Robotics & Automation News

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Kuka owner Midea unveils new household robot

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Midea Group, a massive manufacturing company known mainly for making household appliances like washing machines and for being the parent of industrial robot giant Kuka, has unveiled a new product in the household robotics space.

The Chinese company has released details of its next-generation robot vacuum cleaner, the S8+ auto-dust-collection robot, made by Midea Robozone Technology, a subsidiary of Midea Group. The S8+ joins Midea’s intelligent cleaning product line that provides optimum performance covering all household cleaning solutions.

Alice Shaw, vice president, sales and marketing management at Robozone, says: “As an innovator in smart cleaning technology, I’m proud to say that Midea is reaffirming its leadership in the smart home industry by revolutionizing high-performance robot vacuum cleaners to provide more convenience to our global customers. [Read more…] about Kuka owner Midea unveils new household robot

Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

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Brain Corp, a provider of software for industrial floor cleaning robots, has launched its “first professional autonomous vacuum cleaner”, the Kira CV 60/1.

The new machine is a joint development with Kärcher, one of the world’s leading providers of cleaning technology.

The two companies say the Kira device is built to help businesses clean smarter than ever before, the autonomous vacuum is the first robotic machine released in partnership between Brain Corp and Kärcher. [Read more…] about Kärcher and Brain Corp debut industry’s ‘first professional robotic vacuum’

Piab introduces soft gripper range for industrial robots

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Piab has introduced a soft gripper – or end effector – for industrial robots. The company says its piSoftGrip range is developed for the automation of the food and chocolate industry.

Piab once again extends the pi-SoftGrip family with a new pinch gripper developed for the automation of the food/chocolate industry. The vacuum-based soft gripper can grip sensitive and lightweight oblong objects with odd geometries and/or objects with an unusual surface.

piSoftGrip has two gripping fingers and a sealed vacuum cavity, all made in one piece, resulting in a simple and robust product. [Read more…] about Piab introduces soft gripper range for industrial robots

Dust Collector vs Vacuum Cleaner

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I had just bought my new dream home, but one thing was obvious the day that I walked into it was which cleaning system I would need to work smarter and not harder.

After my finances had been depleted by buying a new home, I was not able to hire cleaning help and so I knew I would have to do it by myself.

And I didn’t want it to be time consuming. So, I thought about whether I should buy one of the new models of vacuum cleaners or a dust cleaner. I had to do some research and learned a few things or two about the difference between vacuum cleaners and dust cleaners as it relates to house cleaning. [Read more…] about Dust Collector vs Vacuum Cleaner

Smart Home Upgrades for Modern Living

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A smart home is a happy home. At least, in the sense that the easier you make things for yourself and your family, the better!

These days, planning and going about renovations is as much about smart home upgrades as it is the usual decorative touches. A gadget here, a convenience there and before you know it you’re wondering how you got by without them.

But which smart home upgrades for modern living should appear at the top of your ‘must-buy’ list? If you’re planning on bringing a few 21st century mod-cons into your home this year, which indispensable gadgets should you make a beeline for? [Read more…] about Smart Home Upgrades for Modern Living

How Automating Your Household Chores Can Free Up More Time For You

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If you think about it, there are many household chores we all wish we could automate to make our life easier for us.

Chores such as cleaning the carpet, mowing the lawn, doing the dishes and laundry, cleaning your gutters and even feeding your pets can turn out to be very boring, repetitive and time wasting really fast.

Automation is the solution.

Automating these chores will not only free up more time for you, but will also save you the energy which you would otherwise have spent carrying them out. [Read more…] about How Automating Your Household Chores Can Free Up More Time For You

iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

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iRobot, a maker of consumer robots – most famously a robotic vacuum cleaner, has officially commenced production in Malaysia ahead of schedule.

Working with Jabil Inc, a manufacturing solutions provider based in St Petersburg, Florida, iRobot has expanded its manufacturing capabilities into Malaysia as part of its strategic supply chain diversification initiative.

Jabil has served as one of iRobot’s trusted manufacturing and supply chain partners in China since 2010. [Read more…] about iRobot begins manufacturing operations in Malaysia

OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

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OnRobot, a provider of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper that addresses customer demand for a small but powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

Based on the design of the award-winning OnRobot VG10 electric vacuum gripper, the compact VGC10 is smaller and lighter than its larger cousin, so is ideal for constrained environments and smaller robot arms, but offers the same impressive payload of 15 kg (35 lb).

The VGC10 provides fast out-of-the-box deployment but also offers unlimited customization, with easily changeable suction cup options and the ability to add or replace arms to fit highly specific application needs. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘compact, highly customizable’ electric vacuum gripper

OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

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OnRobot, a manufacturer of robotic end-of-arm tooling, has launched a new gripper which it describes as “small but powerful”.

OnRobot says the VGC10 compact electric vacuum gripper addresses customer demand for a small, powerful and highly configurable gripper for nearly any application.

The new gripper has no compressor and requires no air supply, which eliminates the cost, noise, space, and maintenance of producing compressed air, says OnRobot, adding that the compact electrical gripper is “easy to implement and move”. [Read more…] about OnRobot launches ‘small but powerful’ new gripper

Brain Corp partners with Kärcher to develop new autonomous floor cleaner

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Brain Corp is partnering with Kärcher, one of the world’s largest providers of cleaning technologies, to develop a new type of “autonomous stand-on vacuum cleaner”.

Kärcher and Brain Corp, a San Diego-based artificial intelligence and robotics company, made the partnership announcement at the ISSA Show North America.

The companies aim to develop and bring autonomous floor care solutions to market in a joint effort. [Read more…] about Brain Corp partners with Kärcher to develop new autonomous floor cleaner