ATI Industrial Automation has released a slew of end-of-arm tooling kits that are compatible with FANUC’s CRX Series collaborative robot arms. N.C.-based ATI Industrial Automation said the kits include options for automatic tool changing, force sensing, and material removal. They enable tasks such as machine tending, part inspection, surface preparation and more. ATI said the…
Laser-steering microrobot aims to refine minimally invasive surgery
A new device that is 6 millimeters in diameter and 16 millimeters in length is capable of focusing and steering a fiber-delivered laser beam at high speeds.
How AMP Robotics is changing recycling; Festo wins gripper challenge
Welcome to Episode 29 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community. You can subscribe to The Robot Report Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, SoundCloud, Spotify and more. Please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a…
How pole beans inspired this soft robotic gripper
Scientists often look to nature for cues when designing robots – some robots mimic human hands while others simulate the actions of octopus arms or inchworms. Now, researchers in the University of Georgia College of Engineering have designed a new soft robotic gripper that draws inspiration from an unusual source: pole beans. While pole beans…
Piab piSoftgrip 50-2 vacuum gripper targets food automation
Piab has extended its piSoftgrip family with a new pinch gripper developed for the automation of the food/chocolate industry. The vacuum-based soft gripper can grip sensitive and lightweight oblong objects with odd geometries and/or objects with an unusual surface. piSoftgrip has two gripping fingers and a sealed vacuum cavity, all made in one piece, resulting…
Bobacino launches crowdfunding campaign for automated bubble tea machine
As robotics and automation expand to new markets, startup Bobacino brings a customizable and futuristic splash to a time-honored tradition of bubble tea.
OnRobot 2FG7 parallel gripper designed for low-volume, high-mix production
The 2FG7 parallel gripper offers a maximum payload of 11 kg (24.3 lb), an external grip range of up to 74 mm (2.91 in) and a gripping force of between 20-140 N.
Soft robotic gripper modeled after an elephant’s trunk
Nature has inspired engineers at UNSW Sydney to develop a soft fabric robotic gripper that behaves like an elephant’s trunk to grasp, pick up and release objects without breaking them. The researchers say the versatile technology could be widely applied in sectors where fragile objects are handled, such as agriculture, food and the scientific and…
How precision drives can improve the performance of robotic grippers, mobile robots
As robots become more flexible and enter new industries, they need to be as precise as possible. FAULHABER MICROMO said its configurable precision drives are necessary in numerous applications.
Robots can now grab six-packs without damage using new Piab vacuum system
Mushroom harvesting robots a step toward revolutionizing the global food system
After reflecting on his travels across the U.S. and the problem of food insecurity, columnist Oliver Mitchell talks to a roboticist automating mushroom harvesting, demonstrating robotics’ potential in agriculture.
Toyota Research Institute shows service robot prototypes in virtual open house
Toyota Research Institute demonstrated its research into machine learning, simulation, and manipulation in a virtual open house, which included a ceiling-mounted kitchen gantry robot.
Soft Bubble Gripper a step toward domestic robots, says Toyota Research Institute
The Soft Bubble Gripper developed by a Toyota Research Institute team combines sensors and advanced materials to more safely handle objects in a step toward household robots.
The Gripper Company opens online store with configurable soft gripper
The Gripper Company opened its online shop for business with its first offering — a configurable soft gripper to meet demand for handling diverse objects while trying to keep costs down.
Root AI raises seed funding for Virgo robot, designed to harvest multiple crops
Root AI, which has been developing the Virgo robot to be able to pick multiple types of crops with AI and compliant fingers, plans to expand in North America and Europe.
Michigan State finds that stronger soft gripper could lead to safer human-robot interactions
A team of Michigan State University researchers has built flexible hybrid pneumatic actuator, which could enable safer human-machine interaction with safer robot end effectors.
MIT creates tactile-reactive robot gripper that manipulates cables
MIT CSAIL created a system that uses two robotic gripper with soft sensitive fingers to handle cables with unprecedented dexterity.
RIOS raises funding, emerges from stealth with AI driven dexterous robots
RIOS has raised $5 million as it emerges from stealth and offers its DX-1 multipurpose robot for complex component assembly and other tasks.
OnRobot Screwdriver launches for collaborative robots
OnRobot is looking to help manufacturers automate a variety of screwdriving processes. The RBR50 company introduced its OnRobot Screwdriver end-of-arm tool that handles a variety of screws.
MIT gives soft robotic gripper better sense of touch and perception
MIT researchers built a soft robotic gripper that uses embedded cameras and deep learning to enable tactile sensing and awareness of its positions and movements.
ZAGO Manufacturing increases capacity with automated night shifts
ZAGO Manufacturing faced an increase in demand, but had a limited workforce. It turned to Robotiq and Universal Robots for a robust automated solution.
OnRobot Soft Gripper is designed for picking challenges, food handling
The new OnRobot Soft Gripper is designed to work without an external air supply. The end effector comes in three configurations, is FDA-certified, and works with the One System Solution.