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Robotics and Automation News chosen as Hannover Messe media partner

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US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the opening ceremony of Hannover Messe
US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Hannover Messe

After the tremendous success of Hannover Messe 2016, for which the United States was the official partner country, the profile of German and European industry has reached new heights.

Both the leaders of the US – President Barack Obama – and Germany – Chancellor Angela Merkel – were special guests at last year’s event, which was the most well-attended ever.

This year, Hannover Messe will be even bigger. As well as growing in popularity, the event will now combine CeMAT, the trade show for the logistics industry.  [Read more…] about Robotics and Automation News chosen as Hannover Messe media partner

Industrial robotics market forecast to reach $41 billion globally by 2020

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business-chart

The global industrial robotics market is expected to grow at a rate of 5.4 per cent over the next three years to reach $41 billion annually, according to Allied Market Research.

AMR valued the market to be at $26.78 billion in 2012. Rapid growth in automation demands, coupled with reduction of duties on refurbished goods in Asia Pacific region has fuelled the growth of this market, the research company says.

Industrial robotics is expected to be used in alternative application areas in growing markets. The key area such as electronics, which is still growing at an increasing rate, has witnessed penetration of industrial robotics in a significant manner.  [Read more…] about Industrial robotics market forecast to reach $41 billion globally by 2020

CES: What’s in it for me?

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The Consumer Electronics Show will be on soon. January 5-8, in Las Vegas, US. If you’re one of the lucky people going along, send us a picture or note about your highlights of the event. 

As a preview to the show, we find out from Infineon, one of the leading chipmakers for the auto market, what their view of the highlights will be, not just at CES, but also for the year ahead.

Infineon is probably going to face much more intense competition this year, mainly because of Qualcomm’s entrance into the auto market.  [Read more…] about CES: What’s in it for me?

Industrial Vision Systems relocates to ‘fulfil ambitious expansion plans’

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ivs harwell relocation

Company is expecting “year on year double digit growth” in machine vision, robotics and artificial intelligence over the next decade

Industrial Vision Systems, a supplier of machine vision solutions to industries including automotive, medical devices, electronics, food and drink, and packaging, has relocated into a new facility – custom designed to its own specification – in order to fulfil its ambitious expansion plans.

Having grown “significantly” over the course of the past 16 years, Industrial Vision Systems has now made the move to its brand new 10,000 sq ft premises at the prestigious Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire which will allow it to grow further and capitalise on new, emerging markets.

The relocation presents a new phase of business for IVS. The company is fully expecting year on year double digit growth in machine vision and robotics on the manufacturing floor over the next decade. [Read more…] about Industrial Vision Systems relocates to ‘fulfil ambitious expansion plans’

Harman invests in Navdy to launch augmented reality displays on car windscreens

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Harman’s partnership with Navdy will give it exclusive rights to sell co-branded, aftermarket heads-up display devices to automotive manufacturers

Harman, the connected technologies company for the automotive, consumer and enterprise markets, says it will offer an aftermarket augmented reality driving device to automotive manufacturers through a strategic partnership and investment in Silicon Valley innovator Navdy.

As part of the agreement, Harman will have exclusive rights to distribute the new co-branded aftermarket Navdy with Harman device to automotive original equipment manufacturers, specialty auto and audio channels as well as select mobile carriers globally.

Introduced last month, the new Navdy product is the world’s first aftermarket heads-up driving device that projects both mobile application information and car data information directly over the road allowing drivers to “look forward” while “staying connected”, two phrases which Harman has apparently trademarked.  [Read more…] about Harman invests in Navdy to launch augmented reality displays on car windscreens

Interview with Universal Robots boss: ‘I don’t see any limits’

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Jürgen von Hollen, the new president of Universal Robots
Jürgen von Hollen, the new president of Universal Robots

In October 2016, Jürgen von Hollen joined Universal Robots as new president. After almost two months full of work, he felt that time has come to draw an initial summary. 

Here, von Hollen shares some insights on his personal impressions, his vision and the Universal robots strategy.  [Read more…] about Interview with Universal Robots boss: ‘I don’t see any limits’

Connected asparagus: Bosch outlines vision of a future with connected factories and robotic farmers

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Bosch Apas workstation, which includes a cobot the company claims is “the first collaborative robot to be certified as an assistance system”

One of the world’s largest engineering companies, Bosch, has outlined its vision of the future, which includes a world full of smart factories, robotic farmers and connected asparagus. 

Bosch made its views available to Robotics and Automation News in a series of documents sent to us this week.

The company believes two main areas of technological development stand out from the rest: connectivity and sensors.  [Read more…] about Connected asparagus: Bosch outlines vision of a future with connected factories and robotic farmers

Apple more or less confirms autonomous car project in letter to US government

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By David Shepardson, Reuters

Apple is wading in to the debate over regulation of self-driving cars, declaring it is excited about the potential for automated transportation and calling on US regulators not to restrict testing of such vehicles.

A five-page letter from Steve Kenner, Apple’s director of product integrity, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the company’s most comprehensive statement yet about its interest in self-driving vehicle technology.

The November 22 letter followed more than a year of industry speculation about the computer and iPhone maker’s plans for expanding into transportation.  [Read more…] about Apple more or less confirms autonomous car project in letter to US government

China to publish standards to regulate industrial robot industry

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china robot conference 2016

The Chinese government is to publish technical standards to regulate its growing industrial robot manufacturing sector, according to a report on China.org.cn. 

Speaking at the 2016 China Robot Industry Conference on Wednesday, the deputy director of the Ministry of Industry’s Equipment Industry Department, Sun Feng, says the standards will cover aspects such as product quality, research and development capabilities, staff qualifications, sales practices and social responsibility.

The website also reports that Sun said the ministry will also launch pilot projects for service robots and set standards for those as well.  [Read more…] about China to publish standards to regulate industrial robot industry

Industry 4.0: 
Airgate develops connectivity solution for Universal industrial robots

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airgate for universal robots

If you are one of the many companies and people who have recently bought a cobot from Universal Robots, you may be asking yourself, “What if we could always get in touch with our UR robots, anywhere, anytime – from any device?”

That was the question Airgate, a Danish developer of customized IoT solutions, often encountered when talking to distributors and end users of UR robots.

Airgate had developed a GSM modem solution, ARCS basic, that provides a simple remote monitoring of the UR robots by sending text messages to the robot operator when the robot exceeded defined limits such as running out of material or stopping work unexpectedly.  [Read more…] about Industry 4.0: 
Airgate develops connectivity solution for Universal industrial robots