Humans and animals move with remarkable economy – without consciously thinking about it – by utilising the natural oscillation patterns of their bodies. A new tool developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) can now utilise this knowledge for the first time to make robots move more efficiently. Four-legged animals that start […]
Guillaume Mougin, Product Manager at Portescap, explores how miniature electric motors are improving the performance of grippers in robotics. Grippers are essential for robots engaged in pick-and-place applications. These electromechanical ‘hands’ allow objects to be grasped, manipulated and released, facilitating fast and precise interactions for low-mix, high-volume industrial processes. For the past three decades, pneumatic […]
Data from LCP Delta has revealed that UK drivers pay 74 per cent more to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) than anywhere else in Europe – adding to a long list of issues EV drivers face. Dave Walsha, sales manager at EMS, explains how drive technology can help manufacturers resolve some of the common issues […]
Gerard Bush, Sales Manager at motion specialist INMOCO explores the journey from designing humanoid robots to delivering them for practical use, highlighting the key challenges and solutions in this evolving field. The human body is remarkable for its ability to navigate diverse environments, handle complex tasks, and adapt to varied conditions. These capabilities make it […]
The Robotics Institute Germany (RIG), jointly established by Germany’s leading robotics centres, is to become the central contact point for robotics in Germany. At the ‘AI-based Robotics 2024′ conference in Berlin, Professor Angela Schoellig from the consortium leader, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and RIG spokesperson Professor Tamim Asfour from the Karlsruhe Institute of […]
Street works carried out in England between 2022 and 2023 cost the economy some £4 billion in journey disruption. Infrastructure work is essential, but how can we minimise its impact on drivers and residents? In this article, Stewart Goulding, managing director of drive system supplier EMS, explores how robotics could be the solution. Maintenance work […]
Assistance robot GARMI has demonstrated that it can directly combine specific skills and support seniors throughout the day. With the help of a digital twin, artificial intelligence and ChatGPT, the care assistant from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) can conduct caregiving tasks such as bringing water and breakfast to the bedside, booking medical appointments […]
Start-up company Human Robotix has developed a robot that can provide assessment and therapy of the wrist, elbow, and ankle, with early results suggesting a positive response for people with conditions such as stroke and cerebral palsy. To provide the robot’s drive system, Human Robotix has partnered with maxon. Robotics has the potential to provide […]
For more than 15 years, the Festo Bionic Learning Network has been focusing on the fascination of flying. With the BionicBee, the Festo Bionic Learning Network has developed a flying object that can fly in large numbers and completely autonomously in a swarm. At around 34 grams, a length of 220 millimetres and a wingspan […]
Smaller batch sizes instead of mass production, more complex production lines, increasing competitive pressure, unstable supply chains: Against this background, the Franco-German research project GreenBotAI addresses robotics, a project led by Fraunhofer IWU. Three main objectives are in focus: ensuring production continuity even in pandemic times, strengthening Europe’s independence in production automation, and significantly reducing […]
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 […]
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. […]
ABB Robotics to showcase next-gen automation
ABB Robotics will be demonstrating a range of advanced automation technologies at MACH 2026, highlighting how manufacturers can boost productivity, improve flexibility and accelerate digital transformation through more autonomous and versatile robotics (AVR). On stand 18-640 in Hall 18, visitors will experience the latest developments in collaborative robots, industrial automation cells, digital engineering tools and […]
Cobot completes one millionth PCB quality check
Hanover Displays, a UK-based manufacturer of passenger information systems for the public transport sector, has reached a major manufacturing milestone: the completion of its 1,000,000th automated quality test of printed circuit boards (PCBs) using Techman collaborative robots from LG Motion. The automation programme began in 2018, when Hanover introduced its first collaborative robot to improve […]
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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, […]
The beverage palletising shift is accelerating
Martin Ray Winery in Napa Valley has deployed its first lean cobot palletising workcell and achieved a 16-month ROI, with the system installed in just two days. You can find out all about it in a webinar hosted by Robotiq on 19 March. Across Europe and North America, beverage producers, from kombucha and bottled water […]
Robotics, vision and AI combine for dairy processes
Automation solutions provider Eberle Automatische Systeme has developed a breakthrough in quality control with a focus on the cheese-ripening process, combining AI with machine vision software from MVTec. The food industry is experiencing a transformative shift in quality control, due in part to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). When combined with rule-based machine vision, AI […]