In a recent and very erudite article, Peter Natchwey of Delta Computers sets forth an analysis of PID position control of hydraulic actuators. Hydraulic actuators have their own complexities which we don’t need to consider, people have done text books on the subject. Hydraulic systems epitomize many aspects of mechatronics, pumping hydraulic fluid to create […]
Without robots, welding is in trouble
Welding has been turning up an excess of jobs without qualified workers to fill them.
Protecting jobs by adding robots
Two different points of view about adding robots to stay competitive. The A3 (Association for Advancing Automation*) has a new website and a video on the subject: “Why I Automate,” which shows in detail why it was necessary and how it was done for one steel basket-making manufacturer. Before automation, Marlin Steel was bending steel by…
Top Robotics-Related Stories of 2013
by Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report Top Robotics-Related Stories of 2013 (all appearing in The Robot Report) Google sets up Robot Division; acquires 7 start ups plus Boston Dynamics to jump-start operations ROBO ETF tracking Robo-stox index created to let investors invest in the robotics industry WSJ, NYT, CBS 60-Minutes, CNN Money,…
Japanese Team Schaft Gets Highest DRC Score
Recent Google acquisition, Schaft, a spin-off from Tokyo University, attained the highest score in the DARPA Robotics Challenge trials and wins $1 million to work towards the final challenge at the end of 2014. Read details in DARPA Robotics Challenge story below.
Top Stories from the 2013 Archives of The Robot Report
Top robotics-related stories for 2013 – as reported in The Robot Report and detailed in our blog Everything-Robotic.
Economics and Mechatronics – Part 3
The widely heralded “next industrial revolution” is certainly here, though there may be some controversy about what exactly that revolution is. For many commentators the next industrial revolution is based on “The Internet of Things”. I don’t think so. The Internet of Things is certainly going to make information more available. More data, or mobile […]
DARPA Robotics Challenge
The DRC is a competition of robot systems and software teams vying to develop robots capable of assisting humans in responding to natural and man-made disasters. The winner gets $2 million. It is sponsored by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and is fodder for the global roboticist community eager for a glimpse of breakthrough technologies.…
China’s Moon Landing and Rover Tip of Iceberg
Yutu (“Jade Rabbit”), China's rover-like robot was soft-landed on the moon earlier this month. China's plans to become a global leader in robotics and space exploration are just beginning to be seen. Yutu is a 6-wheeled rover. It has 4 cameras and 2 digging arms for sampling of lunar soil and dust, and can travel at 1/8…
KUKA buys 51% of Reis Robotics with option to buy remainder
In a surprise move, KUKA, one of the global big four robot manufacturers, signed a letter of intent to acquire 51% of the shares of Reis Robotics, a 57-year old family-owned Germany-based robotics provider and systems integrator. Reis employs 1,300 and has revenues of $178 million. The company's second-largest facility, in Kunshan China, has about 200 employees.…
Google makes 8 big robotic investments
In a revealing NY Times interview with Google's Andy Rubin, some heretofor unknown things came to light: Google is now in the robotics business. They've made eight acquisitions in the last six months to give them some talent and a head start. And they are as closed mouthed about their plans for their new robotics division…
Foxconn plans factory in PA and funds robotic research at CMU
Foxconn’s parent company Hon Hai Precision will fund $10 million for robotics and advanced manufacturing research at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. No further details about the 2-year strategic partnership were available from either CMU or Foxconn. Foxconn also plans to spend an additional $30 million to create an electronics high-tech manufacturing facility in Harrisburg, PA. The…
KUKA opens Shanghai factory and announces orders
KUKA cut the ribbon at their new factory outside of Shanghai. The factory will begin employing 350 and produce the QUANTEC line of robots and controllers and will be able to produce 3,000 robots and controllers annually. Although KUKA has had sales and service facilities in China for the past 9 years, this is the…
Mechatronics and Economics – Part 2
Milton Friedman said that no system in history has done more to relieve grinding poverty than capitalism. Wise words. Friedman was the foremost exponent for capitalism in the 1970s and his words are as true today as they were then. In my last post I referred to the fact that wealth creation, and job creation, […]
Rethink Robotics downsizing: 23% lay off
The Boston Globe reported that Rethink Robotics, maker of the $22,000 Baxter 2-armed robot, has cut 21 jobs from their staff of approximately 90. CEO Scott Eckert said, “The layoffs are the result of Rethink deciding to focus on the market segments that have been most receptive to Baxter since its launch: plastics manufacturing, consumer…
Rethink Robotics is downsizing
By Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report A sad day at Rethink Robotics. 21 jobs have been cut in Rethink’s first layoff. Although Rethink Robotics is downsizing, their action is not indicative of the robotics industry which is booming and hiring. The Boston Globe reported that Rethink Robotics, maker of the $22,000 Baxter…
Mechatronics and Economics
Mechatronics, or if you prefer motion control, is the key enabling technology that makes manufacturing work. The mechanization of work is the history of mankind. From grinding grains with windmills in 7th century BC Syria, pumping water for irrigation in Europe using windmills in the middle ages, to the steam powered industrial revolution of the […]
Apple, Amazon and now Google: It’s a pretty exciting time for robotics!
By Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report There is serious momentum in robotics these days evidenced by recent news from Apple, Amazon and Google: Apple announced that they were investing $10.5 billion in supply chain robots and automation equipment and recently confirmed their acquisition of PrimeSense for $350 million (PrimeSense is the developer…
Amazon isn’t the only delivery service testing flying robots
Amazon isn't the only delivery service testing flying robots. DHL and microdrones are testing drones that could be used to deliver urgently needed goods to hard-to-reach places, eg, medicines to remote sites. Deutsche Post DHL, Germany's express delivery and mail company, is working with German UAV provider microdrones GmbH to test various methods of flight…
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos interviewed by Charlie Rose
Bezos said the secret to Amazon's success is trial and error: “We are on our 7th generation of fulfillment centers – and we've gotten better every time. Amazon is a symphony of people, a symphony of software and a symphony of robots.” Bezos also revealed a new concept delivery service: Amazon PrimeAir. The goal is…
Jeff Bezos Reaches For Tip of UAS Iceberg
Charlie Rose.Photo courtesy of CBS News. By Frank Tobe, Editor/Publisher, The Robot Report On Sunday, Charlie Rose from CBS News 60 Minutes, interviewed Jeff Bezos about what is next for Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer with more than 225 million customers.Volume can reach 300 items a second on special sales days and that volume…
Energy Density and Storage
Energy density is the metric by which we compare a wide range of technologies. It is often used as the basis of comparison for battery technology and the ability to store electrical charge. The problem is those pesky electrons have no mass, so storing them in comparison to a fuel like gasoline is hard to […]