Mujin Corp. today said it has successfully raised $85 million in Series C funding. The Tokyo-based company said it plans to use the capital to make its MujinController platform more available to integrators and end users to they can develop innovative automation applications. MujinController works with any industrial robot, enabling users to develop and deploy them for manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain applications at a higher level of performance and reliability than before, said Mujin in a release. “The MujinController introduces a unique approach to creating robotics applications, leveraging a real-time, non-volatile digital twin and offering a suite of perception,…
Dexory today announced that it has partnered with Linkline Transport to use robots to collect and deliver data in real time to improve operational visibility and efficiency at its warehouse in Kettering, U.K. “Dexory is really excited to have Linkline on board and really seeing the value of data-driven technology for their operations,” said Oana Jinga, co-founder and chief commercial officer of Dexory, in a release. “Integrating DexoryView into their Kettering warehouse will allow them to unlock greater efficiencies and proactively prevent any errors resulting from stock inaccuracy, delivering on the best point of service for both themselves and their…
Labor shortages have become one of the most pressing challenges for small and midsized enterprises in member nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD. The International Federation of Robotics last week announced Go4Robotics, a new online platform to provide independent guidance in manufacturers' journey to automation. “The lack of skilled labor is a strong driver for automation in many countries,” said Dr. Susanne Bieller, general secretary of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in a release. “In fact, statistics from the EU say that three quarters of all companies across the EU have a problem attracting…
From the narratives of Ex Machina and Blade Runner to the claims this year by Google engineer Blake Lemoine that its AI was sentient, the concept of machines with emotions has always sparked people's imaginations. While the truth to these tales remains uncertain, a tangible new reality is emerging: Robots are have gained the sense of “feeling,” moving into the realm of human touch. For years, machines have perfected the art of seeing, using advancements in computer vision and laser technologies to enhance their precision. But now, a new frontier has opened – comprehending tactile sensations. Imagine a robotic finger…
The global population of people older than 65 is rapidly increasing the need for care. Although care robots promise to fill in for caregivers, their implementation has been slow and unsatisfactory, noted a team of international researchers. It said it has developed “the first universal model that can be employed across cultural contexts to explain how ethical perceptions affect the willingness to use care robots.” “Today, in Japan’s super-aged society, various care robots, including monitoring cameras, have been developed and marketed to compensate for the shortage of care staff and to alleviate their stress,” explained Dr. Sayuri Suwa, lead author…
At this year's PACK EXPO, B&R Industrial Automation GmbH plans to show systems from Codian Robotics B.V. that are now integrated and rebranded within B&R's portfolio. The Codian line of delta configurations, including hygienic models, can be incorporated into any machine configuration, said the company. “With an extensive selection of pick-and-place robot mechanics open to any control platform, we are committed to offer the best solution for our customer's applications,” said Wouter Valk, managing director of Codian Robotics, which B&R acquired in 2020. Ede, Netherlands-based Codian said its technology can be used for precise pick-and-place tasks such as those in…
Picking and packaging are among the robotics applications to see at Pack Expo. Soft Robotics Inc. plans to demonstrate its mGripAI system, which combines proprietary 3D vision, artificial intelligence, and soft grasping technologies, at PACK EXPO 2023. “We're excited at the commercial traction that we're seeing with mGripAI,” stated Harley Green, vice president of strategic accounts at Soft Robotics. “More and more machine builders are seeing the flexibility that mGripAI can offer in the design of new systems. Whether it's tray packing or loading other equipment for further processing, mGripAI can slot into an existing operation and have an immediate…
Collaborative robot arms have been reaching into new applications as they gain capabilities. The new UR20 cobot from Universal Robots A/S will be on display at FABTECH, which is billed as “North America’s biggest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event.” The new robot has an additional 18 in. of reach radius, or a 36-in. diameter increase, greatly broadening the range of weldments that will be achievable in a given fixture setup, said Josh Pawley, co-founder of Vectis Automation, a Universal Robots partner. “Vectis Automation is ecstatic to offer the long-reach UR20 arm onto our integrated cobot welding and cutting…
As manufacturers increasingly turn to automated metrology for quality control, they need to maintain accuracy while also striving to add speed. Creaform assured that its R-Series 3D scanning systems meet those needs. MetraSCAN 3D-R is a robot-mounted optical CMM (coordinate measuring machine) scanner that can be easily integrated into automated quality-control processes on production lines. Creaform said MetraSCAN 3D-R can easily be installed and integrated, helping manufacturers accelerate their time to market. It generates up to 3 million measurements per second, regardless of surfaces, trims, and geometric features. MetraSCAN 3D-R offers high-density scanning, with 69 laser lines. Its C-Track optical…
