Wandelbots – No-Code Robotics – – Short Interview

Sebastian from Robots-Blog was able to do a short interview with Annelie Harz from Wandelbots. Learn in the interview what Wandelbots is and why programming might soon become obsolete.

Robots-Blog: Who are you and what is your job at Wandelbots?

Annelie: My name is Annelie and I work as a marketing manager at Wandelbots.

Robots Blog: Which robot from science, movies or TV is your favorite?

Annelie: Wall-E, actually. A little robot that does good things and is just adorable.

Robots Blog: What is Wandelbots and where does the name come from?

Annelie: The name describes the CHANGE (german: „Wandel“) of RoBOTics. Because that is exactly what we do. We enable everyone to handle robots, which today is only reserved for a small circle of experts. Our long-term company vision is: „Every robot in every company and every home runs on Wandelbots“. And that promises big change on a wide variety of levels – starting for us with industry.

Robots Blog: Who is your product aimed at and what do I need for it?

Annelie: Our product is currently aimed at customers from industry. Here, our software – Wandelbots Teaching – can help with programming various applications such as welding or gluing without having to write a line of code. It is designed to be so simple and intuitive that really anyone can work with it to teach a robot a desired result. This works through the interaction of an app and an input device, the TracePen. This takes the form of a large pen with which users can draw a desired path for the robot on the component. But we also work together with educational institutions. They are the ones who train the next generation of robot experts. And in the long term, we are convinced – and this is already part of our vision – that robots will also find their way into private life as little helpers.

Robots-Blog: What feature is particularly worth mentioning?/What can’t anyone else do?

Annelie: Our product works robot manufacturer independent. In robotics, each manufacturer has developed its own proprietary programming language over the years. This makes communication between humans and machines very difficult. We, on the other hand, want to create a tool that allows any human to work with any robot – completely independent of programming language and manufacturer. Robotics should be fun for the user of our product. Thanks to the high usability and the operation of our app via iPad, this is already possible today. And over the next time, application-specific editions will be added to our platform – currently, for example, we are working on an app version for robot welding.

Robots Blog: Do I still need to learn programming at all?

Annelie: No. As I just explained, with this so-called no-code technology, you don’t need to learn programming anymore. It is simple, intuitive and user-friendly, even for laymen. Of course, you always need to have some basic understanding of robotics, especially for safety reasons. You should never underestimate the dangers posed by robots, which is why our product always works according to the respective manufacturer-specific safety specifications.

Robots Blog: What robots are supported? I have a Rotrics DexArm and an igus Robolink DP-5; can I use those as well?

Annelie: Of course, shortly after entering the market, we first want to make robotics in the industry, for example the automotive sector, more flexible and easier. To do this, we are gradually integrating the largest robot brands into our platform. We will certainly also integrate smaller robot brands that cover one or more niches. Or – even better – thanks to our Robot Integration Software Development Kit, robot manufacturers will soon be able to do it themselves.

Robots Blog: How much does your product cost?

Annelie: Our product is offered via a licensing model as a subscription, as is common in the Software as a Service business, or also classically for purchase. The current prices for the different editions can be found on our website (and you will certainly find more exciting content there)

Comau partners with Heidelberg University to study new application areas for wearable robotics within industrial environments

  • The project, run by Heidelberg University with the collaboration of IUVO, aims to enlarge the wealth of knowledge and scientific evidence proving the usability, acceptability and effectiveness of Comau’s MATE-XT exoskeleton in reducing biomechanical loads during strenuous tasks
  • MATE-XT’s ergonomically-assisted support reduces muscle fatigue during overhead and repetitive operations

Grugliasco (Turin), June 17, 2021 – With the objective of strengthening the use of wearable robotics to facilitate human-machine collaboration, Comau and IUVO have partnered with Heidelberg University, one of Europe’s leading research institutions. The joint project aims to further quantify the degree to which the MATE-XT exoskeleton can reduce physical stress during strenuous tasks involving repetitive shoulder flexion movements within the German industrial context. The scientific study will analyze the biomechanics of using MATE-XT for new applications, under new conditions and within new industries and outdoor environments, while verifying users’ learning and motor adaptation speeds. The results achieved can be applied in similar conditions within other contexts all over the world.

The joint collaboration is fueled by the strong synergies in bio-engineering and advanced robotics that each partner brings to the table. Comau was introduced to Heidelberg University by IUVO, a spin-off company of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa, Italy). The majority share of IUVO is held by a joint venture between Comau and Össur, a market leader in the field of non-invasive orthopedics that improve human mobility, in which Comau is the majority holder. Comau has also co-developed both the original MATE and new MATE-XT exoskeletons together with IUVO.

The vast wealth of experience and scientific evidence collected by Comau and IUVO is the starting point of the new study. Heidelberg University will now research biomechanical and productivity results, among other factors, with the ultimate goal of collecting more data regarding MATE-XT’s effectiveness for novel and highly-demanding applications.

The collaboration with Heidelberg University underscores our commitment to evolve the use of adaptive wearable technologies through the combination of empirically-backed research, advanced robotics and biomedical expertise,” said Giuseppe Colombina, Comau HUMANufacturing Innovation Hub Leader and CEO of IUVO.

The collaboration with Comau and IUVO is extremely strategic for my research group at Heidelberg University. We have the chance to test a certified device from a leading automation company, and one that is also complementary to the robotic technology we have been designing here,” emphasized Lorenzo Masia, Ph.D. and Tenured Professor in Medical Technology and Biorobotics at Heidelberg University.

The proliferation of wearable robotic devices represents a long-term, sustainable answer to ensure wellbeing in the workplace,” explained Nicola Vitiello, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and founding partner of IUVO. “Our research with Heidelberg University, studying the use of MATE-XT within the German industrial context, will amplify our knowledge about the platform and potential development areas.”

The validation of breakthrough technologies in the field of biomedical devices and wearable robotics is an important step toward improving the quality of life for workers tasked with heavy, repetitive or highly manual operations. According to Comau estimates, the global market for exoskeletons alone will reach a 5-year CAGR of up to 40%, with the industrial sector representing close to half of this.

About Comau

Comau, a member of the Stellantis, is a worldwide leader in delivering advanced industrial automation products and systems. Its portfolio includes technology and systems for electric, hybrid and traditional vehicle manufacturing, industrial robots, collaborative and wearable robotics, autonomous logistics, dedicated machining centers and interconnected digital services and products able to transmit, elaborate and analyze machine and process data. With over 45 years of experience and a strong presence within every major industrial country, Comau is helping manufacturers of all sizes in almost any industry experience higher quality, increased productivity, faster time-to-market and lower overall costs. The company’s offering also extends to project management and consultancy, as well as maintenance and training for a wide range of industrial segments. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, Comau has an international network of 7 innovation centers, 5 digital hubs, 8 manufacturing plants and employs more than 9,000 people in 14 countries. A global network of distributors and partners allows the company to respond quickly to the needs of customers, no matter where they are located throughout the world. Through the training activities organized by its Academy, Comau is also committed to developing the technical and managerial knowledge necessary for companies to face the challenges and opportunities of Industry 4.0.

www.comau.com

Enabot introduces EBO SE and EBO AIR, the next generation of social companion robots

The EBO SE and EBO AIR redefine the way people across the world interact, communicate and connect with one another

May 6th, 2021 – Enabot has officially launched on Kickstarter their brand-new social companion robots: the EBO SE and the EBO AIR. Starting today, both models are available for pre-order.

Building on the success of the original EBO S and EBO PRO, described by Mashable as “a smart robot [that] could become your cat’s new BFF” and by GearBrain as “one of the best robots to buy for your home in 2020”, the EBO SE and the EBO AIR are social companion robots, designed to keep your home safe, your pets entertained and your family connected at all times. 

Originally created to solve the issue of pet obesity and pet neglect, the EBO evolved to be much more. The EBO SE and AIR represent the next evolutionary step for the home robotic companion. They provide comfort, protection, and companionship for everyone in the family, no matter the distance.

Responding to consumer feedback, Enabot has introduced a number of improvements and added exciting new features. The new EBO allows for multiple users to log in and control the robot. It also comes with night vision, so users can access the camera day and night. The EBO app’s new interface is more user-friendly, and the new wheels, combined with a powerful motor, ensure a smooth ride on all surfaces, including rugs and carpets. 

Equipped with a 1080p HD camera and a pair of speakers and microphone, the rolling bots allow for real-life two-way communication using a Wi-Fi connection. Through EBO’s mobile app, parents can remotely interact with their kids and pets, and family members can connect with elderly loved ones from anywhere in the world. 

The EBO SE and AIR use a combination of movement, sound, and digital eye animations for life-like interactions. The steady and nimble moving robots can wheel, roll and dance to entertain pets and people alike while capturing photos and videos of every special moment. All the data is stored locally, using an expandable SD card.   

Surveillance features on both models include 24-hour video recording, infrared night vision, and motion detection notification, which means the EBO will immediately send you an alert whenever suspicious activities are detected. 

With exclusive AI technology, the EBO AIR is able to identify your family and pets, automatically record, track and follow them, allowing for fun interactions throughout the day. Additional AI features include the anti-drop function, pet auto-play mode, and automatic video editing.

Take a look at the EBO SE and EBO AIR Product Intro and see what role they can play in your family.

The EBO SE (priced at $ 99 / € 99 / £ 99) and the EBO AIR (priced at $ 169 / € 169 /£ 159) are now available to pre-order for up to 40% off from:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enabot/ebo-your-smart-and-interactive-family-companion-robot

GinoBot by Engino – Base model with Gripper

Today I built the base model with a gripper and sent my feedback to the developers. It’s already really great product but there are always things to tweak or make better. Do not miss to support it on Kickstarter!

Weiterlesen

Rotrics DexArm knows how to visit its favourite website

Rotrics DexArm Robotarm visiting its favourite website robots-blog.com. Having a robot arm is fun! Find the latest News on robots, drones, AI, robotic toys and gadgets at robots-blog.com

https://www.mybotshop.de/Rotrics-DexArm

World’s Largest Robotics Competition Returns: Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation to Host Live Remote VEX Robotics World Championship 2021

The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit and VEX Robotics, is back to showcase the incredible talent and skill of a range of student competitors by hosting the first-ever Live Remote VEX Robotics World Championship May 17-29, 2021. Leveraging the REC Foundation’s Live Remote Tournament interface, teams from around the world will be able to compete in real-time tournaments or live skills matches to be crowned champions.

During the live remote event, students in grades three through college will compete in timed, heart-pounding robotics competition matches with their custom-built robots. Like at past world championships, competitors will have the opportunity to see familiar faces, activities, and share the excitement of the event.



To ensure the safety of its robotics community due to the pandemic, this unique event will adapt to a virtual format. Typically, the annual VEX Robotics World Championship attracts more than 30,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 70 nations.

Weiterlesen

The Many Uses of Drone Videography For Event Marketing

This article was written by Anthony Jamison, a representative at Drones Services Phoenix. Anthony Jamison is the head of the Outreach Department of Drone Services Phoenix, Arizona’s premier aerial photography and videography company

There is no question about the impact unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aerial drones are making across industries these days.

Whether you’re a general contractor, a miner, a roofer, farmer, or a filmmaker, you will surely find suitable uses for an aerial drone, which can reach places and spaces you never imagined would be accessible a decade or so ago.

And today’s drones are not just about physically reaching hard-to-access spots. The fact that most, if not all of them are fitted with high-definition cameras also makes them capable of taking stunning photographs and videos while in flight.

The beauty of aerial drone videography also makes UAVs perfect for marketing activities, specifically event marketing.

If you’re part of a corporate marketing team and you’re organizing a music festival, a trade show, or any event, you might want to make good use of drones in the following ways:

Finding The Perfect Location

You need an open-air venue for your event, and you have already set your sights on a piece of land a few miles from the city.

The place may look good on the ground, but you want a complete idea of what it can offer and what you can do to the area for the event.

The solution? Get a drone in the air and shoot photos and videos of the whole property. With aerial photos and videos on hand, you can make a full assessment of the venue’s event-worthiness and start your planning for the event itself.

Billboards In The Sky

Billboards have always been a staple in marketing and advertising, and they still work, especially those huge ones that nobody can ever miss.

However, you can take things a step further by using flying billboards to market your event. Get a couple of drones, attach banners or tarpaulins to them, and have them fly over certain areas where your billboards in the sky can get the most eyes on them.

Enhanced Security

Your event can always use more security, and drones are more than capable of providing that.

With drones flying overhead during an event, you and your team can easily spot disturbances and possible trouble areas and alert security personnel to them right away.

Live Streaming

Event marketers can use live streaming with drones not only to hype up an event before it takes place but also broadcast the whole thing live to a massive audience while it’s unfolding.

Live streaming drone videos of the venue and the various preparations can help create buzz for the event itself and make people look forward to being there. Your brand’s followers would love to see behind-the-scenes footage of members of your team doing whatever they can to help make the event a success.

Once the event is taking place, a drone with live streaming capabilities can give the people who can’t make it to the venue a chance to see the goings-on while they are going on, making them feel like they’re there with you.

Creating Videos For Social Media

If live-streaming is not possible, you can always have your drone shoot all the necessary shots just the same, then create a video that you can post on all your social media channels.

As much as possible, post your drone videos for your event on YouTube and Facebook. After all, the former is the world’s top video streaming channel, while the latter has close to three billion active users worldwide.

While you’re at it, post your drone videos on your company website, too, since they can also help attract more traffic.

Giving Sponsors Due Credit

More often than not, major events are made possible with the help of corporate and individual sponsors.

You can show your appreciation for their involvement in your event by playing all over the venue videos shot by your drones featuring sponsors’ banners, signage, booths, or any indicator of the help they extended to you.

Celebratory Drone Light Shows

If your budget allows it, putting up a drone light show can serve as a high point for the event itself.

Unlike expensive fireworks, drone light shows don’t disperse toxic pollutants into the air, litter the venue with spent casings, and, more importantly, don’t scare birds, wildlife, and pets to death.

The creative possibilities are also endless, as drones can be used to create every imaginable pattern and shape in every possible color hundreds of feet in the air.

The crowd at your event and the people watching the live stream will indeed find themselves immensely entertained if you close the proceedings with a drone light show.

There are many other possible uses of drones for your event marketing efforts, but the ones listed above should be a good enough place to start.

You can always get a drone or two yourself to use in event marketing, but keep in mind that operating a drone requires a license.

If having your own drone is out of the question, you can always opt to partner with a drone services provider who has the license and the expertise to fly drones safely.

GinoBot, Inspiring Inventors of the Future with STEM Disciplines, Launches on Kickstarter

The all-in-one smart toy incorporates science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines with playtime, in a hands-on way. 

Astoria, New York – (May 3, 2021) Keeping children entertained and engaged in today’s tech-driven world is now easier with GinoBot. The tool that implements a fun, hands-on experiencewith unlimited expansion potential for learning STEM disciplines, computational thinking, and digital literacy is launching on Kickstarter today.


GinoBot seamlessly blends playtime with advanced learning to sharpen a child’s mind for the future. From plug-and-play robot to high-end coding and electronics, the progression of skills with GinoBot is unlimited. Children ages 6+ can build simple or complex models with GinoBot’s scalable, and compatible design.
It features KEIRO software for block-based programming, which is compatible with a PC (Windows, Linux, MAC OS) and smart devices (Google Play, Apple Store). GinoBot has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, as well as a micro USB connector. It can also connect with 3rd party hardware like Arduino, Microbit and Raspberry Pi, among others.

Science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM toys are the future. GinoBot is a solution for children to learn 21st century skills that lets them playfully learn how to code, design, build, and rebuild models quickly, no matter their age or learning style. 

“Children are our future and we believe they are all gifted with the power to perform astonishing technological feats,” said Costas Sisamos, founder and CEO of Engino. “As STEM learning principles become more prominent in our children’s curriculum, GinoBot is a great learning tool that will keep young minds hungry to explore, design and create enabling them to experience the limitless thrill of scientific discovery.” 

GinoBot is a great way to invest in your child’s imagination and expand their creativity. To pre-order, visit pr.go2.fund/ginobot.

About Engino 

Engino is a toy manufacturer that specializes in construction toys and smart educational toys, and have been at the vanguard of the STEM education movement for the past 15 years. A few years ago, Engino joined the robotics market and started developing programmable robots. These robots are supported with an extensive curriculum so children can learn the digital-side of thinking and how to do programming, coding, and more. For more information, visit https://www.engino.com/.

Kawasaki Introduces RS013N Medium Payload Robot to North American Market

WIXOM, MI, USA — Kawasaki Robotics’ dedication to continuous improvement is evident in their technically  advanced general purpose robot line: the R series. With a history dating back to the mid-1980s, Kawasaki  has continued to refine their general purpose robot arms over time, routinely producing robots with wider working ranges, faster cycle times, longer reach, and increased torque. The release of the RS007N/L models  in 2017 marked the beginning of a new generation of Kawasaki R series and the latest model, the RS013N,  is no exception. By offering a 13 kg payload capacity, a wide working range, small footprint and  IP67-classi ed design, the NEW RS013N sets the industry benchmark for small-to-medium payload robots.  

Industry Leading Speed & Flexibility 

The new robot’s design includes a new arm structure, drive system and lighter main unit, which enables  high speeds and a large working area. Its 1,460 mm reach is the largest in its class, allowing for installation  flexibility and use in a wider variety of applications. The RS013N robot also leads its class in speed,  resulting in reduced cycle times and increased productivity. 

Weiterlesen