Robotics & Automation News

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Going the last mile with robotic parcel sorting

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Everyone has heard of going the extra mile, but for e-commerce, parcel, postal and logistics companies, the last mile is often the most challenging. To streamline how parcels arrive on the doorstep, many businesses are relying on localised or temporary facilities. For smaller sorting centres close to the customer, robots are a proven solution to optimise routes, maximise available capacity and reduce overheads.

Hans Jongebloed, Senior Postal Expert at Prime Vision, explores the possibilities.  [Read more…] about Going the last mile with robotic parcel sorting

The digital crystal ball: Predicting the next move forward for sales intelligence

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In a letter to French physicist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, in 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote (of the new American states): “Our new Constitution is now established and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

But in a modern context, it would be safe to paraphrase Franklin and update his assertion to “nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and the advancement of artificial intelligence”.

AI allows us such a panoptic view of modern Big Data business analytics, which is often referred to as “business intelligence”, that such BI can now be further quantified into subdivisions. [Read more…] about The digital crystal ball: Predicting the next move forward for sales intelligence

K-Parts brings Prime Vision robots into warehouse operation

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K-Parts, an online supplier of scooter, moped and motorbike parts, has chosen robots from automation expert Prime Vision to streamline its warehouse logistics operations at Harderwijk in the Netherlands.

The robots will allow made-to-order boxes to be packed with items in a highly optimised manner, seamlessly collaborating with the Intellistore automatic storage and retrieval system (ASRS) and personnel working at the facility.

Providing access to an extensive range of components and accessories from leading brands, K-Parts delivers products of all shapes and sizes. To reduce packaging and boost efficiency, when the company receives an order, it builds a custom box that matches the dimensions of the selected products. [Read more…] about K-Parts brings Prime Vision robots into warehouse operation

Brightpick unveils details about machine vision and AI behind its autopickers

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Brightpick, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for order fulfillment, has unveiled new details about the proprietary machine vision and AI that are “critical for the seamless operation of its Brightpick Autopicker robots”.

The technologies are used for everything from scanning totes (bins) to create 3D models for future picking of items, to determining ideal picking angles for both totes and individual items.

The company also elaborated on its Brightpick Intuition software and how it keeps the entire robot fleet precisely orchestrated and optimized for maximum throughput in ecommerce and e-grocery warehouses. [Read more…] about Brightpick unveils details about machine vision and AI behind its autopickers

Sentient showcases its ‘ViDAR’ vision systems at White House event with President Biden and Australian PM

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Sentient Vision Systems’ newly appointed CEO, Mark Palmer, was invited to attend a reception in Washington to mark Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first official visit to Washington, hosted by President Joe Biden.

In a press release, Sentient says the Australia-US relationship marks “more than 100 years in partnership” and presents an important opportunity for discussion about “Clean, Green & Critical” technologies that contribute to the security of Indo-Pacific.

The reception – a key part of the three-day official Visit by PM Albanese that started on October 23rd – was also attended by senior US Department of Defense representatives and Whitehouse staff. [Read more…] about Sentient showcases its ‘ViDAR’ vision systems at White House event with President Biden and Australian PM

Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’

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Researchers at Purdue University are advancing the world of robotics and autonomy with their patent-pending method that improves on traditional machine vision and perception.

Zubin Jacob, the Elmore Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and research scientist Fanglin Bao have developed HADAR, or heat-assisted detection and ranging.

Their research was featured on the cover of the July 26 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nature. A video about HADAR is available on YouTube. Nature also has released a podcast episode that includes an interview with Jacob. [Read more…] about Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’

Osaro and Mission Design partner to build specialized robotics solutions

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San Francisco-based OSARO, a provider of machine-learning-enabled robotics for e-commerce, has agreed a partnership with Mission Design & Automation.

Founded in 2004, Mission designs, builds, and integrates custom intelligent automation solutions for a variety of industries, including food and beverage, medical device, transportation and automotive, consumer goods, and more.

The partnership blends OSARO’s AI-powered SightWorks vision software and control technologies for robotics with Mission’s expertise in designing and deploying specialized robotics solutions across a broad array of applications in warehouses and fulfillment centers, such as depalletizing, kitting, and bagging. [Read more…] about Osaro and Mission Design partner to build specialized robotics solutions

Comau unveils new ‘perception-based’ robotic picking solution

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Robotics and automation specialist Comau has launched what it calls the “MI.RA/Picker”, describing as an intelligent advanced automation solution for perception-based random bin picking.

Adaptable to any brand of commercial robot, customized bin or customized gripper, the fully automated picking solution uses two high-resolution laser sensors and a central camera to autonomously recognize, locate and grasp randomly placed objects at a rate of up to 40 pieces per minute (PPM).

Furthermore, its streamlined virtual simulation tools and predictive algorithms guarantee optimal path management and collision-free trajectories, for precise and reliable performance while lowering costs and potential risks. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘perception-based’ robotic picking solution

Machine Vision: Pick and place with FLIR thermal imaging cameras

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Machine vision inspections using visual cameras can occasionally cause recognition problems if the product and background have too little color contrast. In such cases, thermal imaging cameras can be a practical solution – especially if the product has a different temperature than the transport medium.

In many cases such temperature differences are caused by the production process. Injection molding applications are ideal for this, for example, because the produced parts come out of the machine here at a relatively high temperature.

A few years ago, at the German Rubber Conference DKT in Nuremberg, two Austrian companies presented a possible solution in this area. [Read more…] about Machine Vision: Pick and place with FLIR thermal imaging cameras

automatica opens door to climate-neutral, highly economical production through AI and digitization

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Digitization and AI have become a matter of intense public discourse. However, this leads to more questions than answers.

This is where automatica, held from June 27 to 30, 2023, comes in with its digital solutions and components from the fields of robotics, machine vision, and assembly technology.

It’s a place where visitors gain first-hand knowledge of how these technologies can increase the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of industrial production. [Read more…] about automatica opens door to climate-neutral, highly economical production through AI and digitization