Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

west

Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

by

Apple wasn’t always the 3.75 trillion-dollar company it is today. The company was close to bankruptcy in 1997, before Steve Jobs returned to launch newly designed and eye-catching products – like the first multi-coloured iMac range, the iPod and then the iPhone – and put the company on the journey to become the modern corporate phenomenon that it is today.

In today’s globalised economy, Apple could now be said to be the quintessential example of a company that designs its products in the United States while manufacturing them in China and across Asia.

Apple is not, of course, unique in this approach. Many other companies have been doing this for a long time. Such companies used to be called “multinationals” before the internet made the term almost redundant.

[Read more…] about Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

ANYbotics and Qatar’s West Bay Petroleum partner to develop industrial inspection solution

by

West Bay Petroleum, a subsidiary of Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding Company (MBHHC), and ANYbotics have joined forces in Qatar to develop robotic industrial inspection solutions.

This partnership introduces the ANYbotics advanced quadruped robot ANYmal, engineered to meet the inspection needs of Qatar’s oil and gas operations.

WBP’s local expertise and experience in inspection solutions ensure successful deployment and support, representing a step change in the regional inspection ecosystem.

[Read more…] about ANYbotics and Qatar’s West Bay Petroleum partner to develop industrial inspection solution

Saudi Industrial Investment Group stakes $70 million in Unibio

by

Producer of high quality, sustainable protein for the global animal feed market
Unibio has announced an investment of approximately $70 million from the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG).

Unibio was the Wealth Club’s first ever single company Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer to its clients in 2017.

Unibio has developed technology to convert natural gas (methane) into organic, high quality sustainable protein for the global animal feed market on an industrial scale. [Read more…] about Saudi Industrial Investment Group stakes $70 million in Unibio

Fanuc plans to double Michigan campus to accommodate ‘automation demand’

by

Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, has launched a West Campus expansion that will push its operational space in Oakland County, Michigan to nearly two million square feet.

The construction will include a 655,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility to house manufacturing, engineering and R&D projects.

This investment in Michigan’s growing manufacturing area includes the purchase of 67 acres of land as well as the site of the former Thomas M. Cooley Law School Campus, which will provide future growth in the education of the next generation of robotics and automation workers. [Read more…] about Fanuc plans to double Michigan campus to accommodate ‘automation demand’

RC Mowers expands dealer network with addition of West Coast equipment company

by

RC Mowers, a manufacturer of remote-operated robotic mowers, has added another West Coast dealership to its expanding network with the onboarding of Cal-Line Equipment in California.

Tim Kubista, vice president of sales and marketing for RC Mowers, says: “Cal-Line has had a fantastic reputation as a top-notch equipment sales and service provider for nearly 40 years.

“While they’re primarily known for the sale and rental of large tree-clearing equipment, their strong standing in the landscaping community makes them a welcome addition to the RC Mowers family.” [Read more…] about RC Mowers expands dealer network with addition of West Coast equipment company

Epson signs Advanced Industrial Products as distributor in Kentucky and West Virginia

by

Epson Robots has signed Advanced Industrial Products, a factory automation and robotics supplier, as an official distributor of Epson Robots automation solutions.

As manufacturers look to automate small, intricate processes as well as pick-and-place and assembly applications, this new partnership makes automation attainable, simple and affordable to AIP customers in the states of Kentucky and West Virginia.

Epson’s cost-efficient, easy-to-use solutions combined with AIP’s highly technical sales staff and engineers will help open the doors to build new relationships in automotive, food, beverage, and medical markets. [Read more…] about Epson signs Advanced Industrial Products as distributor in Kentucky and West Virginia

Alstom wins €350 million contract to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system

by

Alstom is to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system for Sydney Metro extension to City and Southwest.

The Northwest Rapid Transit Consortium (NRT) reached the contractual close for the extension to the existing NRT Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract on Sydney Metro.

The contract, which was awarded in 2014, has been extended to deliver a seamless customer experience on the new metro, with NRT to operate and maintain the full metro line from Rouse Hill to Bankstown – in total 66 kilometres of rail and 31 metro stations by 2024. [Read more…] about Alstom wins €350 million contract to supply driverless trains and digital signalling system

Doosan debuts collaborative robot at US trade show

by

Doosan Robotics showcased a wide variety of application scenarios using their cutting-edge collaborative robots (cobots), indicating the company’s entry into the North American market.

Doosan cobots have a track record in several markets worldwide including Germany, France and China, with capabilities such as a working radius of 900 to 1,700 millimetres and a load capacity of 6 to 15 kilograms.

The company gave a demonstration of six cobots collaborating with two human workers to execute fine motor activities on an auto assembly line.

[Read more…] about Doosan debuts collaborative robot at US trade show