Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, is partnering with Soft Robotics to develop new gripper solutions. (See video below.) Soft Robotics, a startup which has produced much-discussed end-effectors that are soft and capable of handling soft products that may be of variable s

The next automatica event will occupy a record area of 76,000 square meters. There will be an additional hall, more than 900 exhibitors and new highlights. Munich will be the meeting place for the international automation industry from June 16 to 19, 2020. Visitors to automatica 2020 will find ans

Realtime Robotics, a developer of responsive motion planning software for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, is expanding its partnership with Mitsubishi Electric. The company is to develop a “custom integrated solution” that pairs Realtime Robotics’ smart motion planning technology with M

Airbus has acquired industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, for an undisclosed sum. MTM already partners with Airbus, supplying its robotic hole-drilling system, as reported by Robotics and Automation News previously. The aerospace colossus says the move “deepens Airbus’ commitment to expandi

Omron has launched the sixth wave of its factory automation control devices built on a common design platform for further innovation in control panel building. The new products include 237 models in six categories low voltage switch gear: J7KC, J7TC, J7MC, J7KCA and J7KCR series low voltage switch

The so-called “Industry 4.0” trend – an umbrella term for a range of connectivity and automation technologies – will “revolutionize” the use of safety sensors and switches, according to a new report. The Global Market Study on Safety Sensors and Switches, by Persistent Market Research, says the gl

Hitachi has completed the acquisition of the robotic system integration business mainly operated by JR Automation from funds managed by Crestview Partners. The agreement to acquire JR Automation was announced on April 23, 2019 and the companies have now brought this deal to a successful conclusion

Omron has demonstrated a new industrial robot with built-in artificial intelligence at the Consumer Electronics Show. The automation giant says its Omron i4 “next generation industrial robot” possesses embedded AI for predictive maintenance. This self-diagnosing robot detects and communicates when

IAM Robotics, inventor of an autonomous mobile manipulation robot, is opening a new, headquarters and showcase innovation center. The new 30,000 square foot facility will be located in the emerging high tech area of Pittsburgh known as Robotics Row, a stretch of land that has become a hotbed for r

The fashion industry is investing huge amounts of money in artificial intelligence systems that can provide what is called “sentiment analysis”, which is similar to customer feedback, except that it’s indirectly acquired. Typically, sentiment analytics systems can gather information from social me

Autoware says it aims to make advanced AI and related technologies available to small- and medium-sized enterprises that would otherwise not be able to afford or implement it. The EU-funded project calls its offering “cognitive manufacturing”, which includes the integration of Industry 4.0 technol

B&R, a unit of ABB’s robotics and discrete automation business unit, has unveiled an initiative which involves the integration of ABB robots into its automation portfolio. B&R says the move will enable it to offer “unprecedented levels of machine flexibility and precision”, merging robotic

Delta Electronics, a provider of power and thermal management solutions, and JTC Corporation, the lead government agency responsible for developing industrial infrastructure, have signed an agreement to collaborate to drive adoption of Industry 4.0 technology. Delta will set up an Industry 4.0 Sol

Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC. The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a

Rockwell Automation and Ansys have agreed a strategic partnership aimed at driving quicker time to market and operational efficiency for customers. The two companies – market leaders in industrial automation and design simulation – help customers realize better business outcomes through simulation

DHL, the world’s largest logistics company, has highlighted technologies such as robotics and digitalisation in a new strategy, which it unveiled at its Bering Technology Campus – or “Smart Warehouse” – in the Netherlands. “Automation and digitalization will re-shape the logistics industry”, says

It’s getting close to Christmas and that means it’s time for e-commerce fulfillment managers to start getting worried about the availability of labor for the holiday season. According to a recent article in Supply Chain Dive, “this year’s peak season promises additional challenges in recruiting ne

The robotics industry is set for “seismic change”, according to a report by ABI Research, which says that, of the 8 million robots forecast to be shipped in 2030, nearly 6 million will be mobile. ABI says it has released its “most comprehensive robotics tracker yet”, and it shows that the robotics

Logistics and supply chain technology startup Plus Automation has won its first robotics-as-a-service contract with Jun Co, a Japanese company with diversified interests including fashion, food and fitness products.  The company was jointly established in June 2019 and is 60 per cent owned by Mits

Two of the most well-known robotics companies have jointly opened a collaborative automation center in Barcelona, Spain.  Universal Robots, the maker of the best-selling collaborative robotic arms, and Mobile Industrial Robots, which makes mobile robots for warehouses, say the new facility will he