Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.84
October 27, 2021
…because there are much larger setup costs with many robots, and modifications can be very expensive. Conversely, a semi-automated approach for the facility like the one I supervise in Mexico, a low-cost country, can facilitate innovation rather than impede it. Light adaptable automation such as collaborative robots can assist in production processes, increasing product quality while maintaining the flexibility needed for innovative changes by operators. It is important to consider the restraints to innovation that more expensive heavier automation can create. My take on automation Technological advancements have allowed for manufacturing automation that has undoubtedly been an industry-changing development. Take…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 21.92
October 27, 2021
Growing numbers of mobile robots in warehouses and elsewhere have raised concerns about interoperability among systems from multiple vendors, as well as with facility infrastructure and enterprise software. One effort has its roots in the open-source community and the healthcare industry. The Open Robotics Middleware Framework, or Open-RMF, is designed to coordinate fleets of robots with typical use cases and integrate them with elevators and other systems. “As more diverse robots are being deployed around the world, there is a growing need for specialized robots from different developers to be able to communicate with each other. A lingua robotica, if…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 24.69
October 15, 2021
MEMPHIS—As more robots from multiple vendors enter warehouses and other facilities, the need for them to work together becomes increasingly important for operators to realize the benefits of automation. Most of the discussions around interoperability have been theoretical—until now. Yesterday at the FedEx DART research and development center here, Vecna Robotics, Waypoint Robotics, and WiBotic successfully demonstrated MassRobotics' new standard for communications. The demonstration was part of the Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) and Logistics Conference held by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). While several organizations have recognized the need for interoperability among AMRs, yesterday's demonstration was the first time…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 25.96
October 12, 2021
…relatively few tools for scaling and managing their growing robot fleets. InOrbit has responded with its cloud-based robot operations or RobOps software. The company today announced the launch of its Developer Portal, its InOrbit Ecosystem of partners, and a collaboration with AI-based management platform provider 634AI. “Our whole reason for existence is to accelerate adoption of robotics,” said Florian Pestoni, co-founder and CEO of InOrbit. “We want to bring the community together and offer tools for it to get cranking right away.” “When you launch development tools— what's amazing for me is that you think people will use them in…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 9.60
October 10, 2021
…cellar or reorganizing the garage. That said, many reverse-logistics operations remain primarily manual, noted Chris Rowland, director of solutions consulting at Honeywell Intelligrated. But manual processing is in the early stages of turning to automation, according to industry experts interviewed for this article. “Automation in reverse logistics is not just a trend, it’s a reality,” explained Monty McVaugh, manager of the product management group at OPEX. He cited several factors beyond the increasing number of returns as e-commerce grows. Increased volume requires increased speed of processing returns, and automation is just faster than manual operations, said McVaugh. Furthermore, labor continues…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 8.14
October 08, 2021
…that empowers our customers to fully leverage their warehouse operations to ensure an efficient, reliable, and sustainable supply chain.” “Now, in partnership with GEODIS and Bastian Solutions, we're proud to continue empowering retailers with a system that delivers the highest throughput globally,” he added. Founded in 1996, AutoStore claimed that it invented cube storage automation. The Nedre Vats, Norway-based company has more than 600 automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) installed in over 30 countries. In April, SoftBank Group Corp. acquired a 40% stake in AutoStore for $2.8 billion. AutoStore Bins are stacked vertically in a grid and retrieved by…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 35.94
October 05, 2021
…will be a roundtable on interoperability for autonomous mobile robots. Many autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) entering warehouses and other environments are managed by vendor-provided software and connect with other enterprise systems. However, concerns about interoperability have arisen as fleets expand and different robots from multiple vendors need to collaborate with one another, as well as human workers. “We're very active in the AMR space, as well as logistics,” said Florian Pestoni, CEO of InOrbit, who will be among the panelists. “That space has been on fire with investments and acquisitions. In the past, companies said, 'This could work,' but now…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.78
October 05, 2021
…the world to our customers’ doorsteps,” said Mike Roche, operations managing director of FedEx Express Ireland. “I’m delighted that this drone delivery trial is under way and an example of how we, as an industry, continue to explore new technology to help meet our customers’ evolving delivery needs.” Partners look to develop BVLOS operations In May, FMCI, Skyports, Avtrain, and Shannon Group partnered to work toward launching an operational vertiport at Shannon’s FMCI campus in 2022. They said they plan to encourage research and development, as well as and investment in Ireland’s advanced aerial mobility (AAM) industry. This will lead…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.33
October 05, 2021
…portfolio and integration services for supply chain and manufacturing operations at the first-ever global Automate! conference on Oct. 6. As supply chains grow more complex, Körber said it “provides a broad range of proven, end-to-end supply chain solutions fitting any business size, strategy or appetite for growth.” These offerings include software, automation, voice, robotics, and materials handling technologies. The supply chain business area is a part of The Körber Group in Hamburg, Germany. Körber at Elevate APAC “The past 18 months have been challenging for retailers and logistics providers worldwide,” stated Nishan Wijemanne, managing director of software for APAC at…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 20.00
October 05, 2021
Mobile Industrial Robots ApS today announced a partnership with CSi palletising, a Netherlands-based integrator that provides full end-of-line palletizing systems to some of the world’s largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. The first offering from this collaboration includes CSi palletising’s high-level infeed layer palletizer integrated with the new MiR1350 autonomous mobile robots to help fully automate the transport of heavy pallets of materials within CPG/FMCG facilities. “Inflexible infrastructures, often including conveyors that are difficult to relocate when facility needs change, are truly a thing of the past, and for this reason, we had been seeking…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 26.60
October 04, 2021
…how people and machines work together. The number of robots installed in factories more than doubled in 10 years, reaching about 3 million units worldwide in 2020, according to the International Federation of Robotics. The IFR last week said it has researched how robotics training can shape workforce education and enhance skills development, both now and in the future. “Automating dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks is changing job profiles of factory workers for the better,” said Milton Guerry, president of the IFR. “Academies run by robot manufacturers play a key role in making this transition possible. Employers send thousands of…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 21.31
September 30, 2021
…to help workers and companies with packaging applications. AA20 Group AAA20 Group LLC demonstrated its subscription-based collaborative robots with a robotic palletizer designed to work alongside human staffers by automatically stacking boxes onto the pallet for transportation. Robotics as a service (RaaS), particularly for end-of-line palletizing, is growing quickly in the packaging industry, according to the Las Vegas-based company. It has a program that includes full financing without any long-term commitments. “By utilizing RaaS, growing companies can reallocate their workforce toward higher level activities, and as a result, conserve valuable working capital,” said Karen Mallouk, co-founder of AAA20 Group. “Our…
