Robotics & Automation News

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Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

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Shareholders in Rotor Acquisition, a publicly-traded special-purpose acquisition company, have approved what’s being described as a “business combination” – possibly meaning a merger – with Sarcos Robotics, a maker of exoskeletons.

Upon completion of the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, Rotor will change its name to Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation.

The post-closing company’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “STRC” and “STRCW” respectively. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

SME and CESMII partner to accelerate smart manufacturing adoption

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SME, a non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing manufacturing, and CESMII – The Smart Manufacturing Institute, are partnering to drive smart manufacturing further and faster by aligning their resources and educating the industry, helping companies boost productivity, build a strong talent pipeline, and reduce manufacturers’ carbon footprint.

Robert Willig, CEO, SME, says: “The past decade has revealed an unprecedented flattening and even decline in our manufacturing productivity by (per average) worker.

“Together, CESMII and SME will optimize our strengths and resources to accelerate the transformation and democratization of the smart manufacturing ecosystem and jumpstart productivity.” [Read more…] about SME and CESMII partner to accelerate smart manufacturing adoption

Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

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Register here for the free and live webinar now on Tuesday 18th May, 11am EDT
Webinar: How Automation Can Hold the Key to Increased Efficiency for Healthcare Fulfilment, on Tuesday 18th May (11am EDT)

Healthcare supply chains have been placed under huge stress over the past 15 months given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with warehouse operations having been heavily affected due to demand fluctuations and workforce capabilities.

Supply chain leaders from healthcare providers and distributors must ensure that they have the capabilities to deliver in line with the ongoing volatile nature of the market. [Read more…] about Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, has acquired Peak-Ryzex from Keystone Capital and Optical Phusion from its founders, two leading providers of automatic identification, data capture and factory automation solutions.

The companies will be merged and led by Peak-Ryzex CEO Juliann Larimer, CFO Michele Adams and Optical Phusion president Tony Rivers. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

The combination will yield significant technological and operational synergies as well as deliver enhanced cross-selling opportunities to a broad set of clients ranging from small and medium sized businesses to Fortune 500 companies – all seeking supply-chain logistical support. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital acquires Peak-Ryzex and Optical Phusion

GE Digital upgrades its industrial control offerings for ‘modern’ workers

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GE Digital has unveiled enhancements to its Cimplicity and Tracker software that “provide critical decision support for operators to make them more efficient”, says the company.

Cimplicity is GE’s name for its human-machine interface and supervisory control and data acquisition (HMI/SCADA) solution, which provides client-server visualization to monitor and control operations.

Tracker, part of GE Digital’s Proficy Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) offering, automates routing and sequencing to accelerate time to market, reduce warranty and recall exposure, and support Lean operations and building right the first time. [Read more…] about GE Digital upgrades its industrial control offerings for ‘modern’ workers

May Mobility partners with umbrella group for trucking associations

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Autonomous vehicle developer May Mobility is working with an umbrella group for trucking associations, the Partnership for Transportation Innovation and Opportunity (PTIO).

The PTIO says that May Mobility has joined the coalition and its mission is to study the impact of autonomous vehicles on the workforce to ensure that the implementation of the technology will “improve quality of life and economic opportunity for all Americans”.

Rohit Bery, May Mobility vice president and chief of staff, says: “Planning for a workforce of the future is a critical component to May Mobility’s mission to support cities with safe, clean, and accessible autonomous shuttles. [Read more…] about May Mobility partners with umbrella group for trucking associations

MIT releases three new reports related to robotics and manufacturing

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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

US government awards Fanuc and Rockwell apprenticeship programs

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, has been named a Standards Recognition Entity (SRE) by the US government’s Department of Labor.

Fanuc shares this achievement in collaboration with industry partners including Rockwell Automation, APT Manufacturing Solutions and the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI).

An official signing ceremony hosted by US DOL Secretary Eugene Scalia named 18 SRE organizations. [Read more…] about US government awards Fanuc and Rockwell apprenticeship programs

Opinion: Automation as a complement, not a replacement of the human workforce

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By Dr Paul Rivers, CEO, Guidance Automation

Smart automation has the potential to deliver great economic benefits, but there remain many concerns that the use of AI and robotics could displace many existing jobs.

With the desire for automation increasing and more sectors looking to deploy the technology, particularly within manufacturing, logistics and distribution, it’s important to understand how automation can augment the workforce, rather than replacing it. [Read more…] about Opinion: Automation as a complement, not a replacement of the human workforce

Opinion: How will people respond when automation changes their roles?

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Dr Paul Rivers, CEO, Guidance Automation

There has been much written about the benefits that automation can unlock for businesses, but too often businesses think they need to jump in at the deep end and deploy automation technology straight away, hoping it will solve the problems they are experiencing.

But how will a process optimised for a manual workforce perform with automation – such as an automated guided vehicle (AGV)? How will people respond when their day-to-day roles change?

If the aim is to improve efficiency and productivity, technology is just one part of the overall solution. [Read more…] about Opinion: How will people respond when automation changes their roles?