|
From the Editor
Robot Makers Aim to Produce the Perfect French Fry
One of my first jobs was working at Burger King, and I spent a lot of time at the french fry station loading and unloading baskets of fries over hot oil. While the job wasn’t the worst in the world (other than having to swap out dirty oil for clean oil every few days), it’s not the most fun when hot oil splashes onto your arm or you get French-fry smell on your clothes. So it was interesting to see Karakul announce its fully automated French fry robotic station, which automates more of the French fry cooking process for fast-food and casual food restaurants. While some automation has been implemented here, such as the raising and lowering of baskets into the oil with specific cook timers, other parts of the process have not been automated. This includes the loading of frozen fries into a basket, as well as the delivery of hot fries to the serving station. These tasks are addressed by the new robot, which means human workers need only to load the robot with frozen fries and then use their fry scoop to package individual orders of fries. Other robot companies are also exploring the fry station, most notably Miso Robotics with its Flippy technology. Whether this can produce the perfect French fry every time remains to be seen, but these systems seem to be getting closer with every iteration.
- Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
|
|
|
ABB Launches its Smallest Industrial Robot for Manufacturing
|
|
ABB has announced the launch of its smallest ever industrial robot, aimed at faster, more flexible and higher quality production of wearable smart devices. The compact size and 1.5 kg payload capability of the IRB 1010 offers electronics manufacturers the opportunity to increase automated production of devices such as smart watches, earphones, sensors, and health trackers. The IRB 1010 is designed to suit the narrow spaces and special purpose machines typical of electronics production environments. With a reach of 370mm and a footprint of 135mm by 250mm, the IRB 1010 is 30% smaller than ABB’s current smallest robot, the IRB 120. |
|
|
|
Epson Robots Expands VT6L 6-Axis Robot Series
|
|
Epson Robots has announced it expanded its VT6L-Series lineup with the VT6L-DC All-in-One 6-Axis Robot to provide businesses with innovative, easy-to-integrate robotic solutions. Epson also said it increased the functionality of its no-code Epson RC+ Express programming software. A DC-powered version of the VT6L, the new VT6L-DC All-in-One 6-Axis robot delivers next-level technology and is ideal for mobile solutions, Epson said. An industrial-grade, 6-axis robot can now be mounted to an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) for warehousing applications, or on a mobile platform to easily transport between workstations. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OSARO, Sealed Air Demonstrate Fully Automated Bagging System
|
|
OSARO, which develops AI-powered robotics for e-commerce operations, has teamed with Sealed Air (SEE) to demonstrate a robotic bagging system for high-volume e-commerce and fulfillment tasks. Demonstrations will be helped at next week’s PACK Expo in Chicago. The OSARO Robotic Bagging System pairs robots powered by the company’s advanced vision software with SEE’s AUTOBAG high-speed bagging system. The autonomous piece-picking robots are integrated with existing logistics facilities to fulfill orders quickly, and the bagging system is available as a drop-in upgrade to either existing or new fulfillment operations. |
|
|
|
|
LidarSwiss Deploys Cepton Lidar for Drone-based Mapping, Analytics
|
|
Cepton, which develops high-performance lidar solutions, has announced it is working with LidarSwiss Solutions GmbH to deploy its lidar technology for a drone-based mapping and analytics solution aimed at infrastructure management and engineering design applications. LidarSwiss is a Switzerland-based provider of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based lidar solutions. Using Cepton’s Sora lidar sensor, its Nano P60 system provides high-fidelity mapping and real-time processing on the fly to serve engineers, forestry managers and urban planners around the world. To date, Nano P60 has been used to map and analyze powerlines, site development areas, flood plains and highways in more than 20 cities across Asia, Europe and Australia. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SICK Launches New Photoelectric Sensor to Help Reduce Install Costs
|
|
SICK has announced its new Roller Sensor Bar (RSB) as part of its portfolio of photoelectric sensors. The RSB provides logistics and production markets with a solution to accommodate the increasing variety of packaging shapes and sizes, with the addition of a faster and easier installation experience. Traditional sensors are mounted above the side frame and require installers to align and teach the sensor to a reflector at the end consumer, leading to higher costs. The RSB can be a way to lower installation costs and package variations to help logistics and production processes run more smoothly. It does this with a spring-loaded end cap, removing the need for tools to teach and align the sensor. |
|
|
|
|
Product Profile: Celera Motion Selective Compliance Robot Joint
|
|
Celera Motion’s Selective Compliance Robot Joint brings together several features to optimize performance in a wide variety of mechatronics applications. The collective compliance assembly robot joint has dual encoders to improve smoothness and accuracy. It allows the control system to compensate for internal stiffness, improving collaborative operations. The integrated dual encoders, high-ratio strain wave gearbox and direct drive motor provide the lowest possible axial length, improving travel and agility. The Optira encoder allows up to 5nm resolution; interpolation and signal processing is located in the sensor head. The Optira encoder and Omni series motor combination permits high speeds from direct drive technology. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Case You Missed It
WPI, DEKA Launch New Robotic Platform for STEM Education
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and DEKA Research and Development Corp. have launched a new robotic platform aimed to be a game-changer for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education pipeline. The Experiential Robotics Platform (XRP) includes robots that are simple, inexpensive, easy to build and just as programmable as a more expensive robot. The new robotic platform, still in beta form, comes with built-in educational and software support, and are designed to operate autonomously, perform basic tasks, navigate on their own, sense distance, and manipulate its environment. Easy tool-free assembly lets users build quickly, with parts that can be replaced easily through the use of a 3D printer. WPI said that when they come to market next year, the robots will measure 7-inches by 5-inches and weigh less than 1 lb. – about the size of a box of chocolates. The cost is expected to be less than $50, the group said. Read More |
|
Sponsored Content
Modular Automation Enables Flexible Production Line Layout
Modular automation is the next phase of factory automation where the same production line is separated into modules and can be quickly reconfigured to adapt to different needs. Modular automation compatible products by Oriental Motor include the compact and lightweight DC-powered products, such as the AZ Series mini driver and the BLV Series R Type. See Compatible Products, Applications, Case Studies, Videos. |
|
|
|
|
Featured Article
MIT Researchers Design Microparticles That Could Power Microrobots
Taking advantage of a phenomenon known as emergent behavior in the microscale, MIT engineers have designed simple microparticles that can collectively generate complex behavior, much the same way that a colony of ants can dig tunnels or collect food. Working together, the microparticles can generate a beating clock that oscillates at a very low frequency. These oscillations can then be harnessed to power tiny robotic devices, the researchers showed. “In addition to being interesting from a physics point of view, this behavior can also be translated into an on-board oscillatory electrical signal, which can be very powerful in microrobotic autonomy. There are a lot of electrical components that require such an oscillatory input,” says Jingfan Yang, a recent MIT PhD recipient and one of the lead authors of the new study. Read More |
|
|
Industry News
- Fiberscope Upgrades Pipe Robot With Motorized Cable Drum
Fiberscope.net has announced a new upgrade for its Troglotrek portable robotic pipe crawler that offers a fully motorized cable drum. The upgrade helps ensure the smooth operation of the extra-long 984-feet cable, preventing it from twisting and entangling. The Troglotrek is a robotic pipe crawler designed to assist technicians with inspection projects. The new drum is able to maintain consistent cable tension during all work stages, which keeps the cable from twisting and getting entangled, which often will halt the inspection process.
- XACT Robotics Earns FDA Clearance for Remote Control Unit
XACT Robotics, which develops a comprehensive robotic system for interventional procedures, has announced that its ACE Xtend Remote Control Unit has received clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This allows users to robotically insert and steer the XACT ACE Robotic System remotely from the control room. This feature for CT-guided percutaneous procedures is designed to improve physician workflows while limiting physician and other users’ exposure to radiation and reducing physical strain. The XACT ACE Robotic System integrates image-guided planning and monitoring with patented S-Drive technology to deliver various instruments to a desired target in the body with accuracy, consistency and efficiency. The goal for the company is to advance the field of radiology with cutting-edge technology that supports earlier patient diagnosis and treatment.
- DroneDeploy to Acquire StructionSite for Construction Data Capture
DroneDeploy has announced it entered into an agreement to acquire StructionSite, a provider of ground reality capture for the construction industry. The combined company will unify two solutions for aerial and ground capture of data into one complete platform for the construction and energy industries to deploy aerial drones, ground robots and handheld 360-degree cameras to document their sites. DroneDeploy said the combination of the two companies will also accelerate automation for many construction and energy companies, which are adopting autonomous ground robotics and drone-in-a-box solutions to help them improve efficiency, reduce risks and mitigate rising costs.
- EPC Launches Design to Enhance Motor Drive System Performance
EPC has announced the availability of the EPC9176, a 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter using the EPC23102 ePower Stage GaN IC with embedded gate driver function and two GaN FETs with 5.2 mΩ typical RDS(on). The EPC9176 operates from an input supply voltage between 20 V and 80 V and can deliver up to 28 Apk (20 ARMS). This voltage range and power level makes the solution ideal for a variety of 3-Phase BLDC motor drive applications with 36 V – 80 V input including eBikes, eScooters, power tools, drones, robots, DC servo, medical robots and factory automation.
Check Availability
|
|
|
Robotics Funding
Ambi Robotics Raises $32M to Fuel AI-Sorting Robot System Growth
Ambi Robotics, a robotics company that deploys Sim2Real artificial intelligence in commercial production for parcel sortation, has announced it raised an additional $32 million in funding. Existing investors Tiger Global and Bow Capital were joined by Ahren and the company’s strategic partner, Pitney Bowes, in the latest funding round. The company said the new funding will fuel the deployment growth of its AI-powered parcel sorting systems as customer demand increases ahead of the peak holiday season and throughout 2023. Read More |
|
Horizon Technology Finance Provides $30M to Kodiak Robotics
Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, a specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, has announced it provided $30 million to autonomous trucking company Kodiak Robotics in the form of a growth capital credit facility. Based in Mountain View, Calif., Kodiak delivers freight daily across Texas and Oklahoma for several commercial partners, including Werner Enterprises, CEVA Logistics, U.S. Xpress, and 10 Roads Express. It is currently developing long-haul trucks designed to make the freight industry safer and more efficient. Read More |
|
Food Robotics
Karakuri Launches Automated Fry Lines for Restaurants
Karakuri, which is developing robotic kitchen automation for fast casual and quick service restaurants, has announced the launch of its new family of /FRYR automated fry lines. The high-precision frying solutions aim to save time and reduce waste while ensuring perfectly cooked fried food. The /FRYR210 is the first model in the range of the automated fry lines, combining robotics and real-time data analysis to give restaurants with optimal fried food production of up to 130 lbs (60 kg) of french fries per hour. Simultaneously, the /FRYR210 improves food quality and consistency by ensuring the standard operating procedures are followed 100% of the time. The system works with existing fry wells, extraction and fire suppression systems to spend less time in front of the fryer and more time on value-added, customer-focused tasks within the restaurant. Read More |
|
‘Cake Boss’, LBX Food Robotics Launch Hot Food Robot Kiosks in Las Vegas
LBX Food Robotics, which develops hot food vending systems, has announced teaming up with Buddy Valastro, celebrity chef from “Cake Boss” and owner of The Boss Cafe by Buddy Valastro restaurant. The partnership will offer customized Bake Xpress hot food kiosks to serve foods from Valastro’s restaurant, which opened in April in Las Vegas. The first two machines are co-located at the LINQ Hotel + Experience with The Boss Cafe, which offers casual dining inspired by East Coast neighborhood delis. The custom-branded Bake Xpress machines currently bake several bakery-style pizzas, and are open 24 hours a day. Read More |
|
About Us Unsubscribe Privacy Policy |
This email was sent to @. |
|