Robotics & Automation News

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5G cloud robotics solution shown at MWC 2018

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Ericsson, TIM and Comau, have displayed their cloud robotics solution, as a first implementation result of ‘5G for Italy’ collaboration agreement, signed last year, to explore the potential of 5G for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing.

At MWC 2018 in Barcelona at the end of February, Ericsson, TIM and Comau demonstrated the benefits of 5G-based industrial virtualization through a pioneering proof of concept implemented in Italy – which showcases the factory of the future, that will be realized through the digitization of the manufacturing process and plants enabled by 5G networks and all their building blocks.

Through the combination of TIM and Ericsson’s leadership in 5G networks and technologies and Comau’s leadership in automated manufacturing solutions, this collaboration aims to prove the benefits of advanced solutions adoption for industrial automation.

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SAT4M2M and Fujitsu Electronics team up for satellite IoT communication

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SAT4M2M and Fujitsu Electronics are to cooperate on the development of a dedicated module enabling IoT communications via satellites.

The cooperation between the two companies aims at the design, development and production of a new range of IoT LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) modules for Internet of Things (IoT) markets.

It is intended that the module will enable communication to Low Earth Orbits (LEO) satellite payloads according to the SAT4M2M developed protocol of communication and enable global coverage with several IoT messages a day and have a high capacity serving thousands of connected objects simultaneously.

The modules will be designed to have low battery consumption, giving over five years of autonomous operation using small batteries and will easily integrate with terrestrial LPWA solutions (Sigfox, Lora, Weightless and NB IoT), GNSS capabilities (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) and SPI/I2C sensors.

Schunk introduces programmable magnetic switches for gripping systems

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Schunk is now offering a freely programmable and universally applicable magnetic switch with ATEX certification for device group II, category 2 for monitoring gripping systems in potentially explosive areas.

The MMS 22-PI1-EX has a freely programmable switching point and detects a magnet inside of the actuator. It can be placed directly in the C-slot of the gripping or rotary modules with no interfering contours.

Instead of time-consuming mechanical adjustment of the switching point, the magnetic sensor can be programmed in just a few steps. The required magnetic teaching tool is included in the scope of delivery.

An optional plug-in teaching tool is also available. The corresponding switching condition is indicated on an LED display. Thanks to the standard plug connector, the sensor can be easily connected with standardized connection cables.

New ABB motor-starting solution introduces tool-free, push-in wiring

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ABB is launching the industry’s first range of motor-starting solutions with a push-in spring technology that makes fault-free wiring easier. The innovative tool-free connection concept speeds up wiring work and provides a vibration-resistant connection that makes continuous operation more reliable.

ABB’s intuitive 2-in-1 design combines the advantages of both Push-in and Spring technology in a single terminal.

In Push-in mode, rigid cables or cables with ferrules can be connected tool-free. The operator just pushes them into the cable holes, cutting wiring time by up to 50 percent in comparison to a conventional spring solution and making installation easier.

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Automatica 2018: Innovative automation solutions in plastics, foodstuffs and packaging

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Leading automation companies will be at automatica in Munich, Germany, from June 19 to 22, 2018. Visitors from industries such as food and beverages, plastics and packaging will find numerous innovative automation solutions and have the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts.

Companies from the fields of plastics, foodstuffs and packaging are increasingly employing innovative automation to improve their competitive position. Compared to the pioneering automobile industry, however, these three industry sectors have some catching up to do.

The great economic importance of automation technology can be felt on a global level: According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), more than 1.7 million new industrial robots will be installed in factories all over the world by the year 2020, which will increase global inventory to more than three million units.

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Bosch analysis: Driver assistance systems continue their strong advance

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People buying new cars today in Germany and Europe are placing more and more value on having electronic assistants on board, says Bosch, based on analysis carried out on new registration statistics for 2016.

“There is a clear trend: it will soon be just as natural to have cars fitted with driver assistance systems as it is with a radio and ESP,” says Bosch board of management member Dr Dirk Hoheisel.

Parking and lane assist systems, as well as emergency braking systems are becoming increasingly popular, with 62 percent of new passenger cars registered in Germany in 2016 being equipped with some kind of parking assistance system – ranging from parking beepers to automatic parking assistants.

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New research: Industrial robotics market to reach $40 billion by 2020

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The global Industrial Robotics Industry was estimated at $25.68 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach $40 billion by 2020, according to market research by Million Insights.

The desire to reduce operational costs by many manufacturing companies is expected to drive the global market growth, which can be majorly attributed to the adoption of automation through robotics.

Average labor costs in China have been rising by nearly 10 per cent yearly. The use of robots in industries has helped to reduced workers idle time by 80 per cent and save more than 50 per cent of the production cost, leading to significant cost savings.

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GreyOrange launches Butler PickPal for auto-fulfilment in logistics centres

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Robotics and supply chain automation company GreyOrange announced its beta launch of the new-gen Butler PickPal, an autonomous picking solution, at LogiMat 2018 in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Butler PickPal is powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Vision. It works with the goods-to-person GreyOrange Butler™ robotics system which enables warehouses to manage high-speed operations by automating order picking and fulfilment.

It addresses the challenges arising from the global boom in e-commerce as orders need to be fulfilled faster and accurately with more cost-efficiency as competition intensifies.

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Stäubli to show new mechatronics solutions at Hannover Messe

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At the world’s largest industrial fair in Hannover, Stäubli will show solutions in three fields: connectors, robotics and textiles.

These will include the ultra-safe TX2 six-axis series for all levels of human-robot collaboration, the HelMo mobile robotic system, innovative tool changing systems for robots in all load classes, reliable and extremely performing connector solutions with rapid coupling cycles and new technologies for the manufacture of technical fabrics made from high-modulus fibers.

Stäubli will also be presenting new solutions for making production processes more efficient, economical and compatible with Industry 4.0. Connectorson show will include a range of quick release couplings.

Stäubli will exhibit at Hall 17, Booth C13.

Vecna Robotics and Topper Industrial partner on cart delivery solutions

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Vecna Robotics, a player in next-generation robotics and autonomous fleet vehicles, is teaming up with Topper Industrial, a manufacturer in fork truck free cart delivery equipment and material handling solutions.

Together, the two companies can bundle and offer advanced and cost-effective tuggers with cart delivery solutions.

John Hayes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Vecna Robotics, said: “Working together with Topper carts, we will create the best custom material flow for companies seeking best in class solutions.”

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