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MDA recognized by Nasa for robotic servicing of International Space Station

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nasa ssl robotic spacecraft to fix satellites
Artist’s illustration of the robotic spacecraft which will float around in space, fixing satellites. Picture courtesy of SSL

MDA US Systems, a division of MDA managed by SSL, has been recognized by Nasa’s Johnson Space Center for its “outstanding support” of a robotic upgrade to the International Space Station’s power system which took place in January.

The MDA team based in Houston played a critical role in planning and validating the robotic maneuvering both before and during the mission.

Nasa JSC ground controllers used the 15-degrees-of-freedom Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator (Dextre) arm to install six new 430-pound lithium-ion batteries in two power channel integrated electronics assembly pallets.

Dextre first removed 12 older and depleted 740-pound nickel-hydrogen batteries from the pallets, nine of which were put on the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle’s external pallet to burn up on re-entry with it.  [Read more…] about MDA recognized by Nasa for robotic servicing of International Space Station

KernPack signs exclusive distribution deal with robotics experts Skilled Group

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kernpack industrial robot small

Signs exclusive distribution deal with robotics and laser guided vehicle specialist Skilled Group

KernPack, a distributor of specialist packaging machinery and solutions, has signed an exclusive UK and Ireland distribution deal with Skilled Group, enabling it to sell the company’s complete range of robotic palletising systems and automatic guided vehicles.

Part of KernPack’s strategy to widen its capabilities, by adding end-of-line warehouse automation to its packaging and mailing solutions, the deal also takes the company into the warehouse and logistics market.

Designed for automated warehousing and truck loading, Skilled Group’s products are already used around the world by Bridgestone, Coca-Cola, Nestlè, Kraft, Unilever and Johnson & Johnson in installations costing up to €10m.

The company’s wide range of robotic equipment includes articulated robotic arms, gantry and SCARA robots for the automatic palletising of products or pallet handling and automatic guided vehicles, or AGVs, for any situation where a traditional forklift truck is used.  [Read more…] about KernPack signs exclusive distribution deal with robotics experts Skilled Group

Echord++ produces new video showcasing its robotics research and development facilities

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The European Coordination Hub for Open Robotics Development has been showcasing its innovation facilities through a new video.

The organisation likes to be known as Echord++ and offers funding to develop robotics technology for real use-cases.

The new video provides an insight of the group’s robotics innovation facilities, their technical equipment, application domains and services.  [Read more…] about Echord++ produces new video showcasing its robotics research and development facilities

Robot ethics: Three things industry can learn from new robotic standards

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Ethical robots

Graham Mackrell, managing director of robotic gearing specialist Harmonic Drive UK, explains the three things industry can take away from the new standard

The British Standards Institute recently released a new set of standards for the ethical design of robots and robotic devices.

The standards highlight the growing need for guidelines on robotic safety, contact with human beings, robotic deception, addiction and possible sexism or racism exhibited by self-learning artificial intelligence systems.

When science fiction writer Isaac Asimov wrote about the three laws of robotics in his book Runaround in 1942, little did he know they would one day become a reality for a world filled with robots.

From automated manufacturing plants, medical and pharmaceutical applications to military, agricultural and automotive systems, robots are everywhere in our modern world.  [Read more…] about Robot ethics: Three things industry can learn from new robotic standards

ABB buys digital inspection specialist Nub3D

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nub3d

ABB has acquired Spanish startup Nub3D, which specialises in 3D inspection and quality-control solutions.

The company says the acquisition expands the group’s portfolio of ABB Ability solutions that connect customers to the industrial Internet of Things.

ABB Ability builds on the intelligent cloud, using connected devices to generate actionable digital information for a broad range of customers.

The financial value of the transaction has not been disclosed.  [Read more…] about ABB buys digital inspection specialist Nub3D

ST Robotics launches new ‘super-fast’ industrial robot arm for $18,000

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ST R17HS

ST Robotics has launched what it says is a high speed version of their five-axis vertically articulated R17 robot arm.

The company says its new machine compares favourably to the Universal Robots UR5 model.

ST claims its new ST R17HS is one of the industry’s fastest robots. Standard tool speed is “over four times as fast as the nearest competitor”, yet it’s less than half the price, says the company.  [Read more…] about ST Robotics launches new ‘super-fast’ industrial robot arm for $18,000

Flexpoint and noDNA agree partnership on sensors

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flexpoint bendsensor

Flexpoint Sensor Systems says it has received new purchase orders from major European distributor

Flexpoint Sensor Systems and one of Germany’s best known robotics component specialists noDNA, have agreed a new reseller-distributor relationship.

noDNA is said to be one of the biggest sources for robotics and robotics components, as well as 3D printing and electronics in Europe.

More than an e-commerce powerhouse, noDNA supports their customers with tremendous access to products and educational materials.  [Read more…] about Flexpoint and noDNA agree partnership on sensors

Comau agrees new distribution partnership with South Korean company

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comau snj robotics deal

​Comau has selected SNJ Robotics as an official distributor in South Korea.

SNJ will offer the full robotics portfolio, representing the Comau brand and providing local customers with top level services.

In a joint statement, the three key people involved in the deal say they are looking forward to “this important step for both companies”.  [Read more…] about Comau agrees new distribution partnership with South Korean company

MassRobotics opens shared robotics innovation space

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Emerging robotics startups now have a space to call their own in Massachusetts.

MassRobotics, an independent, non-profit hub serving to inspire and bring robotics startups, initiatives and investments to life, is opening its initial office, laboratory and test space.

The collaborative workspace includes the labs and equipment needed to help young robotics companies develop and scale their concepts and prototypes.  [Read more…] about MassRobotics opens shared robotics innovation space