Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

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As one of the largest manufacturers of industrial robots, Yaskawa Southern Africa took part in this year’s Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF), where various experts in the manufacturing industry gathered to exchange valuable industry expertise to increase investment prospects in the African continent’s manufacturing sector. The event, which celebrated its 25th year, centred around the theme of “For Africa from Africa”.

The AATF promotes and is passionate about furthering Africa’s transformation and promoting the development and growth of the continent’s automation industry.

Yaskawa Southern Africa was one of 150 exhibitors on display at the event, which took place from 9th to 11th May 2023, and showcased its collaborative robotic welding solution, Weld4me. This transformative piece of automated equipment presents an alternative or support to manual MIG/MAG welding with air-cooled welding equipment. [Read more…] about Yaskawa takes center stage at Africa Automation Technology Fair

Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

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Technology is always evolving to improve modern life. The latest in artificial intelligence (AI), technology-based tactics, automation and cybersecurity are essential to master, particularly for those working in these sectors, and there is always something new to discover.

Just last month, South Africa introduced the first formally recognised Robotic Process Automation qualification in the EMEA region, opening new opportunities in education.

Technology shapes so many facets of life and is likely to create an unimaginable and exciting future. What is crucial now however, is to use advancements to solve problems wherever possible. [Read more…] about Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales reach all-time record $108 billion

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Worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment increased 5 percent from $102.6 billion in 2021 to an all-time record of $107.6 billion last year, SEMI, the industry association representing the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain.

The data is now available in the Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report.

For the third consecutive year, China remained the largest semiconductor equipment market in 2022 despite a 5 percent slowdown in the pace of investments in the region year over year, accounting for $28.3 billion in billings. [Read more…] about Global semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales reach all-time record $108 billion

Czech retailer’s robots clean 20 million square metres

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Albert, said to be one of the Czech Republic’s largest retail brands, says its fleet of autonomous mobile robots have officially cleaned over 20 million square metres (215 million square feet), completing over 92,000 cleaning routes.

The industrial cleaning robots were implemented across Albert’s Czech Republic hypermarkets and two distribution centres. During 2023, Albert says it will “almost double” the number of stores with robot deployments for the robots.

Albert, an Ahold Delhaize local brand, released the figure in partnership with Brain Corp and Tennant Co, who supply and develop the robots and software. [Read more…] about Czech retailer’s robots clean 20 million square metres

Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production

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The ABB Group is expanding production at B&R, its global center for machine and factory automation based in Eggelsberg, Austria.

Now that the global supply chain bottlenecks have eased recently, B&R wants to meet the high customer demand for automation solutions as quickly as possible.

Just this summer, ABB opened a new global innovation and education campus in Innviertel, Upper Austria. In the course of this, production is now also being significantly expanded. [Read more…] about Automation specialist B&R looking for hundreds of new employees as it significantly expands production

BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

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BMW Group Plant Leipzig’s first cell coating line has gone into series operation as e-component production at the site continues to gain momentum.

By 2024 the two existing module assembly lines will be complemented by a third, as well as four more cell coating lines and two more high-voltage battery assembly lines. The four coating lines will enter series operation during the course of this year at roughly two-month intervals.

Markus Fallböhmer, head of battery production at the BMW Group, says: “From 2024 our plant here in Leipzig will be able to run the entire process chain for high-voltage battery production. [Read more…] about BMW unveils first battery cell coating line at Leipzig factory

China overtakes USA in robot density

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China’s massive investment in industrial robotics has put the country in the top ranking of robot density, surpassing the United States for the first time, according to a report by the International Federation of Robotics.

The number of operational industrial robots relative to the number of workers hit 322 units per 10,000 employees in the manufacturing industry. Today, China ranks in fifth place.

The world’s top 5 most automated countries in manufacturing 2021 are: South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Germany and China. [Read more…] about China overtakes USA in robot density

Universal Robots reports record annual revenue of $326 million

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot company, has reported Q4 revenue of $85 million, bringing 2022 annual revenue to $326 million, up 5 percent on 2021.

On a constant currency basis, growth over the year was 12 percent.

Kim Andreasen, Universal Robots’ chief financial officer, says: “We are proud to have continued to grow our business despite facing a difficult macroeconomic environment in 2022. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports record annual revenue of $326 million

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Berkshire Grey expects RaaS to get bigger

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Insights from Chris Geyer, VP at Berkshire Grey

Since Berkshire Grey designs and deploys AI and robotics technology to Fortune100 customers like FedEx, Target and Walmart, they have an expansive view of what’s happening across retail, e-commerce, grocery, package handling and logistics industries.

Chris Geyer, vice president at Berkshire Grey, works closely with these customers on product development and implementation and is well-equipped to see what the new year has in store. [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Berkshire Grey expects RaaS to get bigger

Autonomous car from Italian university wins the racing challenge

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A team called PoliMOVE, from Politecnico di Milano in Italy, has won the second annual Indy Autonomous Challenge @ CES.

The team’s car reached a maximum speed of 180 mph (290Km/h), a new autonomous speed world record for a racetrack.

Pushing boundaries of head-to-head autonomous-racing, PoliMOVE competed at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway against a field of nine teams from 17 universities spanning six countries, seeking to break autonomous racing records. [Read more…] about Autonomous car from Italian university wins the racing challenge