

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Proud Automation has become the latest addition to the Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) list of certified system integrators.

As a certified systems integrator, the company will assist MiR in implementing robots and offer customized solutions to industrial, manufacturing, and logistics customers to suit their application needs.

Proud Automation, a subsidiary of the RG Group, has been named a Certified Systems Integrator by North America’s leading producer of autonomous mobile robots and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). [Read more…] about Proud Automation named certified system integrator by MiR

ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

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Industrial automation giant ABB has launched a virtual technical assistance support service.

With the theme of “A problem shared” – the new virtual assistance support service from ABB provides instant access to virtual face to face expert technical advice.

Getting to grips with robotic automation is “now even easier” with the launch of ABB’s Virtual Assistance support service, says the company. [Read more…] about ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

ABB to continue online robot masterclass training courses

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ABB says it will continue the online versions of its popular classroom-based robot training courses, helping organisations ensure that staff still get training on robots.

ABB Robotics range of robot training courses have been available online for almost 12 months.

Built on the same materials used in its popular classroom-based courses normally run at ABB’s Robot Training Centre in Milton Keynes, UK, the Virtual Classroom Training programme is ideal for beginners and experts alike, covering topics including programming, safety and operation. [Read more…] about ABB to continue online robot masterclass training courses

Toyota Research Institute reaches ‘new technical milestones in robotics’

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Toyota Research Institute (TRI) says it has reached “new technical milestones in robotics”. The company has unveiled new robotics capabilities aimed at solving complex tasks in home environments.

Specifically, TRI roboticists were able to train robots to understand and operate in complicated situations that confuse most other robots, including recognizing and responding to transparent and reflective surfaces in a variety of circumstances.

As TRI demonstrates in a new video (see below), this robust system allows robots to make generalizations in a range of scenarios, including in different homes. [Read more…] about Toyota Research Institute reaches ‘new technical milestones in robotics’