Articles tagged with "factory-automation"
China adds more robots than US, Japan, Germany and Korea combined
China has significantly outpaced other leading industrial nations in the adoption of factory robots, installing nearly 300,000 new units last year alone and bringing its total to over 2 million robots in operation. This surge positions China as the world’s largest user of industrial robots, surpassing the combined installations of the US, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. The rapid growth is largely attributed to the Chinese government’s strategic initiatives, including the Made in China 2025 campaign launched in 2015, which aims to reduce reliance on imports and boost domestic manufacturing capabilities in robotics, semiconductors, and AI. Government support through low-interest loans, subsidies, and assistance in acquiring foreign companies has been pivotal in this expansion. China’s factories now produce about one-third of global manufactured goods, outstripping the combined output of several major economies. Since 2017, Chinese factories have consistently installed over 150,000 robots annually, with a recent shift toward domestically produced robots accounting for 60%
robotsautomationmanufacturingChinaindustrial-robotsrobotics-industryfactory-automationCarbonSix says its toolkit brings robot imitation learning to the factory floor - The Robot Report
CarbonSix Inc., a manufacturing-focused AI developer, has launched SigmaKit, a toolkit that brings robot imitation learning directly to factory floors. Designed for industries such as electronics, batteries, and food and beverage, SigmaKit enables manufacturers to deploy AI-powered robots without needing specialized expertise or extensive programming. The system uses imitation learning, allowing robots to learn complex, delicate, and non-standardized tasks—like film attachment, assembly, and cable fastening—by observing human demonstrations. This approach addresses traditional automation challenges in unstructured and variable manufacturing environments, where conventional robots struggle to adapt. SigmaKit integrates AI algorithms, precision robotic grippers, sensor modules, and a teaching tool that simplifies operation. Users build training datasets by repeatedly demonstrating tasks, with models generated in less than a day depending on complexity. The resulting robotic "skills" can then be deployed to handle variable, non-routine tasks efficiently. Founded in 2024 by co-CEOs Jehyuk Kim and Terry Moon, CarbonSix leverages deep
roboticsindustrial-automationimitation-learningAI-robotsmanufacturing-technologyrobotic-toolkitfactory-automationA motion-first approach to smarter factory robots
The article discusses the limitations of traditional industrial robots in handling real-world variability during manufacturing tasks, particularly assembly. While robots excel in controlled, repetitive tasks like welding and painting, they struggle with assembly due to the high costs and inflexibility of programming and integration, which can account for up to 70% of total robot application expenses. Standard robots rely on a recognition-first approach using machine learning models that require extensive pre-training on large datasets to identify objects before interacting with them. This approach falters in dynamic environments where objects vary in appearance due to lighting, orientation, or transparency, such as glass bottles, making reliable recognition and handling difficult. An Indian startup, CynLr, proposes a novel “motion-first vision” system embodied in their CyRo robot, which learns by physically interacting with unfamiliar objects in real time rather than relying on pre-trained models. This approach bypasses the recognition bottleneck by focusing on how objects can be manipulated rather than solely identifying them visually. The system addresses fundamental engineering challenges
roboticsindustrial-robotsfactory-automationmotion-first-visionmanufacturing-technologyrobot-vision-systemsautomation-innovationRoboCup@Work League: Interview with Christoph Steup - Robohub
The RoboCup@Work League is part of the Industrial League within the international RoboCup initiative, which aims to advance intelligent robotics, AI, and automation. The @Work League focuses on mimicking aspects of industrial production systems, particularly the concept of the "factory of the future," where autonomous robots build customized products efficiently on a small scale. Unlike traditional factories that mass-produce identical items on large conveyor belts, the @Work League emphasizes the production of individual pieces with automation. The robots used in the competition are compact, fitting within a one-meter cube, and operate entirely on the ground to simplify logistics and reduce costs. In the competition, robots must autonomously transport objects between various workstations with only a single restart allowed per team, highlighting the need for reliability and consistent performance. Beyond object transportation, teams face specialized tasks such as precision placement—fitting objects into cavities of matching shape and size—and handling objects on a rotating table that simulates a conveyor belt. This rotating table is a practical abstraction
roboticsautomationindustrial-robotsRoboCupfactory-automationautonomous-robotsAI-in-manufacturingChinese firm to deploy 100 robots in car manufacturing factories
Chinese robotics start-up AgiBot (Zhiyuan Robotics) has secured a significant order to deploy nearly 100 of its A2-W dual-armed humanoid robots at Fulin Precision’s automotive parts factories. These robots, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 121 pounds, are designed with ergonomic, human-like motion and advanced sensors to handle repetitive and physically demanding tasks such as box-moving and raw material delivery. The deployment aims to enhance production efficiency by enabling the robots to support the manufacturing of 500 units per shift while performing close to 10,000 box-moving actions simultaneously, thereby freeing human workers to focus on higher-value operations and reducing physical strain. This move reflects the growing momentum of industrial robotics adoption in China, where installations rose by 54 percent in 2024 to around 290,000 units, representing over half of global installations. The industrial robotics market in China is projected to reach USD 16.5 billion by 2033, growing at a
robotsindustrial-automationmanufacturing-robotshumanoid-robotsfactory-automationrobotics-in-automotiverobotic-armsReindustrialization won’t work without robotics
The article "Reindustrialization won’t work without robotics" argues that the United States’ efforts to bring manufacturing back onshore—through tariffs, tax incentives, and “Made in USA” initiatives—cannot succeed without widespread adoption of production robotics. Traditional labor-intensive methods are economically unviable given high domestic labor costs and skill shortages. Robotics, particularly advanced machine tending robots capable of autonomously loading, unloading, inspecting, and testing a wide variety of parts, are essential to achieving the scale, speed, precision, and cost-effectiveness needed for competitive U.S. manufacturing. These robots, integrated with precision sensors and automated testing, help ensure quality and compliance critical to industries like aerospace, defense, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. However, despite the clear economic benefits, scaling robotics across factories faces significant challenges. Current implementations are often isolated “islands of automation” with standalone robots that require extensive custom coding and suffer from poor integration with factory machinery and IT systems. This lack of seamless process integration leads
roboticsmanufacturing-automationindustrial-robotsreshoringproduction-efficiencyadvanced-machine-tendingfactory-automationJapanese automotive industry hits five year high in automation - The Robot Report
The Japanese automotive industry installed approximately 13,000 industrial robots in 2024, marking an 11% increase from the previous year and reaching the highest level since 2020, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Japan remains a global leader in robot manufacturing, producing 38% of the world’s robots, and its automotive sector ranks fourth worldwide in robot density with 1,531 robots per 10,000 employees in 2023. This density surpasses that of the United States and Germany, trailing only Slovenia, South Korea, and Switzerland. The industry is currently restructuring to accommodate alternative powertrains, including battery electric, fuel cell electric vehicles, and hydrogen-fueled combustion engines, necessitating advanced production technologies. Automotive manufacturers account for about a quarter of Japan’s annual robot installations, second only to the electrical and electronics sector. Globally, automotive industries continue to invest heavily in automation. Europe installed 23,000 industrial robots in 2024, its
roboticsindustrial-robotsautomotive-automationJapan-automotive-industryfactory-automationelectric-vehicleshydrogen-fuel-cellsbinder releases M9 circular connectors for space-constrained applications - The Robot Report
Binder USA LP has expanded its circular connector portfolio with the introduction of the compact M9 Series, designed for space-constrained applications in industrial automation, medical technology, and test and measurement environments. The M9 connectors combine a robust, screw-locking design with versatile configurations, offering protection ratings from IP40 to IP67, shielded or unshielded options, and both field-wireable and overmolded versions. Available in metal or plastic housings with two to eight pins, the series includes models 702, 711, and 712, each tailored for different environmental and technical requirements, ensuring secure and stable connections even in harsh conditions involving vibration, moisture, or dust. The M9 Series is particularly suited for applications demanding reliable signal transmission within limited installation spaces, such as mobile diagnostic devices in medical technology, compact control units and sensor systems in industrial automation, and automated guided vehicles in logistics. Binder emphasizes the connectors’ proven reliability and versatility, supported by automated manufacturing processes and strict quality control
robotindustrial-automationcircular-connectorselectrical-connectionscompact-designIP67-protectionfactory-automationSpot robot dog inspects Cargill's food factory for safety hazards
Cargill, a major American food corporation, has deployed Spot, the robot dog developed by Boston Dynamics, to conduct safety inspections at its Amsterdam Multiseed plant. Spot’s role includes monitoring equipment, checking gauges, and identifying potential safety hazards such as debris, leaks, or improperly closed doors. Enhanced with Boston Dynamics’ AI system called Orbit, Spot captures images and analyzes them to flag issues that could disrupt factory operations. The robot also uses Site View to create panoramic images for plant managers to assess potential bottlenecks, enabling more proactive maintenance and safety management. This deployment is part of Cargill’s broader “Plant of the Future” initiative aimed at automating manufacturing processes to free human workers from routine tasks and focus on problem-solving and tactical decisions. By conducting frequent, consistent inspections, Spot helps improve workplace safety by identifying slip and trip hazards and ensuring safety equipment is in place and functional. Plant managers report that this shift from reactive to proactive monitoring enhances operational efficiency and safety, marking a significant
robotroboticsAIfactory-automationsafety-inspectionBoston-Dynamicssmart-manufacturingChina's humanoid robot with full embodied AI works at auto factory
China has deployed AlphaBot2, a general-purpose humanoid robot with full embodied AI, in an automotive factory operated by Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor Co. Developed by Shenzhen-based AI² Robotics, AlphaBot2 performs diverse tasks such as quality inspection, assembly, logistics, and maintenance. This deployment marks the first full-scenario validation of a domestically developed embodied AI model in China’s automotive sector. The robot leverages real factory data to continuously improve its spatial intelligence and learning capabilities through a feedback loop with AI² Robotics’ self-developed embodied large model, enhancing its efficiency, precision, and adaptability in complex, evolving manufacturing environments. AlphaBot2 is powered by the advanced GOVLA AI model, a Vision-Language-Action system built on the AI²R Brain platform, enabling near-human dexterity and full-body coordination with over 34 degrees of freedom. It features 360° spatial sensing, autonomous navigation, and a vertical working range of up to 240 cm, with over six hours of battery life for extended operations. The robot’s flexible manipulation and rapid adaptation reduce deployment time and support mixed-model automotive production lines, demonstrating significant advancements in intelligent manufacturing and factory automation in China.
robothumanoid-robotembodied-AIintelligent-manufacturingfactory-automationroboticsAI-in-roboticsFigure AI CEO skips live demo, sidesteps BMW deal questions onstage at tech conference
Brett Adcock, CEO of humanoid robotics startup Figure AI, appeared at the Bloomberg Tech conference amid scrutiny over the company’s progress with BMW, a marquee customer. Adcock avoided providing specifics about the nature or commercial value of the BMW contract, instead emphasizing the technical insights gained from deploying robots on factory floors. Figure AI had previously released videos showing its robots operating in a BMW factory but has not conducted any live demonstrations, citing a company philosophy against attending many events and preferring to showcase via videos. Adcock also revealed that Figure AI has signed a contract with a second, unnamed customer—reported by Bloomberg to be UPS—for initial deployment. Despite the skepticism surrounding Figure AI’s commercial relationships, the company claims its AI-powered robots have human-like fine motor skills and precise object manipulation capabilities. Adcock confirmed plans to manufacture and deploy approximately 100,000 robot units within four years. The company is currently attempting to raise $1.5 billion at a valuation reportedly fifteen times higher than its February 2024 valuation. Additionally, Figure AI has taken steps to restrict unauthorized secondary market trading of its shares, signaling efforts to control its stock distribution amid this fundraising phase.
roboticshumanoid-robotsAI-roboticsfactory-automationindustrial-robotsrobot-deploymentrobotics-startupsU.S. automotive industry increased robot installations by 10% in 2024
robotautomationmanufacturingindustrial-robotsautomotive-industryfactory-automationrobotics2025 Is the Year of the Humanoid Robot Factory Worker
robothumanoid-robotfactory-automationBoston-DynamicsAtlas-robotindustrial-robotsrobotics