Robotics & Automation News

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Path Robotics raises $56 million to ‘lead American manufacturing into the future’

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Path Robotics, the Columbus, Ohio-based artificial intelligence and robotics company responsible for designing “the world’s first truly autonomous robotic welding system”, has received $56 million dollars in Series B funding, bringing the total invested in the company to $71 million.

Investment company Addition led the round and was joined by returning investors Drive Capital, Basis Set, and Lemnos Lab.

Lee Fixel of Addition says: “Path Robotics is solving a complex and critical problem in our country by bridging the gap between the supply of skilled welders and demand. [Read more…] about Path Robotics raises $56 million to ‘lead American manufacturing into the future’

AI in the Beauty Industry: How Computer Vision Future Trends Empower the Beauty and Cosmetic Industry

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The pandemic has pushed beauty brands to finally make friends with AI. The beauty industry will never be the same with the emerging computer vision future trends put to the central stage by the quarantine.

Before the pandemic broke out, whenever we needed a new lipstick for a night out, we just stopped by at the favorite store a few blocks from the office and put it on.

Now, things got a little bit more complicated. The only way you can try makeup on is to do it in the digital environment with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). [Read more…] about AI in the Beauty Industry: How Computer Vision Future Trends Empower the Beauty and Cosmetic Industry

Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

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To better address demand for its popular ActiNav flexible machine loading system, Universal Robots has “handpicked” a number of integrators as ActiNav solutions providers.

Today, solutions for unstructured picking and placing of parts into machines are solely focused on the vision aspect, often requiring additional programming to bridge the gap from “pick” to “place” – especially if the “place” is not just dropping into a box but accurately inserting parts into fixtures for further processing.

Universal says its ActiNav product changes all that, combining real-time autonomous motion control, Universal Robots cobots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

SICK launches compact 2D vision camera with deep learning onboard

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SICK is launching its first vision camera with a pre-installed Deep Learning app onboard to make it simple to create custom quality inspections of complex or irregular-shaped goods, packaging and assemblies, especially where they may have previously defied automation using traditional systems. 

The SICK Intelligent Inspection Deep Learning App runs on SICK’s newly launched Inspector P621 2D programmable vision camera.

The all-in-one package enables machine builders and end-users to set up vision classifications using artificial intelligence in a fraction of the time and cost it would take to program challenging inspections based on recognising the pre-set rules and patterns of traditional vision systems. [Read more…] about SICK launches compact 2D vision camera with deep learning onboard

A robot that senses hidden objects

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In recent years, robots have gained artificial vision, touch, and even smell. “Researchers have been giving robots human-like perception,” says MIT Associate Professor Fadel Adib.

In a new paper, Adib’s team is pushing the technology a step further. “We’re trying to give robots superhuman perception,” he says.

The researchers have developed a robot that uses radio waves, which can pass through walls, to sense occluded objects. The robot, called RF-Grasp, combines this powerful sensing with more traditional computer vision to locate and grasp items that might otherwise be blocked from view. [Read more…] about A robot that senses hidden objects

Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

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Omron has released its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor, which can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed bulk automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick and place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity.

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply, says Omron. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers.

Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex shaped parts. [Read more…] about Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

Agriculture robotics startup Future Acres looking to raise $3 million

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Startup Future Acres is looking to raise $3 million to bring agricultural robotics to the farm industry in order to “optimize workforce efficiency”. 

The initiative to raise up to $3 million in seed capital is being organized through the equity crowdfunding site SeedInvest. The company is producing an autonomous, electric agricultural robotic harvest companion, named Carry, to help farmers gather hand-picked crops faster and with less physical demand.

At a time when farmers are tasked with producing more food than ever before to meet growing global population demands – predicted to get as high as 10 billion people by 2050 – limitations in labor and harvesting tools, in addition to environmental scrutiny, have prevented farmers from staying profitable and scaling their businesses. [Read more…] about Agriculture robotics startup Future Acres looking to raise $3 million

Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

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Elementary Robotics, a rapidly-growing AI vision startup, has unveiled what it claims is the first AI camera system for cloud-based inspection.

The new system, which combines software, deep learning AI, and camera systems make it “faster and easier” for manufacturers to use.

The company also appointed Monique Apter as EVP of sales and marketing and Milind Karnik as EVP of engineering. [Read more…] about Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

Asyril launches new control system for its robotic system

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Asyril has launched Eye+, a new “intelligent control system” that manages the Asycube, hopper, vision and robot. (See video below.)

The company says the system allows the control of all components required for a modern and flexible assembly line.

With Eye+ Asycube users will be able to easily optimise the performance of their system without in-depth knowledge of machine vision and at a highly competitive cost. Eye+ also enables vision configuration and hand-eye calibration. This control system is easy to integrate and simple to use. [Read more…] about Asyril launches new control system for its robotic system

Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan

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Epson Robots has signed up Industrial Control, a provider of factory automation solutions, products, and training, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions in the state of Michigan.

Epson says Industrial Control’s wealth of knowledge and experience gained through long-standing relationships with machine builders, combined with Epson Robots’ technology, will help manufacturers “reach today’s challenging factory automation objectives”.

Mark Ermatinger, CEO of Industrial Control, says: “Customers are asking for smarter, pre-engineered, and turn-key solutions to help reduce risks and save time. [Read more…] about Epson signs up Industrial Control as distributor in Michigan