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Social robot helps children with autism

Social robot helps children with autism

KASPAR, the University of Hertfordshire’s social robot, has been recognised as one of the most important university science research projects in the UK and is being showcased at a high profile science fair in London. KASPAR, who is the size of a small child, is a minimally-expressive humanoid robot designed as a therapeutic toy for […]

By March 11, 2015 Read More →
Robot grippers complement collaborative robot range

Robot grippers complement collaborative robot range

Robot grippers from Robotiq now complete the Universal Robots package available from RA Rodriguez. Known for their ease of configuration, this range of robot grippers now includes the 2-finger 85 which has been specifically designed for collaborative work, in terms of payload, flexibility and user-friendliness. RA Rodriguez says the addition of the robot grippers extends […]

By March 10, 2015 Read More →
People sceptical robots will improve quality of life

People sceptical robots will improve quality of life

New research shows that the majority of the UK public is yet to recognise the potential for robots to improve quality of life for themselves or their ageing relatives. A survey of 2,023 online GB adults aged 16-75 for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) shows that, despite an ageing population and pressure on […]

By March 4, 2015 Read More →
Robot uptake will not be at the expense of people

Robot uptake will not be at the expense of people

The growth of robotics as a way to automate elements of the supply chain and improve efficiencies will not be at the expense of humans, states Jon Gibson, Head of Logistics, at global supply chain consultancy Crimson & Co, who believes that automation could actually lead to humans enhancing their skills, ultimately enabling them to […]

By March 4, 2015 Read More →
Why it pays UK food manufacturers to automate

Why it pays UK food manufacturers to automate

Food and drink manufacturers are this week backing calls to boost UK food production following reports that the nation’s self sufficiency is on the slide and within a generation over half of the UK’s food will be imported. Dennis Allison (pictured right), managing director of Pacepacker Services, explains why it pays UK food producers to […]

By February 26, 2015 Read More →
Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

Robot safety functions mean homing once is enough

With SafeMOTION Release 1.9, B&R has updated the robot safety functions for the ACOPOSmulti servo drive family. In addition to two new functions – Remanent Safe Position (RSP) and Safely Limited Acceleration (SLA) – this update also introduces machine options for SafeMOTION parameters and improves both system availability and user-friendliness in applications where robot safety […]

By February 25, 2015 Read More →
New platform for Universal Robots accessories and peripherals

New platform for Universal Robots accessories and peripherals

Need a gripper, effector, accessory or peripheral for your Universal Robot? URCaps is a platform where distributors and integrators can present accessories that run successfully in UR robot applications at end users’ facilities. Universal Robots says that Caps are to robots, what apps are to smartphones: useful accessories, hardware and software extending the capabilities of UR […]

By February 24, 2015 Read More →
Food industry is at a robotics tipping point

Food industry is at a robotics tipping point

In the last 12 months there has been a noticeable uptake in robotics in the food processing sector. Although way behind the rest of the EU and US markets in terms of sales, global food security, volatile commodity prices and the much reported grocery price wars are all driving manufacturers towards the same conclusion; efficiency […]

By February 24, 2015 Read More →
Blue laser profile scanner for challenging targets

Blue laser profile scanner for challenging targets

Micro-Epsilon UK has launched a range of 2D/3D laser profile sensors (laser line scanners) that operate using blue (violet) laser technology rather than red. The special characteristics of the blue wavelength laser light make the scanners suitable for a wide range of high precision profile and dimensional measurements on a variety of materials including shiny […]

By February 21, 2015 Read More →
Robots help to reduce manufacturing costs

Robots help to reduce manufacturing costs

ITW Imagedata is a specialist manufacturer of film ribbons and consumables for the global card industry. When it needed a new printer ribbon assembly machine for its highest volume products, it turned to Automation Consultancy GB Innomech. Seamlessly integrated into ITW’s existing production line, the new spool pairing and assembly machine is already helping the […]

By February 17, 2015 Read More →