Industrial Automation, Robots and Unmanned Vehicles Industry Newsletter - May 2013

Unmanned Systems Markets: What People Are Saying 
05/16/13, William Finn, AMREL
Nobody is sure how much the DoD will decrease spending on unmanned systems, but the fear of such cuts has spurred developers to accelerate the transition to civilian applications.

Is That Robot Thinking?
05/16/13, Len Calderone for, RoboticsTomorrow
Presently, most robots are programmed to perform definite tasks and they perform them with absolute precision, but when precise movements are replaced with thoughtful movements, the robot will need to learn how to perform a task and then proceed. The robot will no longer be the precise machine that it was, but one that is prone to errors as we humans are.

Interview with Mitch Rosenberg, Rethink Robotics
05/16/13, Mitch Rosenberg, Rethink Robotics
This year, Rethink Robotics will offer a Software Development Kit that enables customers and third parties to develop unique task applications. As a result, Baxter will be more than just a robot, it will be a platform for third-party capability development—much like mobile phones and PCs are today.

Multi-application Robot Arm Is ‘Child’s Play’ To Program
05/16/13, Contributed by, Universal Robots
“Teaching the robot is child’s play, both Julian and I taught ourselves within a day,” Steve Blease continued. “The teach mode is ideal for establishing the basic approach and then it’s just a question of fine-tuning for final positioning.”

Makr Shakr

GOOGLE I/O 2013

The Moscone Center, San Francisco

Makr Shakr is a new robotic bartending system that allows users to create, in real-time, personalized cocktail recipes through a smart phone application and transform them into crowd-sourced drink combinations. The cocktail creation is assembled by three robotic arms, whose movements - visualized on a large display positioned behind the bar - mimic the actions of a bartender, from the shaking of a martini to the thin slicing of a lemon garnish. The system explores the new dynamics of social creation and consumption - ‘design, make and enjoy’ - and in just the time needed to prepare a new cocktail.

US Digital - E5 Optical Kit Encoder

Precise speed is critical for controlling autonomous robot movement in environments where collisions with other machines or humans are possible. US Digital encoders provide the ideal solution for robotic applications, as the small package size allows system designers to optimize their designs without giving up on performance. The E5 optical kit encoder easily mounts and dismounts to an existing shaft, providing digital feedback information. The E5 encoder is an improved replacement for HEDS-5500 series encoders and accommodates standard NEMA motor sizes 17-34. Features include 32-1250 cycles per revolution (CPR), A&B quadrature with optional index and latching 5 pin or 10 pin cable connectors. US Digital has best-in-industry lead times, with standard orders shipping with 1-2 business days.

Learn More About US Digital

Micromo

For over 50 years, MICROMO has provided the highest quality, custom micro motion solutions for markets such as medical, aerospace, defense and robotics in North America. Decades ago in Germany, it all started with the FAULHABER coil, the landmark invention by Dr.Fritz Faulhaber. The self-supporting, ironless rotor coil design paved way for a new industry that produces millions of motors today.

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Bob Hetherington bobh@roboticstomorrow.com

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