Robotics & Automation News

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Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

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German industrial giant has started construction on a billion-dollar semiconductor manufacturing facility – or, in Bosch’s words, a “factory of the future” in Dresden, Germany.

The company said that the foundation stone laid recently in Dresden is “a key milestone” in the construction of the Bosch Group’s “state-of-the-art” wafer fabrication facility.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2019, when installation of the production machinery will start.  [Read more…] about Bosch lays foundation stone for billion-dollar ‘factory of the future’

LG invests $90 million in robotics and calls the technology a ‘key component’ of its growth strategy

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LG, one of the world’s largest electronics companies, is reported to have invested $90 million in robotics companies so far and says robotics is an important part of its strategy going forward. 

According to a report on the International Business Times website, LG’s investments include a $3 million stake in Bossa Nova Robotics, which builds shelf-scanning robots for work in grocery stores.

And as quoted by IBT, a senior executive at LG said the company was investing in robotics both within its business operation as well as outside the company.

Kim Sungwook, LG Electronics vice president, global open innovation division, said: “Robotics, as a key component of our ThinQ AI strategy, is a critical future growth opportunity for LG.  [Read more…] about LG invests $90 million in robotics and calls the technology a ‘key component’ of its growth strategy

Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

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Humanoids are probably the type of robots that the general public finds most fascinating. 

Yes, industrial robotic arms have their own attractions – the way they move so precisely and can work endlessly – but humanoids, for obvious reasons, possess the ultimate allure.

And if they take the form of your favourite person in the world – perhaps that film star you’ve had a crush on all your life – well, you’re practically in heaven.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

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2017 was a bumper year for robotics investment, with even more funds to come, according to a report by ABI Research

The robotics industry continued to go from strength to strength as 2017 represented the largest year of investment, with the total amount adding up to $2.7 billion, according to ABI Research, a market-forecast advisory firm.

Rian Whitton, research analyst at ABI Research, says: “While the growth in investment from 2016 to 2017, at 23.2 per cent, slowed from growth between 2015 and 2016, this was affected by applying a narrower understanding of robotics, leaving out categories like autonomous cars.

“Had the same definition of robotics been used as in previous years, total investment would have exceeded $5 billion.”  [Read more…] about ‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

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It took a while to get going, but after many years of relatively slow progress, now, the market for logistics and supply chain robotics and automation is in good flow. 

A significant number of companies have developed systems for automating warehouse operations – both in the area of software and hardware.

But while Amazon has taken the lead in warehouse automation by building its massive logistics operation around the Kiva Systems robots it acquired, other companies are catching up.  [Read more…] about 30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

Top 30 interesting farming automation technologies and companies

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In this briefing, Robotics and Automation News lists approximately 30 companies and advanced technologies emerging in the agriculture sector

In our recent article, “humorously” entitled “Alien farming technology…”, we mentioned that it might be a good idea to list some of the robotics and automation technologies emerging in the agricultural sector.

Which brings us here, and the slight problem of how to order the list. After minimal discussion, we decided to go random. So this list is not presented in any particular order. Hence the lack of numbers.

However, we do think all the technologies and companies mentioned below are offering something that will bring significant changes to the agricultural sector.  [Read more…] about Top 30 interesting farming automation technologies and companies

HRG showcases robotics biosphere at automatica 2018

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HIT Robot Group (HRG), one of China’s leading robot manufacturers, has presented its Robotics Biosphere, a comprehensive set of services for companies at various business stages, to attendees at automatica 2018, in Munich, Germany.

HRG has also showcased eight of its products and connected with hundreds of clients that are looking to explore the Chinese market.

Developed over three years, HRG’s Robotics Biosphere has provided support and services to companies in the robot industry to land, grow and sustain their businesses in China.

[Read more…] about HRG showcases robotics biosphere at automatica 2018

Microtechnology event reports ‘solid performance’ from the 17th EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show

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With the recovery in the watchmaking and jewellery industry in full swing, the 17th EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show met with an extremely positive response, both in terms of the business that was done as well as the number of visitors who attended, which equalled the same high level seen in previous years.

When the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show closed its doors after four days, the 820 exhibitors and the organisers alike were said to have had a big smile on their faces.

“One of the main successes of the 2018 event is what exhibitors have told us about the quality of the international and Swiss visitors present at Palexpo,” explains Alexandre Catton, director of the trade show.  [Read more…] about Microtechnology event reports ‘solid performance’ from the 17th EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show

Briefing – Design and Prototyping: CAD spells the end of paper and pencil

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In this article, Robotics and Automation News provides an overview of software available for designers of products, components, and systems 

It’s very unlikely that paper and pencil will disappear completely – the headline’s just journalistic hyperbole. But they’re certainly not used by as many people as in the past. 

Pencil and paper will probably always be used to sketch out ideas in the initial stages at least, but with more tablet computers around, along with digital pens or pencils designed for use with them, even those most humble of materials and instruments are getting serious updates.

It’s very unlikely that more than, say, one in a hundred people would continue to use pencil and paper once it has gone past the sketching stage into the actual design phase with a view to producing prototypes.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Design and Prototyping: CAD spells the end of paper and pencil

Employers and employees alike ‘welcome robots’, says Epicor

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Robot co-workers plug industry-wide skills gap, boost efficiency, automate mundane work, and don’t get involved in office politics, according to new report

With employers struggling to find people with the skills they need, even for entry-level jobs, industrial workers are increasingly seeing the benefits of working with robots, rather than humans, to improve productivity and relieve the pressures they are under.

This is one of the findings of the latest research from Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth.

According to the research, which questioned around 2,500 business respondents in 14 countries, staff are aware of the many benefits of working alongside robots.  [Read more…] about Employers and employees alike ‘welcome robots’, says Epicor