Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Geek Plus launches autonomous forklift and ‘new generation of material handling solutions’ at CIIF

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Supply chain robotics specialist Geek Plus is launching a new generation of material handling solutions at the China International Industry Fair, scheduled for later this month.

The new technologies include an automatic forklift alongside a full-process intralogistics automation solution.

Geek Plus Robotics is one of the leading robotics companies in China, and probably the top company in the warehouse automation space.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus launches autonomous forklift and ‘new generation of material handling solutions’ at CIIF

Apec: An overview of the Asia-Pacific trade bloc

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The US is a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation organisation, better known as Apec, along with 11 other countries which have coastlines on the world’s largest ocean. 

However, given the current American president’s apparent aversion to all trade blocs, being a founder is no guarantee that the US will continue to be a member.

US President Donald Trump has already taken America out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, and now seems busy dismantling – or renegotiating – the North American Free Trade Agreement, or Nafta.  [Read more…] about Apec: An overview of the Asia-Pacific trade bloc

Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

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Nidec, the Japanese maker of industrial machinery components such as motors, is planning to buy five German robotics companies, according to a report on Nikkei. 

Nidec recently reported record profits for its most recent quarter and is apparently flush with cash, and looks to have decided to spend it on acquisitions.

According to Nikkei, the first of the five acquisition targets is MS-Graessner, which makes speed-reducing gearboxes which fit into the joints of robotic arms.  [Read more…] about Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

Nidec records ‘highest-ever profit’ as it expands industrial motor division

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Nidec is already one of the world’s largest suppliers of components for industrial robots and machinery, and it’s expanding rapidly.

The company says it has just recorded its “highest-ever quarterly operating profit” for its appliance, commercial and industrial product segment.

And the company says it is planning to “further strengthen” these segments and its industrial motor division.  [Read more…] about Nidec records ‘highest-ever profit’ as it expands industrial motor division

Ground Inc partners with HIT Robot Group to develop ‘next-generation logistics platform’

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Japanese supply chain technology provider Ground Inc is partnering with HIT Robot Group to develop what the companies describe as a “next-generation logistics platform”.

HRG, one of China’s leading manufacturer of industrial robotics and automation systems, and Ground demonstrated their new solution technology recently, and say it is aimed at “establishing a next-generation logistics platform linking major cities under the One Belt One Road Initiative”.

The so-called One Belt One Road Initiative is the communist Chinese government’s ambitious plan to create a giant, integrated logistics network that spans the entire Eurasian region – about half the world.  [Read more…] about Ground Inc partners with HIT Robot Group to develop ‘next-generation logistics platform’

LG Electronics to show off its new exoskeleton or ‘wearable robot’

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Electronics giant LG is planning to showcase its new exoskeleton or, as the company calls it, its “wearable robot” at IFA, a consumer electronics event in Germany. 

The powered suit looks similar to the exoskeleton other companies have been bringing out – namely, Comau, Atoun, Ekso Bionics, Roam Robotics, and Sarcos, among others.

LG says it is focused on becoming a leading developer of service robots in the next decade.  [Read more…] about LG Electronics to show off its new exoskeleton or ‘wearable robot’

Robots have found their way to Nepal

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Is there no escape from robots anywhere on Earth? Is there nowhere you can go to get away from these infernal machines? 

Of course not, and those are rather naïve questions. When it comes to robots, you can run, but you can’t hide.

Nepal, home to the world’s highest mountain and one of the largest mountain ranges, is largely remote, icy, cold and quiet.  [Read more…] about Robots have found their way to Nepal

Denso invests $270 million in OLED display developer

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Automotive systems supplier Denso has invested $270 million in JOLED, a developer of printed organic light-emitting diode displays.

The investment accelerates JOLED’s development and mass production of in-vehicle OLED displays, which are used for human-machine interfaces in car cockpits to deliver key driving information to the driver quickly and accurately.

Compared to conventional HMIs, which use thin-film transistor liquid crystal displays, JOLED’s OLED displays are claimed to offer higher-definition images, more vivid colors, and are designed to be thinner, lighter, and bendable– making them easier to install and produce more optimized light output for improved HMI functionality.  [Read more…] about Denso invests $270 million in OLED display developer

Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier

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Hanwha Q Cells Japan claims it is now “the leading solar module supplier in Japan”, with 770 MW of module shipments in 2017.

Hanwha, which is headquarted in South Korea, says this growth builds upon a strong showing for Hanwha Q Cells Japan in 2016, when the company was the second largest module supplier with 700 MW of shipments.

Hanwha Q Cells Japan first entered the Japanese solar market in 2011. In 2012, the company delivered a relatively modest 50 MW of modules, before rising to become the leading overseas player in 2013 with shipments of 500 MW.  [Read more…] about Hanwha claims to be Japan’s leading solar modules supplier

Parker to supply actuation systems for Aviation Industry Corporation of China

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Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin, the motion and control technologies provider, has been selected by AVIC Aircraft, a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corporation of China, to supply the fly-by-wire flight control actuation system for its MA700 turboprop regional aircraft.

The flight control actuation system for the MA700 will be jointly designed, developed, assembled, and tested by Parker Aerospace and the FACRI Actuation Systems teams, with Parker taking a lead role.

AVIC Flight Automatic Control Research Institute (FACRI), in Xi’an, is the leading company providing flight control in China. FACRI and Parker Aerospace have also cooperated on the actuation system for the COMAC C919 program.  [Read more…] about Parker to supply actuation systems for Aviation Industry Corporation of China