Industrial Automation, Robots and Unmanned Vehicles General Newsletter - Jun 2016

The ABC of RPA: What is robotics and automation in the office?

Robotics and automation in the office is actually much more subtle, and typically works behind the scenes.

Safety for Collaborative Robots: New ISO/TS 15066

Collaborative robots are the latest technology, and may provide just the solution you are looking for to improve your production process, but you must still make sure any risks associated with your robotic application are recognized and managed appropriately.

Types of Robotic Actuators

Actuators have become a crucial part of the automated system, as they help with controlling equipment using hydraulic, pneumatic or in some of the cases electronic signals.

Robotic Pickers and Forklifts

The new robotic movers no longer need to travel fixed routes, as they can be programmed while on the move. Focusing on automated materials handling processes, and the underlying robot perception technology, companies will be employing this sophisticated, state-of-the-art artificial intelligence now and in the future.

Google's developing its own version of the Laws of Robotics

Graham Templeton for ExtremeTech:  Google’s artificial intelligence researchers are starting to have to code around their own code, writing patches that limit a robot’s abilities so that it continues to develop down the path desired by the researchers — not by the robot itself. It’s the beginning of a long-term trend in robotics and AI in general: once we’ve put in all this work to increase the insight of an artificial intelligence, how can we make sure that insight will only be applied in the ways we would like?

New Muscle-Inspired Actuators Hold Potential to Build Safer, Soft-Bodied Robots

Robots should be safer and softer in order to make them more cooperative and execute tasks in close contact with humans. George Whitesides, Ph.D., a Core Faculty member at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and the Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers University Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), along with his team, has created a new actuator that moves like human skeletal muscles by using vacuum power for automating soft, rubber beams.

Robot wars: Boston Dynamics fell out with Google over humanoid Atlas

Mary-Ann Russon for International Business Times:  When former Boston Dynamics employees released video of humanoid robot Atlas – walking unassisted over difficult terrain, such as rocks and snow – Google was reportedly displeased; despite the research receiving high praise from roboticists while wowing the public.

Humanistic Robotics - Wireless Emergency Stop

The Wireless Emergency Stop from HRI is a tool to help companies avoid unsafe and unproductive situations by enabling anyone to intervene in the operation of a machine, from wherever they are. A wireless E-Stop in the palm of your hand means that problems can be stopped faster and more reliably than if a team member had to run to a fixed E-Stop, or if no E-Stop were accessible. HRI's Wireless E-Stop is extremely rugged and highly ergonomic, so it can be easily carried wherever you go.

Learn More About Humanistic Robotics / HRI

Novotechnik

Novotechnik develops and manufactures a wide variety of rotary angle sensors and linear position transducers, potentiometers, components and other related products for motion control. All of our products are produced to the same standards of the highest quality and true reliability.

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Bob Hetherington bobh@roboticstomorrow.com

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