Robotics & Automation News

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Berkeley developing ‘low-cost, human-friendly’ robot for the home

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Berkeley University has unveiled what it describes as a “low-cost, human-friendly” robot which is capable of accommodating artificial intelligence. (See video below.)

In an article on the university’s website, “Blue”, which is a two-armed robot, is said to have been designed to use recent advances in artificial AI and deep reinforcement learning to master intricate human tasks.

And while it sounds advanced and sophisticated, Berkeley says Blue will remain affordable and safe enough for every AI researcher and every home to have one.  [Read more…] about Berkeley developing ‘low-cost, human-friendly’ robot for the home

German Bionic to present its first robot exoskeleton for industrial IoT

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Robotics specialist German Bionic is to present the first connected robot exoskeleton for use with the industrial internet of things, at the Hannover Messe industrial technology show.

The German Bionic IO cloud platform connects the third generation of the Cray X exoskeleton with all common enterprise solutions and networked manufacturing systems, enabling complete integration into “smart factory” and Industry 4.0 environments.

Besides cloud services such as wireless software updates – over the air – and predictive maintenance, German Bionic IO facilitates the continuous optimization of the intelligent control system through machine learning and lays the data-scientific foundation for the next development stages of bionics.  [Read more…] about German Bionic to present its first robot exoskeleton for industrial IoT

Albis Plastic and BASF optimize Workaround smart glove for industrial applications

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Albis Plastic and BASF say they have optimized a smart glove – developed by a company called Workaround – for industrial applications.

ProGlove makes scanning processes safer and more efficient
Optimized scanning capability and durability due to high light transmission and media resistance.

In close cooperation, Workaround, Albis Plastic and BASF have modified an important component of the smart glove ProGlove.  [Read more…] about Albis Plastic and BASF optimize Workaround smart glove for industrial applications

Hitachi and DFKI develop sensor suit to improve workplace safety

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Hitachi and DFKI have jointly developed a “sensor suit” which uses artificial intelligence to quantify the physical load and stress on manual workers.

Hitachi and DFKI – short for the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence – say the AI-based suit can provide “effective feedback on the movement of each body part”.

This AI technology performs real-time recognition and quantification of a physical load exerted on a worker’s body during work by using the motion data of each body part obtained through sensors in wearable devices.  [Read more…] about Hitachi and DFKI develop sensor suit to improve workplace safety

Osso VR to showcase first virtual reality training module for robotics with Smith & Nephew’s Navio surgical system

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Osso VR, a provider of a virtual reality surgical training platform, has released what it says is a “first-of-its-kind” VR training module for Smith & Nephew’s Navio Surgical System, being demonstrated at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2019 annual meeting from March 12-16.

Handheld robotics and virtual reality are emerging technologies in medicine leading to rapidly advancing changes in areas, such as surgery, to provide repeatable and efficient high-quality outcomes.

Osso VR’s custom virtual training module for the Navio Surgical System, the only robotics platform with handheld technology, is the first application of this type of immersive coaching for a robotics-assisted device.  [Read more…] about Osso VR to showcase first virtual reality training module for robotics with Smith & Nephew’s Navio surgical system

Samsung presents range of robotic solutions

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Smartphone giant Samsung presented a range of robotic solutions at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

Mostly they were robots designed to be helpful around the home, and the company billed them as “your companions of the future”.

All of the robots used Samsung’s Bixby artificial intelligence platform as their operating system.  [Read more…] about Samsung presents range of robotic solutions

Atoun debuts Model Y exoskeleton

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Atoun Inc., a Panasonic company,  showcased two kinds of powered wear at CES 2019: Model Y that assists bending and stretching of the waist and a prototype, Himico, designed to support walking.

Since Atoun started domestic sales in Japan of Model Y in July 2018, it has been well received and the company has already secured orders for 160 units.

Atoun is now selling Model Y to overseas markets. The company is planning to expand sales to Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the future, starting with sales to ST Logistics Pte. Ltd., one of the biggest logistics companies in Singapore.

[Read more…] about Atoun debuts Model Y exoskeleton

Healthcare assistive robot market to surpass $1.2 billion by 2024

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The Healthcare Assistive Robot Market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $359 million to over $1.2 billion by 2024, as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights.

Increasing incidence of stroke coupled with rising geriatric population worldwide is the key factor that will escalate the demand for healthcare assistive robots during the forecast period.

According to the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, each year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke of which around 6 million cases lead to mortality whereas about 5 million remain permanently disabled.  [Read more…] about Healthcare assistive robot market to surpass $1.2 billion by 2024

Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

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Google has extended the capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line. 

The search giant is partnering with global clothing brand Levi’s to make jackets which can be connected to smartphones and used for notifications.

The company says that part of the clothing item has a flashing light and vibration which act as notifications when, for example, you leave your jacket in a restaurant, or when your rideshare car has arrived.  [Read more…] about Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

LG Electronics to show latest wearable robots at CES 2019

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At CES 2019, LG Electronics (LG) will debut an updated version of its wearable CLOi SuitBot alongside a lineup of improved service robots which are nearing commercialisation.

The SuitBot supports the lower body to reduce stress when lifting and bending while the enhanced CLOi service robots – PorterBot, ServeBot and CartBot – will demonstrate their more advanced capabilities.

Originally unveiled last year in Berlin, the updated SuitBot supports the user’s waist and augments their own muscle power to reduce the risk of injury and fatigue when performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting and lowering heavy loads.

[Read more…] about LG Electronics to show latest wearable robots at CES 2019