As the collaboration between Comau Robotics and B&R continues to mature and expand, the companies can already boast ten thousand units installed and operating all around the globe. This achievement underscores the quality of Comau products, which rely on powerful, accurate and reliable control electronics from automation specialist B&R. The two companies have been working […]
Comau has introduced a new two-armed, humanoid robot which it says clarifies and emphasises its next steps towards a future where man-machine cooperation evolves from mere hypothesis to a real production opportunity that can be applied in total safety. Amico is a “technical and communicative concept” chosen by Comau to represent the robot’s ability to […]
By minimising the acceleration of industrial robots, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 40 percent without impacting on cycle times. This is the result of a new optimization algorithm that was developed by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology. Pictured: From the left – Dr Kristofer Bengtsson, master’s student Emma Vidarsson and Professor […]
Leading hydraulic engineering company Quick Hydraulics has been bought out of administration by Altec Engineering and the jobs of 19 employees saved. The acquisition was quick in more ways than one; the directors of Quick Hydraulics put the company in to administration on Monday, and within 24 hours the company was sold. Dan Butters and […]
Visitors to the recent Kawasaki Robotics UK open day were presented with an insight into the capabilities of its new robots. Over 100 manufacturing engineers from food, automotive and aerospace sectors attended the event at Kawasaki’s Warrington facilities. The BX and BA Series robots proved to be the star attractions amongst the automotive sector illustrating […]
An extremely small universal module Igus triflex RS is frequently used in packing systems. It mounts to preexisting fastening points on the robot and consists of a multi-axis energy supply, integrated spring rods and a cover for extra protection. Pictured right: The turnkey packaging plant employs a very compact Igus triflex RS universal module for […]
Robots have left their protective cage. They now work closely with people. AUTOMATICA (Munich 21-24 June, 2016) will highlight how the automation industry is facing the challenge of this new technology. Pictured right: Safe collaboration of humans and robots, without a safety barrier. The lightweight LBR iiwa from KUKA makes it possible. Clever, lightweight robot […]
An increasing number of robotic processes in production lines require synchronisation with conveyor belts. Ensuring the high levels of speed and precision needed to accomplish this used to require highly complex control solutions. Production lines with conveyor belt tracking have an advantage: since the production process never comes to a stop, they can achieve higher […]
Stewart Robinson of TUV SUD Product Service looks at standards relevant to collaborative robots. Collaborative Robots – sometimes referred to as ‘CoBots’ – are robots that are designed to work alongside humans in a collaborative work-space, an area where the robot and the human can perform tasks simultaneously. There are many sectors where collaborative operation […]
Safety aspects in robotic applications must always be considered on an individual basis and the appropriate safety solution implemented for each one. Safe sensor technology has a key role to play, but the experts at Pilz argue a modular approach is required in order to satisfy all applications with regard to safety. Pictured right: The […]
Motion plastics and low-cost automation at MACH 2026
igus returns to MACH with a comprehensive range of engineering innovations designed to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime and deliver long‑term cost savings for manufacturers across all industry. With the UK operation based in Northampton, igus develops lubrication‑free motion plastics that replace traditional metal components, increasing performance while eliminating the need for grease and maintenance. […]
RBTX DOBOT partner launch hailed a success
igus UK marks a major milestone in accessible automation with the successful launch of its RBTX partnership with DOBOT Robotics. The event brought together engineers, system integrators, manufacturers and automation specialists to explore how flexible robotic solutions can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively, without the complexity traditionally associated with industrial automation. Live demonstrations showcased collaborative […]
What role does AI play in art?
The River of Light festival in Liverpool showcased ‘Face Value’, a captivating installation co-created by PhD student Emma Brass from the University of Liverpool and Venya Krutikov, co-founder of The Kazimier and Invisible Wind Factory. Blending artificial intelligence, robotics, and visual art, Face Value invites visitors to confront how technology perceives and redefines reality. The […]
Annual robot shipments to top 760k units in 2030
The industrial robot industry saw 5.1% growth in 2025, following a contraction of -2% in 2024, Interact Analysis reports. The market is now forecast to record steady growth out to 2030, at an average annual rate of 6.7%, rising from 549,555 units in 2025 to 761,303 units in 2030. The latest industrial robots report from […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
Cobot shipments will more than double by 2030
The collaborative robot market is entering a phase of sustained but uneven growth. Interact Analysis‘ latest Collaborative Robots – 2026 report points to a market that is maturing in some respects, particularly pricing, but volatile in terms of regional and application demand. Collaborative robot shipments reached nearly 58,000 units in 2025, having grown 14.5% over […]
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Gourmet-food-maker automates packaging process
Rockwell Automation has announced that Cranswick, one of Britain’s leading manufacturers of premium gourmet foods, has commissioned a new robotic end-of-line pick-and-place system using autonox Robotics. Every year, Cranswick produces millions of “pigs-in-blankets” (sausages wrapped in bacon) for the Christmas market. The final stage of the process – picking the sausages off the conveyor belt […]
Universal Robots hosts Food & Beverage Masterclass
The Food & Beverage Masterclass, hosted by Universal Robots in June, 2026 at Riseholme Park in Lincoln, brought together industry professionals for a practical and engaging half-day event focused on end of line automation with collaborative robots (cobots). Designed to give attendees a clear understanding of how automation can be successfully implemented in food and […]
Universal adaptive gripper for faster, gentler picking
Festo has introduced the HPSX Universal Adaptive Gripper, a pneumatic soft gripper engineered to improve speed, hygiene and flexibility in demanding food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics applications. Combining robust design, food-safe materials and adaptive silicone fingers, the HPSX directly addresses long-standing automation challenges where rapid, precise and gentle product handling is essential. “In developing the HPSX, […]