One of the core principles of mechatronics is the ability to displace mechanical components where the functionality can be replicated by a blend of software in the control system and a good hardware strategy. The most commonly recognized application might be electronic line shafting. The mechanical problem is that mechanical loads are required to […]
168,000 robots were sold in 2013; 5% more than in 2012
Based on the results of the IFR Quarterly Statistics, the IFR estimates that in 2013 about 168,000 industrial robots were sold, 5% more than in 2012. Robot sales to the Americas continued to increase due to necessary automation processes in the North American industry. Robot sales to Asia rose considerably due to strong demand from…
Hexagon acquires Aibotix
Hexagon, a Swedish provider of R&D and design, measurement and visualization products, with 14,000 employees in over 40 countries, and which serves a broad range of industries, predominantly automotive, aerospace, defense and manufacturing, has acquired Aibotix, a maker of the Aibot X6 unmanned aerial vehicle. Aibotix, a German start-up, has been marketing a sleek multi-rotor…
Sydney Harbor Bridge Gets Blasted By Robots
SABRE Autonomous Solutions, a spin-off from the University of Technology Sydney, is using two Schunk lightweight arms and blaster pistols to grit-blast the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The bridge, which spans 503 meters and has a hight of 134 meters, must be continuously maintained and corrosion protected. This includes sandblasting and repainting 485,000 sq meters of…
The Future of Controls – Part 2
Like Rodney Dangerfield, controls manufacturers can’t seem to get any respect from the mainstream electronics industry. In the broad business of electronics manufacturing, industrial products simply don’t have the volume of the consumer electronics industry. In fact, it is only in the last few years that Microsoft bothered to establish a liason with Rockwell Automation […]
iRobot is on a tear
On February 5th iRobot reported their quarterly and annual report. 4Q revenue was up 25% from the previous year and full year 2013 revenue of $487 was up 12%. “2013 was a great year for iRobot. Our Home Robot business increased 20 percent over 2012, driven by growth in both domestic and overseas markets,” said Colin Angle,…
Robotic Skills Help Wanted Ads Up 13% in 2013
Comparing 2013 to 2012, demand for robotics skills increased 13% year-over-year. Further evaluation shows that the bulk of hiring is in the healthcare sector. WANTED Analytics, a research firm analyzing the quantity and type of job wanted ads, reported that there were 45,000 jobs for robotics skilled professionals advertised online during 2013. Healthcare jobs accounted for 35%…
Lockheed and AeroVironment to jointly develop UAS
AeroVironment (of Raven, Puma and Wasp fame) has a high-altitude long-endurance UAV named Global Observer. It flies at 65,000’ for a week or more at a time, has up to a 600-mile diameter footprint and can carry a heavy payload of sensors and cameras. Lockheed Martin's experience with mission and ground systems technology and the integration…
Foxconn and Google Cooperating to Make Robots
In a Wall Street Journal story by Lorraine Luk, Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou met with Google Robotics Division Andy Rubin in Taipei recently and they discussed new robotic technologies. Gou was excited by new automation technologies demonstrated by Rubin. Rubin asked Gou to help integrate the robotic companies that Google acquired to target the areas of manufacturing…
2nd International Skolkovo Robotics Conference to be held March 1-2 in Moscow
By Susan and Mike McFarlane, RobotGuide Edited by Frank Tobe, The Robot Report Technopark “Skolkovo”, created in 2010, provides innovative companies participating in the project to support the development of technology assets, contributing to their establishment in the Russian and global markets. “Robotics holds a priority place on the Russian Communications and Media Ministry’s list…
The Future of Control
If the future of the control industry could be compared to a weather report, it would have to be “fair to partly cloudy”. Figuring out what direction things are headed in is very to to predict with any clarity. The first problem is what categories of control to consider. In the industrial arena the most […]
The fate of jobs in relation to robotics is confusing
Will a robot take your job? Will a higher minimum wage cause job destruction? Or is it all media hype? What's the truth? [Also see the 2/13/14 update.] MSNBC asked Bill Gates whether increasing the federal minimum wage is a good idea. He responded: “If you raise the minimum wage, you’re encouraging labor substitution, and…
Four interesting robotic investments
Microsoft is betting $5.57 million on IT-related projects at two Swiss universities; James Dyson is putting $8.21 million into a London college lab; Ekso Bionics went public with a $20 million IPO; and a Schaft co-founder sets up new $19 million investment fund. Dyson: Dyson, best known for his non-robotic vacuum cleaners, was critical of the…
Calendar of Robotics-related Events
The 2014 calendar of robotics-related conferences, exhibitions and fairs are shown on the Events page of this website. Did you know we had such a calendar? Click Events to see what's happening and where. Each event has a link to help you decide whether to attend. From Moscow and the Skolkovo Robotics Conference and Expo, to…
The Future of Manufacturing
The future of manufacturing is here. The rate of change is nothing short of amazing. The implications for the near future of American industry are hard to predict, but my optimistic side says we are looking at a manufacturing rennasisance. This will not be without turmoil, change is never easy. But the potential for success […]
DoD Unmanned Air, Sea & Ground Budget 2014-2018
Demand for unmanned air, ground and sea systems continues unabated. Drivers include combat ops, reduced military budgets, a changing national security environment, and improved technologies. The chart shows what the DoD has budgeted for the next 5 years. Hold-ups include a lack of interoperability and modularity; communications systems, spectrum and resilience; security; ability to operate…