Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.55
…policies, high turnover in sorting jobs amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and brand and packaging company commitments to minimum recycled content goals in new packaging by 2025. The company said its value proposition has been validated by public and private companies, as well as municipalities across the U.S. For example, EverestLabs cited Sims Municipal Recycling Sunset Park in Brooklyn, N.Y. “EverestLabs’ mission to improve performance in our industry is welcome, and we are excited to see what the company will achieve,” said Tom Outerbridge, president of Sims Municipal Recycling. “Since installing four EverestLabs robotic cells in our commingled recycling facility…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.32
…chain poses less challenge than safety Trade conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent geopolitical problems have affected parts availability, but Dextrous Robotics was able to work around it, said Drumwright. “While some suppliers said it would take 40 weeks to get a part, it just entailed us to pay attention to longer lead times,” he said. “That was an issue on a vanshingly small number of components—such as communications and some electronics, but nothing on the processor level.” “With the team we put together, we can always design around it,” Drumwright said. “Off-the-shelf robots are great at doing a range…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.14
…to help employees return to them safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. “DoorDash is fully committed to the safety and security of its employees and workplaces,” stated Chris Cherry, head of global safety and security at DoorDash. “By placing leading technologies and data at the center of our workplace strategy, we have been able to achieve our safety and security objectives while simultaneously fostering the curated experiences that drive human connection and innovation.” Founded in 2013, DoorDash connects consumers with local businesses in 27 countries. The San Francisco-based company has worked with Starship Technologies for delivery services. Last year, DoorDash acquired…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.58
…2020. “China was leading the global recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic and accounted for half of worldwide robot installations in 2021,” said Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), in a statement. The county has been the world’s largest industrial robot market since at least 2013. Chinese government bullish on automation China’s aging workforce has led to a shortage of employees and has helped drive robotic adoption, the federation has found. Government officials in the country have announced plans to expand the country’s use of robots even further in the coming years. The Ministry of Industry and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.72
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the International Robot Safety Conference will be in person this year. The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has been putting on the event for over 30 years. This year’s show will include more than 40 guest speakers, three days of sessions, and an exhibit hall filled with robots. The conference runs from Sept. 27 to 29 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in Columbus, Ohio. Carole Franklin, A3’s director for standards development for robotics, told Robotics 24/7 that the conference is designed to cater to two types of stakeholders—those who are new…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.28
…with human labor. Robots for sanitation and cleaning The COVID-19 pandemic pushed the need for increased sanitation, not only in medical settings but in other public settings such as schools and airports. To keep up with newer, stricter sanitation standards, as a result, deploying mobile robots is a cost-effective and sustainable solution. Robots such as the Avalon Steritech Whiz autonomously move about spaces to eliminate <99% of microbial burdens and are widely adopted in healthcare, office, and other commercial settings. Mobile robots such as the Whiz increase personal safety for humans by limiting contact with infected surfaces, they also work…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.54
With trade conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing supply chain and labor challenges, North American and European enterprises have considered reshoring or near-shoring operations to build resilience. However, a significant “education gap” exists in the skills needed for reshoring and automation to succeed, according to a global ABB survey. “The world is constantly evolving—businesses are shifting existing structures and adopting new technologies to future-proof their operations for a variety of challenges and uncertainties, with robotic automation playing a key role,” said Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation. “We need significant investment in continuous education to prepare our…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.63
…of WINIT is close to 100%. WINIT said the COVID-19 pandemic has not affected its overall service and operation, despite global supply chain disruptions, thanks to HAI Robotics' help. HAIPICK enabled the company to maintain its on-time delivery while ensuring the completion of orders. So far, WINIT has helped more than 20,000 Chinese merchants to export their goods to the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Europe. HAIPICK alleviates labor woes In addition, HAIPICK can let companies significantly reduce labor costs, said HAI Robotics. Not only does it mitigate the need to hire new employees to perform the most labor-intensive, repetitive…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.58
…home, in part, in response to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on global supply chains. Global supply chain consulting firm Kearney recently shared findings from its 2021 index reshoring report and found that the trend will likely continue for the next few years. “Seventy-nine percent of executives surveyed who have manufacturing operations in China have either already moved part of their operations to the U.S. or plans to do in the next three years, and another 15% are evaluating similar moves,” the report noted. Agarwal said he believes part of it has to do with U.S government incentives…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.00
…its Rizon adaptive robot arms can be used for COVID-19 testing and massages. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company said its robots take advantage of computer vision, force control, and artificial intelligence to complete a range of applications designed to help reduce human labor. When testing people for COVID-19, for example, Flexiv’s robot arms can independently swab people’s mouths and deposit samples in sterile containers. “With no need for human-to-human interaction, health workers can be redeployed and their workload reduced,” the company said in a statement. Robotic back rubs Flexiv also had a robot giving attendees massages during the event, which…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.22
…more and costing less to implement.” “Public perception is changing—COVID-19 drove a lot of that with job shortages,” he added. “Robotics is key to the future of productivity; there is no future of work without robots.” Founded in 2016, Apptronik spun out of the University of Texas at Austin. The Austin-based company is developing exoskeletons and the Astro humanoid robot. Cardenas spoke with Robotics 24/7 about how Amazon's recent purchase of iRobot and Apptronik's own work are showing the way to the future of robotics. Amazon iRobot acquisition an industry bellwether Amazon is one of the biggest brands in the…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.57
…inbound and outbound distribution centers. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NFI said throughput demands have increased at every stage of its supply chain process. Boston Dynamics expands Stretch rollouts Stretch features a seven-degree robot arm, an adaptive vacuum gripper, and a high-capacity battery that Boston Dynamics said can last up to 16 hours on a single charge. The robot can carry a variety of packages up to 50 lb. (22.6 kg.). As part of its vision system, the robot does not require SKU number pre-programing or box size information. It is also smart enough to be able to readjust…