Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Using IDS cameras in fully automated wood parts inspection process

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You always need and see them everywhere: in metalworking, on the construction site, in almost every toolbox… the good old hand brush.

Whether classic all-purpose brushes or brushes for special applications, the German-based company Lessmann GmbH has virtually all of them in its range.

The shape is varied, from straight to ergonomic. But they all have one thing in common: The wooden bodies are made exclusively from untreated red beech. Depending on the model, they also have two hanging holes at the end of the handle.

Production is fully automatic and highly rational. In order to ensure its own claim to the excellent quality of the hand brush woods, Lessmann has been relying on classic image processing for many years. [Read more…] about Using IDS cameras in fully automated wood parts inspection process

A system for designing and training intelligent soft robots

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‘Evolution Gym’ is a large-scale benchmark for co-optimizing the design and control of soft robots that takes inspiration from nature and evolutionary processes

Let’s say you wanted to build the world’s best stair-climbing robot. You’d need to optimize for both the brain and the body, perhaps by giving the bot some high-tech legs and feet, coupled with a powerful algorithm to help enable the climb.

Although design of the physical body and its brain, the “control”, are key ingredients to letting the robot move, existing benchmark environments favor only the latter. Co-optimizing for both elements is hard – it takes a lot of time to train various robot simulations to do different things, even without the design element.

Scientists from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), aimed to fill the gap by designing “Evolution Gym”, a large-scale testing system for co-optimizing the design and control of soft robots, taking inspiration from nature and evolutionary processes. [Read more…] about A system for designing and training intelligent soft robots

Roam Robotics launches ‘smart knee’, a robotic partial exoskeleton

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Roam Robotics, an artificial intelligence and wearable robotics company, has launched its Ascend product, a “first-of-its-kind smart knee orthosis that helps wearers reduce knee pain and regain mobility”, according to the company.

Ascend’s technology is actively adapting, meaning it senses the body’s movement, automatically adjusts to the wearer’s needs, and provides precise support at the right moment for target muscle groups.

It is a registered Class I device with the FDA and will be available for purchase directly and through private and Medicare insurance, radically expanding public accessibility to wearable robotic devices. [Read more…] about Roam Robotics launches ‘smart knee’, a robotic partial exoskeleton

Nissan uses robotic and 3D printing technologies to expand heritage parts range

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Nissan says it will utilize its new technologies to bring to the Japan market additional parts in its NISMO Heritage Parts program, a series of genuine repair and replacement parts for discontinued vehicles.

The new technologies include dual-sided dieless forming for body panels and 3D printing for resin parts.

Nissan unveiled dual-sided dieless forming technology in 2019 as a method to produce body panels in low volumes. [Read more…] about Nissan uses robotic and 3D printing technologies to expand heritage parts range

Things You Should Know About Humanoids

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Back in the days, it was hard to imagine that we’d be making and using robots and artificial intelligence. But now, it’s 2021, and we’re enjoying the perks of the advancements in our technology.

These creations have made things so convenient for us. We may be far from living like the Jetsons yet, but the innovations we experience today is already something. [Read more…] about Things You Should Know About Humanoids

Kuka wins ‘major contract’ from Mercedes

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Kuka says it has won what it describes as a “major contract” for body-in-white production from Mercedes-Benz. Body-in-white is the stage in automobile manufacturing in which a car body’s frame has been joined together – before the engine and anything else has been installed, or the body painted.

Kuka says it was able to convince the German premium car manufacturer of the deal towards the end of last year.

The order from Mercedes-Benz is for the engineering and construction, as well as the assembly and commissioning, of several body-in-white production lines. In the future, various vehicle models will be produced in this way. [Read more…] about Kuka wins ‘major contract’ from Mercedes

Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton

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Comau Robotics has unveiled a new “lightweight, ruggedized” version of its exoskeleton.

The new Mate-XT wearable exoskeleton “fully accommodates the specific needs of workers in demanding industrial, non-industrial and open-air environments”, says Comau.

Featuring a slim, lightweight carbon fiber structure and an intuitive regulation system, the water, dust, UV-light and temperature resistant design can be quickly adjusted to fit virtually any body frame. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton

Kuka receives ‘major order’ from VW for production of ID.Buzz

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Kuka has received what it describes as a “major order” for body-in-white production robots and systems of the ID.Buzz from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

VW is focusing on electromobility and with the ID.Buzz brings its classic, the Bulli, to the road as a fully electric version.

Kuka is responsible for the planning, delivery, assembly and commissioning of a fully automated body shop system for the underbody of the all-electric ID.Buzz. [Read more…] about Kuka receives ‘major order’ from VW for production of ID.Buzz

Comau robots ‘proud’ to have built new Fiat 500

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Comau Robotics says it is “proud” to have participated in the production of the New 500, the latest version of the Fiat 500, first unveiled in 1957 and today one of the most popular cars ever to have been released.

Comau says it has provided its parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the Fiat brand with advanced automation solutions and its know-how in the development of “innovative industrial processes” to produce FCA’s first fully electric vehicle, a “Made in Turin” product.

The path started symbolically in July 2019 with the installation of the first Comau robot, which initiated the production line of the new full-electric model inside FCA’s historic Mirafiori plant. [Read more…] about Comau robots ‘proud’ to have built new Fiat 500

Volkswagen orders staggering 800 ABB robots to build its new electric vehicles

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ABB has received a massive order for 800 industrial robots from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to support production of a new generation of electric vehicles at its plant in Hannover, Germany.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is modernizing its Hannover factory and is installing state-of-the-art facilities to build the all-electric ID.

Buzz van, which will begin production in 2022. ABB’s robots will be installed in the body shop to undertake a range of body construction tasks. [Read more…] about Volkswagen orders staggering 800 ABB robots to build its new electric vehicles