Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

platform

Nonwoven materials event INDEX opens after 18-month wait

by

INDEX20 opened its doors this week, after an 18-month wait, delighted to welcome the nonwoven industry back to Geneva with open arms. The exhibition floor was bustling with activity and anticipation at the prospect of new business.  

Over 500 exhibitors from 44 countries were present at the event, premiering their latest innovations. Organisers say the resounding message from the event was one of “a positive outcome and an inspiring vision” of the industry’s future across the spectrum of applications sectors.

The industry continued to evolve dramatically during the pandemic, and expectations were high as players from across the industry worldwide came together for the first time since 2017. Exhibitors said their expectations were exceeded, citing the high quality of the visitors present, converging on INDEX to conclude new business projects. [Read more…] about Nonwoven materials event INDEX opens after 18-month wait

Symbio Robotics unveils software update to ‘further modernize manufacturing assembly’

by

Symbio Robotics, the provider of a platform that enables AI-powered automation solutions, launched SymbioDCS 2.0, which the company describes as “a major update” to the company’s flagship middleware and python programming framework.

With a streamlined automation solution development and deployment process, the updated platform contains a series of breakthrough features to support accelerated electric vehicle timelines and emissions-reduction goals by automakers through real-time robot-controlled apps such as insertion, fastening, and moving lines.

Max Reynolds, Symbio CEO and co-founder, says: “The demand for Symbio’s technology continues to increase as mounting pressure on automotive companies to change their factory footprint and increase production of EVs grows. The recent Ford and GM announcements to put billions into EV-focused factories is hard evidence of this. [Read more…] about Symbio Robotics unveils software update to ‘further modernize manufacturing assembly’

Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

by

Software AG has launched an app to automate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculation for its Cumulocity IoT platform.

The new app will enable manufacturers of any size to collect and process key data as it’s created and quickly understand production effectiveness.

By monitoring production line availability, performance and quality, organizations can be more responsive to inefficiencies in their operations, enabling them to avert problems and capitalize on opportunities to be more effective. [Read more…] about Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

by

Baidu has launched testing of its Apollo Go in Shanghai, marking the fifth city where passengers have the ability to trial the robotaxi mobile platform. Baidu is the only company to offer this service in the three first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The Shanghai operation will include 150 stations opened in phases throughout the city to provide users convenient access to residential areas, commercial areas, offices and public transportation. Passengers can use the service from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm every day of the week.

This launch comes on the heels of another milestone for Baidu Apollo – the expansion of Apollo Go to Tongzhou District in Beijing, where the service will enable residents and visitors of the suburb to experience travel in an autonomous vehicle. [Read more…] about Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

Fuzzy Logic Robotics raises €2.5 million to ‘put robots in the hands of operators’

by

The Franco-American start-up Fuzzy Logic Robotics announces a €2.5 million seed round of financing from two European “deeptech” funds: 42CAP, an industry-specialized German fund based in Munich, and Karista (via the Paris Region Venture Fund), an early-stage VC firm based in Paris.

Fuzzy Logic, which originated in the French start-up ecosystem (Agoranov and Wilco), is developing an “all-in-one” software platform that dramatically simplifies every step of robotization, from robotic cell design to daily reprogramming in the factory by operators.

It reproduces a virtual environment in which the robot in the factory can be controlled “on the fly” and as simply as a video game. [Read more…] about Fuzzy Logic Robotics raises €2.5 million to ‘put robots in the hands of operators’

Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

by

Qualcomm says it has unleashed “a new era of autonomous drone capabilities” with what it says is the world’s first 5G and AI-enabled drone platform.

The company says its Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform accelerates and scales development for drone manufacturers to deliver powerful, purpose-built enterprise and industrial 5G drones.

Following the success of the Ingenuity Helicopter on Mars as a key breakthrough for unmanned flight powered by the Qualcomm Flight Platform, Qualcomm Technologies continues its drone endeavours by unveiling the world’s first drone platform and reference design to offer both 5G and AI-capabilities, the Qualcomm Flight RB5 5G Platform. [Read more…] about Qualcomm launches ‘world’s first’ 5G and AI-enabled drone platform

ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

by

Industrial automation giant ABB has launched a virtual technical assistance support service.

With the theme of “A problem shared” – the new virtual assistance support service from ABB provides instant access to virtual face to face expert technical advice.

Getting to grips with robotic automation is “now even easier” with the launch of ABB’s Virtual Assistance support service, says the company. [Read more…] about ABB launches virtual technical assistance support service

Pratt & Whitney selects Webcon to accelerate digital transformation

by

Pratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacturing and service of aircraft and helicopter engines and auxiliary power units, has chosen Webcon BPS as its enterprise-grade, low-code process management and automation platform to digitalize business processes and accelerate its digital transformation to align with the new remote work reality.

Jocelyn Brulé, Pratt & Whitney digital technology manager, says: “As an industry leader, we must not only ensure operational efficiency, but also focus on innovation. Therefore, for many years we have been using low-code platforms to digitize business processes.

“Webcon BPS, used in our Polish division, was one of them. Due to the efficiency, transparency and speed by which we’ve been able to use it to deliver business applications, and how easily the platform enables change management, we decided to roll it out globally. [Read more…] about Pratt & Whitney selects Webcon to accelerate digital transformation

Kanglim invests in Ridecell and forms partnership to create IoT platform for industrial vehicles

by

Kanglim, a South Korean builder of specialty industrial vehicles, has formed a strategic alliance with Ridecell, a provider of a platform for fleet-driven businesses.

Ridecell will collaborate with Kanglim to develop an IoT automation and mobility platform for specialty industrial vehicle fleets.

Kanglim’s vehicles include industrial cranes, fire trucks, electrical work vehicles, aerial platforms, military and police equipment, and pump vehicles. [Read more…] about Kanglim invests in Ridecell and forms partnership to create IoT platform for industrial vehicles

Yandex partners with Grubhub to operate delivery robots on college campuses

by

Yandex Self-Driving Group, an autonomous vehicles developer owned by Russia’s largest internet search engine company, has agreed a multi-year partnership with Grubhub, an online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform on college campuses.

The partnership between Grubhub and Yandex SDG will create faster and more cost-effective deliveries on college campuses in the United States.

Yandex autonomous delivery robots will join Grubhub’s robust food delivery platform built specifically for life on campus. [Read more…] about Yandex partners with Grubhub to operate delivery robots on college campuses