Robotics & Automation News

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Shipbuilders set to increase use of robotics and automation technologies

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Parts of the shipbuilding sector has for many years used robots for tasks such as welding and blasting, things that industrial robotic arms are particularly good at. 

There has also been a type of exoskeleton developed for shipbuilding work which is worn by workers to help with heavy lifting to reduce the physical stress of what can be a demanding job.

But shipbuilding remains a human labour-intensive sector, and companies are looking to increase their utilisation of robotics and automation technologies.  [Read more…] about Shipbuilders set to increase use of robotics and automation technologies

Universal Robots presents mobile plug-and-produce solutions at Hannover

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At the Hannover Messe 2018, which takes place on April 23-27, Universal Robots will be demonstrating how ‘Plug-and-Produce’ facilitates simple and flexible automation solution implementation.

The company will be displaying practical application examples to show how versatile, swiftly integrated components are allowing companies to successfully meet challenges, such as a growing variety of products and increasingly flexible batch sizes. Most of the applications’ accessories come from Universal Robots+ ecosystem.

“At our booth, fair visitors will see for themselves that ‘Plug-and-Produce’ is a reality, thanks to our UR+ ecosystem. It offers access to a constantly growing number of grippers, sensors, software and additional accessories, all of which are guaranteed to be implementable via Plug-and-Play, says Helmut Schmid, General Manager for Universal Robots in Western Europe.

[Read more…] about Universal Robots presents mobile plug-and-produce solutions at Hannover

Bühler partners with Microsoft to launch new digital solutions for the food processing industry

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Bühler says it will unveil “ground-breaking digital technologies” that include minimizing toxic contamination, reducing food waste and increasing end-product quality across the whole food value chain as part of a new partnership with Microsoft.

The new digital solutions and services will be presented at the Microsoft booth at Hannover Messe in Germany.

“Today’s food value chains are facing tremendous challenges,” says Ian Roberts, CTO at the Bühler Group.  [Read more…] about Bühler partners with Microsoft to launch new digital solutions for the food processing industry

EPHJ partners with Inartis Foundation to launch microtechnology challenge

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The EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show, taking place in Geneva, Switzerland next week, brings together expertise in watchmaking, microtechnology and medical technology under one roof.

It is one of the very few shows of its kind in the world, possibly the only one, and taps into Swiss watchmaking traditions and industry.

And this year, the event’s organisers plan to go even further by joining forces with the Inartis Foundation to launch the first competition for the development of ideas – the “Watch Medtech Innovation Challenge”, or “Watch Medtech”.  [Read more…] about EPHJ partners with Inartis Foundation to launch microtechnology challenge

Country insight: Singapore industry prepares for transformation

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Singapore is so small that you could walk from coast to coast in less than an hour, with a coffee break halfway into your stroll. 

Located in southeast Asia, at the southern edge of Malaysia, Singapore island has a total land area of around 700 square kilometres.

And its population is tiny too, numbering well under 6 million, 75 per cent of whom are of Chinese background, 13 per cent Malay, and 10 per cent Indian, with “others” accounting for the rest.  [Read more…] about Country insight: Singapore industry prepares for transformation

Country insight: Philippines economy ‘entering golden age’

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The Philippines is a large, archipelagic country located approximately 3,000 kilometres from China.

Its population numbers more than 100 million and its main two ethnic groups are Visayan and Tagalog, each of which accounts for around 30 per cent of the population.

The other eight or so sizeable ethnic groups go from around 10 per cent to 1 per cent of the population.  [Read more…] about Country insight: Philippines economy ‘entering golden age’

Technology insight: Sensor data available globally – beyond the local company cloud

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By Ingo Baumgardt, head of sensor communication, Leuze electronic

Making sensor data and information from different sources available globally and linking this data and information in a meaningful way – this is the crux of Industry 4.0.

New business ideas make it necessary to make this information globally available and accessible not only within a company but also beyond the boundaries of the company and its location.

Sensors are the eyes and ears of automation technology and provide a wide variety of information concerning the current condition of a machine or system, for example about position, pressure and temperature, and so on.  [Read more…] about Technology insight: Sensor data available globally – beyond the local company cloud

Study: 40 percent of parcels delivered within 2 hours by 2028

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A survey from Zebra Technologies Corporation, a major player in mobile computers, barcode scanners and barcode printers, revealed that 78 percent of logistics companies expect to provide same-day delivery by 2023 and 40 percent anticipate delivery within a two-hour window by 2028.

In addition, 87 percent of survey respondents expect to use crowdsourced delivery or a network of drivers that choose to complete a specific order by 2028.

Zebra’s Future of Fulfillment Vision Study surveyed more than 2,700 professionals in transportation and logistics, retail and manufacturing firms on their plans, implementation levels, experiences and attitudes toward omnichannel logistics.

[Read more…] about Study: 40 percent of parcels delivered within 2 hours by 2028

Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

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Columbia Engineering researchers have invented a new Robotic Spine Exoskeleton (RoSE) that may lead to new treatments for spine deformities.

Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine.

The children with these spinal deformities are typically advised to wear a brace that fits around the torso and hips to correct the abnormal curve. Bracing has been shown to prevent progression of the abnormal curve and avoid surgery. The underlying technology for bracing has not fundamentally changed in the last 50 years.

[Read more…] about Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

Markets and politics contributing to the rise of Chinese robotics companies

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Commercial opportunities and government directives are coalescing to create a vibrant robotics and automation industry in China, according to a new report by ABI Research

Historically, the industrial robotics space has traditionally been dominated by Japanese and European vendors, while the commercial robotics has been the stronghold of robot startups from the United States and Europe.

However, recent developments suggest that Chinese vendors are staking a claim in the robotics territory, says ABI Research, a market research and advisory company.

Lian Jye Su, principal analyst at ABI Research, says: “The top four Chinese industrial robotics vendors reported a topline growth of 20 per cent year-on-year in 2016 and a similar figure is expected for next few years.  [Read more…] about Markets and politics contributing to the rise of Chinese robotics companies