Manufacturing

In this Q&A, Vincent Guo from Siemens Digital Industries Software discusses how digital twins, augmented reality, and virtual reality can help production environments with productivity and social distancing.

ABB has expanded its Wizard Easy Programming tool to its IRB 1100 industrial robot range to make it easier to install, program, and operate robots without specialized training.

WiBotic, which has developed wireless charging systems for mobile robots, aerial drones, and lunar systems, has joined the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute.

Sierra Ventures and Orbital Ventures have led the $10.75 million Series A financing round for Akasha Imaging, which is developing deep imaging technology to help robots see fine details.

Mech-Mind Robotics, which combines 3D vision, deep learning, and motion planning to make industrial automation more intelligent, has raised nearly $15 million to accelerate development and marketing.

Comau said its new MATE-XT exoskeleton is designed to be resistant to environmental conditions, is EWS-certified for reducing biomechanical risk, and can provide a demonstrable ROI.

In his RoboBusiness Direct session, Matthew Robinson, ROS-Americas program manager at the Southwest Research Institute, will discuss how the Robot Operating System can aid safe advanced automation. In addition, a DreamVu robotics expert will break out how omnidirectional 3D vision can benefit disinfection robots.

The Compact Interior Painting Station enables automotive manufacturers to reduce the size of their vehicle interior painting stations by one third, while saving costs and making facilities more sustainable, said ABB.

MGS, a contract manufacturer for a major European medical device maker, turned to Stäubli robots to support automated inspection of single-use catheters.

Rapid Robotics has raised seed funding as it works on the Rapid Machine Operator, which it claims does not require expensive integration and can help U.S. manufacturers “close the automation gap.”

Robotics investments slowed somewhat in October 2020, but transportation, healthcare, and software remained strong.

Fictiv’s three-part engineering Masterclass series is intended to show engineers how to minimize CNC machining challenges and design parts for optimal production quality, speed, and cost.

OSARO is working to combine its AI software for piece picking with INNOTECH’s product expertise in a mobile robot to serve supply chains and manufacturing.

With less than a week to go before the U.S. presidential election, and in a year when supply chain and manufacturing have been front and center, CEOs of manufacturing companies are calling for both candidates to promote innovation, technology, and automation. I spoke to more than a dozen CEOs and largely found frustration with both…

Despite economic hardships imposed by trade wars and the COVID-19 pandemic, robotics startups can benefit from digital manufacturing ecosystem, according to a RoboBusiness Direct speaker.

VW Commercial Vehicles plans to deploy 800 ABB industrial robots to support its transition to electric vehicles in the plant for its ID. Buzz van.

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute has selected eight new projects focusing on high-value ways to empower U.S. manufacturers using robotics and automation.

Telerobotics is offering different industries new benefits, such as social distancing and safety for manufacturing and remote surgeries in healthcare, writes Energid’s Neil Tardella.

Kespry said its Kespry Perception Analytics cloud-based system is designed for industries including chemicals, pulp and paper, energy, food and beverage, and ports.

In September 2020, healthcare robotics, drones for inspection, and industrial automation received funding, but transactions slowed for autonomous vehicle developers.

Although industrial automation did not grow as much worldwide in 2019 as in 2018, it still set records, reported the International Federation of Robotics. The IFR also looked at regional growth.

Omnirobotic, which has been developing a “cognitive engine” for general manufacturing, raised $5 million toward further developing and commercializing its Omniscanner and Omnibrain AI platform.