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Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines give Glad Group a winning edge

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Building services contractors are strengthening their cleaning capabilities in the retail sector, among others, with ever-improving robotics technology.

At a time when hygiene, efficiency and the smart use of labour have never been more important in the building services space, the case for robotic cleaning machines is clear.

Robotic floor scrubbers, in particular, are increasingly in demand. Widely used in American retail chains such as Walmart, there is growing interest in Australia for the autonomous solutions in shopping centres, commercial offices and industrial sites.

“We’re experiencing a lot of interest from the retail space, especially,” says Dave Miller, national head of strategic accounts at Tennant. “Robotics had a foray into the Australian market about four years ago, but the machines weren’t where they needed to be. Now Tennant has come into the market a little later but with machines that can do the job.” [Read more…] about Tennant’s robotic cleaning machines give Glad Group a winning edge

Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling

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In the warehouse, robots aren’t replacing workers. They’re playing a vital role in keeping the supply chain from completely toppling, says Mike Futch, CEO of Tompkins Robotics

What do robotics look like in the modern world of warehousing and distribution?

If you’re like many, you might envision a large, heavy, steel system that’s bolted to the floor, with an arm twirling in a repetitive motion performing some task of sorting or tagging. The machine is stationary. It stays in one spot, performing the same function, day after day.

Let me tell you: That’s your grandad’s robotics. Today, the supply chain relies on a growing fleet of small, automated robots that are portable, scalable and modular. They’re also configurable, so their jobs can change as needed by their users, whether it’s warehouses and distributors, retailers, manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, freight shippers and so on. [Read more…] about Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling

Taking Control of Your Own Vehicle Repairs

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Keeping your car on the road is very important to most people. No matter how much you drive, you need to make sure that you have a car that is always reliable, but this isn’t always easy to achieve in the modern world.

DIY vehicle repairs can save a lot of money, making this a good choice for anyone who has a little bit of mechanical knowledge and wants to take it further.

Of course, though, there are challenges that come with taking control of your own vehicle repairs, and this makes it worth taking the time to learn about this work before you get started. [Read more…] about Taking Control of Your Own Vehicle Repairs

Honda tests prototype autonomous vehicle at Black & Veatch solar construction site

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Honda and Black & Veatch say they have successfully tested the prototype Honda “Autonomous Work Vehicle” at a Black & Veatch construction site in New Mexico. (See video below.)

During the month-long field test, the second-generation prototype of the fully-electric Honda AWV performed a range of functions at a large-scale solar energy construction project, including towing activities and transporting construction materials, water, and other supplies to pre-set destinations within the work site.

While Honda previously performed testing with an earlier generation of the Honda AWV, this field test was the first to deploy multiple units working collaboratively to support construction use cases. [Read more…] about Honda tests prototype autonomous vehicle at Black & Veatch solar construction site

International Examples Give Inspiration to American Industry

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American automation has, over recent years, come to somewhat of a standstill.

The impact of the international coronavirus pandemic clearly illustrated this; NASDAQ highlights how industrial production dropped to a ten year low, with only the arrival of new automation tools creating any sort of relief within the industry.

The need for automation is clear, as the impact of a total industrial shutdown causes far more harm to the economy and jobs than the jobs lost to robotic and automated systems. While America might have a lot to do to catch up, other countries have carved out a trail that can provide inspiration. [Read more…] about International Examples Give Inspiration to American Industry

Main Stages in the Development of an ERP System

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In every business or company’s work process comes to the stage when handling everyday tasks like accounting, management, and other operations becomes more and more difficult. If something goes wrong or if more issues appear, the results will only disappoint.

But we live in a world where people develop new ways to systemize and organize complex work processes, which resulted in ERP system development. And now there are a lot of businesses that saw the need in using it.

In this article, we will go over what ERP software is, what its pros and cons are and what steps you’ll need to take in order to plan and create a perfect one for your company. [Read more…] about Main Stages in the Development of an ERP System

634AI and InOrbit collaborate to bring ‘more efficient’ AMR fleet management to US

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634AI, the developers of Maestro, an AI-enabled control tower for streamlining the management of industrial indoor mobility, has agreed a collaboration with InOrbit, a cloud-based management platform for robot operations at scale.

The joint solution is designed to enable a deeper understanding of the flows on industrial and warehouse floors, to support the easy integration of AMRs on work floors and optimize their activity.

Maestro is an AI powered centralized Control Tower that enables effective and harmonized indoor operations, from tracking of raw material movements and real time safety alerts for man driven vehicles, to navigation and fleet management of AMRs. [Read more…] about 634AI and InOrbit collaborate to bring ‘more efficient’ AMR fleet management to US

Ottobock acquires exoskeleton specialist suitX

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Ottobock, a developer of prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons, has acquired 100 percent of the shares in suitX, a US-based company spun out of the Robotics and Human Engineering Lab at the University of California, Berkeley.

suitX specializes in the research and development of occupational and medical exoskeletons.

Ottobock and suitX are combining their expertise and products to take the exoskeleton market to a new level and to foster the worldwide adoption of exoskeletons. [Read more…] about Ottobock acquires exoskeleton specialist suitX

Seeing the wood for the trees: Why natural feature matching navigation works so well for mobile robots

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For automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots to operate, they need to know where they are, where they need to go, and how to get there.

While simple “line following” technologies have their place, they have high installation overheads and, because they require changes to permanent infrastructure, do not lend themselves to adaptation to new requirements.

Natural feature matching navigation is based on using permanent features along the route of the AMR, is easier to install and more flexible for future needs. But how does it work and why does it work so well? [Read more…] about Seeing the wood for the trees: Why natural feature matching navigation works so well for mobile robots

Software that is Helping the Development of Robotics

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Are robotics something to get excited about?

When we think of robotics, we think of terminator, C3PO, and Wall-E, but there is so much more to it than just our beloved fictional characters, with developments in robotics having real-world consequences. Over the past few decades, the explosion in robotic technology has meant that we have been able to put a rover on Mars and send probes into deep space.

These robots of the future are not your stereotypical robots from pop culture, but they are incredible nonetheless and will change the world we know forever. We have passed the point of no return, and with the development of AI coming along too, things are really heating up. [Read more…] about Software that is Helping the Development of Robotics