Robotics & Automation News

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Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

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With a growth of 23 percent in annual installations of collaborative robots from 2017 to 2018, the new World Robotics Report, published by International Federation of Robotics, shows a huge demand for end-of-arm-tooling, (EoAT).

In 2018 almost 14,000 new cobot arms were installed, and if this trend continues, that number will double in approximately three years, prompting an unprecedented EoAT market opportunity that OnRobot is ready to address.

For the first time ever, the annual World Robotics Report includes a specific analysis on the market for cobots, documenting a robust 23 percent growth worldwide. [Read more…] about Record sales of collaborative robots reveal increasing demand for end-of-arm tooling

GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant

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General Motors has announced the second major expansion of its full-size pickup production capacity this year: a $150 million investment at Flint Assembly to increase production of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty pickups.

This news follows GM’s announcement last month to expand light-duty, full-size pickup production capacity in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in response to strong customer demand.

GM has invested more than $1.6 billion in the Flint Assembly since 2013, enabling an increase in the truck plant’s production capacity of the all-new Chevrolet and GMC HD pickups by about 40,000 vehicles annually, including more crew cab models and diesels. [Read more…] about GM to invest $150 million in Flint truck assembly plant

Continental names Infineon as its Supplier of the Year

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Automotive parts giant Continental has named chipmaker Infineon as its “Supplier of the Year”.

Following the motto “Success is only possible in a team”, Continental Automotive once a year honors suppliers for their extraordinary accomplishments.

For 2018, Infineon was now named Supplier of the Year in the electronics category. Continental is one of the biggest Tier 1 suppliers to the automotive industry worldwide. [Read more…] about Continental names Infineon as its Supplier of the Year

Mitsubishi Electric launches new lift and escalator company in Laos

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Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has established MELCO Elevator Lao Sole Co., Ltd. (MLAO) to accelerate its lift and escalator business growth in the highly promising Mekong regional market.

The new company, which was established by Mitsubishi Elevator (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (MET), a Mitsubishi Electric subsidiary, began operations on July 1, 2019.

The new company is expected to strengthen Mitsubishi Electric’s sales of lifts and escalators as well as related provision of high-quality maintenance services.

[Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric launches new lift and escalator company in Laos

Cleveron robots go to work at Decathlon

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Retail click-and-collect company Cleveron’s lockers and parcel robots have been deployed by Decathlon in Hungary.

According to Decathlon Hungary’s Online Marketing Director Gergely Román, the total number of parcels ordered via their online store has grown by 40 per cent in one year.

Decathlon uses Cleveron 402 and two Cleveron 301’s to hand out online orders. Customers who have placed an online order come to the store, insert their order code at the parcel robot and retrieve their parcel.

[Read more…] about Cleveron robots go to work at Decathlon

Swiss high-precision micro-technologies event EPHJ prepares to welcome more visitors

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EPHJ, the annual high-precision micro-technologies trade show, is preparing to welcome a greater number of international visitors this year. 

Organisers say the 2019 show “looks promising” as they prepare to host equipment manufacturers from the world of watchmaking, jewellery manufacturing, and medical technology.

The next edition of the exhibition – its full title being EPHJ-EPMT-SMT – will take place in Geneva, Switzerland between 18 and 21 June this year. [Read more…] about Swiss high-precision micro-technologies event EPHJ prepares to welcome more visitors

355 welding robots at new Byton car plant in China

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Byton, the electric vehicle maker, has announced it will complete its Round C fundraising in mid-2019 with support from multiple investors and shared further details of its Nanjing factory.

Construction of the plant, which started in September 2017, is nearing completion and trial production of the M-Byte SUV will start in the third quarter of 2019.

The installation and commissioning of key equipment has already begun in the five major workshops: stamping, paint, welding, battery, and assembly.

[Read more…] about 355 welding robots at new Byton car plant in China

Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

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Houston Mechatronics (HMI) unveiled Aquanaut at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, one year after the announcement of the platform concept.

Aquanaut is a revolutionary multi-mode transforming all-electric undersea vehicle. The vehicle is capable of efficient long-distance transit and data collection in ‘AUV’ (autonomous underwater vehicle) mode.

After transforming into ‘ROV’ (remotely operated vehicle) mode the head of the vehicle pitches up, the hull separates, and two arms are activated so that Aquanaut may manipulate its environment.

[Read more…] about Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

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Agricultural innovations are essential for feeding our ever-growing global population.

Especially these days, as industrialisation and global warming continue to negatively affect soil fertility and reduce the amount of arable land.

According to the United Nations, the world’s population is set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

[Read more…] about Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war

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Super Micro Computer, one of the world’s largest server manufacturers, has decided to avoid using components manufactured in China, according to a report on Nikkei.

Nikkei reports that Super Micro has instructed its suppliers to move production out of China.

Super Micro says the move is a consequence of the trade dispute between the US and China, in which security concerns raised by the US have also affected other Chinese companies such as Huawei.

[Read more…] about Super Micro to avoid Chinese components amid US-China trade war