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IoT ‘transforming’ industrial robotics market, says report

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industrial robots

Sharmila Annaswamy, industrial automation and process control research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, provides an exclusive insight of the impact of industrial robots on manufacturing and how the IoT is changing everything 

During the last decade, the advent of robotics has phenomenally transformed the industrial sector in terms of manufacturing capability.

They are traditionally used to carry out tasks that are complex, repetitive or hazardous to enhance productivity, quality and reduce operational costs for the manufacturers.

However, the industrial robotics market is going through a phase of transformation driven by Industrial Internet of Things.

But the challenges in integrating and programming them restrain their widespread application across verticals. [Read more…] about IoT ‘transforming’ industrial robotics market, says report

Rethink Robotics launches ‘first-of-its-kind’ software platform

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Rethink-robotics

Rethink Robotics has launched what it describes as a first-of-its-kind software platform that connects everything in a smart factory.

The collaborative industrial robot maker says the extensible software is “redefining automation deployments and providing a gateway to the factory of the future”.

Rethink Robotics calls its software platform Intera 5, and says it “connects everything from a single robot controller, extending the smart, flexible power of Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer to the entire work cell and simplifying automation with unparalleled ease of deployment”.

Built on the backbone of the Rethink robots’ train-by-demonstration software, Intera 5 is designed to pave the way for connected manufacturing environments and helping companies build factories of the future.  [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics launches ‘first-of-its-kind’ software platform

Mecademic showcases ‘world’s smallest, most accurate’ 6-axis robot

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mecademic Meca500

A company called Mecademic is showcasing what it claims is the world’s smallest and most accurate six-axis robot. 

The Meca500 is small enough to fit into a briefcase and its makers claim that the tiny robotic arm has a repeatability of just 5 microns, or 5 millionths of a metre.

The Montreal, Canada-based Mecademic was founded by Jonathan Coulombe, who is the CEO. His co-founder was Ilian Bonev (pictured, with one of the company’s tiny robots).  [Read more…] about Mecademic showcases ‘world’s smallest, most accurate’ 6-axis robot

Piaggio, maker of Vespa, launches mobile robot as part of its newly created robotics-oriented business unit

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piaggio gita
Gita, the object-carrying mobile robot from Piaggio, being driven round the bend

Piaggio, the company behind the iconic Vespa motor bikes, is launching a cylindrical mobile robot with a carrying capacity of 40 lb 

Piaggio Group, which claims to be the largest European manufacturer of two-wheel motor vehicles such as the famous Vespa, has launched Piaggio Fast Forward, a newly-established company based in the US formed to pioneer future robotics-oriented technology.

Piaggio was founded over 130 years ago, but the company says its new division is aiming to “fundamentally rethinking the movement of people and goods”.

Michele Colaninno, chairman of PFF, says: “We have established Piaggio Fast Forward to reinvent the future of mobility and this is best accomplished with PFF as a separate entity, but with the backing and experience of the Piaggio Group. You can expect to find Piaggio Fast Forward blurring the lines between transportation, robotics, and urban environments.”  [Read more…] about Piaggio, maker of Vespa, launches mobile robot as part of its newly created robotics-oriented business unit

Smart factories to drive industrial robot market, says report

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An increasing number of industrial robots will find their way into factoring which themselves will be more well-connected, according to a new report. 

The industrial internet of things will “catalyze new business models, adoption of industrial robotics, and return on investment”, says Frost & Sullivan’s industrial automation and process control team.

Driven by the IIoT, the global market for robotics in manufacturing is steadily gathering pace, according to the study.  [Read more…] about Smart factories to drive industrial robot market, says report

Thinking about the future? Top tips for a career in robotics

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Precision gearing specialist Harmonic Drive UK has released a one-page guide giving advice for those interested in a career in robotics.

The guide details the different routes that people can take to work in the sector, routes that depart from traditional robot manufacturing.

Given the engineering skills shortage, there are many jobs available in various areas of the robotics industry.  [Read more…] about Thinking about the future? Top tips for a career in robotics

Robotic suitcases: Who needs them?

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Whenever you have a good idea, you can be sure someone, somewhere has got the same idea, and has probably already built a prototype or even a business out of it. 

In the internet age, you’ve gotta move fast if you’re going to succeed in the making business. Or maybe try and think of an entirely original idea no one can steal.

So it was that we were thinking if we could find a robotic suitcase to take on our travels this year, to industry events and such. And sure enough there’s at least three we found on the market, and probably several others we don’t know about or haven’t got time to list.  [Read more…] about Robotic suitcases: Who needs them?

Tiny chip capable of running deep neural networks could accelerate robotics development

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movidius

One of the challenges in robotics development is the fact that the computer processing required is just massive, often too much for a complex machine to handle onboard without packing very large pieces of hardware. 

One way around it has been to connect the robots up to cloud computing systems which run such things as neural networks and can remotely process data – but this is inefficient and slow.

Even if takes a few seconds to process massive quantities of data, those seconds are just too much time wasted for a machine such, for example, an autonomous car on the move – these things need to be instantaneous.  [Read more…] about Tiny chip capable of running deep neural networks could accelerate robotics development

SAP logistics boss says ‘robotics and automation are the future’

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trenitalia

The head of logistics at software giant SAP says the future of the digital supply chain is robotics and automation. 

SAP is one of the world’s largest software companies in any sector, with more than 300,000 clients in around 190 countries, and its logistics division has customers such as luxury automaker Porsche, and large transport operations such as Trenitalia.

In an interview with em360tech.com, Hans Thalbauer, SVP of extended supply chain and IoT at SAP, says industries are becoming smarter because of these technologies.

However, Thalbauer adds that robotics and automation needs to be effectively integrated into the overall business processes, otherwise they won’t work.  [Read more…] about SAP logistics boss says ‘robotics and automation are the future’

ABB to invest $90 million in new research centre in Canada

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abb montreal

Engineering giant ABB is to invest another $90 million into a research and development centre in Canada. 

The Swiss company, which also is one of the world’s biggest industrial robot manufacturers, is to establish its new North American research and development facility in Montréal.

As a result of the investment, Canadians will develop next-generation solutions for electric vehicles, says the government in a statement. [Read more…] about ABB to invest $90 million in new research centre in Canada