Robotics & Automation News

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wireless

Wiferion launches compact wireless charging system for small mobile robots

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Wiferion, an energy solution supplier powering mobile robots and autonomous industrial vehicles through wireless charging, introduced its new inductive etaLINK 1000 charging system to the US market, making its successful wireless charging technology available to smaller robots for the first time.

The new mobile charging unit integrated into the robot measures just 160 mm – making it 36 percent smaller than the etaLINK 3000, Wiferion’s standard charging system for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGV).

etaLINK 1000 has all the advantages of the larger models, such as high positioning tolerance, maintenance-free operation, and fast start up of power transfer in around one second. Wiferion will debut the etaLINK 1000 at Automate, May 22-25, 2023, in Detroit. [Read more…] about Wiferion launches compact wireless charging system for small mobile robots

Rajant to unveil ‘industry first’ credit card-sized communications module for robots

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Rajant, the developer of Kinetic Mesh wireless networks, will unveil its new Cardinal BreadCrumb module during Promat at Chicago’s McCormick Place in Booth #N8550 on March 20th-23rd.

The Cardinal is powerful, lightweight, and notably the smallest within Rajant’s portfolio of industrial wireless nodes.

Orders for this first-ever BreadCrumb module specifically tailored to the needs of robotic automation in the warehouse market and Industry 4.0 will be taken starting next week. [Read more…] about Rajant to unveil ‘industry first’ credit card-sized communications module for robots

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz jointly explore feasibility of drone-based network measurement solution

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Nokia has signed an agreement with network measurement technology provider Rohde & Schwarz to embed QualiPoc 4.9G/LTE and 5G network measurement capabilities into the Nokia Drone Networks platform.

The companies say this is the “first software-embedded solution of its kind” and will expand the use cases for drones to provide communication service providers (CPS), private wireless partners and enterprises with deeper knowledge around their wireless network coverage and performance for more efficient utilisation.

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz will jointly work on a prototype that integrates mobile network measurement and troubleshooting QualiPoc capabilities using QualiPoc software from Rohde & Schwarz, embedded directly into the Nokia drone, connected to the MX Industrial Edge (MXIE) over the Digital Automated Cloud (DAC). [Read more…] about Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz jointly explore feasibility of drone-based network measurement solution

Everactive launches ‘batteryless IoT’ development kit

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Everactive, a startup company making what it describes as “category-defining batteryless Internet of Things (IoT) systems”, is releasing its first development kit to allow third-party developers to build their own IoT products without the constraints of batteries.

The company’s self-powered hardware and managed network is purpose-built to acquire and deliver the dense physical-world data that will usher in an age of hyperscale IoT. Opening up that technology will allow IoT developers to easily create the scalable, sustainable, and data-rich products long demanded by their customers.

The development kit includes two of Everactive’s patented batteryless IoT devices, each with a comprehensive sensor suite that simultaneously measures temperature, humidity, pressure, and triaxial acceleration. [Read more…] about Everactive launches ‘batteryless IoT’ development kit

Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

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Networking giant Nokia has agreed a collaboration with Flex Brazil to deploy 5G SA private wireless networks in its manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

Initial use cases will focus at increasing wireless applications and exploring the potential of 5G for reliable connectivity, massive transfers of operational data and greater layout flexibility on the shopfloor.

Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) will provide the private wireless on-demand service as well as MX Industrial Edge computing and digital-enabling applications. [Read more…] about Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots showcase real-time robot fleet management using private 5G wireless

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Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, have showcased the power of private 5G wireless for the digital transformation of industries.

The companies will demonstrate how companies like manufacturers and warehouse operators can leverage 5G to transform tasks, including real-time fleet management of industrial robots.

MiR will leverage the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) end-to-end industrial private wireless solution at its booth at the event in Stuttgart. [Read more…] about Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots showcase real-time robot fleet management using private 5G wireless

How manufacturers can go wireless to unleash unlimited possibilities

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By Oliver Wang, product marketing manager, edge connectivity and computing, Moxa

Where it’s difficult to hardwire industrial operations to ensure time to market, industrial wireless LANs (WLANs) provide an ideal alternative to traditional wired Ethernet LANs.

Indeed, recent advances in wireless technology have contributed to industrial WLANs becoming commonplace solutions in automotive plants, warehouses, and transportation systems, among others, where automated equipment is required that is constantly moving or difficult to wire.

Industrial WLANs enable these types of systems to be connected for enhanced operational efficiency. [Read more…] about How manufacturers can go wireless to unleash unlimited possibilities

Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the award of a contract to build a first in the United States public wireless in-road charging system allowing electric vehicles to charge while in motion and stationary.

A company called Electreon has been selected to build an electric road system in Detroit as part of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program.

Governor Whitmer says: “As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

Powercast showcases wireless recharging and batteryless system at CES

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Powercast has showcased an array of new, batteryless products that are powered by the company’s signature radio-frequency-based long-range over-the-air wireless power technology at the recent CES.

The company also announced a record year in customer and revenue growth driven by the demand for wireless power – a market expected to reach $25.9 billion by 2027 – and demand for sustainable product designs that keep disposable batteries out of landfills.

Powercast helps its partners create environmentally-friendly electronic devices either with rechargeable batteries that can be recharged by RF, or with no batteries at all that can be directly powered by RF. [Read more…] about Powercast showcases wireless recharging and batteryless system at CES

Foxconn invests in wireless power startup’s $25 million Series B funding round

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Powermat Technologies, a wireless power technology startup, says Foxconn has made a “significant investment” as part of a $25 million Series B round.

Foxconn Interconnect Technology, the contract manufacturing giant’s connectivity solutions developer,took part in the funding round along with Hudson Sustainable Group, a founding shareholder of Powermat.

Powermat’s innovative wireless power technology is a critical enabler of the smart mobility, autonomous robotics, industrial drones, medical devices, telecom, and internet of things industries, where Powermat is experiencing exponential growth. [Read more…] about Foxconn invests in wireless power startup’s $25 million Series B funding round