Robotics & Automation News

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Siemens and Atos reinforce their strategic cooperation

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Siemens and Atos are reinforcing their strategic co-operation, with plans to accelerate their joint business until 2020 through an ambitious joint go-to-market plan and the strengthening of their joint innovation and investment program.

The program has been increased by €100 million, totaling €330 million – more than three times the original sum. This will further support the Siemens and Atos IoT MindSphere-Codex strategic co-operation as well as the joint go-to-market.

The program aims to enhance Siemens and Atos’ digital strategy and develop joint capabilities in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, advanced IoT & connectivity services, cyber security and digital service technologies to support the digital transformation of their customers through an end-to-end IoT suite.

[Read more…] about Siemens and Atos reinforce their strategic cooperation

Universal Robots debuts at US supply chain expo Modex

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Universal Robots will showcase its collaborative robot arms in new application, at Modex, from April 9-12 in Atlanta, USA.

Warehouse processes such as order fulfillment require the ability to recognize and pick a wide range of items that are different sizes, weights, and materials, often jumbled together in bins.

While traditional industrial robots usually stay bolted down in protective cages, dedicated to one handling task only, collaborative robots, or cobots, effectively address this automation challenge with flexible implementation and low upfront cost.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts at US supply chain expo Modex

ASI autonomous vehicles piloted on California farms

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Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) technology will be used in two pilot programs with large scale commercial growers in California.

A partnership agreement has been announced between ASI, New Holland Agriculture, and E. & J. Gallo Winery, the largest family-owned winery in the world, to operate the autonomous vehicles in their vineyard operations.

Similarly, there has also been a partnership announced between ASI, Case IH, and Campbell Soup Company’s Bolthouse Farms, one of North America’s largest vegetable growers.

[Read more…] about ASI autonomous vehicles piloted on California farms

Baldor Electric Company rebranding under ABB

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ABB will integrate the Baldor Electric Company name into its global ABB brand. Beginning March 1, 2018, Baldor Electric Company, a member of the ABB group for more than seven years, will be known as ABB.

As ABB, the organization will continue to manufacture, design and market the product brands of Baldor-Reliance® motors and Dodge® mechanical power transmission products from 15 U.S. manufacturing locations.

The organization will continue to support ABB’s entire U.S. motors and generators business unit, including ABB branded IEC motors, large AC motors, generators and related services from the motors, generators and mechanical business headquarters in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

[Read more…] about Baldor Electric Company rebranding under ABB

Siemens to triple investment in Brazil

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Siemens has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) in São Paulo.

Over the next five years, Siemens plans to triple its investments in the country to up to €1 billion, focusing on initiatives relating to electrification, automation and digitalization.

The MoU addresses shortcomings in Brazil’s infrastructure in the areas of energy, transportation and healthcare while also supporting greater competitiveness for local industries through increased productivity, which is to be driven primarily by digitalization and enhanced energy efficiency.

[Read more…] about Siemens to triple investment in Brazil

PSA Group modernises its European manufacturing with UR cobots

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Europe’s second-largest car manufacturer, PSA Group, is increasing factory performance and reducing production costs, using Universal Robots (UR) as part of its “Excellent Plant” initiative.

Results of the new robotic assembly system include improved worker ergonomics and cost savings of two to eight Euros per car, which represents up to 400,000 to 1,600,000 euros in initial cost savings.

“We chose the UR10 robot for its reach, ease of programming and safety, but we’ve been extremely impressed with how quickly this initiative paid for itself,” said Cedric Grandjean, Architect Element Specialist, Finish Assembly Line at Groupe PSA. [Read more…] about PSA Group modernises its European manufacturing with UR cobots

Sarcos teams up with leading industrial innovators on exoskeletons

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Sarcos Robotics has formed an industry focused Exoskeleton Technical Advisory Group (“X-TAG”) comprised of executives from leading companies in industrial manufacturing, automotive, aviation and aerospace, construction, oil & gas, and utilities.

The X-TAG is working with Sarcos and industry groups to identify key performance and safety requirements necessary to bring powered and quasi-passive, full-body industrial exoskeleton systems to the work force.

Sarcos specializes in the production of robots that combine human intelligence and dexterity with the strength, endurance and precision of machines to improve efficiency and reduce occupational injuries for complex or non-repetitive tasks.

[Read more…] about Sarcos teams up with leading industrial innovators on exoskeletons

Robot used to remove burner in gas-fired power plant

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Removing a burner from inside a gas turbine is a tricky task. Siemens decided to use a Kawasaki robot to perform this maintenance operation, which heralds the way for reduced outage times for power plant operators.

This Kawasaki MG10HL robot, installed at the Siemens Lausward power plant in Dusseldorf, has a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kg and a 4-metre reach. The powerful, extra large payload Kawasaki robot was installed to perform the dangerous, routine maintenance task of replacing burners and transitions on huge gas turbines.

Watch the video here

Infineon and SAIC set up joint venture for China electric car market

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SAIC Motor and Infineon Technologies are establishing a joint venture to manufacture power modules for the dynamically developing electric vehicle market in China.

SAIC Motor holds a stake of 51 percent of the JV, SIAPM (SAIC Infineon Automotive Power Modules (Shanghai) Co, Ltd., and Infineon 49 percent, respectively.

Headquartered in Shanghai; its new manufacturing facility is in Infineon’s site expansion in Wuxi. Volume production is scheduled to start in the second half of 2018.

[Read more…] about Infineon and SAIC set up joint venture for China electric car market

Swisslog and Kuka join forces to strengthen CarryPick

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CarryPick, an automated storage and order fulfillment system, has a new KMP600 automated guided vehicle (AGV), developed in close collaboration between KUKA and Swisslog.

Synergies have allowed for a number of technical enhancements that make the AGV suitable for use in multiple industries. The CarryPick solution will be globally supported as part of the KUKA portfolio.

Better mechatronics make the vehicle much quieter and enable a more ergonomic workspace, while also increasing battery life. [Read more…] about Swisslog and Kuka join forces to strengthen CarryPick