The topic of robotics is an integral part of Hannover Messe. Robots of all sizes and shapes – from industrial robots and cobots right through to autonomous mobile robots – can be found throughout the exhibition grounds of the world's leading trade fair for industry.

A special highlight this year is the Application Park in Hall 5, which has a strong partner at its side in the form of the German Robotics Association (DRV). Among other things, the DRV has made it a mission to promote and foster the use of robotics in Germany. Given the shortage of skilled workers, there is undoubtedly potential in this direction, with Germany ranking fifth behind China, Japan, Korea and the USA in global comparison.

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024. The global advocate for the benefits of automation now represents more than 1280 member companies as it promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform and redefine the business environment.

ABB has acquired Swiss start-up Sevensense, a provider of AI-enabled 3D vision navigation technology for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Sevensense was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Swiss technical University, ETH Zurich.

CES 2024 is taking place in Las Vegas this week from January 9-12, 2024. While there's plenty of opportunities to find the latest gadgets in personal tech, the show has evolved through the years to include some key exhibitors in areas like aerospace, e-mobility, and automation/robotics.

Topball Ultimate from NB Corporation can carry four times the load and has 64 times the life of conventional slide bushings. It's new optimized load plate, outer cylinder structure and double the ball circuits of the standard TW type increase Topball Ultimate’s load ratings by 1.3 times and travel life by 2.2 times compared to the TW. The TW type has three times the load capacity and 27 times more travel life of conventional bushings. 

Mark Ruberg, packaging industry manager at Beckhoff USA, will serve another four-year term on the PMMI Industry Relations Committee. As an experienced packaging industry expert, Ruberg has been active throughout his career with various committees and work groups at PMMI – The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

A growing number of companies are adopting robotic solutions in their logistics processes. They provide far greater flexibility than conventional automated handling systems, and can seriously boost productivity, throughput and operational accuracy, even in ‘steady state’ operations. Pallet and bin shuttle systems for automated storage and retrieval are a prime example. With modular design, acting as a set of building blocks to minimize complexity and cost of upgrading, these systems are highly scalable installations can start small and then expand or, if needed, they can downsize just as easily. 

Electromate Inc. has announced the pre-order availability of Universal Robots' latest innovation - the UR30 collaborative robot (cobot). The UR30, boasting a 30 kg payload capacity, is the newest addition to Universal Robots' cutting-edge cobot lineup.

ABB is strengthening its long-standing partnership with Volvo Cars to supply more than 1,300 robots and functional packages to build the next generation of electric vehicles. This will support the Swedish car manufacturer to achieve its ambitious sustainability targets.

With the CP150 compact controller, the wait for the electronics to start up again after the engine is shut down for a short time is completely eliminated. This saves time and increases productivity in everyday work. Operators can eliminate the wait and also decrease emissions with the CP150, reducing their environmental footprint. B&R uses the vehicle's battery for the standby function.