Luwu, a STEM education technology company focused on the research and development of advanced robotics, has announced the launch of XGO 2, an advanced desktop-sized AI quadruped robot with an arm. This state-of-the-art robot brings a new level of intelligence and functionality to the world of robotics. XGO 2 is now available on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/xgorobot/xgo-2-worlds-first-raspberry-pi-robotic-dog-with-an-arm
XGO 2 is an intelligent and agile robotic dog, capable of sophisticated movements, 12 degrees of freedom, and a variety of motions. Its open-source nature allows users of all programming levels to program and customizes it with Blocky and Python. Additionally, the advanced AI modules built into XGO 2 allow for visual, voice, and gesture recognition, enabling the robotic dog to hear, understand, and respond to users like a real dog.
One of the most notable features of XGO 2 is its robotic arm. This arm allows it to perform tasks such as grasping and manipulating objects, making it more versatile and opening up a whole new realm of possibilities for the robotic dog to be used in various scenarios.
XGO 2 is also incredibly easy to control. Its user-friendly interface allows for easy programming and control, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Whether you’re looking to create a new robot application, enhance your research, or simply have fun with a cutting-edge piece of technology, XGO 2 is the perfect choice. Its unique combination of intelligence, agility, and affordability makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to add a robotic dog to their collection.
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.
What would you do with your own robot arm? How can it support me at work? What can you automate, just for fun?
I have collected answers to these questions and ideas for projects over the last few years. If you have ideas or wishes for what a robot arm should do for you, please contact me. In the near future you will find various projects and results on Robots-Blog and our social media channels. I am supported by a Rotrics DexArm, which was kindly provided to me in the Luxury Kit version.
This version comes with a wide range of tools that make the maker’s heart beat faster. The Rotrics DexArm is supplied with the following tools:
– 1 x Rotrics DexArm – 1 x pen holder module – 1 x 3D printing module – 1 x laser module – 1 x safety goggles – 1 x pneumatic module – 1 x Air pump housing – 3 x suction cup – 3 x soft gripper – 1 x touch screen – 1 x extruder – 1 x construction plate – 5 x print stickers & wooden plates – 1 x DC Y power divider – 1 x power supply – 2 x Dual Type-C cables – 1 x Type-C cable – 1 x tweezers – 1 x spare nozzle
The packaging of the Rotrics DexArm deserves special mention. It comes in a great reusable hard foam case that makes the arm and its accessories safe for transport.
Here are the hard facts for the technology fans among you:
Was würdet ihr mit einem eigenen Roboterarm machen? Wie kann er mich bei der Arbeit unterstützen? Was kann man, einfach nur zum Spaß, automatisieren?
Antworten auf diese Fragen und Ideen für Projekte habe ich in den letzten Jahren gesammelt. Solltet ihr Ideen oder Wünsche haben was ein Roboterarm für euch machen soll, kontaktiert mich. In nächster Zeit werdet ihr verschiedene Projekte und Ergebnisse hierzu auf Robots-Blog und unseren Social-Media-Kanälen finden. Unterstützt werde ich hierbei von einem Rotrics DexArm, der mir dankenswerterweise in der Luxury Kit Variante zur Verfügung gestellt wurde.
Diese Ausstattungsvariante kommt mit verschiedensten Werkzeugen, die das Maker-Herz höher schlagen lassen. So kommt der Rotrics DexArm mit folgendem Lieferumfang:
• 1 x Rotrics DexArm • 1 x Stifthalter-Modul • 1 x 3D-Druckmodul • 1 x Lasermodul • 1 x Schutzbrille • 1 x Pneumatikmodul • 1 x Luftpumpengehäuse • 3 x Saugnapf • 3 x Soft-Greifer • 1 x Touchscreen • 1 x Extruder • 1 x Konstruktionsplatte • 5 x Druckaufkleber & Holzplatten • 1 x DC Y Leistungsteiler • 1 x Netzteil • 2 x Dual Type-C Kabel • 1 x Type-C Kabel • 1 x Pinzette • 1 x Ersatzdüse
Hervorzuheben ist hier noch mal besonders die Verpackung des Rotrics DexArm. Dieser wird in einem tollen wiederverwendbaren Koffer aus Hartschaum geliefert, der den Arm und sein Zubehör sicher transportfähig gemacht.
Hier noch die harten Fakten für die Technik-Fans unter euch:
Munich/Shenzen – Rotrics announces the market launch of its new multifunctional robotic arm, DexArm. The robotic arm has a modular design and has tremendous versatility. The DexArm has a variety of attachments, making it as easy as possible for manufacturers to paint and label objects, to 3D print and, as an optional feature, laser engrave products. The attachments can be quickly and easily exchanged with just one move.
The DexArm features a high repeatability of 0.05 mm, a high speed of up to 300 mm/s and a payload capacity of up to 500G. The robot arm can be expanded via modules, including a pen holder, a suction cup, a soft gripper, a 3D printer and optionally also, a laser engraver. To ensure user safety, a protective cover for the DexArm is also available for laser engraving. With the help of the user-friendly software, projects of all kinds – from labeling and engraving to 3D printing – can be easily realized. „Its precision, blend of innovation, as well as its technology make our new DexArm a unique and versatile robotic arm for any industry. It makes it easier than ever to bring ideas to life as never before. The DexArm helps manufacturers draw, write, laser engrave and 3D print, in the easiest possible way. Its greatest strength is its versatility. Thanks to its modular design, it offers the exact functions needed for every industry,“ explains Wang Yong Xu, CEO of Rotrics.
About Rotrics Rotrics (a brand of Shenzhen Saiwenbote Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.) is a tech startup based in Shenzhen, China. The team consists of dedicated engineers and designers who have extensive experience in robotics, open-source hardware, industrial design, and 3D printing. The founders of Rotrics wanted to understand how students play and learn with robots to be able to assist in learning and making the next generation ready for the digital future. Learning has always been part of our corporate philosophy. That is why we develop inspiring, engaging, and effective solutions for students and robotics enthusiasts which change the way we learn. Developing products, that help our customers and bring their ideas to life is our passion.
NEW SELF-CHARGING ENTERPRISE ROBOT, REMOTE OPERATION SOFTWARE, AND ROBOT ARM ENHANCE SPOT’S CAPABILITIES FOR AUTONOMOUS SITE MONITORING
Waltham, MA – February 2, 2021 – Boston Dynamics, the global leader in mobile robotics, today announced an expanded product line for its agile mobile robot Spot. The new products include a self-charging Enterprise Spot, web-based remote operations software, Scout, and the Spot Arm. These additions extend Spot’s ability to perform autonomous, remote inspections and data collection, and enable the robot to perform manual tasks.
With more than 400 Spots out in the world, the robot has successfully undertaken hazardous tasks in a variety of inhospitable environments such as nuclear plants, offshore oil fields, construction sites, and mines. Customers have leveraged Spot’s advanced mobility, autonomy, control, and customizability to improve operational efficiency, enhance worker safety, and gather critical data. Spot’s new products are designed to enable customers to fully operationalize continuous, autonomous data collection on remote or hazardous worksites of any size, from anywhere they have access to their network.
Autonomy is critical to enhancing Spot’s value. In order to support long, remote deployments, Boston Dynamics is introducing Spot Enterprise, a new version of Spot that comes equipped with self-charging capabilities and a dock, allowing it to perform longer inspection tasks and data collection missions with little to no human interaction. In addition to the basic capabilities that the base Spot robot offers, Spot Enterprise leverages upgraded hardware for improved safety, communications, and behavior in remote environments. These upgrades expand the range that autonomous missions can cover, extend WiFi support, add flexibility to Spot’s payload ports, and enable users to quickly offload large data sets collected during the robot’s mission.
Pivotal to refining Spot’s value at scale is remote operation. Scout is Boston Dynamics’ web-based software that enables operators to control their fleet of Spots from a virtual control room. Operators can use Scout to take Spot anywhere a person could go on-site, allowing them to inspect critical equipment or hazardous areas from afar. The software is designed with a simple user interface to run pre-programmed autonomous missions or manually control the robot, to perform various tasks such as walking or posing the robot to capture images and thermal data of obscured gauges or pipes using the Spot CAM+IR thermal imaging payload.
Combined, the Spot Enterprise robot equipped with a Spot CAM+IR thermal imaging payload, Scout software, and Boston Dynamics’ premium support now create an out-of-the-box solution for asset-intensive environments. Operators can deploy this solution on site to proactively maintain and manage assets while maximizing worker uptime and improving worker safety.
In addition to launching products designed to make remote inspection safer and easier, Boston Dynamics is also releasing the Spot Arm, which enables users to act on data insights and perform physical work in human-centric environments. The arm is equipped to operate through both semi-autonomous actions and telemanipulation. It can manually or semi-autonomously grasp, lift, carry, place, and drag a wide variety of objects. It is also capable of manipulating objects with constrained movement and can open and close valves, pull levers and turn handles and knobs in coordination with its body to open standard push and pull doors.
“Since first launching Spot, we have worked closely with our customers to identify how the robot could best support their mission critical applications,” said Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. “Our customers want reliable data collection in remote, hazardous, and dynamic worksites. We developed the new Spot products with these needs in mind, and with the goal of making it easy to regularly and remotely perform critical inspections, improving safety and operations.”
Interested parties can purchase Spot Enterprise, Scout, and the Spot Arm via Boston Dynamics’ sales team. For more information on these new offerings, please visit: www.bostondynamics.com.
About Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics is the global leader in developing and deploying highly mobile robots capable of tackling the toughest robotics challenges. Our core mission is to lead the creation and delivery of robots with advanced mobility, dexterity and intelligence that add value in unstructured or hard-to-traverse spaces and positively impact society. We create high-performance robots equipped with perception, navigation and intelligence by combining the principles of dynamic control and balance with sophisticated mechanical designs, cutting-edge electronics and next-generation software. We have three mobile robots in our portfolio – Spot®, Handle™ and Atlas® – as well as Pick™, a computer vision-based robotics solution for logistics. Founded in 1992, Boston Dynamics spun out of the MIT Leg Lab and is one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces of 2020. For more information on our company and its technologies, please visit www.bostondynamics.comhttp://www.bostondynamics.com.
My workplace for today was kind of different. Thanks @igusgmbh(https://www.igus.de/robolink/roboter) for making this possible. I am learning a lot about robot programming today. I wish I could have such a powerful robot next to my desk any given day.
igus introduces revolutionary ReBeL joint with plastic strain wave gear, BLDC motor and control system
Serving orange juice, loading the dishwashing machine or sorting purchases. The low-cost robotics concept from igus is intended to make these tasks possible. Under the name ReBeL, igus developed a new kind of joint, driven by a strain wave gear as a single component and also a study of a 6-axis service robot. The new joint is fundamentally different to the previous robolink models: Instead of stepper motors, brushless direct-current motors are used in the joints for the first time. Thanks to maintenance-free injection-moulded parts, the new ReBeL series is set to become a real bargain for robot manufacturers.
A practice household assistant for the home or in the office. Easy to program at a reasonable price. Who does not want this? The topic of collaborative robotics – interaction between people and machines – has now been taken up by igus with its low-cost robotics in the form of robolink. The requirements for the components were that they must be light and cost-effective. The result is the ReBeL joint. „Alexa, bring me a glass of orange juice!“ could thus become reality when the product is used in combination with a voice control system. The new low-cost robotics concept is fundamentally different to that of the previous robolink joints and makes it possible for robot manufacturers to generate new solutions. Instead of stepper motors, brushless direct-current motors (BLDC motors), which already belong to the state of the art in industrial robotics, are used.
A flyweight due to plastic components
Due to their small size, the BLDC motors can be installed in the maintenance-free strain wave gear of a ReBeL joint. The control equipment is also built into the axes and thus renders an external control cabinet superfluous. „The cables can now be routed directly inside a robot arm as a BUS system“, explains Alexander Mühlens, head of low cost automation at igus GmbH. „A further idea is to equip new joints with absolute encoders, that remember the position of an arm even when a power failure occurs“, continues Mühlens. The ReBeL makes it possible to have the 6th rotation axis in the modular robolink system and thus allows all positions to be reached. For bearing purposes, lubrication-free and smoothly operating xiros plastic ball bearings are used. As the gearboxes are also mostly made of polymers, the ReBeL system is very light. The BLDC motors also contribute to weight reduction as they are lighter than the previously used stepper motors.
A butler for everyone thanks to the low price
Injection-moulded parts ensure the small price of a ReBeL joint and therefore of the robot arms. „Our vision is that manufacturers will be able to offer 6-axis service robots for a price of 1,000 euros without control unit or for a maximum of 5,000 euros with integrated control unit“, says Alexander Mühlens. „We want to make cost-effective robot arms and applications possible for mechanical engineering companies and even private persons.“ The ReBeL system is suitable not only for tasks in the private area but also for other functions such as collection and delivery services or pick-and-place applications in factories, especially in the case of mobile applications where the robot arm is mounted on a moving platform.
Böblingen – 27. August 2020 – Espresso, Cappuccino oder Milchkaffee, mit Kakao, Karamell oder Kokosnuss verfeinert – diese und andere heiße Kaffeespezialitäten können sich Besucher der Mercaden Böblingen ab Samstag, 15. August von einem Roboter frisch zubereiten lassen. Die im März 2019 gegründete Firma MyAppCafé eröffnet in den Mercaden Böblingen bereits ihre zweite Roboter-Kaffeebar. MyAppCafé wird als Franchise-System betrieben. Friedrich Kunc, Inhaber des Roboter-Barista in den Mercaden Böblingen, ist der erste Franchisenehmer von MyAppCafé.
Herzstück der innovativen Kaffeebar im Erdgeschoss ist ein vollautomatischer Barista-Roboter. Auf nur sieben Quadratmetern Standfläche kann er zwischen 80 und 120 Kaffee- und Kakaogetränke pro Stunde ausgeben. Zum Einsatz kommen nur Bio-Fairtrade-Kaffee, Bioprodukte und biologisch abbaubare Becher, Deckel sowie Holzrührstäbchen. Am Eröffnungstag erhält jeder Kunde den ersten Kaffee über die App-Bestellung kostenlos.
Das Prinzip von MyAppCafé ist einfach. Kunden stellen am Terminal ihren Lieblingskaffee zusammen und zahlen bargeldlos. Sofort geht der Roboter ans Werk. Ebenso leicht geht es mit der MyAppCafé-App per Smartphone oder Tablet. Damit lässt sich sogar der Milchschaum des Getränks individuell verschönern – mit Herzen, Smileys oder dem eigenen Selfie.
„Mit MyAppCafé kommen unsere Kunden in den Genuss von frisch zubereitetem Spitzenkaffee in Bio-Qualität. Gleichzeitig erleben sie, wie die Digitalisierung fortschreitet und Vorteile bringt. Lange Wartezeiten gibt es zum Beispiel nicht”, sagt Edip Özerol, Center Manager der Mercaden Böblingen.
„Die Mercaden Böblingen sind eine besonders attraktive Einkaufsadresse in der Region. Daher sind wir sehr stolz, den Besucherinnen und Besuchern des Centers unsere Neuentwicklung MyAppCafé zu präsentieren“, sagte Michael Stille, Gründer und CEO von MyAppCafé. „Unsere Roboter-Kaffeebar wird in Deutschland hergestellt und ist ein gutes Beispiel, dass Digitalisierung im Handel auch für Kunden ganz besondere Erlebnisse schaffen kann.“
Gegründet wurde das Start-Up MyAppCafé im Jahre 2019 in Pfinztal bei Karlsruhe. Das Gründerteam besteht aus den drei befreundeten Familien Stille, Yelkenkayalar und Alvarez. Die Idee wurde gemeinsam mit dem Unternehmen WMF umgesetzt.
fruitcore robotics presents its new industrial robots HORST600 and HORST1400.
With HORST900, fruitcore robotics launched its affordable robot line with innovative kinematics two years ago. HORST900 now gets two brothers at once: the smaller, fast and precise HORST600 and the larger and more powerful HORST1400 extend the product family. With the expansion of the portfolio the young com- pany, based in Constance, meets the requirements of the market even further.
Fruitcore Tag 2
With the two new family members HORST600 and HORST1400, fruitcore robotics presents one industrial robot below and one above the well-established HORST900 in case of range and payload. All fruitcore robotics robot models are easy to operate and offer an unbeatable cost-benefit ratio. Both new family-members are based on the well-proven HORST technology, are Made in Germany and are supplied as a all-in-one solution. All fruitcore robots can be programmed intuitively using the horstFX software developed especially for HORST and the horst- PANEL control unit. The efficient and straightforward communication with external machines and components is made via the safety control system horstCONTROL. The innovative kinematics also show the family resem- blance. But like most brothers, all HORSTs have very different characteristics and strengths.
HORST600: small, fast and precise With HORST600 fruitcore robotics expands its product family with a modular small robot. The smallest HORST is particularly suitable for applications where space is limited and can also be mounted on the wall or ceiling for even more flexibility. With an installation area of 382 x 200 millimetres and a maximum range of 578 millime- tres, HORST600 can move loads of up to three kilograms quickly and precisely – with a repeatability of ± 0.05 mil- limetres. The Industrial robot is available in two different versions: HORST600 is used in industrial environments, for example in metal processing, logistics or in the plastics industry. Typical appications are pick & place applica- tions, palletizing or the loading and unloading of machines. The second version – HORST600 lab („laboratory“) is specially designed for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry as well as laboratorys and research facilities. In addition to the adapted design, this industrial robot is made for the interface requirements of the industry and can be equipped with an appropriate gripper. Specific features and modules also allow easy handling of test tubes or samples. To meet the requirements of the different applications, HORST600 and HORST600 lab are available in two performance classes: the version „fast“ for applications where the cycle time is decisive, and the version“strong“ when the payload is important. Due to the innovative production technology the moving load of HORST600 is very small. The powerful small robot weighs around 23 kilograms. It therefore has different kine- matics than the larger series. The innovative kinematic approach based on four-bar linkage offers its big broth- ers significant stiffness advantages and allows the use of smaller motors and gearboxes, which due to the smaller size of the HORST600 offer no advantages and are therefore not used. The engineers at fruitcore robot- ics focused more on a compact construction when developing HORST600. This construction provides maximum range with the largest possible working space. As with all robots from fruitcore robotics, the modular robot arm is comparatively light and can be easily maintained or repaired.
The encoder technology developed by fruitcore robotics is also used, which in combination with the high-quality drive system guarantees accuracy. With HORST600, fruitcore robotics is also equipping the first robot with the optional playback mode. This allows the operator to guide the robot by hand, which makes programming even easier.
HORST1400: for large payload and range At the top end of the performance scale, in terms of maximum reach and maximum payload, fruitcore robotics introduces its second new robot – HORST1400. It is designed for applications in logistics as well as in the metal or plastics processing industry that require high payloads and ranges or short cycle times.The industrial robot is suitable, for example, for commissioning as well as for loading and unloading machines or mesh boxes. HORST1400 lifts loads of up to ten kilograms and has a maximum range of 1,400 millimetres. The industrial robot HORST1400 is, like its smaller brother HORST900, characterized by its hybrid kinematics based on multiple four- bar linkages, which makes a more efficient use oft the build in motors possible. This makes it possible to use smaller electric motors and gears and still achieve the same quality and dynamics as with conventional robots. The innovative kinematic approach based on four-bar linkage results in a lower overall weight and significantly lower costs.
