Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

years

ACC picks Segula to help build three gigafactories in Europe

by Leave a Comment

The European automotive market is rapidly electrifying, and the need for batteries to equip vehicles is increasing.

According to the European Commission, demand will increase 12-fold between 2018 and 2030.

This is a revolution for the sector, which is now relying on reindustrialisation and the development of a battery ecosystem sized to ensure the necessary production on the European continent.

This challenge has been taken up by Automotive Cells Company, a company operating in the world of battery technology for electric vehicles, which has selected Segula Technologies, which designs and implements industrial projects, to support it in its plans for three gigafactories dedicated to the production of cells and modules for electric vehicles. [Read more…] about ACC picks Segula to help build three gigafactories in Europe

SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

by Leave a Comment

The SSI Schaefer Group, an international provider of modular warehousing and logistics solutions employing some 10,000 people, and DS Automotion, a provider of mobile robotics such as automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots, have signed an agreement under which SSI Schaefer will acquire all shares in DS Automotion.

Through the new agreement, SSI Schaefer will expand the minority interest it has held since 2018 to reflect the growing importance of autonomous and mobile robotics and the AGV business in intralogistics.

The acquisition of the remaining shares will take effect on March 1st, 2023 and is subject to approval by Austria’s Federal Competition Authority. [Read more…] about SSI Schaefer fully acquires DS Automotion

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

by Leave a Comment

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’

by Leave a Comment

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’

Tigres and IAR Group partner to develop new automated plasma system

by Leave a Comment

IAR Group, a Switzerland company which specializes in automation systems, and Tigres, a Germany company which specializes in plasma systems, are entering into a collaboration.

The two companies are combining their core competences in industrial automation and plasma technology. The aim of the cooperation is to offer automated complete solutions.

Sébastien Perroud, CEO of the IAR Group, says: “I am very pleased about the collaboration with Tigres. Thanks to their expertise in plasma technology, we are now able to offer complete automated solutions for the surface treatment of materials to a wide range of industries worldwide.” [Read more…] about Tigres and IAR Group partner to develop new automated plasma system

Universal Robots reaches 1,000 employees

by Leave a Comment

Seventeen years after it was founded by three visionary young researchers in a basement, Universal Robots has just reached a 1,000-employee milestone.

10th November, Odense, Denmark. Universal Robots, the biggest company in a fast-growing Danish robotics hub, has become the cluster’s first organisation to reach 1,000 employees – one of only a few Danish companies founded in this millennium to hit this milestone.

Since its first collaborative robot (cobot) was launched in 2008, Universal Robots has grown to be a global market leader in cobots with offices in more than 20 countries worldwide. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reaches 1,000 employees

Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

by Leave a Comment

Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, says it has successfully completed field demonstration of its patent-pending ATLAS vehicle, Stratom’s advanced autonomous pallet loader.

Whether operated via tethered remote control or preprogrammed with repeatable operations, Stratom’s ATLAS platform reduces crew needs while loading, unloading and transporting cargo in military and commercial applications, ultimately increasing speed, flexibility, efficiency, dependability and safety.

Last June, Stratom announced that the US Marine Corps awarded the company a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract to develop a prototype autonomous pallet loader. [Read more…] about Stratom demonstrates new autonomous pallet loader vehicle

igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

by Leave a Comment

Motion plastics specialist igus is investing in growing its low cost automation activities and has now acquired the majority stake in robot integrator Commonplace Robotics, based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück.

Commonplace Robotics specialises in intuitive control and software as well as power electronics for robotics, in the industrial and educational sectors.

Both companies have worked together closely for six years and have jointly developed the iRC igus Robot Control, which complements igus’s low cost kinematics parts which are made of high-performance plastics. [Read more…] about igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics

634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

by Leave a Comment

634AI, the developers of Maestro, an artificial intelligence-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to install 200 autonomous mobile robots, powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsu’s 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AI’s Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsu’s intra logistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AI’s Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AI’s AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years. [Read more…] about 634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

South Korea AutoStore integrator Asetec joins the RightHand Robotics partner integrator network

by Leave a Comment

RightHand Robotics, a provider of autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, and Asetec, a logistics automation ICT company, have partnered for future robotic logistics center integration projects in South Korea.

As an AutoStore integrator, Asetec will combine the world’s leading robotic storage system and other matched technologies with RightHand Robotics’ award-winning RightPick item-handling solution to expand its offerings with a diversified range of automation.

Founded in 1996, Asetec is a turnkey integrator for logistics centers, providing customers with consulting and engineering, automation design and construction, and AI software solutions (WMS/TMS/OMS/WCS). [Read more…] about South Korea AutoStore integrator Asetec joins the RightHand Robotics partner integrator network