In the realm of automation, robots have long been celebrated for tackling hazardous or dirty tasks. For pet owners, the real challenge is maintaining a clean environment—robots now make that easier by handling chores like litter box upkeep. Advances in machine vision, sensor fusion, and flexible

While the droids of Star Wars: Rogue One capture our imagination, engineers around the world are turning those same concepts into tangible tools that streamline factories and home life. The convergence of advanced robotics, machine learning, and high‑performance motors is making our reality more e

In the relentless fight against cancer, researchers are harnessing automation to outpace disease progression. Collaborative robots now sift through thousands of drug combinations at lightning speed, unlocking personalized medicine and expanding scientists’ insight. While standard therapies remain a

When Uber launched its first self‑driving fleet in Pittsburgh, the city’s bridges and winding streets became a proving ground for autonomous technology. Engineers still sit in the driver’s seat while the vehicles navigate, but early results show the system can reliably pick up passengers in a comp

Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), spoke before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on commerce, manufacturing and trade on September 14, highlighting how advanced robotics are reshaping the economy and commerce. Burnstein addressed th

Historically, automation ROI studies were confined to simple Excel models that weighed machine depreciation and maintenance against labor savings and productivity gains. Sales conversations typically focused on three pillars: 1) competing with overseas markets by reducing labor costs or headcount, 2

About A3 On April 14, 2021, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the Association for Advancing Vision + Imaging, Motion Control and Motor Association (MCMA), and A3 Mexico united to form the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). With over 1,100 members, A3 is the largest global trade asso

Automation technologies power almost every sector, enabling firms to meet rising customer expectations, boost throughput, and drive revenue. While the pandemic temporarily slowed market growth, demand for automation—including machine vision and robotics—is set to rise even faster. Automation Accele

Experts debate the nuances of true general artificial intelligence, yet one fact is clear: robots are becoming smarter and more decisive thanks to AI-driven systems. From autonomous vehicles navigating our streets to mobile robots in global warehouses, AI-powered machine vision, edge computing in ma

When selecting the right motor, understanding load and motor inertia—and how they interact— is essential for reliable performance. If couplings, shafts and belts were perfectly rigid, torque and speed alone would dictate motor selection. In reality, every component has compliance, which creates mech

Carole Franklin, A3 Director of Robotic Standards Development, shares her insights on the most frequently asked questions about robot safety standards. Does compliance with R15.06 automatically satisfy ISO 10218, and will the same apply to R15.08 and ISO 3691‑4? The relationship differs between the

Vision and imaging technologies continue to drive automation across Industry 4.0 and beyond. Vision and imaging systems underpin a broad spectrum of automated operations across sectors. Traditional adopters—automotive manufacturing, food and beverage processing, logistics—remain major users, yet th

Revolutionizing Logistics: Advanced Automation in Warehousing Across the globe, warehouses and logistics hubs are layering automation technologies—from automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to de/palletizing systems and sophisticated piece‑picking robots. These systems

Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that merges electrical and mechanical engineering, software design, and insights from biology, ethics, and psychology. At its core, mathematics and physics drive automation that operates safely and collision‑free. What Is Motion Control? Motion control is the d

First Law A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Second Law A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Third Law A robot must protect its own existence as long as such prot

Vision and imaging technologies have long served as critical enablers across diverse sectors, from automotive assembly to quality inspection. In industrial settings, machine‑vision systems boost productivity, reduce defects, and lower operating costs, making them indispensable tools for modern manuf

Vision and imaging are no longer optional in modern automation—they are essential drivers of success. Machine vision underpins key Industry 4.0 concepts such as AR/VR, IIoT, robotic guidance, and big‑data analytics, delivering measurable productivity gains across diverse sectors. The market for mac

One key advantage of collaborative robots is that, after a thorough risk assessment, they can operate without physical barriers and work safely alongside human colleagues—demonstrated in a recent deployment at Yokoyama Kogyo in Japan. Credit: OnRobot Manufacturing plants and warehouses worldwide

Across the globe, machines, robots, IIoT devices, and software generate vast streams of structured and unstructured data. Advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine‑learning solutions now decode this information, turning raw data into actionable insights that bring order to the supply‑chain m

For decades, machine‑vision systems have delivered reliable in‑process inspection across virtually every industrial sector. While exact figures are scarce, inspections represent the majority of machine‑vision deployments. Emerging technologies and software continually enhance value and simplify impl