Sometimes the old tricks work the best. The Belt and Pulley solution for mechanical power transmission has been around for a couple of centuries, and despite all the ‘high tech’ motion control, it’s still alive and well. This seems strange at first glance, but it’s based on simple mechanical truth; belt and pulley is still the cheapest […]
Funding and acquisition spree continues
2015 was a phenomenal year for funding and acquiring robotic companies. Over $1.32 billion in seed, crowd, series A,B,C,D and VC fundings and more than $2.27 billion in acquisitions. And they’ve begun again in 2016. UPDATED 5/2/2016: Adds Skydio and Drone Racing League fundings. January Fundings: Woobo, a stealthy startup in Boston, received $800k from…
Interactive Map Tracks Drone, Self-Driving Car Legislation
AUVSI’s “2016 State Unmanned Systems Legislation” map keeps track of 150-plus active bills pertaining to unmanned systems in the USA.
Automation system PSS 4000 release 13 adds function for safety applications
The automation system, PSS 4000 from Pilz continues to deliver extra benefits designed to give you even greater value. The function “non-persistent online change” now means that individual changes in user programs can be transferred to the control system. Pilz has made this function available in the automation system PSS 4000 for safety applications. Users […]
Pepper Robots to Fully Staff Tokyo Cellphone Store
Pepper humanoid robots will help customers make purchases, select data plans and sign contracts at a cellphone store in Tokyo.
Countdown to April’s Hannover Messe
Hannover Messe 2016 will be the global hotspot for Industry 4.0 solutions. “Next April, the world’s key drivers of industrial digitalization will all be in Hannover – among them German specialists from the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering and the electronics industry, as well as leading U.S. software providers and Asian firms also focused on […]
Watch: Man Lifts Mini Cooper with DIY Exoskeleton
Engineer James Hobson built himself an exoskeleton that allowed him to easily lift a 2,524lb Mini Cooper.
Loon Copter Drone Flies, Floats, Swims Underwater
Most aerial drones are afraid of water, but not Loon Copter. The drone can fly, float, or swim underwater.
Perceptron launches COORD3 universal 5-axis CMM
Perceptron Inc. has launched a full range of 5-axis CMMs complete with the revolutionary Renishaw REVO-2 scanning probe and a fully-integrated UCC CMM controller and MODUS metrology software. More after the jump. Elliott Mills, Perceptron’s CMM Product Sales Director says, “By combining the metrology stability of the COORD3 Universal CMM with the latest Renishaw REVO-2 […]
Harvard Creating AI That Works Like the Human Brain
The pattern-recognition and learning abilities of machines still pale in comparison to even the simplest mammalian brains.
ABB introduces medium track motion platform
ABB has introduced the IRBT 2005, a flexible, compact and modular medium track motion platform for both robots and transfer applications. It is designed to accommodate rapid product changes in applications that require an extended working range and high degrees of speed and accuracy, including arc welding, material handling, machine tending, and sealing and dispensing. […]
McAfee’s antivirus to be integrated into Advantech’s Industrial Storage-SQFlash
Advantech’s Industrial Automation Group is pleased to announce collaboration with Intel Security to integrate McAfee antivirus into Advantech’s Industrial Storage-SQFlash Security Package. Advantech SQFlash includes industrial SSD, CF cards, and multiple form factor storage; all empowered by comprehensive security features such as Flash Lock, Security ID, and Emergency Erase. It represents a total solution for […]
New compact DIN rail power supply modules
Wieland Electric Inc. has expanded its wipos series of DIN rail power supply modules with a new compact design for control cabinet applications. The new wipos PS series power supplies carry worldwide agency approvals, including UL, CSA, CE, as well as approvals for hazardous locations (Class 1, Div. 2) and shipboard installations (Lloyd’s Register). The […]
Cruden’s hexapods deliver realism
Not all games evolve the same way. Cruden has developed numerous race car and powerboat simulators that focus on accuracy and realism. These simulators have been designed primarily to allow Formula One drivers to improve their skills, to fine tune the vehicle dynamics on the latest Jaguar and to train Dutch navy high-speed boat instructors. […]
Mechatronic gripper for small part handling: EGP 25 speed version
The EGP from SCHUNK is the electric small part gripper with the most compact performance on the market. SCHUNK expanded the EGP series with a smaller size (25) which weighs 110 g and has a stroke of 3 mm per finger. Furthermore, SCHUNK has developed an optional “speed” version of the EGP 25. By reducing […]
Video: Details of 2016’s FIRST STRONGHOLD robotics game
Inventor and FIRST Founder Dean Kamen launched the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition season today with the Kickoff of a new robotics game called FIRST STRONGHOLD before a crowd of more than 1,000 people, including Senator for New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and New Hampshire Governor Margaret Hassan (D-N.H.), at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, […]
Hansen Medical Sells Cardiac Robot to Dutch Center
Maastricht University Medical Center buys robotic-guided cardiac catheter system, but recent acquisitions demonstrate industry’s growing pains.
Heroes or Not
Heroes are people who takes risks. People who struggle against great forces. Sometimes they are People who have a big impact on society in their generation. Sometimes they are People with a big personality who are controversial. Heroes are, in the final analysis, people. Human beings. Some with special gifts and creativity. Some were in the […]
Calgary Man Arrested for Flying Drone Near Airport
Police arrest 25-year-old after spotting him flying a drone just south of major runway at Calgary International Airport.
Nearly 300K Drone Owners Registered in First 30 Days
About 45,000 hobbyists registered two days after the FAA implemented drone registration.
FAA Bans Drones at Super Bowl 50
If you’re anywhere in the vicinity of Super Bowl 50 on February 7, please leave your drone at home.
NASA Needs Your Help With a Space Station Robot
NASA needs help building a robotic arm for Astrobee, a free-flying robot the space agency is making to live aboard the International Space Station.