Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

workers

Agriculture robotics startup Future Acres looking to raise $3 million

by

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

Hitachi launches new industrial edge computer

by

Hitachi has launched a new industrial edge computer. The “Hitachi Industrial Edge Computer CE series Embedded AI model” was developed in collaboration with Intel.

The product, an integration of Intel’s artificial intelligence technology and Hitachi’s control system design and manufacturing technologies, is a new model that incorporates an image analysis execution platform using AI and deep learning.

Through providing this product, Hitachi contributes to the expansion of digital transformation, such as streamlining and automating tasks that rely on visual checks (the inspection process for finished products in the manufacturing industry) and solving management challenges using on-site data. [Read more…] about Hitachi launches new industrial edge computer

What Happens When Cybercriminals Target Industrial Robots?

by

Historically, robots were just dumb pieces of programmable machinery that did the same task over and over again. They had virtually no ability to sense their environment. And they certainly couldn’t make decisions for themselves.

With the advent of machine learning and smart systems, that’s all changing. Now designers are imbuing their mechanical appendages with all manner of intelligence. And it’s only getting better.

For economists, these trends are extremely exciting. We could be looking at a future where robots do the vast majority of manual jobs, freeing up labour for other tasks, boosting productivity like nothing else in human history. [Read more…] about What Happens When Cybercriminals Target Industrial Robots?

Toyota demonstrates autonomous shuttle for ‘mobility as a service’ applications

by

Toyota Motor has unveiled an operations management system to support the providing of services that will enable practical use of the e-Palette, the Japanese auto giant’s battery-electric vehicle for autonomous mobility as a service (Autono-MaaS) applications. (See video below.)

In collaboration with a range of partners, Toyota is also planning to operate the vehicles in Woven City, a fully connected prototype city, while targeting commercial use in multiple areas and regions in the early 2020s.

When announcing his goal to transition Toyota to a mobility company at the January 2018 CES, Toyota president Akio Toyoda also announced the e-Palette as a symbol of mobility that goes beyond cars to provide customers services and new value. [Read more…] about Toyota demonstrates autonomous shuttle for ‘mobility as a service’ applications

Pandemic-Driven Automation Adoption Will Forever Change These 3 Sectors

by

For quite a while now, experts have predicted that a wave of automation would remake labour markets.

For businesses, it would be the beginning of a new age of efficiency. For workers, it would be a job apocalypse.

But no matter how you viewed it, the automation wave wasn’t expected to crest until sometime around 2030. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic threw decades of business technology planning into a sudden tailspin. [Read more…] about Pandemic-Driven Automation Adoption Will Forever Change These 3 Sectors

Hyundai partners with Samsung Engineering to unveil robotic system for piping and steel frame manufacturing

by

Hyundai Robotics has signed a deal with Samsung Engineering for the “construction of the Smart Piping Shop” and a business agreement for “the automation of steel frame manufacturing”.

Seo Yoo Seong, COO of Hyundai Robotics, and Choi Sung-an, president of Samsung Engineering, attended the signing ceremony held at Samsung GEC (Global Engineering Center) in Sangil-dong, Gangdong-gu recently.

This agreement is for the automation of the manufacturing of pipe spools and steel frames, which are core materials of plant construction. [Read more…] about Hyundai partners with Samsung Engineering to unveil robotic system for piping and steel frame manufacturing

Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton

by

Comau Robotics has unveiled a new “lightweight, ruggedized” version of its exoskeleton.

The new Mate-XT wearable exoskeleton “fully accommodates the specific needs of workers in demanding industrial, non-industrial and open-air environments”, says Comau.

Featuring a slim, lightweight carbon fiber structure and an intuitive regulation system, the water, dust, UV-light and temperature resistant design can be quickly adjusted to fit virtually any body frame. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton

MIT releases three new reports related to robotics and manufacturing

by

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has released three new research briefs today from MIT professors and members of the Work of the Future Task Force focused on tech adoption in manufacturing and subsequent workforce impacts.

The briefs break down the adoption of new technologies by US manufacturers as well as the development of new transformative manufacturing technologies: additive manufacturing and industrial robotics.

Specifically, the briefs hone in on three subjects, as listed below. [Read more…] about MIT releases three new reports related to robotics and manufacturing

The bicycle industry and the use of robots

by

No one was taking the initiative at first. There were too many “what ifs” roaming inside the mind of the business tycoons. But what can we say? The most stubborn creation on this green-and-blue planet wasn’t going to let the adventurous proposition pass by.

So, the scientists ultimately convinced the bicycle brand owners to take the big step. Enters the robot in the bike industry and changed the history onwards. But how does one take such an impossible step? What provokes the folks to make the intimidating move?

We are going to find the answers right now with much more to explore. Read on to learn the bicycle industry and the use of robots, what’s going on inside those production houses, and, most importantly, how’s the modern-day wonder of science making the business flourish. [Read more…] about The bicycle industry and the use of robots

Global Industrial Impact of Covid-19

by

Covid-19 is not just a global pandemic and public health crisis. Industries around the world are adjusting to a new normal, but normal is no longer an option.

Strict social distancing rules have left many manufacturing businesses with fewer staff and, in some countries, these industries have had to close their doors to try and flatten the curve of infections.

As many manufacturing plant managers know, switching production on and off is not an easy or affordable task. Below we have highlighted just a few of the ways Covid-19 has impacted global industrial manufacturing. [Read more…] about Global Industrial Impact of Covid-19