Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Design

Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

by

Panasonic has obtained the international safety standard IEC 62061 certification for its safety control system designed for robotic mobility chair.

The IEC standard is required by the international safety standard ISO 13482 applicable to personal care robots.

This certification means that the Japan Quality Assurance Organization has recognized that Panasonic’s safety control system for personal care robots conforms to the IEC 62061 standard: “Safety of machinery – functional safety of safety-related electrical, electronic and programmable electronic systems”. [Read more…] about Panasonic obtains international certification for robotic mobility chair

Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

by

Festo has presented the latest innovations in its BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm technologies.

Combined with the BionicSoftArm, a pneumatic lightweight robot, the Future Concepts are “suitable for human-robot collaboration”, says Festo.

Whether its grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing – in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. [Read more…] about Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

Kia and Hyundai debut virtual reality system for design evaluation

by

Kia Motors and Hyundai have debuted a new virtual reality design evaluation system at the brands’ global design headquarters.

The new system, introduced to the Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea, demonstrates a heightened focus on enhancing vehicle development processes through the implementation of VR technology.

Kia and Hyundai displayed how new VR technology will be utilised by both brands in future. [Read more…] about Kia and Hyundai debut virtual reality system for design evaluation

Genesis Robotics to showcase latest innovations at IREX 2019

by

Genesis Robotics and Motion Technologies is planning to showcase its revolutionary direct drive motor technology and innovative gearing solutions for robotic applications at the International Robot Exhibition (IREX).

IREX 2019 will take place from December 18-21 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. Genesis’ booth location is W4-33.

Since entering the market with its LiveDrive Direct-Drive Motor (LiveDrive), the company has continued to develop high torque, low profile form factor solutions that enhance productivity and lower total cost of ownership across robotics and industrial automation. [Read more…] about Genesis Robotics to showcase latest innovations at IREX 2019

IBM joins the Mayflower autonomous ship project

by

IBM has joined a global consortium of partners, led by marine research organization ProMare, that are building an unmanned, fully-autonomous ship that will cross the Atlantic in September 2020, on the fourth centenary of the original Mayflower voyage 400 years ago.

The Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) will use IBM’s Power servers, AI, cloud and edge computing technologies to navigate autonomously and avoid ocean hazards as it makes its way from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts.

If successful, it will be one of the first self-navigating, full-sized vessels to cross the Atlantic Ocean and will open the door on a new era of autonomous research ships. [Read more…] about IBM joins the Mayflower autonomous ship project

ABB robots ring in the holiday season at Bloomingdale’s iconic New York flagship store

by

A dozen ABB robots were on hand this week to ring in the holiday season at Bloomingdale’s iconic New York flagship store. (See video below.)

Described by ABB as the “next step in human robot collaboration”, the robots were seen trimming trees, and entertaining shoppers with holiday tunes and karaoke.

Helping New York celebrate the festive season, the 12 ABB robots are interacting with visitors to Bloomingdale’s iconic holiday celebration at their 59th Street flagship store. [Read more…] about ABB robots ring in the holiday season at Bloomingdale’s iconic New York flagship store

Rockwell Automation and Ansys agree strategic partnership

by

Rockwell Automation and Ansys have agreed a strategic partnership aimed at driving quicker time to market and operational efficiency for customers.

The two companies – market leaders in industrial automation and design simulation – help customers realize better business outcomes through simulation-based digital twins.

Rockwell and Ansys say that their initiative means that industrial companies now have “access to a streamlined, holistic, end-to-end solution for design, automation, production and lifecycle management”. [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation and Ansys agree strategic partnership

Omron unveils ‘industry’s fastest’ 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands

by

Omron has introduced what it claims is the “industry’s fastest” 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands.

The compact vision sensors can three-dimensionally recognize the position and orientation of target objects.

Incorporating this technology with robots will enable fast and accurate assembly of bulk parts by automating the conventional human-intensive process. [Read more…] about Omron unveils ‘industry’s fastest’ 3D vision sensing technology for robot hands

Cleveron launches its ‘most compact’ robotic parcel store

by

Cleveron has launched the new Cleveron 403, a compact parcel robot specifically designed for smaller format stores.

The compact size and affordable price make the robotics-based click and collect solution an effective alternative to manual parcel handout and to traditional parcel lockers.

Cleveron 403 saves expensive store space – the smallest model holds 157 parcels on just 6 sq m. It acts as a self-service pickup, issuing a parcel to the client in 10 seconds. [Read more…] about Cleveron launches its ‘most compact’ robotic parcel store

Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris

by

Seine Alliance, a partnersip between Groupe Renault and Green Vision, has launched what it is the “first 100 per cent electric passenger boat with second life batteries” to Paris, France.

The “Black Swan”, as the boat is called, is specifically designed for private or business cruises on the Seine, the main river is Paris.

The aim of Seine Alliance and its partners is to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a model based on the principle of the circular economy, in order to reproduce it and create synergies between the various mobility players. [Read more…] about Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris