Automation

French aerospace manufacturer Airbus has purchased industrial automation company, MTM Robotics, located in the US. Airbus already utilises MTM’s light automated robotics systems at its manufacturing facilities, however, the purchase will enable a closer collaboration said MTM founder, Mike Woogerd. “We are pleased and excited to become a part of the Airbus family and look … Continue reading Aerospace manufacturer pursues robotics integration →

Australian explosives manufacturer for mining and civil applications, Orica, has partnered with Swedish mining equipment company Epiroc to automate the delivery of blasting technology. The two companies will collaborate to create a semi-automated explosives delivery system. By automating the delivery of explosives, the companies hope to make mining safer and more productive, particularly in underground … Continue reading Partnership to automate drilling and blasting →

RoboHelix’s flight from garage to global has been driven by a symbiotic partnership. Manufacturers’ Monthly explains. The journey of a start-up, from basement to IPO, has become the corporate myth of the 21st century. The break-neck trajectory is one that many seek to emulate, but few fully understand the trials and tribulations involved. Indeed, the … Continue reading Collaboration key to a successful start-up →

The intention of consumers to adopt automated cars is the focus of research being presented at the Australasian Road Safety Conference. Associate professor, Ioni Lewis from Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CRRS-Q) has found that attitudes towards Level 4 automated cars differ between countries. Covering cars that are … Continue reading Research probes community attitudes to self-driving cars →

The UR16e, from Universal Robots, is now available, and offers a payload capability of 16kg. With a reach of 900mm and pose repeatability of +/- 0.05mm, the UR16 is designed for heavy-duty material handling, heavy-part handling, and machine tending. President of Universal Robots, Jürgen von Hollen, said that economic uncertainty mean that flexibility was key … Continue reading Universal Robots launches strongest cobot to date →

Construction has started on ABB‘s robotics manufacturing and research factory. Located in China, the facility is expected to open in 2021 and is the result of a US$150 million ($218m) investment by the SIX Swiss Exchange traded company. Located in Kangqiao, near Shanghai, the facility will involve machine learning, digital, and collaborative solutions. According to … Continue reading ABB begins work on future robotics factory →

Finding an automation system that allows for growth and change can enable long-term savings and production increases. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. For companies seeking to reap the benefits of an automated production lines one stumbling block has been the inflexibility of a system once installed. Whether that is in the path that the process follows or … Continue reading AGVs: Flexible solutions to fit into any site →

The Australian Space Agency has opened consultations for the design of its Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre. Input is being sought on the objectives of the centre, the mission types for potential users, and overall program design. The Centre will be located in Western Australia and is funded through $4.5 million from … Continue reading Industry invited to set objectives for space control centre →

Members of the instrumentation, control, and automation profession discussed how their field will be impacted by Industry 4.0 at the IICA’s Christmas in July event. As the sun set behind the Harbour Bridge and the towers of the Sydney CBD began to light up, members of the Institute for Instrumentation, Control and Automation (IICA) gathered … Continue reading Promoting collaboration and communication in instrumentation →

While Industry 4.0 may seem to encourage the replacement of people with machines, when it comes to safety, having an understanding of the importance of people is paramount. In an exclusive interview, Susanne Kunschert of Pilz speaks with Manufacturers’ Monthly. The managing partner of automation technology firm Pilz, Susanne Kunschert, confesses, “I’m not so digital”. … Continue reading Understanding where people fit in Industry 4.0 →

Due to their flexibility, automated guided vehicle systems (AGVs) are one of the most important supply solutions in hospital supply logistics, writes Michael Dold, strategic industry manager of industrial vehicles, Global Industry Center Logistics Automation – Transport Logistics, SICK. Increasing digitalisation, with its ability to make the complex networking of logistic processes transparent and provide … Continue reading Optimal in the clinic: AGV systems count on “hospital-ready” sensor solutions →

Autonomous delivery business Starship Technologies has raised $40 million in funding to expand its business. The Estonian manufacturer, which is headquartered in the US, was established by Skype co-founders Janus Friis and Ahti Heinla and has garnered $85 million in support to date. The primary product of the company is a six-wheeled robot that are … Continue reading Autonomous delivery business expands with new funding →

With the adoption of working practices that bring humans and robots into ever closer collaboration, making these practices safe remains of paramount importance. IN workplaces, robots are now being configured to work alongside humans and can lead to savings in costs and increases in productivity. This is apparent not only in service applications, but industrial … Continue reading Safety systems ensure productive workplaces for humans and robots →

Earlier in July, the World Economic Forum named 2019 the year of the Robot Carer. Naming the top ten technologies that have the greatest potential for a positive impact on our world, the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network highlighted technologies that manufacturers are creating and driving forward. In addition to robot carers, or social robots … Continue reading World Economic Forum names top ten technologies →

An autonomous bus service has now begun operating in the suburbs north of Adelaide. Vehicles built by French autonomous vehicle manufacturer Easy Mile are operating the trial, launched by the state government of South Australia and the City of Playford. The trial will operate a service between the Playford Alive Township and the Munno Para … Continue reading Autonomous bus service begins in SA →

As robotics researchers, students and enthusiasts gathered at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, home-town teams from universities in Sydney were hoping for simulated and solid success. Two local universities came out with first place honours, University of Sydney (USYD) and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in the Soccer Simulation 2D League and the … Continue reading RoboCup results in wins for local universities →

Robotics teams and experts have converged on Sydney to compete in the 2019 RoboCup, aiming to claim the World Champion title. Held for the first time in Sydney, 170 teams including 1,200 participants from research laboratories and universities around the world will compete not only in soccer, but robotic urban search and rescue missions, manufacturing, … Continue reading 2019 RoboCup kicks off →

Siemens has announced the speakers and experts who will present at its annual conference Digitalize. To be held in Brisbane on July 23, the conference focusses on the process of digitalisation across industry sectors. The two visiting speakers are Martin Powell, head of urban development, and Gerhard Kress, vice president of data services. Kress has … Continue reading Siemens announces Digitalize 2019 →

In a paper accepted to the 2019 International Conference on machine Learning (ICML), CSIRO researchers have presented a new method of preventing attacks on algorithms and machine learning systems. Similar in principle to a vaccine, the innovation is designed to limit the effectiveness of hackers who target algorithms that could drive cars, identify spam emails … Continue reading CSIRO designs algorithm vaccination technique →

Adhering to a certain level of professionalism can be as simple as ensuring a website is well-functioning. Manufacturers’ Monthly finds out what one automation solutions provider deems as important in setting a company apart from others. “There’s nothing you sell or do that can’t be done by another organisation,” Andrew Godber from Bunbury Industrial Controls … Continue reading Setting high standards →