Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Anna

JR Automation acquires Esys Automation

by

JR Automation, a provider of intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions headquartered in Holland, Michigan, USA has acquired Esys Automation, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Esys Automation is a leading full-service automation solutions provider with significant systems, controls and software engineering expertise. This is the fourth strategic acquisition for JR Automation in six months and further advances the company’s global growth initiatives.

“We look forward to leveraging the Esys teams’ capabilities and expertise to further build out our leading-edge global automation solutions platform, with a growing focus on providing ‘Industry 4.0’ solutions to our customers,” said JR Automation Chairman and CEO, Mike DuBose.

[Read more…] about JR Automation acquires Esys Automation

Reko wins major automotive contract

by

Reko International Group Inc. has received  a letter of intent from a major global tier 1 automotive customer to design and build a variety of advanced automated assembly equipment.

This major business award involves the design and manufacture of complex automated systems that will build exterior trim assemblies for a major automotive program.

Design work will commence immediately, and the fabrication of the equipment will take place over the remainder of the 2018 calendar year.

[Read more…] about Reko wins major automotive contract

Osaro and Denso Wave unveil new food automation technology

by

Osaro is expanding the scope of its deep reinforcement learning platform to the food industry with its latest solution, Osaro FoodPick.

In collaboration with Denso Robotics, and in consultation with Innotech Corporation, Osaro unveiled FoodPick, which performs automated food assembly tasks using deep learning and other AI and robotics techniques, at Denso Wave’s booth at Fooma Japan 2018.

Osaro has partnered with Denso Wave, a producer of automated data capturing products and industrial robots headquartered in Agui, Japan.

[Read more…] about Osaro and Denso Wave unveil new food automation technology

B&R joins Huawei’s OPC UA TSN testbed

by

B&R Automation has joined the OPC UA TSN testbed of Chinese network equipment vendor Huawei. The Austrian automation specialist is now participating in all three of the world’s most significant platforms for practical testing of the new communication technology.

The two other testbeds are those organised by the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) in the USA and Labs Network Industrie 4.0 (LNI) in Europe.

“Huawei’s testbed gives us the opportunity to advance the standardisation of OPC UA TSN in Asia,” explained B&R Marketing Manager Stefan Schönegger.

[Read more…] about B&R joins Huawei’s OPC UA TSN testbed

Oceanographers select Wave Glider ocean robot for scientific research

by

Top oceanographers have selected Wave Gliders, the most experienced, long duration ocean robots, as their sensor platform to conduct advanced scientific research in the most inhospitable and remote regions of the Arctic and Southern Oceans.

The US scientists, from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Scripps) and the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington (APL-UW), will integrate sophisticated oceanographic and atmospheric sensors onto the Wave Gliders to measure extreme wave states, winds, temperature, and salinity in the upper layers of the ocean.

Historically, these regions have been under-sampled due to the dangers and risks of operating in these turbulent oceans.

[Read more…] about Oceanographers select Wave Glider ocean robot for scientific research

Universal Robots strengthens its partner network in Malaysia

by

Universal Robots (UR) is strengthening its partner network in Malaysia with four new partners: Bizit Systems in Johor, Multitrade Asiapac and Servo Dynamics in Penang, and T. E. M. Engineering in the Klang Valley.

They join a growing network of UR channel partners in Southeast Asia to support increasing demand for collaborative robots (cobots) in the region.

In Malaysia, cobots are deployed in industries such as electronics, automotive, semiconductor, furniture and consumer products.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots strengthens its partner network in Malaysia

Atoun develops a wearable robot to aid walking

by

Atoun Inc. has developed a new prototype, HIMICO, a ‘powered wear’ to assist walking, designed to help elderly  people experiencing ‘locomotive syndrome’ to walk around effortlessly.

Atoun has adopted wire-type walking assistance technology from Panasonic Corporation to create a new assist suit that can really be “worn.”  It is said to be easier to put on and take off in comparison with conventional assist devices.

The product was developed using the funding provided in FY2017 by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) to promote integrated medical research and development (for care-giving robot development and practical applications) and by applying the know-how acquired through the development of the exoskeleton-type  walking assistance powered suits.

[Read more…] about Atoun develops a wearable robot to aid walking

Honda partners on General Motors’ next-gen battery development

by

General Motors Co. and Honda will partner on new advanced chemistry battery components, including the cell and module, to accelerate both companies’ plans for all-electric vehicles.

The next-generation battery is aimed at delivering higher energy density, smaller packaging and faster charging capabilities for both companies’ future products, mainly for the North American market.

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate based on GM’s next generation battery system with the intent for Honda to source the battery modules from GM.

[Read more…] about Honda partners on General Motors’ next-gen battery development

Festo offers smaller controls and valves package

by

There is a growing trend towards ever smaller control cabinets, and control systems, remote I/Os and valve terminals from Festo are no exception. The modular control system CPX-E and the universal valve terminal VTUG are now combined into one solution package.

The package offered by Festo, consisting of the modular automation system CPX-E and the universal valve terminal VTUG, is said to be more compact and cost-efficient than other control cabinet solutions.

The modular control system CPX-E is an automated system for factory and process automation. It consists of individual function modules which enable a flexible, modular design: depending on the module combination, the system can be configured as a purely remote I/O system with bus module or as a control system with control unit.

[Read more…] about Festo offers smaller controls and valves package

Nachi launches new compact robot

by

Nachi has launched the new compact multi-purpose robot MZ12. The robot has the following features: IP67 rated protection level, coolant resistant paint and, according to the company, leads its class in speed in precision.

It’s footprint is 17% smaller than conventional robots and it includes through-arm cabling and air piping. Further details available from the company.