Industries
How to improve efficiency in small batch manufacturing
We all appreciate that personal touch, whether it is a thoughtful gift, unique customer experience or made-to-measure clothing. As we value more bespoke products in both commercial and industrial settings, how can manufacturers ensure they meet demand without compromising on efficiency, cost or quality? Jonathan Wilkins, Director at EU Automation, explores how automation can help manufacturers improve mass customisation.
Robotic platform coordinating control of up to 38 degrees of freedom
The RoboMantis modular robotic system from Motiv Robotics is capable of quadrupedal walking as well as wheeled motion. With four legs and up to two seven-axis manipulators, it can have up to 38 degrees of freedom, offering unprecedented dexterity. Exploiting this dexterity, however, can pose a daunting task for programmers.
Are cobots inherently safe?
Recent results from the Global Robotics Report 2019 has identified that 79% of automation distributors do not believe their customers understand the safety requirements of installing a collaborative robot. As one of the fastest growing sectors of the robot market, this lack of knowledge could be dangerous. Nigel Smith, Managing Director of TM Robotics, quashes some common misconceptions about collaborative robot safety.
Ultra-wideband chip turning smartphones into car keys
NXP Semiconductors has announced an addition to its UWB portfolio with a new automotive UWB IC. UWB provides precise, secure, real-time localisation capabilities unrivalled by other wireless technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The technology is designed to give spatial awareness to UWB-equipped cars, mobiles, and other smart devices, to enable cars to know exactly where the users are.
Connectivity solutions for autonomous flying
For the very fast growing market of autonomous UAV systems, Rosenberger has developed a variety of connectivity solutions and systems.
Sidewalk last mile delivery robots: a billion dollar market by 2030?
Last mile delivery is the most expensive part of the delivery chain, often representing more than 50% of the overall cost. This is mainly because it is the least productive and automated step. As such, many are seeking to bring automation into the last mile. In recent years, many companies around the world have been innovating to utilise autonomous mobile robots, drones, and autonomous vehicle technology. By: Dr Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, Researc...
New platform helps customers easily move to autonomous cloud
To help customers easily move Oracle Databases to the cloud and simplify management of hybrid cloud environments, Oracle has announced significant enhancements to its enterprise management platform, Oracle Enterprise Manager. The new release adds functionality that automates database migration and provides a single dashboard that improves visibility, control, and management for hybrid IT environments.
New cobot financial services leasing programme launched
Universal Robots has launched its new cobot leasing programme in collaboration with DLL, a global vendor finance company. The new partnership enables all manufacturers, regardless of size or capital equipment budgets, to reap the benefits of automation without worrying about cash flow and seasonal fluctuations.
Are UAVs properly tested, or is development rushed?
The market for unmanned aerial vehicles, or simply UAVs, is booming. But with high demand follows the risk of rushed development. A good example is Beyond Line of Sight operations that have opened new possibilities but also implied new risks of both loss of connection, data or even the UAV itself. By Svend Holme Sørensen, Product Manager, GateHouse Telecom
Highly integrated radar front-end for emerging ADAS applications
The use of millimetre wave (mmWave) technology in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) has grown tremendously in recent years. Applications have rapidly evolved, from comfort functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), to safety functions such as emergency braking, to newer applications such as pedestrian detection and 360° sensing.