Robotics
Software enables robots to be controlled in VR
Even as autonomous robots get better at doing things on their own, there will still be plenty of circumstances where humans might need to step in and take control. Software developed by Brown University computer scientists enables users to control robots remotely using virtual reality, which helps users to become immersed in a robot's surroundings despite being miles away physically.
Tiny robots programmed to think like insects
While engineers have had success building tiny, insect-like robots, programming them to behave autonomously like real insects continues to present technical challenges. A group of Cornell engineers has been experimenting with a new type of programming that mimics the way an insect's brain works, which could soon have people wondering if that fly on the wall is actually a fly.
Observations from the International Robot Exhibition (IREX)
With over 300 exhibitors spread across two halls, the International Robot Exhibition (IREX) is the largest robot trade show in the world. Held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Japan, the biennial event welcomes robot manufacturers from around the globe to introduce the latest robotic technology. Here, Nigel Smith, managing director at Toshiba Machine partner, TM Robotics explains how IREX’s popularity has grown and how the themes at the 2017 show ...
Will drones be the new face of farming?
Can drones save farmers millions of dollars in just a few minutes? From potatoes to corn, farmers have to manually map hundreds of acres of land if they want any information about their crops. But even then, one bad rainstorm could send 70 hours of work down the drain (and that’s for a small field). But could technology change everything?
Selecting the right Li-ion battery for a consumer robot design
Fuelled by the growing popularity of hybrid and full electric vehicles, plus an ever-buoyant consumer electronics industry, Li-ion has become the battery technology of choice for electronic devices on the move. With high storage capacities, high efficiency and longer lifecycles than many of their rechargeable counterparts, the Li-ion market is booming and the choice for electronic designers has multiplied. Guest piece written by Tim Parker,...
Robots: East versus West
There’s a lot of debate right now about the future of robots and the number of humans they will replace once they get their AI empowered ‘feet’ under the desk or the workbench.
How to choose the right components for your cobots
Behind the drawn factory doors of facilities across Europe, humans are working safely alongside a new kind of colleague; one that is stronger, faster and more efficient than ever before: collaborative robots. Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SMB Bearings, explains how to choose the right bearing for this new automation application.
Mitsubishi brought it all to the 2017 SPS Drives show
Mitsubishi Electric had a very busy show at this year’s SPS Drives showcasing a range of new products and solutions from collaborative robots, to modular linear transfer systems and smart carriages, especially as the company was like many, concentrating on the big focus of the show Industry 4.0 and digitalisation. Anna Flockett, Engineering Specifier editor attended the Mitsubishi press breakfast at the SPS show, where the first innova...
Automation platform supports the manufacturing digital transformation
At this year’s SPS Drives show in Nuremberg, Mitsubishi Electric was highlighting the benefits of the PLC as a platform for automation, with a complete set of dedicated CPU modules for the MELSEC iQ-R Series PLC. A CNC CPU module and a robot control CPU now complement the existing options for analogue and digital I/O, motion, positioning, process control, safety and networking, delivering a solution that integrates the full suite of control...
LEMO supports startup company with its robotic challenge
Electronic and fibre optic connector manufacturer, LEMO, has been supporting a startup based in Switzerland. The company named Rovenso was the finalist of the Robotics Challenge of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The event was held in Brisbane Australia. The goal of this challenge was to identify robots that will assist IAEA inspectors in carrying out their tasks.