Europe continues to lead the way in the collaborative robot business

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bogue
Keyword(s):  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Future Market ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Timely Review ◽  
New Applications ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Purpose – This paper aims to provide a European perspective on the collaborative robot business and to consider the factors governing future market development. Design/methodology/approach – Following an introduction, this first describes the collaborative robots launched recently by European manufacturers and their applications. It then discusses major European research activities and finally considers the factors stimulating the market. Findings – This article shows that collaborative robots are being commercialised by the major European robot manufacturers as well as by several smaller specialists. Although most have low payload capacities they are inexpensive and offer a number of operational benefits, making them well suited to a range of existing and emerging applications. Europe has a strong research base and several EU-funded programmes aim to stimulate collaborative robot development and use. Rapid market development is anticipated, driven in the main by applications in electronic product manufacture and assembly; new applications in the automotive industry; uses by small to medium-sized manufacturers; and companies seeking robots to support agile production methods. Originality/value – This paper provides a timely review of the rapidly developing European collaborative robot industry.

scholarly journals Bio-Based Products in the Automotive Industry: The Need for Ecolabels, Standards, and Regulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1623 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Wurster ◽  
Luana Ladu
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Cellulose Nanofiber ◽  
Market Development ◽  
Future Market ◽  
Automotive Applications ◽  
Sustainable Mobility ◽  
The Future ◽  
Standards And Regulations ◽  
Sustainability Standards

At the Hanover Fair in April 2018, the Bioconcept-Car was presented as a model for the future of sustainable mobility. Likewise, a car made of cellulose nanofiber was presented at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2019. Various additional automotive applications for bio-based materials have been developed, some of which are already in use in cars. However, supportive measures for stimulating their market acceptance are needed. Based on a mix of research methods, this article describes how ecolabels, sustainability standards, and regulations might support the market uptake of bio-based car components. In addition, comparison with three other types of bio-based products are provided. The article ends with suggestions for future market development activities.

scholarly journals Trends and Progress in Collaborative Robot Applications

Politehnika ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
Saša Sladić ◽  
Robert Lisjak ◽  
Lidija Runko Luttenberger ◽  
Mateja Šnajdar Musa
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
East Europe ◽  
Main Obstacle ◽  
South East Europe ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Robot Performance ◽  
New Applications ◽  
The University ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Modern robots have been used in different applications including welding, painting, soldering, assembly of different products and in education. List of applications is getting even longer because robot performance is improving. Faculties are following industries involving robots in their curriculum, while industry is interested in new ideas including new applications and their improvements from the university. Modern robots are user-friendly for programming so the lack of knowledge about robot applications seems to be the main obstacle in their wider implementation. Collaborative robots or cobots are sophisticated robots which could operate with other robots and with workers in the factory. Recent opening of Yaskawa factory in Kočevje, Slovenia, near border with Croatia, has significant impact on integrating the robots in production and education in central and South-east Europe.

Collaborative robots are rapidly providing major improvements in productivity, safety, programing ease, portability and cost while addressing many new applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Bloss
Keyword(s):  
Round Table ◽  
Technical Conference ◽  
Round Table Discussion ◽  
Collaborative Robotics ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Robot Technology ◽  
The Many ◽  
Collaborative Robot

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review the dramatic entry of collaborative robotics into applications. It also examines the current state of the art for collaborative robotics, factors driving their entry and their outlook for the future. Design/methodology/approach The paper includes discussions with key managers of robot companies. Attendance at the International Federation for Robotics round table discussion on collaboration and another industry round table meeting on collaborative robotics. Attendance at the CIRP technical conference on automation. Attendance at the Robotics Industry Association International Collaborative Robots Workshop. Findings Collaborative robotics are addressing many previously unmet applications while saving money, improving productivity, simplifying programming and speeding the time to return investment. It is forecast that collaborative robotics systems can address almost 100 million assembly and logistics tasks not previously addressable with traditional robotics technology. Practical implications The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available. Originality/value The paper implies a major examination of collaborative robot technology now and in the future. Readers may be very excited to learn the many new tasks that collaborative robots are addressing, the many tools that have been developed to aid in selecting, designing and gaining worker acceptance and the many unique benefits that are provided, as well as the systems already available.

scholarly journals Transfer of Plasmid DNA to Clinical Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Pathogens by Using a Unique Bacteriophage

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (7) ◽  
pp. 2481-2488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Winstel ◽  
Petra Kühner ◽  
Bernhard Krismer ◽  
Andreas Peschel ◽  
Holger Rohde
Keyword(s):  
Plasmid Dna ◽  
Genetic Manipulation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Reliable Technique ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetic Barriers

ABSTRACTGenetic manipulation of emerging bacterial pathogens, such as coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), is a major hurdle in clinical and basic microbiological research. Strong genetic barriers, such as restriction modification systems or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR), usually interfere with available techniques for DNA transformation and therefore complicate manipulation of CoNS or render it impossible. Thus, current knowledge of pathogenicity and virulence determinants of CoNS is very limited. Here, a rapid, efficient, and highly reliable technique is presented to transfer plasmid DNA essential for genetic engineering to important CoNS pathogens from a uniqueStaphylococcus aureusstrain via a specificS. aureusbacteriophage, Φ187. Even strains refractory to electroporation can be transduced by this technique once donor and recipient strains share similar Φ187 receptor properties. As a proof of principle, this technique was used to delete the alternative transcription factor sigma B (SigB) via allelic replacement in nasal and clinicalStaphylococcus epidermidisisolates at high efficiencies. The described approach will allow the genetic manipulation of a wide range of CoNS pathogens and might inspire research activities to manipulate other important pathogens in a similar fashion.

scholarly journals CNN Training Using 3D Virtual Models for Assisted Assembly with Mixed Reality and Collaborative Robots

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4269
Author(s):  
Kamil Židek ◽  
Ján Piteľ ◽  
Michal Balog ◽  
Alexander Hošovský ◽  
Vratislav Hladký ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Reality ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Robot Vision ◽  
Processing Unit ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Vision Systems ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Position And Orientation ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The assisted assembly of customized products supported by collaborative robots combined with mixed reality devices is the current trend in the Industry 4.0 concept. This article introduces an experimental work cell with the implementation of the assisted assembly process for customized cam switches as a case study. The research is aimed to design a methodology for this complex task with full digitalization and transformation data to digital twin models from all vision systems. Recognition of position and orientation of assembled parts during manual assembly are marked and checked by convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Training of CNN was based on a new approach using virtual training samples with single shot detection and instance segmentation. The trained CNN model was transferred to an embedded artificial processing unit with a high-resolution camera sensor. The embedded device redistributes data with parts detected position and orientation into mixed reality devices and collaborative robot. This approach to assisted assembly using mixed reality, collaborative robot, vision systems, and CNN models can significantly decrease assembly and training time in real production.

scholarly journals Behavioural Study of the Force Control Loop Used in a Collaborative Robot for Sanding Materials

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Pérez Ubeda ◽  
Santiago C. Gutiérrez Rubert ◽  
Ranko Zotovic Stanisic ◽  
Ángel Perles Ivars
Keyword(s):  
Force Control ◽  
Feed Rate ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Industrial Robots ◽  
Control Loop ◽  
Saturation State ◽  
Collaborative Robots ◽  
Increase Productivity ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Collaborative Robot

The rise of collaborative robots urges the consideration of them for different industrial tasks such as sanding. In this context, the purpose of this article is to demonstrate the feasibility of using collaborative robots in processing operations, such as orbital sanding. For the demonstration, the tools and working conditions have been adjusted to the capacity of the robot. Materials with different characteristics have been selected, such as aluminium, steel, brass, wood, and plastic. An inner/outer control loop strategy has been used, complementing the robot’s motion control with an outer force control loop. After carrying out an explanatory design of experiments, it was observed that it is possible to perform the operation in all materials, without destabilising the control, with a mean force error of 0.32%. Compared with industrial robots, collaborative ones can perform the same sanding task with similar results. An important outcome is that unlike what might be thought, an increase in the applied force does not guarantee a better finish. In fact, an increase in the feed rate does not produce significant variation in the finish—less than 0.02 µm; therefore, the process is in a “saturation state” and it is possible to increase the feed rate to increase productivity.

The distributive knot: negotiators’ responsibility to untie complex demands

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain Lempereur ◽  
Michele Pekar
Keyword(s):  
Demand Response ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Business System ◽  
Response Dynamic ◽  
Managerial System ◽  
Deal Making ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose This article aims to explore the fundamental negotiation structure as a demand/response dynamic. It tests it in a complex business system, where a manager as a negotiator is confronted with multiple demands or pressures at different levels from a variety of stakeholders, both external and internal. Design/methodology/approach Based on concrete examples from the automotive industry, it presents an analytical framework to tackle all negotiation interactions. Findings This article suggests that it is possible to describe all negotiation interactions, whether they are simple or complex, through a demand/response framework. Originality/value This contribution examines a fundamental structure for negotiation responsibility – the demand/response dynamic – defining the mission of any negotiator in deal-making or dispute resolution as to try to supply a response to the expressed crossed demands. Second, the proposed theoretical model of demand/response is transposed and tested in a managerial system where a sales negotiator is confronted with demands from more sources, both external and internal, with the responsibility to satisfy as best as possible the various stakeholders and the capacity to address each of them with different moves.

Critical Success Factors of New Product Development and Impact on Performance of Malaysian Automotive Industry

2014 ◽  
Vol 903 ◽  
pp. 431-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Aziz Fazilah ◽  
Nur Najmiyah Jaafar ◽  
Sulaiman Suraya
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
New Product Development ◽  
Automotive Industry ◽  
Critical Success Factors ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
New Product ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Critical Success ◽  
Research Activities

This research paper shows a framework to conduct an empirical study in Malaysian automotive industry in order to improve their performance. There are factors which are effective factors in improving performance of Malaysian automotive companies namely top management support, cross functional teamwork, new product development (NPD) process, NPD strategies, and market research activities. The critical success factor of NPD is playing a fundamental role in determining the performance in Malaysian automotive companies. In this research study, a framework has been developed that includes critical success factors of NPD and project achievement to study their influence on the performance of Malaysian automotive companies. It is hoped that this paper can provide an academic source for both academicians and managers due to investigate the relationship between critical success factors of total NPD, project achievement and company performance in a systematic manner to increase successful rate of NPD progress.

scholarly journals Modernity in British advertising: selling cocoa and chocolate in the 1930s

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael French
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Advertising Agency ◽  
Consumer Durables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Production Methods ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
New Consumer ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of “push” marketing in the confectionery industry in Britain during the 1930s. It examines the interplay between a manufacturer and advertising agency in creating advertising for cocoa and chocolate. Design/methodology/approach A survey of the literature examines the uses of health and well-being in the design of advertising in Britain between the wars. The records of Rowntree and its main advertising agency, J Walter Thompson, are used to examine the themes and tactics used in advertising for cocoa and Aero chocolate bars during the 1930s. Findings The paper emphasises the different ways in which health and nutrition was used in advertising for the two products. The campaigns of the 1930s built on earlier use of these themes. J Walter Thompson looked for ways of presenting commodities as “new and improved” and their role extended into pressing for changes to production methods and the nature of products. Themes of modernity, sexuality and lifestyles all featured, confirming conclusions of earlier studies. However, targeting of mothers and of different age and gender groups indicated that market segmentation was used extensively via print media and tailored advertising messages. Originality/value Although Cadbury, Rowntree and confectionery have been studied in depth before, this paper emphasises their role in applying new advertising ideas to everyday items. It points to the influence of advertising on the mass of consumers compared to the middle- and upper-income groups targeted in the marketing of houses, motor-cars and new consumer durables.

Digital competences of the workforce – a research topic?

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 721-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Murawski ◽  
Markus Bick
Keyword(s):  
Research Topic ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Digital Competence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Considering working in the digital age, questions on the consequences for the individual workers are, so far, often neglected. The purpose of this paper is to deal with the question of whether the digital competences of the workforce is a research topic. The authors argue for the thesis that it is indeed a research topic. Design/methodology/approach In addition to a literature analysis of the top IS, HR, and learning publications, non-scientific sources, as well as the opinions of the authors, are included. The authors’ thesis is challenged through a debate of corresponding pros and cons. Findings The definition of digital competences lacks scientific depth. Focussing on the workforce is valid, as a “lifelong” perspective is not mandatory for research. Digital competence research is a multidisciplinary task to which the IS field can make a valuable contribution. Research limitations/implications Although relevant references are included, some aspects are mainly driven by the opinions of the authors. The theoretical implications encompass a call for a scientific definition of digital competences. Furthermore, scholars should focus on the competences of the workforce, including occupations, roles, or industries. The authors conclude by providing a first proposal of a research agenda. Practical implications The practical implications include the alignment of multiple stakeholders for the design of “digital” curricula and the integration by HR departments of the construct of digital competences, e.g. for compensation matters and job requirements. Originality/value This paper is one of very few contributions in the area of the digital competences of the workforce, and it presents a starting point for future research activities.

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