Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Why it’s Time to Bring Automation Tools in to Assist Your Work Communication and Revenue Streams

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Automation tools and software have moved on hugely over the last year. Whereas, until recently, they’d been generally viewed warily as elements that could depersonalize a business’s processes and create a disconnect with clients, now, they’re smart, intuitive, AI-enriched solutions that can be used to enhance every aspect of the customer experience and boost revenue.

On top of this, the latest array of automation tools can help your workforce communicate better, both within teams, departments, and enterprise-wide, upping productivity and helping your business to run as slickly and cost-effectively as possible.

The coming year is the perfect time to bring automation tools on board your organization – you may be surprised by the positive impact they’ll have on your systems, workflow, and – crucially – your business’s bottom line. [Read more…] about Why it’s Time to Bring Automation Tools in to Assist Your Work Communication and Revenue Streams

North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

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North American robot sales in the first nine months of 2022 reached record levels, with all indications pointing to 2022 ending with the highest number of robots sold in a year for the second year in a row.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), from January to September 2022, North American companies purchased 35,804 units valued at $1.875 billion, up 24 percent for units ordered and 27 percent for revenue over the same period in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “Ongoing labor shortages, easier-to-use robotic solutions and new industries embracing robotics, such as restaurants, retail, construction and even agriculture, have led to record units sold here in North America this year. [Read more…] about North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

Japanese robot manufacturer Sugino Machine partners with Cenit to develop digital twin technology

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Cenit and Sugino Machine have agreed on a strategic partnership to further refine Sugino’s robotics and automation solutions. Cenit’s FastSuite E2 software will provide the technology basis for the collaboration.

Sugino Machine is one of Japan’s leading providers of machine tools, industrial robots and automation solutions.

Based in Namekawa City and employing about 1,200 staff, the machine maker boasts a broad portfolio covering development, production and sales of high-pressure jet cleaning equipment, drilling units and equipment for inspection and maintenance of nuclear power plants. [Read more…] about Japanese robot manufacturer Sugino Machine partners with Cenit to develop digital twin technology

Ag-tech startup Saga Robotics delivers ‘excellent results’ in ‘biggest season yet’

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Saga Robotics says it has delivered “excellent results” in the company’s “biggest season yet”.

Last year, in what’s described as “a world-first”, the ag-tech company removed the requirement for fungicides to control strawberry powdery mildew. This season’s results consolidate the company’s status as a “stable and serious provider of automated integrated pest management”, according to Saga.

Saga Robotics is pleased to announce that its autonomous robotic platform, Thorvald has had its biggest season to date, operating and treating strawberry plants at Clock House Farm with UV-C light to control powdery mildew.

The ag-tech company says it achieved “complete control” of the pathogen treating all of Clock House Farm’s 30 hectares of tabletop crops. [Read more…] about Ag-tech startup Saga Robotics delivers ‘excellent results’ in ‘biggest season yet’

Getting your warehouse holiday-ready: How technology can help you ride the tide during the busiest time of the year

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By Pieter Feenstra is the CEO of Addverb Technologies’ EMEA region

The holiday season is right around the corner and hype is in the air. With customers in their deal-hunting mode getting ready to score the best deals, and businesses offering competitive discounts for limited periods to trigger a sense of urgency, it sure is the busiest time of the year.

Customers are starting their holiday shopping earlier than usual this year to spread their spending across more paychecks to minimise financial strain.

This also means that those who facilitate the smooth running of operations during this peak season are under considerable pressure to meet growing demands, largely propelled by e-commerce sales. [Read more…] about Getting your warehouse holiday-ready: How technology can help you ride the tide during the busiest time of the year

Neubility and Goggo Network partner to develop autonomous logistics solutions

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Neubility, a Korean autonomous robot company, and Goggo Network, a European logistic operator of autonomous vehicles and robots, have signed an agreement to “strengthen autonomous logistics solutions based on robots”.

Two enterprises plan to strengthen collaboration in bringing innovation to robot-based logistics services and improving customer experience.

For that, they will soon debut their pilot delivery services based on Neubility’s autonomous mobile robot Neubie and Goggo Network’s autonomous mobile platform in its tests along different cities of Spain. [Read more…] about Neubility and Goggo Network partner to develop autonomous logistics solutions

Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment forecast to reach ‘all-time high’ of almost $100 billion in 2022

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Global fabrication equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to increase approximately 9 percent year-over-year to a new “all-time high” of $99 billion in 2022, according to SEMI.

The industry association revealed its prediction in its latest quarterly World Fab Forecast report. The report also shows the global fab equipment industry increasing capacity this year and again in 2023.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “After achieving a record level in 2022, the global fab equipment market is projected to remain healthy next year driven by new fabs and upgrade activity.” [Read more…] about Global spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment forecast to reach ‘all-time high’ of almost $100 billion in 2022

Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots, says it has achieved “record orders” in the first six months of 2022.

At €2,545.4 million, the value of Kuka Group’s orders received in the first half of the year was 34.8 percent higher than in the previous year, and sales revenues increased by 13.5 percent to around €1.7 billion.

In addition, Kuka improved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to €48.6 million (H1/21: €33.8 million). The EBIT margin increased to 2.8 percent in the first half-year 2022. [Read more…] about Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

AGCO’s Massey Ferguson plant produces one-millionth tractor

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AGCO, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of agricultural machinery, is celebrating the production of the one-millionth tractor at its Massey Ferguson Beauvais plant.

The company says this “significant milestone” coincides with the company’s 175th anniversary. Massey Ferguson has been manufacturing tractors in Beauvais, France since November 20, 1960.

Darren Parker, vice president of Massey Ferguson, North America, says: “2022 is a year of milestone celebrations for Massey Ferguson. We applaud the hard work and dedication of our colleagues in Beauvais to produce our one-millionth tractor. [Read more…] about AGCO’s Massey Ferguson plant produces one-millionth tractor

Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2

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Universal Robots, the Danish collaborative robot maker, has reported Q2 revenue of $83 million, describing it as “robust growth” for the company.

Kim Povlsen, president of Universal Robots, says: “In headline terms, second quarter revenue is up 8 percent on the same period last year but in local Danish currency the company has seen growth of 22 percent for Q2.”

Povlsen adds that, measured this way, Universal Robots has seen growth of 30 percent across the first two quarters of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports revenue of $83 million in Q2