Market trends and business perspectives
We’re now on the pace of mechanical and AI technology advancement and development. A time when people use the help of a robot for a particular task.
Robots are now in demand for health care, agriculture, food preparation, manufacturing industries, and the military. There are even robotic pets now for common households. [Read more…] about 3 Things to Know When Transporting Your Robot
DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, has revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway. The fully electric vessel has a unique design, making it the first of its kind in the world.
Having just signed a pre-study agreement, DB Schenker and its co-operation partners – the furniture giant Ekornes and the vessel designer Naval Dynamics, along with Kongsberg and Massterly – have taken the first steps in an ambitious joint project to replace the traditional feeder vessels utilized along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund.
The new autonomous and electric, short-sea container feeder leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept that was developed in partnership with Kongsberg and Massterly. [Read more…] about DB Schenker to operate zero-emission autonomous ship for Ekornes
Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions for supply chain processes, has launched its next generation mobile robotic platform, BG Flex.
The platform includes dynamically controlled fleets of Berkshire Grey’s industrial grade mobile robots that work together to induct, transport, sort, sequence, and fulfill items, cases, and containers of merchandise.
The solution is now integrated with new high density buffering capabilities and enhanced goods-to-person and goods-to-robot picking stations in a single, modular package. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches new mobile robotic platform
Murata Machinery USA has expanded its logistics & automation product offerings with an extensive line of automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
The A-Series adds seven standard base models to their existing Muratec Premex Series that are customizable for a wide range of load capacities, lift heights, navigation methods, temperature ratings, and software applications.
From their Charlotte headquarters, Murata Machinery will take over and lead all North American operations in partnership with the AGVE Group, directing day-to-day North American sales, installation, service, and marketing operations. [Read more…] about Murata expands AGV range, partners with AGVE Group
Europe’s three leading commercial vehicle manufacturers – Volvo Group, Daimler Truck, and Traton Group – have signed a binding agreement to create a joint venture to install and operate a high-performance public charging network for battery electric, heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches across Europe.
As previously publicised, the parties are committed to initiating and accelerating the necessary build-up of charging infrastructure for the increasing number of customers of electric vehicles in Europe and contribute to climate-neutral transportation in Europe by 2050.
The joint venture creation is subject to regulatory approvals. [Read more…] about Volvo, Daimler, and Traton partner to build high-performance charging network
Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Holcim Switzerland have entered a collaboration to jointly test and further develop the use of autonomous electric haulers in a limestone quarry.
Holcim’s quarry Gabenchopf in Siggenthal, Switzerland has been chosen as the site for this project.
The battery-electric haulers currently being tested mark a groundbreaking step in the industry: not only are they quieter and more sustainable than conventional haulers, they are also safer – in fact, they are the world’s first commercially available CE-certified electric, autonomous transport solution for the quarry and cement industries. [Read more…] about Volvo and Holcim partner on mining project to use autonomous electric haulers
The Deputy Mayor of Moscow, Maksim Liksutov, has unveiled a local government plan to build a new driverless tram network in Russia’s capital city.
The initiative appears to be part of a larger move towards autonomous transport of several other modes, including mainline network trains and robotic taxis, or “robotaxis”.
Driverless trams may be launched in testing mode in Moscow from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023.
Liksutov, the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport, made the announcement at the discussion Robots in the City: The Future of Megacities with Autonomous Transport, held by the Noôdome community in Moscow. [Read more…] about Moscow to build driverless tram network as part of big autonomous transport push
NEC has developed a control technology that the company claims “doubles the efficiency of autonomous mobile robots” in warehouses while maintaining a high level of safety.
NEC plans to put this technology into practical use by March 2024 and to have it installed in NEC’s co-operative AMRs in Japan.
In recent years, the introduction of robots for transporting materials has accelerated due to labor shortages and large warehouses. [Read more…] about NEC unveils autonomous mobile robot control system
Mobile Industrial Robots, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, says it experienced a 42 percent increase in sales in 2021 compared with 2020.
December alone was a “record month” for the company, with close to 300 robots shipped, which is more than any previous month.
Søren Nielsen, president of MiR, says: “We grew significantly in 2021 despite component shortages as customers recognize the value of our safe, reliable and easy-to-deploy AMRs. [Read more…] about MiR autonomous mobile robot sales increase by 42 percent in 2021
State-of-the-art automotive manufacturing calls for modularity and versatility when it comes to planning and implementing material supply trolleys for intralogistics. (See video below.)
This is especially clear if you explore the Audi site in Neckarsulm, Germany, where the Audi A8 is manufactured over several floors.
Top-of-the-range models such as the Audi A8 allow customers to choose from a wide range of design options and additional extras to customize their vehicle however they want.
This means that the production teams must stock different types of components in the warehouse and utilize precise advance planning to have the required materials arrive at the line in sufficient quantities and, most importantly, in the right order. [Read more…] about Automated Guided Vehicle Systems in Use at Audi
