A new form of energy-efficient artificial vision system inspired by the human brain and made in part using honey could help reduce the impact of electronic waste. Engineers from the University of Glasgow partnered with researchers from São Paulo State University (UNESP) and Hong Kong Metropolitan University to develop the system, which uses organic, biodegradable […]
When Google DeepMind needed a robotic hand for its AI project, it chose Shadow Robot. This new hand is highly sensitive, dexterous, and robust enough to withstand impacts that ruined earlier models. Throughout human history, the role played by the capabilities of our hands cannot be understated. From prehistoric manhandling in the earliest tools to […]
A wine harvester has designed an autonomous ‘steep slope’ harvesting vehicle with igus energy chains. Christmas means friends, food and, for many, a few drinks. White wine is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the UK and we consume about £12bn of alcohol in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. To keep supplying wine, […]
The rapidly increasing aging population will lead to a shortage of care providers in the future. While robotic technologies are a potential alternative, their widespread use is limited by poor acceptance. In a new study, researchers from Chiba University have examined a user-centric approach to understand the factors influencing user willingness among caregivers and recipients […]
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 […]
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 […]
Extending cobot capabilities for higher payloads
As part of Bosch Rexroth, Kassow Robots continues to push the boundaries of collaborative robotics by expanding the capabilities of collaborative robotics. With the introduction of the KR 1824 and KR 1240, the company enables manufacturers to automate more demanding, higher-payload processes – bridging the gap between traditional industrial and collaborative robots. Designed for seamless […]
Cobot motion and sensing for extended automation
The latest advances in technologies such as sensing, actuation, and perception are enabling cobots to tackle more complex and delicate processes in manufacturing and logistics activities, as the experts at Yamaha Robotics explain. Companies operating factories and warehouses can now choose from a wide variety of robots, ranging from familiar industrial types like cartesian and […]
ABB Robotics launches high-speed PoWa cobot family
ABB Robotics is combining the flexibility of cobots with higher payloads and performance, with the launch of its new PoWa cobot family into the rapidly expanding global collaborative robot market, which ABB Robotics estimates will grow by 20 percent annually through to 2028. “Cobots are growing significantly faster than traditional industrial robots, driven by demands […]
Customised robotics and automation systems: Astech Projects is an award-winning provider of advanced automated solutions. We work with clients worldwide to design and build robotics and automation systems that meet
... Read More »
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 […]