Robotics & Automation News

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Alstef tests AGVs at Rennes Bretagne Airport in baggage handling

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Alstef Group has been utilising the AirportLAB experimentation agreement with Rennes Bretagne Airport, in France, to test its automated guided vehicle.

Created by ProAvia, AirportLAB allows member companies to trial their innovations in a real airport context.

Within this framework, AlstefGroup registered one of its major innovations, BagXone, “the fastest AGV on the market”, dedicated to automated hold baggage handling in the terminal. [Read more…] about Alstef tests AGVs at Rennes Bretagne Airport in baggage handling

GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

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GSR, the deep-sea exploratory division of the DEME Group, has successfully recovered its prototype deep-seabed mining robot – which had become uncoupled from a cable connecting it to a surface vessel – from the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

Patania II – GSR’s purpose-built prototype nodule collector – is currently being trialled in 4,500 metre water depth in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean.

On its final dive in the GSR area on 25 April, a lifting point separated and Patania II was uncoupled from the 5 km cable that connects it to the surface vessel. [Read more…] about GSR rescues its deep-sea manganese mining robot

Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

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Okuma, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial equipment, has introduced “conversational programming” as standard on its CNC machines.

Okuma says its Advanced One Touch (AOT) conversational programming software enables shops to “easily create programs without the need for highly-trained programmers, achieve faster setup times, and increase machine productivity”.

Okuma America says that select machines from Okuma’s core product line now come equipped with the Advanced One Touch-Interactive Graphics Function (AOT-IGF), the conversational programming software designed for Okuma’s lathes, machining centers and multitasking machines. [Read more…] about Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

Siasun installs robotic system for inspection and categorization of rails

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Siasun has installed a robotic system for the inspection and categorization of rail and beam material manufactured at an Anshan Iron and Steel facility.

The trial robotic system integrates eight industrial robotic arms which are equipped with sensing technology, mechanical control, artificial intelligence, and bionics.

Siasun says the robots have high accuracy, reliability and consistency, and “can fully cope with the harsh and dangerous in the steel production process”. [Read more…] about Siasun installs robotic system for inspection and categorization of rails

Panasonic trials new robotic technologies at Tokyo station

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Panasonic is partnering with JR East Mechatronics to conduct trials for station services using robots at Takanawa Gateway Station, which opened in March, this year. (See video below.)

The trial was intended to provide guidance and help passengers with limited mobility move easily. This was the second trial of the autonomous robots at a train station, following the first one at Saitama-Shintoshin Station in December, last year.

East Japan Railway Company, the parent of JREM, positions Takanawa Gateway Station as the entrance to a new hub for international exchange planned around the station. [Read more…] about Panasonic trials new robotic technologies at Tokyo station

Fanuc offers free trial of CNC virtualization platform

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Fanuc America, a leading automation solutions provider, is offering a free trial version of CNC Guide – Fanuc’s PC-based virtualization platform for control design, training and part programming.

To assist machine tool operators and builders through the rough economic times created in 2020, Fanuc is offering this simulation tool at no cost.

CNC Guide offers an immersive and safe way to learn how to operate CNCs, even for novice operators. Because the software creates digital twins of machine controls, programmers can test G-code programs with no risk of damaging actual machines. [Read more…] about Fanuc offers free trial of CNC virtualization platform

Groupe PSA tests autonomous vehicle through motorway toll

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Groupe PSA and Vinci Autoroutes have carried out further tests to assess a vehicle’s ability to drive autonomously at cruising speed and pass through a tollgate in autonomous mode. A first trial was carried out in 2017.

Two new complex driving situations were also tested in real traffic conditions on the Vinci Autoroutes network: changing into autonomous mode in a traffic area temporarily altered due to roadworks; and performing a “safe stop”.

This involves the vehicle driving to a safe place in the event that the driver does not take back control in a specific situation, for example obstacles on the road, bad weather conditions or the end of the motorway.

[Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests autonomous vehicle through motorway toll

Atoun begins trial of Powered Wear with new arm support function

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Atoun Inc. is beginning a work-site trial of Powered Wear with arm support function at the end of May, 2019.

The prototype to be tested is the Powered Wear “Atoun Model Y” for the waist-attached arms support part.

By adding the arms support function to the previous waist support function, work efficiency increases up to 37.7% compared to when Powered Wear is not used.

[Read more…] about Atoun begins trial of Powered Wear with new arm support function

Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

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Sony Corporation and NTT Docomo, Inc. will jointly trial Sony’s conceptual driverless vehicle, the New Concept Cart SC-1, which uses 5G mobile technologies for various remotely controlled functions.

The test will be conducted using the trial network in Docomo 5G Open Lab Guam, which will provide test facilities and an outdoor verification environment constructed by Docomo.

The test will verify data transmission and operational performance required to remotely control the cart from a long distance via the extra-high speed, large capacity, low latency and massive-device connectivity.

[Read more…] about Sony and Docomo to test driverless concept vehicle via 5G trial network in Guam

DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US

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NTT DoCoMo and Itochu Logistics are planning to trial an internet-of-things solution for delivery fleet management in the US.

The system uses devices compatible with low-power, wide-area LTE-M technology to enable delivery businesses to visualize the status of outsourced trucks in their fleets.

The trial will begin in the United States on May 1, 2019. [Read more…] about DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US