In addition to the each-picking robots that received attention during the recent e-commerce boom, many automation providers have focused lately on the need to handle totes, boxes, cases, and pallets. From high-bay lift trucks and truck-unloading systems to heavy-duty mobile robots and automated pallet jacks, robots have specialized for these applications. More affordable and capable collaborative robots, improving machine vision, and software to manage the movement of goods and workers are also contributing to new use cases. It’s still up to warehouse and factory operators and their technology partners to identify the best ways to automate the storage and transport…
While engineering specialties ranging from mechatronics to artificial intelligence are helping the robotics industry to grow, one area that is often overlooked is the need to provide hands-on experience with real-world robot operations, or RobOps, said InOrbit Inc. The company today announced InOrbit Education Edition, a free program to provide educational institutions with access to its platform. “We want to inspire the next generation of robotics innovators, and the InOrbit Education Edition allows us to reach more people globally to prepare them for the future,” stated Florian Pestoni, co-founder and CEO of InOrbit. “Our vision is a world where humans,…
Nurses and other care staffers have come under tremendous stress, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. German Bionic today officially introduced its Apogee+ powered exoskeleton to the North American healthcare market. The company said it designed the technology as a “personal lift assist.” “With its full range of features, our new Apogee+ power suit is designed to help ease the extremely demanding working conditions in these system-critical professions, making the jobs safer and more sustainable,” said Armin G. Schmidt, founder and CEO of German Bionic, in a release. “Based on our early success in the European market, we firmly believe that…
The U.S. Surgeon General recently said that loneliness can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. As healthcare providers and governments seek remedies, Intuition Robotics has developed the ElliQ companion, which uses artficial intelligence to engage with older adults. The company today announced that it has secured $25 million in the first closing of its latest funding round. “We’ve seen the direct impact that loneliness has had on our aging community, but we’ve also seen the positive results our AI and technology have on the older adult population,” stated Dor Skuler, co-founder and CEO of Intuition…
At FABTECH 2023, KUKA AG said it plans to unveil two systems for robotics education. The industrial automation provider also plans to show metalworking technologies with partners, as well as additive manufacturing offerings. “The conference agenda for FABTECH includes more than a dozen sessions related to workforce development, retention, or training,” stated Casey DiBattista, chief regional officer for North America at KUKA. “Taking an active role in robotics training and education fulfills our promise to be a single source in automation for our customers and partners.” FABTECH is North America's largest metal forming, fabrication, welding, and finishing event, according to…
Newegg Commerce Inc. wanted to automate repetitive and physically demanding tasks at its warehouse in Ontario, Calif. The global e-commerce provider of technology products today announced that it has deployed a shelf-to-person mobile picking system from Geekplus Technology Co. “We’re optimistic about seeing improvements in picking efficiency and storage space optimization with the new Geek+ robotics system in our Ontario warehouse,” said Tim Zhou, Newegg IT manager, in a release. “Newegg pursues advanced technology solutions throughout our business to offer the best services for customers, so this new system is part of fulfilling that commitment.” Founded in 2001, Newegg is…
All robotic arms need a quality cable management system if they're to avoid frequent downtime. Corrugated tubing is a popular choice, but there's a better option that will keep your cables running longer: triflex® R cable carriers from igus. Read on to find out how these two industry heavyweights match up head-to-head. Round 1: Cable Installation How can cables be installed? Corrugated tubing Can only be installed via hose ends Cables with plugs that are too large can't be installed triflex® R Can be pressed in externally Can install any cables, regardless of the plug size Round 2: Replacement after…
Arauco, a global wood products supplier, recently signed a pre-order of 100 DriveMod autononous forklifts from Cyngn Inc. The deployment includes REV7 lidar sensors to provide self-driving capabilities and to detect pallet stack attributes, noted Ouster Inc. “Cyngn is pushing the boundaries of industrial autonomy with their AI-powered DriveMod platform,” stated Angus Pacala, CEO of Ouster, in a release. “By adding our high-performance REV7 sensors to the DriveMod platform, Cyngn gives 'eyes' to its industrial vehicles, allowing them to navigate seamlessly and extract rich insights from their environment in any condition.” San Francisco-based Ouster claimed that it is a leading…
Imagine having to carry a large, heavy box up a flight of stairs, said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You might spread your fingers out and lift that box with both hands, then hold it on top of your forearms and balance it against your chest, using your whole body to manipulate the box. Humans are generally good at whole-body manipulation, but robots struggle with such tasks. To the robot, each spot where the box could touch any point on the carrier’s fingers, arms, and torso represents a contact event that it must reason about. With billions of potential contact…
