Robotics & Automation News

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ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

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ABB has launched the “ABB Robotic Depalletizer”, a solution for handling complex depalletizing tasks in the logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods industries.

Using machine vision software, ABB’s new solution can quickly assess a wide variety of box types, enabling customers to efficiently process assorted loads with very little engineering effort and short set-up time.

Marc Segura, ABB’s Robotics division president, says: “Changes in consumer behavior are leading to a rise in new sales channels such as omni-channel, direct to consumer and e-commerce. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

Halodi selects Immervision to give ‘human-like’ vision to its humanoid robots

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Immervision, a leading developer of advanced vision systems combining optics, image processing, and sensor fusion technology, has been chosen by Halodi Robotics to provide their next generation vision system for their humanoid service robot platform, capable of handling both human and computer vision.

Robots are capable of performing a wide variety of tasks that are difficult or dangerous for humans to perform. To intelligently and accurately perform these tasks, they require mobility and the aptitude to explore, understand and function within various environments.

For a robot to work autonomously, or problem-solve with human assistance, it requires sensor data to understand the human world and the ability to process the data and respond in a timely manner. [Read more…] about Halodi selects Immervision to give ‘human-like’ vision to its humanoid robots

Ocean Aero partners with KAUST and Shelf Subsea to advance maritime research in Red Sea

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Ocean Aero, a manufacturer and service provider of ocean-going Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicles (AUSVs), has agreed a partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), one of Saudi Arabia’s preeminent centers of academia, research, and development, and Saudi Shelf Subsea, part of the Shelf Subsea Group of companies headquartered in Perth, Australia with extensive operations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The trilateral partnership will center on novel maritime research in the Red Sea and has several core tenets:

  • applied research on tailored payloads for Saudi-specific applications with a number of the Kingdom’s maritime organizations;
  • exploration of advanced concept development utilizing existing and joint IP; and
  • continued execution of scientific services with a fleet of Ocean Aero’s TRITON AUSVs.

Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero, says: “We couldn’t be happier to work alongside the oceanographers, researchers, and marine scientists at KAUST. [Read more…] about Ocean Aero partners with KAUST and Shelf Subsea to advance maritime research in Red Sea

Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

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Matthew Cherewka, director of business development and strategy, Vecna Robotics

Advances in sensor and camera technologies have made robots more intelligent, allowing them to collaborate more with human workers instead of being isolated in cages or separate areas.

Known as co-bots (collaborative robots), this new form of robot can slow down or stop completely to prevent humans from getting injured, but they also enable companies to develop new human-robot workflows that automate previously manual methods.

In essence, they aim to focus on the “collaborative” aspect of the term, rather than the “robot”. [Read more…] about Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

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Marine robotics specialist Vaarst has closed on the first $20 million of its Series B round led by energy transition investor Legal & General Capital, alongside the venture capital arm of the international energy company Equinor.

Existing shareholder Foresight Group also participated alongside In-Q-Tel, the strategic investor for the US intelligence and defence communities and allied nations.

Vaarst is a leading provider of autonomy and cloud managed robotics; supporting the offshore wind, wave & tidal, scientific, maritime security, and civils industries. [Read more…] about Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

ZF and VinFast to launch autonomous driving systems scalable to higher levels

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VinFast, a fast-growing vehicle manufacturer in Vietnam, says it will launch vehicle platforms that feature “higher level automated functions” in the near future, utilizing automotive systems maker ZF’s expertise in hardware, software and system integration.

Le Thi Thu Thuy, VinFast Global CEO, says: “Our companies are an outstanding match as our goals for mobility are perfectly aligned.

“The future is both electric and automated as we seek to help protect our environment while providing transportation that enhances safety, convenience and efficiency. We will work together to achieve this vision for VinFast customers as we expand our sales around the world.” [Read more…] about ZF and VinFast to launch autonomous driving systems scalable to higher levels

Automatica event right back on track, say organisers

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Organisers of Automatica, one of the world’s largest industrial robotics and automation trade shows, say the event is “right back on track” after a terrible pandemic which virtually destroyed the entire events sector.

In a press release, Automatica organisers say: “The indicators for automatica 2022, which will be held at the Munich exhibition grounds from June 21 to 24, are very positive. All industry leaders have already applied half a year before the event.”

Companies such as ABB, Denso, Doosan Robotics, Epson, Fanuc, Hanwha, igus, Kawasaki, Kuka, Omron, Stäubli, Universal Robots, Yamaha, and Yaskawa will represent the robotics sector. [Read more…] about Automatica event right back on track, say organisers

Kuka to build smart factory for digital construction company Admares

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Industrial automation giant Kuka is to build a smart factory for digital construction company Admares.

The two companies say the project will “revolutionize the construction of buildings”.

Admares is said to be “the world’s leading provider of alternative real estate and pioneering construction methods”. And the company is pursuing the vision of future-oriented smart factories. [Read more…] about Kuka to build smart factory for digital construction company Admares

Helping robots ‘see’ by using advanced AI and video in manufacturing

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Not long ago, a world inhabited by robots was merely a sci-fi storyline.

Today, robots have become part and parcel of many manufacturing lines. We’ve become used to seeing them assemble, pick and pack, and zip down warehouses looking for the latest item for delivery.

They have become indispensable to many organizations and individuals, where many work hand-in-hand with human colleagues. Now, they are being given the ability to see and are using video technology to be even more efficient. [Read more…] about Helping robots ‘see’ by using advanced AI and video in manufacturing

Unity and Hyundai partner to build virtual twin of automotive manufacturing facility

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Unity, a platform for developing games and other 3D content, and Hyundai Motor Company have agreed a partnership to jointly design and build what they describe as “a new metaverse roadmap and platform for a meta-factory”.

The partnership will realize Hyundai’s vision of becoming the first mobility innovator to build a meta-factory, a digital-twin of the company’s physical plant, supported by a metaverse platform.

The introduction of Meta-factory, will allow Hyundai to test numerous scenarios virtually, in order to assess, calculate and create optimal operation conditions, without employees needing to be onsite. [Read more…] about Unity and Hyundai partner to build virtual twin of automotive manufacturing facility