TAUNTON, Mass. — maxon precision motors inc., the U.S. division of Switzerland-based maxon motor AG, today officially opened its new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility here. Building the new headquarters was a two-year process, said Chris Blake, president of maxon precision motors. “Taunton was very welcoming in a business and a social sense,” he said…
Nord Modules builds modular systems with customer feedback, exec experience
Mobile robots have proliferated in factories and warehouses, and a key component is how they interface with production lines, conveyor belts, or human workers. Nord Modules last week announced its entry into the U.S. market with flexible systems that work with Mobile Industrial Robots’ MiR line of autonomous mobile robots. Such modular loading and lifting…
TORY inventory robot rolls out to European retail stores
After a three-year pilot, German clothing retailer ADLER Modemärkte AG this week said it is rolling out the TORY inventory robot to 40 of its stores. Ilmenau, Germany-based MetraLabs GmbH provides design services and makes the autonomous service robots. TORY checks inventory 10 times faster than humans, and a unit can run for up to 18…
Teamwork, mentoring keys to success, say 2019 Engelberger Robotics Award winners
This week, the Robotic Industries Association named this year’s recipients of the Engelberger Robotics Awards. The prestigious awards recognize people who have contributed to the advancement of automation for the benefit of humanity. They will be presented at a special dinner at Automate 2019. Howie Choset will receive the award for education. As a professor,…
6 advances in robotic grippers to watch
Robots have used multiple types of grippers for years, but the push for more manual dexterity has become more urgent because of rising demand from e-commerce order fulfillment and other applications. Human-level manipulation of various objects is a difficult technical challenge, and robotics developers and vendors have responded with a range of solutions. From…
Robotics investments February 2019
Robotics investments totaled at least $4.3 billion in February 2019 in a steep increase from January, which had about $1.4 billion. In addition, companies reported approximately $3.9 billion worth of acquisitions this past month. Any political or economic jitters have not yet harmed the mood for robot deals. The Robotic Industries Association noted yesterday that robot…
Agility Robotics’ Digit adds arms to Cassie’s bipedal design
Despite recent advances with bipedal robots, most are not graceful, and they have not been able manipulate objects with the dexterity of stationary robotic arms. Agility Robotics Inc. yesterday unveiled Digit, which builds on the design of its ostrich-like Cassie robot. Digit includes an upper torso, more sensors, and additional computing capabilities. Most importantly, it…
6 unique applications for cobots
By definition, collaborative robots are designed to be safer to operate around humans. Thanks to their smaller scale, affordability, and flexibility, cobots offer the benefits of industrial automation to new markets, including at small and midsize enterprises. Cobot arms, compliant grippers, and mobile platforms equipped with collision-avoidance capabilities take robots from inside fenced work cells…