Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.46
September 15, 2023
…one of 21 winners of the Build Back Better Regional Challenge, which aims to boost economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaborative was awarded a $62.7 million grant to fund five regional projects focused on robotics adoption and commercialization and related workforce development. Together, these projects are designed to provide long-term opportunities for individuals, businesses, and communities in southwestern Pennsylvania to participate in its growing robotics and automation sector. The collaborative is led by a governing board co-chaired by Farnam Jahanian, president of Carnegie Mellon University, and Stefani Pashman, CEO of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.46
December 22, 2022
…Part of the move has been driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. With disruptions to the global supply chain, many manufacturers and distributors struggled to find adequate components, particularly in automotive and electronics. Now, they are looking to have more parts on hand in cases of disruptions and to plan ahead. Robotics suppliers said they can provide customers with greater tools that allow for more efficient onsite management and predictive data analytics. For example, Attabotics claimed that its products can help companies reduce their warehouse space requirements by 85%. The company makes automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) that allow customers…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.46
May 06, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the global economy over the past year, but robot orders in the first quarter of 2021 were 19.6% higher than in the same period last year, announced the Association for Advancing Automation today. The Ann Arbor, Mich.-based organization said that North American companies purchased 9,098 units valued at $466 million in Q1, with non-automotive companies purchasing 28% more robots over Q1 2020, and automotive OEMs and component suppliers combined seeing a 12% increase year over year. “Robot sales have increased considerably, as more and more companies in every industry recognize that robotics and automation can help…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.46
October 20, 2020
One of the many non-human casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic is the global supply chain, which has been seriously upended as economies shut down and fluctuating demand brought logistics and manufacturing to a screeching halt. One bright spot in the manufacturing and supply chain upheaval is additive manufacturing, which is fast emerging as an alternative way to produce key components at a local site while keeping the flow of goods in motion and the factory floor cycle intact. Strategic use of AM, experts say, can help manufacturers significantly reduce costs and transportation time while mitigating supply chain risks today, in…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.45
November 04, 2023
…a big concern. One obvious example was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social distancing was often required. Robots allowed for more staggered workers, leading some companies to realize how much more they could do with automation and mobile robots. Similar benefits are possible when dealing with hazardous chemicals or working around dangerous equipment. Suppose there’s a particular job that is needs to be done in close proximity to a hazardous blade or caustic chemicals. Not only can robots reduce risk by protecting human workers, but they can also reduce corporate liability. 3. Automation can link parts of a process Another…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.45
October 07, 2020
…year despite all the business challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s according to a new 3D Printing Trend Report published by MakerBot. Fueled by new materials (61%) and reduced costs (58%), respondents expect 3D printing use to grow over the next three to five years, in part to play a bigger role in the supply chain (49%) and to support localized manufacturing (46%). Nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) said they expect to invest in 3D printing over the next year while a little over half (56%) did not expect interruptions or fall out from the global pandemic to…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.45
August 01, 2023
…long been a concern for older adults, but the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the epidemic of isolation, according to a recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General. Over the past year, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) and Intuition Robotics have provided ElliQ to more than 800 New Yorkers to determine the efficacy of artificial intelligence in providing companionship to older adults. The goal was to combat loneliness, foster engagement, improve health and wellness, and support aging in place. ElliQ engages older adults Intuition Robotics said it has designed ElliQ to be “a proactive care companion for older…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.45
November 01, 2021
…of and investment in automation has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some automated technology providers have added social distancing features to their equipment and software, sending, for example, proactive alerts when workers breached a safe zone of six feet. Technology providers even embedded software with features like reminding employees to wipe down buttons and screens, helping to decrease the likelihood germs and viruses could be transmitted from one employee to another. Increase productivity to meet customer demand Another factor driving warehouse automation technology adoption is e-commerce fulfillment as consumers expect next day, and in some cases even same day, delivery.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.45
September 04, 2023
…Reshoring and nearshoring After trade conflicts with China, the COVID-19 pandemic, and other supply chain challenges, the U.S. and other countries have encouraged the production of automobiles, processors, and other goods closer to home. The CHIPS Act and Build Back Better Act have directed federal funds to reshoring for the computer and infrastructure industries, respectively. More than half of U.S. manufacturing CEOs said they intended to reshore some production, found a survey conducted by Xometry with Forbes and polling firm John Zogby Strategies. At the same time, “nearshoring” efforts will also add automation and jobs. “In fact, we're more likely…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.44
November 05, 2022
…industry was struggling to adapt to a fast-changing market. COVID-19 merely multiplied the chaos. Current disruption is in large part driven by runaway growth in package delivery. According to FedEx, the U.S. domestic package delivery market is likely to hit 110 million packages per day in 2022. Pre-pandemic they did not expect to exceed 100 million daily packages until 2026. A huge amount of this growth is driven by e-commerce; data from Statista shows that U.S. e-commerce retail revenue will grow from $768 billion in 2021 to $1.3 trillion in 2025. Mobile robots are one way for logistics companies to…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.44
September 15, 2021
…first robot-related trade shows since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The show was had good attendance and thousands of exhibitors, even though the Delta variant is still putting a lid on many other conferences and events, with some returning to virtual formats. However, Fabtech 2021 was scaled back from the 2019 version, a decision that was made before the Delta variant hit the headlines. According to show management, there were 9,000 exhibitors and an expected 21,000 attendees this year. In comparison, more than 12,000 exhibitors and about 35,000 attendees were at Fabtech 2019. The 2020 show was canceled. Though…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.44
January 26, 2022
…in warehouse automation echoes broader industry trends. The global COVID-19 pandemic has prompted logistics businesses to optimize operational efficiencies, from warehouse management to last-mile delivery. They need to cater to the soaring demand for e-commerce products, seasonal peaks, and consumers’ heightened expectations for fast delivery, it said. The global warehouse automation market will reach $51 billion by 2030, projected McKinsey & Co. By 2025, more than 4 million commercial robots will be installed at more than 50,000 warehouses, according to ABI Research. “Innovation is at our core and is a major factor behind FedEx strategy in China,” said Robert Chu,…
