Robotics & Automation News

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Carnegie Mellon develops robots that ‘learn household tasks by watching humans’

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By Aaron Aupperlee

Novel method developed by Carnegie Mellon University researchers enables robots to ‘learn in the wild’

The robot watched as Shikhar Bahl opened the refrigerator door. It recorded his movements, the swing of the door, the location of the fridge and more, analyzing this data and readying itself to mimic what Bahl had done.

It failed at first, missing the handle completely at times, grabbing it in the wrong spot or pulling it incorrectly. But after a few hours of practice, the robot succeeded and opened the door.

“Imitation is a great way to learn,” says Bahl, a PhD student at the Robotics Institute (RI) in Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science. “Having robots actually learn from directly watching humans remains an unsolved problem in the field, but this work takes a significant step in enabling that ability.” [Read more…] about Carnegie Mellon develops robots that ‘learn household tasks by watching humans’

5 Modern Technologies Improving Workplace Safety

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Top 5 Types of Technology to Keep Workplaces Safe



Workplace safety should be at the forefront of business owners’ minds and the employees who work at these places.

There are a lot of industries that you traditionally think of as being dangerous, especially industrial plants and factories, but the reality is that accidents can happen anywhere, including seemingly unthreatening places like hotels and stores.

If you’re looking for ways to decrease the OSHA recordable incidents at your workplace, take a look at some of these technologies that are improving workplace safety. [Read more…] about 5 Modern Technologies Improving Workplace Safety

Apptronik raises $15 million for its humanoid robots

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Apptronik, an Austin-based robotics company specializing in the development of exoskeletons and collaborative robotics systems, says it raised $14.6 million in a Seed Round, including Capital Factory, Grit Ventures, Perot Jain and other strategic investors.

This funding will go toward fulfilling the company’s current customer orders while accelerating the commercialization of one of the industry’s first mass-produced humanoid robots capable of working alongside humans.

Apptronik is positioned to scale its deep portfolio of safe, intelligent, versatile, and adaptable robotic technology for unstructured environments across enterprises. [Read more…] about Apptronik raises $15 million for its humanoid robots

ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

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ABB has launched the “ABB Robotic Depalletizer”, a solution for handling complex depalletizing tasks in the logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods industries.

Using machine vision software, ABB’s new solution can quickly assess a wide variety of box types, enabling customers to efficiently process assorted loads with very little engineering effort and short set-up time.

Marc Segura, ABB’s Robotics division president, says: “Changes in consumer behavior are leading to a rise in new sales channels such as omni-channel, direct to consumer and e-commerce. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users

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Flexiv, which claims to be “the world’s leading general-purpose robotics company”, has released its Robotic Development Kit (RDK).

Describing it as “a leap forward in how robots are programmed and managed”, Flexiv says the RDK provides users with a powerful toolkit that can enhance how their robot works.

The RDK utilises customizable, easy-to-use APIs so users can completely control an adaptive robot and make instant program modifications or integrate external hardware and software effortlessly. [Read more…] about Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users

What Are the Advantages of Automating Business Processes?

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There was a time when certain things and technologies seemed impossible but those things and technologies are a reality in today’s world. Technology is evolving so fast and new advancements are made so rapidly that what was considered impossible a few years ago is a reality now.

The latest technologies are used by businesses to perform various things to increase their efficiency. Out of various uses of technologies, one of the most common uses is for automation of various processes.

Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of businesses that are using technology to automate their processes. [Read more…] about What Are the Advantages of Automating Business Processes?

How Can Robots Help to Improve Efficiency in Logistics Operations?

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This is a big question for the logistics industry, is it possible to improve efficiency with robotics in the logistics industry?

Well, the answer to this question is not simple because logistics is different from other industries, and unlike other industries, it is not always clear how robots can offer their services in the logistics process.

But we are seeing an increase in the number of robots being used in the logistics industry which means that after all, robots can offer their services in this industry. [Read more…] about How Can Robots Help to Improve Efficiency in Logistics Operations?

What Are the Benefits of Network Automation to IT Companies?

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In the past few years, we have seen huge advancements in the field of technology and everything has changed drastically because of these technological advancements and networking is no different, it has become complex in the past few years owing to rapid technological advancement and changes.

Due to networks becoming increasingly complex, it has been difficult for companies to operate without automation.

Network automation is the process of automating different tasks such as configuring, provisioning, managing, and testing network equipment using the latest technology. [Read more…] about What Are the Benefits of Network Automation to IT Companies?

Comau and IUVO design new wearable robots to support manual work

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Comau and IUVO are developing an innovative wearable robotics solution to improve the ergonomics of operators engaged in manually moving loads at Esselunga, a leading large-scale retail trade company. The aim is to improve well-being by reducing lower back fatigue.

The action of the exoskeleton will assist the back muscles that are typically stimulated during lifting and handling tasks, thus creating short- and long-term benefits through a significant reduction in physical effort and fatigue.

There are three protagonists of the project. Comau’s role is to lead the engineering process related to the new exoskeletal device for lumbar support. IUVO’s design team will specialize in the conception, development and testing of wearable robotic technologies. [Read more…] about Comau and IUVO design new wearable robots to support manual work

Robotic Resources: How Autonomous Technologies Enhance Human Capabilities

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By Jeff Weiland, LG Business Solutions USA

Ever since the first modern robots were developed in the 1950s, the public’s fascination with autonomous machines has varied from excitement and hope to hesitance and fear, and everything in between.

In the following decades, single-purpose robots began showing up on factory floors and in mailrooms, and average citizens grew more comfortable and familiar with digital technologies forming a central part of home life.

While the dancing, jumping, self-navigating robots of today were still decades away, the controversy then was much the same: workers worried that machines might eliminate their jobs. [Read more…] about Robotic Resources: How Autonomous Technologies Enhance Human Capabilities