Japanese Firm To Open World's First Robot-run Farm
Spread, a vegetable producer, said industrial robots would carry out all but one of the tasks needed to grow the tens of thousands of lettuces it produces each day at its vast indoor farm in Kameoka, Kyoto prefecture, starting from mid-2017.
The robots will do everything from re-planting young seedlings to watering, trimming and harvesting crops.
The innovation will boost production from 21,000 lettuces a day to 50,000 a day, the firm said, adding that it planned to raise that figure to half a million lettuces daily within five years.
“The seeds will still be planted by humans, but every other step, from the transplanting of young seedlings to larger spaces as they grow to harvesting the lettuces, will be done automatically,” said JJ Price, Spread’s global marketing manager.
The new farm – an extension of its existing Kameoka farm – will improve efficiency and reduce labour costs by about half. The use of LED lighting means energy costs will be slashed by almost a third, and about 98% of the water needed to grow the crops will be recycled.
The farm, measuring about 4,400 sq metres, will have floor-to-ceiling shelves where the produce is grown... (cont'd)
National Robotics Week Looks to Host More Events, Robot Enthusiasts and STEM Educators than Ever Before
Help Promote the Importance of Technology Education this April
KUKA Small Robot Receives Renowned Awards for Product Design
Fivefold triumph for the KUKA small robot: with the American Good Design Award, the KR AGILUS adds another trophy for excellent product design to its collection.
Navitar Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Hyperion Development
Navitar, Inc, a leading USA-based manufacturer of precision optics and imaging system components, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Hyperion Development, LLC, a leading design firm and manufacturer of custom optical assemblies and OEM solutions. The companies expect the deal to close by the end of the first quarter.
Global Motion Control Shipments Contract 3.9% in 2015
Global shipments for motion control products declined by 3.9% to $2.9 billion in 2015, according to new statistics released by the Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), the industrys trade group.
Locus Robotics Named Top Robotics Company to Watch in 2016
Robotics Business Review unveils its fifth annual RBR50 List
Schunk - Pneumatically Powered Universal Gripper PGN-Plus-P
SCHUNK has introduced several improvements on the original PGN-Plus and has announced the newest generation gripper, PGN-Plus-P. Enlarged supporting dimensions between the six load-bearing shoulders of the multi-tooth guidance allow higher moment capacity which can accommodated longer fingers and greater loads.
AUTOMATICA 2016: INNOVATIONS IN MACHINE VISION
VISION: THE EYE OF AUTOMATION
Asia: Robots, Automation & the Xi Jingping-effect
Please join newly launched Asian Robotics Review as it chronicles the greatest technological transformation in history: The Asian Century.
Automation Networks ANC-100e, Ethernet/IP to Allen-Bradley Data Highway Plus (DH+) Converter. $1,295 USD List.
Automation Networks is a Technology company providing a wide variety of quality Industrial Networking products for the most popular Ethernet & Fieldbus Industrial Networks. These include Allen-Bradley Ethernet CSP , Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, Data Highway Plus (DH+); Siemens Profibus & Profinet; Schneider Electric Modbus RTU & Modbus TCP/IP. Other Industrial protocols & Networks includes CC-Link, BACnet MS/TP, BACnet/IP & MELSEC.
Getting Started with Collaborative Robots - Part 5 - Get Management On Board with Robots
Even if you are part of management yourself, you will need to justify the integration of the robot with solid arguments. We suggest the "Scotty maneuver": under-promise, over-deliver!
Robotics Business Review Announces the Top 50 Companies to Watch in 2016
These visionaries were recognized based on their innovation, groundbreaking application, commercial success and potential, and represent many different levels and facets of the robotics ecosystem.
Universal Robots Welcomes the New Technical Specification on Collaborative Robot Design
New guidelines on how to ensure the safety of human workers in collaborative robotic systems have now been published by ISO. Universal Robots was part of the committee drafting the ISO/TS 15066 specifications and sees the new document as a solid foundation for future work in this area.
Humanoid robots in tomorrow's aircraft manufacturing
From Phys.Org: Developing humanoid robotic technology to perform difficult tasks in aircraft manufacturing facilities is the goal of a four-year joint research project, which is being conducted by the Joint Robotics Laboratory (CNRS/AIST) and Airbus Group. It will officially be launched on 12 February 2016 at the French Embassy in Tokyo. The introduction of humanoids on aircraft assembly lines will make it possible to relieve human operators of the most laborious and dangerous tasks, thus allowing them to concentrate on higher value-added ones. The primary difficulty for these robots will be to work in a confined environment and move without colliding with the numerous surrounding objects. This is the first issue researchers will have to solve by developing new algorithms for the planning and control of precise movements. Cont'd...
Indiegogo - InnoTechnix is Launching an Arduino Maximo Robot Arm on Indiegogo
InnoTechnix announces the launch of a new crowdfunding campaign for its Maximo Robot Arm on Indiegogo. Maximo is an Arduino Robot Arm great for beginners and experts. http://igg.me/at/maximo-robot-arm
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Industrial Robotics - Featured Product
IP Seals for Robots
Freudenberg Sealing Technologies' IPRS (Ingress Protection Seals for Robots) provides reliable protection for robotic systems operating in harsh environments. Designed to prevent dust, moisture, chemicals, and wear from compromising performance, IPRS extends service life and reduces maintenance. The adaptive Z-shaped geometry ensures sealing integrity under continuous motion, making it ideal for high-speed automation and outdoor applications. Manufactured with high-performance elastomers such as Fluoroprene XP and EPDM, IPRS offers exceptional resistance to lubricants, cleaning agents, and extreme temperatures. This makes it the perfect solution for six-axis robots, SCARA robots, AMRs, AGVs, and cobots.
With its low-friction design and durable materials, IPRS enhances energy efficiency and operational reliability in industrial and autonomous robotics. Learn more about our IPRS Seals
Robotics and Automation - Featured Company
Encoder Products Company
At Encoder Products Company, we specialize in the encoders that provide you with motion feedback. EPC has been a leading designer and manufacturer of motion sensing devices for more than 50 years, we understand that each industrial automation application is different, and you need encoders that fit the needs of your applications. Our encoders are highly configurable, offer an array of shaft or bore sizes, output types, connector types, mounting options, and resolutions as high as 65,536 CPR.
