News briefs for the week take a look at BMW announcing the first-ever Factory in a Box as an add-on to its production lines, cobots braving gamma rays to make medical radioisotopes, highly dexterous, deep-sea cobots saving human divers from harsh environments, ABB does it again with yet another acquisition for AMR leadership, and Mujin Robotics and Accenture partner in hope of jumpstarting robot-AI automation in Japan.
Â
Factory in a Box
BMW has introduced a new concept called the Factory in a Box, a small, robot-driven factory that can be easily shipped anywhere on the globe. Initially developed in Sweden in 2007, this solution offers mobility, flexibility, and speed in manufacturing.
.jpeg?width=440&height=213&name=1704978594749%20(1).jpeg)
These mobile manufacturing units are also being used as a learning experience to train employees in new and novel manufacturing procedures. The program has shown impressive results in improving recall and learning outcomes among participants.
BMW has already implemented the concept with the production of the world’s first Factory in a Box for its door assembly production line.
Â
Cobots, labs & gamma rays
Cobots are being used in laboratories to speed up the manufacture of medical radioisotopes by incorporating cobots, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to safely manipulate samples from across the room. This has dramatically increased the ability to produce valuable and necessary isotopes.
The integration of cobots and artificial intelligence into the production of radioisotopes holds promise to meet the demand for these emerging isotopes which is currently beyond the available supply.
Subsea cobots, like those from the Sydney-based Reach Robotics, are equipped for undersea tasks, such as diving up to 1,000 feet and performing tasks meant for human divers.
Â
ABB Robotics does it AGAIN!
ABB Robotics has made significant moves in the field of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), with multiple acquisitions aimed at vaulting the company into leadership in new-age mobility in AMRs. The company continues to grow through acquisitions to strengthen its market positions and transform industries with AI-powered robotics and automation.
