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Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

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Traditional industrial robots tend to be very large and potentially dangerous, which is why they tend to be caged off and kept separate from human workers.

But a new company called Veo Robotics says it has the technology to transform traditional industrial robotic arms into safe machines that humans can work alongside, within close proximity.

Veo’s solution could make every industrial robot a collaborative robot. The term “collaborative” is recognized by international standards organizations and usually applies to much smaller, newer types of robots which are specifically designed to safe for humans to work with.  [Read more…] about Veo Robotics could make all industrial robots collaborative

Boeing 737 crash could lead to planes being fitted with thousands of additional sensors

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On the 10th of March this year, a Boeing 737 plane crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 on board. 

Investigators have released their early findings into another accident involving a 737 operated by Indonesia’s Lion Air, in October last year, and they suggest the cause was “an erroneous angle-of-attack sensor”.

An angle-of-attack sensor is usually positioned to the side of the plane’s nose and detects oncoming air flow, to which it adjusts and sends back data to the plane’s computer system.  [Read more…] about Boeing 737 crash could lead to planes being fitted with thousands of additional sensors

Spinning in infinity: Exclusive insight into industrial technology giant Nidec

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Nidec Corporation is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial components, with annual revenues typically in the region of $11 billion.

The Japanese company’s technology can be found in products ranging from robots to computers, from cars to washing machines, and beyond.

There probably isn’t a machine builder on Earth who has not used or has at least considered using Nidec components at concept or production stage. In the computing sector, for example, Nidec is said to have the largest global market share for the tiny spindle motors that power hard-disk drives. Which means that the computer you’re reading this on is likely to have a Nidec component inside it.  [Read more…] about Spinning in infinity: Exclusive insight into industrial technology giant Nidec

Robots set for uprising against taxes after taking too many jobs from humans

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New report warns against taxing robots

There are increasing calls for policymakers to impose taxes on robots and other capital goods based on the faulty analysis that doing so is necessary to raise adequate government revenue, restore labor income, and remove “distortions” in the tax code.

However, a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the world’s leading think tank for science and technology policy, shows that these concerns are illusory and that taxing robots would slow productivity growth, as well as growth in wages and GDP.

Robert Atkinson, ITIF president and author of the report, says: “We need to increase productivity in order to increase wages and spur economic growth. The most important way to do this by encouraging the adoption of new machinery and equipment.  [Read more…] about Robots set for uprising against taxes after taking too many jobs from humans

Hannover Messe 2019: Driving industrial transformation

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Make digital transformation tangible – that was what organizers of the Hannover Messe 2019 promised. And, as the five-day event comes to a close, they announced a positive result. 

Artificial intelligence in industry and robotics, the potential of the new 5G mobile communications standard for industrial applications, lightweight design, and the future of work in a time of increasing digitalization were this year’s most important topics at the world’s leading tradeshow for industrial technology.

“Hannover Messe 2019 showed that it is the world’s most important platform for all technologies related to industrial transformation,” said Dr Jochen Köckler, chairman of Deutsche Messe. “More than 215,000 visitors used Hannover Messe to invest in new technologies and prepare their businesses for the future.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe 2019: Driving industrial transformation

Robotic end of arm tools sales set to increase by 5 percent to $2 billion in 2019, says report

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Global sales of robotic end of arm tools are set to surpass $2 billion in 2019, up from $1.9 billion in 2018, according to a report by Fact.mr. 

This growth in sales can be attributed to the ever-evolving demand of industrial ecosystems for high productivity via industrial robotics.

With industrial ecosystems facing the constant pressure to enhance productivity and reduce operating costs, the demand for collaborative robots is higher than ever.  [Read more…] about Robotic end of arm tools sales set to increase by 5 percent to $2 billion in 2019, says report

Renewable energy now accounts for a third of global power capacity, says Irena

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Clean energy from sources such as solar, wind, and others now accounts for a third of global power capacity, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The decade-long trend of strong growth in renewable energy capacity continued in 2018 with global additions of 171 gigawatts, according to new data released by Irena.

The annual increase of 7.9 percent was bolstered by new additions from solar and wind energy, which accounted for 84 percent of the growth. “A third of global power capacity is now based on renewable energy,” says Irena.  [Read more…] about Renewable energy now accounts for a third of global power capacity, says Irena

Manufacturing and logistics: The common space between senior executives and operations managers

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By Carien Viswat, Oceaneering International

The automotive industry is most proficient in seeking manufacturing improvement through automated, efficient, and effective processes.

Automotive companies and their suppliers need to carry out lean manufacturing and assembly operations by handling a wide variety of components carefully and cost efficiently.

The deployment of automated material handling (AMH) equipment prevents damage to automotive parts, reduces the cost of unproductive labor hours by efficiently handling inventory, and maximizes storage capacity within available floor space.  [Read more…] about Manufacturing and logistics: The common space between senior executives and operations managers

4th AI & Robotic Process Automation World Summit 2019

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The next step on your automation journey starts here

Running from 4-7 June 2019 Düsseldorf, Germany, the AI & Robotic Process Automation World Summit will showcase automation solutions to develop high-quality AI and robotic processing.

Robotic process automation experts will come together to exchange knowledge, ideas and real-world strategies for the competitive automation industry.

Standard information management processes are no longer able to sustain the workload they are put under.  [Read more…] about 4th AI & Robotic Process Automation World Summit 2019

Hannover Messe highlights smart factory technologies and artificial intelligence

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The world’s leading industrial technology event, Hannover Messe, is this year highlighting smart factory technologies and artificial intelligence. 

The organizers of the show have decided on the theme of “Industrial Intelligence”, which probably encapsulates the trends perfectly.

However, its always going to be difficult to summarise what is going on such a large trade fair, let alone distill it into two words.  [Read more…] about Hannover Messe highlights smart factory technologies and artificial intelligence