The “seismic” shift from fixed automation to mobile robots will transform material handling within the industrial supply chain, as well as other areas of manufacturing – according to new research by a global tech market advisory firm.
For the first time, Ford has introduced a team of collaborative robots that works alongside human engineers to ensure every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish.
The latest International Federation of Robotics figures show global sales of US$16.5bn in 2018, with a total of 422,000 industrial robots shipped - up 6% compared to the previous year.
Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM), a technology which allows a device to map its environment while positioning itself in it, is a crucial driver for the future of robotics.
Leading figures in UK manufacturing recently met to discuss how to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities enabled by emerging technologies, and assess whether fears over automation, digitalisation, and artificial intelligence are justified.
You may have heard of world-leading manufacturer of wire joining systems, Gripple, but you might not know Gripple Automation, its sister company that makes the machines powering some of the smartest factories there are.
No matter how you cut the automation cake, the rise of the robots appears unstoppable. On the one hand, automation will not only complement the work of humans, but will also allow us to lead happier lives, cites a new report from The Economist Intelligence Unit. On the other, robots will replace up to 20 million jobs globally by 2030 (almost 9% of the global manufacturing workforce), according to a new study by Oxford Economics.
The idea of robots stealing jobs is an increasing concern for the manufacturing sector and many others. Automation is here to stay and crucially support the future workforce, here is what you need to know.
My afternoon at this year’s Manufacturing Automation and Robotics Summit included a roundtable discussion on Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, with delegates coming together to identify the key takeaways for them and their businesses.
