Robotics & Automation News

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Sales of US cotton-harvesting machinery to China increase by 4,000 percent

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Sales of US-manufactured cotton-harvesting machinery to China have increased by 4,000 percent, according to a report on the South China Morning Post website.

The news outlet says its own analysis shows that the increase in April of this year was “more than 4,000 percent” when compared with the same month last year.

The main reason for the dramatic increases, says the SCMP, is the possible threat of US sanctions against China which might make it impossible to import hi-tech goods. [Read more…] about Sales of US cotton-harvesting machinery to China increase by 4,000 percent

ABB wins $5 million order for electric vehicle chargers from GAC Toyota

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ABB has won an order worth $5 million for electric vehicle chargers from GAC Toyota.

The agreement was made through Chargedot, an ABB business unit, and is considered “a major order” in China.

GAC Toyota is the Guangzhou-based joint venture between GAC Group and Toyota. With plans to expand production of electric vehicles to 400,000 a year, the company has asked ABB to supply “several thousand electric vehicle chargers” over the next year. [Read more…] about ABB wins $5 million order for electric vehicle chargers from GAC Toyota

Swiss micro-technology trade show EPHJ to go ahead despite coronavirus

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The EPHJ Trade Show – for the watchmaking, jewellery, and micro- and medical technologies sectors – says it is “stepping up to the plate” for the relaunch of the economy, confirming that its 2020 edition will take place from 15 to 18 September this year.

Having been obliged to postpone its 2020 edition to September due to Covid-19, the largest annual trade fair in Switzerland will in fact take place this year in Geneva to contribute to the recovery of all the high-precision sectors.

Alexandre Catton, director of EPHJ, says: “We have held widespread discussions over the past few weeks with numerous exhibitors to obtain as accurate picture as possible of the situation on the ground. [Read more…] about Swiss micro-technology trade show EPHJ to go ahead despite coronavirus

Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

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Geek+ has won the 2020 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award – the industry’s premier listing of the most successful and innovative robotics companies in the world.

Geek+ makes the list for the second year in a row, a rare feat, and is one of a handful of non-US based companies.

The award recognizes Geek+ as one of the most innovative and transformative robotics companies in the world, having achieved commercial success through a highly successful global expansion and proven ability to enable global fulfillment. [Read more…] about Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

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By Maya Xiao of Interact Analysis

The coronavirus pandemic which has devastated economies worldwide is expected to reduce revenues in the industrial robot market by more than 8 per cent, according to a study by Interact Analysis.

“After a weak 2019, we originally expected the 2020 robot market to recover strongly, but Covid-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8 percent to -3.6 percent,” writes Maya Xiao, automation market expert at Interact Analysis.

Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018, she says. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global manufacturing activity, which led to weak spending on machinery and automation equipment. [Read more…] about Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

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Semiconductor fabrication companies are expected to log record spending of nearly $68 billion in 2021 after the 2020 lull caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry association SEMI.

“2021 is poised to mark a banner year for global fab equipment spending with 24 percent growth to a record $67.7 billion, 10 percent higher than the previously forecast US$65.7 billion,” says SEMI in a statement.

The organisation adds that all product segments look like they will provide “solid growth rates”. [Read more…] about Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021

Xilinx and Avnet combine to provide solutions for autonomous car developers

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Webinar: From ADAS to AVs: Powering Next-Generation Automotive Solutions
URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l8b-1DVXS6a6SbsW1EBocg

Chipmaker Xilinx and Avnet, a designer and distributor of electronics components, have combined to offer a range of solutions for autonomous car development.

Xilinx is a big name in the industrial sector and has found many new customers in markets which are relatively new to the company – as well as to everyone else.

Specifically, the emerging and fast-growing area of autonomous car development, which Xilinx groups under the category of “Advanced Product” in its financial reports. [Read more…] about Xilinx and Avnet combine to provide solutions for autonomous car developers

SICK continues to grow despite ‘challenging market’

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Sensors giant SICK says its business has continued to grow despite a “challenging market environment”.

Group sales by the sensor producer increased by 7 percent to €1,750.7 million during the 2019 fiscal year (2018: €1,636.8 million).

Growth was considerably higher than the average for the sensor industry, estimated as having shrunk by 1 percent for 2019 by the AMA Association for Sensors and Measurement. [Read more…] about SICK continues to grow despite ‘challenging market’

Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

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Brain Corp, a developer of artificial intelligence systems for the robotics industry, has raised $36 million in Series D funding to “help meet the growing demand for autonomous mobile robots”.

The company says the growth is being generated by retail, healthcare, airports, education and other industries now on the front lines of the coronavirus health crisis.

The round was led by returning investor SoftBank Vision Fund 1, and includes new investors ClearBridge Investments, and Satwik Ventures, and an additional investment from Qualcomm Ventures. [Read more…] about Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020

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Continued disruption, restructuring and re-shaping of the automotive industry will be required to make increasing levels of R&D affordable whilst simultaneously representing a major growth opportunity in the year ahead, according to engineering consultancy Horiba Mira.

The proliferation of electrification and connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies will continue to be amongst the top automotive trends in 2020 which will continue to push up the already soaring costs of research and development.

Indeed, latest figures show European auto manufacturers spent a record £33.3 billion on R&D – 35 per cent more than the £24.6 billion spent in 2014/15. [Read more…] about Opinion: Radical rethink of automotive R&D investment required in 2020