Robotics & Automation News

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Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

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Since 1965, when the first exoskeleton was produced for military use, exoskeletons have been increasingly popular in the manufacturing world, supporting workers and improving the quality of their working hours. (See video below.)

In 2018 more than 7,000 units were sold in manufacturing, according to ABI Research data.

However, the potential market need would be 60,000 units for all types of exoskeleton, with an estimated growth rate of more than 50 percent from 2019 to 2024. [Read more…] about Comau’s brief history of exoskeletons

South Korea reaches new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation

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South Korea has doubled the number of industrial robots over the past five years to reach a new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation.

This is according to figures in the World Robotics report, released by the International Federation of Robotics.

The data shows a new record stock of about 300,000 operational industrial robots in the Republic of Korea – more commonly known as South Korea – in 2018, which is an increase of about 10 percent on the previous year. [Read more…] about South Korea reaches new record of 300,000 industrial robots in operation

Geek Plus sells 10,000 warehouse robots

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Warehouse automation company Geek+ Robotics says it has sold more than 10,000 units of its autonomous mobile robots.

The company has seen a dramatic increase in demand for warehouse robots from sectors such as e-commerce and automotive supply chains.

Geek+ revealed the new sales figure in an update about its activity during Singles Day in China, occurring annually on November 11th, traditionally one of the busiest in the e-commerce calendar. [Read more…] about Geek Plus sells 10,000 warehouse robots

Locus Robotics picks ‘record-breaking’ 13 million units during 2019 holiday period

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Locus Robotics has broken its own record in terms of productivity numbers in November 2019. (See infographic below.)

The warehouse robot maker delivered more than 13 million units picked on behalf of global retail and third party logistics partners during the critical holiday season.

Locus says this is a 400 per cent increase in units picked over last year. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics picks ‘record-breaking’ 13 million units during 2019 holiday period

Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles

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Continental says its new server concept is a “central element” for the conversion to a service-oriented electronics architecture in highly connected ID electric cars.

Volkswagen uses the server as an in-car application server (ICAS1) for ID vehicle models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB).

High computing power and a consistent separation of hardware and software are paving the way for new functions and convenient over-the-air updates. [Read more…] about Continental vehicle server connects VW ID electric vehicles

IFR report: Global investment in industrial robots reaches record $16.5 billion

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The new World Robotics report, released by the International Federation of Robotics, shows an annual global sales value of $16.5 billion in 2018 – a new record.

At least 422,000 units were shipped globally in 2018 – an increase of 6 percent compared to the previous year.

IFR forecasts shipments in 2019 will recede from the record level in 2018, but expects an average growth of 12 percent per year from 2020 to 2022. [Read more…] about IFR report: Global investment in industrial robots reaches record $16.5 billion

Hyundai reorganises R&D centre structure to streamline vehicle development

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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

Mitsubishi Electric launches new lift and escalator company in Laos

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has established MELCO Elevator Lao Sole Co., Ltd. (MLAO) to accelerate its lift and escalator business growth in the highly promising Mekong regional market.

The new company, which was established by Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MET), a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary, began operations on July 1, 2019.

The new company is expected to strengthen Mitsubishi Electric’s sales of lifts and escalators as well as related provision of high-quality maintenance services.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches new lift and escalator company in Laos

Volkswagen agrees digital transformation roadmap

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Volkswagen will be investing up to €4 billion in digitisation projects up until 2023 – mainly in administration but also in production. At least 2,000 new jobs related to digitisation are to be created.

This has been agreed by the Board of Management and the General Works Council in their “digital transformation roadmap”.

Agile working methods, improved processes and digitisation are to reduce the burden on employees and speed up processes. Tasks that used to be performed manually are to be simplified through improved IT.

[Read more…] about Volkswagen agrees digital transformation roadmap

Proton Motor to install new robot to accelerate fuel cell production

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Proton Motor says it is planning to install a new robot to accelerate the manufacturing of fuel cell units intended for use in road vehicles and other technologies. 

The new “stack manufacturing robot” – referring to a fuel cell stack – will increase production capacity to 5,000 fuel cells a year, says Proton.

Germany-based Proton Motor Fuel Cell is a designer, developer and producer of fuel cells and fuel cell electric hybrid systems with a “zero carbon footprint”. Its technology is used in the e.Go, an autonomous electric vehicle (main picture). [Read more…] about Proton Motor to install new robot to accelerate fuel cell production