ENGtechnica

Category: Robotics

  • RRD Invests in Robotics, HP Print Presses to Upgrade GA Facility

    RRD Invests in Robotics, HP Print Presses to Upgrade GA Facility

    Image: Business Wire

    CHICAGO, IL, Feb 6, 2025 – RRD is investing in robotic technologies and advanced HP digital print presses to upgrade its Austell, GA facility into a modern commercial print hub.The investment doubles the site’s workforce and sets a benchmark for rapid, high-volume digital production and automation.

    “RRD is driven by a passion for innovation,” said Craig Roberton, president of commercial print, RRD. “Our latest investment exemplifies a commitment to lead the industry and stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and trends that benefit our clients. We’re not just working to enhance RRD’s capabilities — we’re empowering our clients to achieve measurable results and thrive in an ever-evolving industry.”

    The investment enables RRD to deliver high-speed, high-quality, variable print-on-demand services to meet evolving client demand and anticipated industry shifts. The Austell site features HP’s new Indigo 120K Digital Press and PageWide Advantage 2200 with HP Brilliant Ink. The equipment is designed to empower high-volume production businesses by delivering speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency. The equipment also elevates RRD’s capabilities and delivers benefits such as:

    • higher ROI customer acquisition products
    • hyper-personalization, which enables brands to tailor messaging to each consumer based on their unique relationship with the brand
    • productivity and quality that rival offset printing
    • added versatility for short, medium and long runs on a variety of substrates
    • accelerated job production with AI-driven automation
    • Pantone color matching to ensure brand consistency
    • aqueous and ultraviolet coating options
    • increased sheet and saddle stitch booklet options
    • minimized waste

    RRD’s Austell location will also be among the first commercial print manufacturing facilities in America to implement industry-first robot technology.

    RRD Austell Facility. Image: RRD

    Through an ongoing partnership with HP, RRD will deploy two autonomous mobile robots designed specifically to bolster efficiency. The robots feature intelligent software that communicates with HP Indigo presses. The communication allows for interfacing with presses, manages pallet locations in the warehouse and near presses and finishers. The robots can load and unload media directly into and out of presses, streamline workflows, eliminate safety risks, and keep the presses continuously operational to bring client projects to life faster.

    “Our longstanding and deep partnership with RRD demonstrates our mutual commitment to delivering innovative solutions that create new business opportunities in an industry where speed and personalization are increasingly important,” said Oran Sokol, VP & global head, Strategic Accounts, HP.

    RRD’s Austell facility is expanding production space and introducing new features for clients. These upgrades include rooms where customers can observe the production process firsthand. The improvements are set to finish in early 2025, with more digital updates planned at other RRD locations in the coming years.

    About RRD

    R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD), founded in 1864, is a global provider of multichannel solutions for marketing and business communications. Headquartered at Chicago, IL, RRD offers a comprehensive portfolio of proficiencies, including commercial printing, logistics, supply chain management, and digital marketing services. The company serves a diverse range of industries, such as retail, financial services, healthcare, and technology, assisting organizations worldwide in creating, managing, and executing their multichannel communications strategies. As of 2022, RRD reported net sales of $5.37 billion. The company employs approximately 28,000 individuals across various locations globally.

  • Jon Kirchner Joins DVIRC Board of Directors

    Jon Kirchner Joins DVIRC Board of Directors

    PHILADELPHIA, PA, Feb 3, 2025 – The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC) has announced that Jon Kirchner has joined its Board of Directors. Kirchner’s experience in operational strategy, product development, and growth initiatives will help DVIRC step forward to its mission of supporting regional manufacturers.

    Jon Kirchner, President, Perfero Advisory and DVIRC Board Member

    Kirchner serves as president of Perfero Advisory, advising founder/family-owned, private equity firms, public companies, and VC startups. His track record includes guiding transformative projects in industrial automation, robotics, satellite infrastructure, and data-driven operations. Kirchner focuses on delivering measurable outcomes and has helped organizations address challenges, apply targeted solutions, and enhance their competitive edge.

    Kirchner sees potential everywhere. “I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and work with the DVIRC leadership to deliver tangible results for manufacturers across the region,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to do very meaningful work that drives progress and strengthens our industrial base.”

    Kirchner’s appointment shows DVIRC’s commitment to creating solutions and using technology to deliver measurable growth. His expertise will help DVIRC grow its services, enabling local businesses to remain competitive in a changing market.

    “When we think about what the future holds for manufacturing, it’s leaders like Jon Kirchner who will make it happen,” said Chris Scafario, DVIRC’s president & CEO. “His ability to harness the power of technology and translate it into actionable growth strategies is unmatched.”

    About DVIRC

    The Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center (DVIRC), established in 1988, is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its mission is to support the profitable growth of small and mid-sized U.S. manufacturers. DVIRC offers services including business management consulting, operational excellence strategies, and top-line growth initiatives. The organization serves various industries such as contract manufacturing, defense, food and beverage, life sciences, and metal fabrication. As an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, DVIRC has access to a broad network of resources. Since its inception, DVIRC has assisted over 2,000 manufacturers, generating more than $2 billion in client impact.

  • InOrbit Unveils Space Intelligence to Connect Robotics and Enterprise

    InOrbit Unveils Space Intelligence to Connect Robotics and Enterprise

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, Jan 29, 2025 – Launched by InOrbit.AI, Space Intelligence is a product suite that acts as the central nervous system for smart operations. By integrating autonomous robots, line-of-business data and spatial computing, Space Intelligence leverages physical AI to unlock a new level of performance and flexibility in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and other demanding environments to drive smarter operations.

    “Traditional automation offers rigid and static operations,” said Florian Pestoni, CEO of InOrbit. “InOrbit Space Intelligence enables enterprises to leap forward with software-defined orchestration and leverage the latest development in Physical and AI and Reinforcement Learning to drive dynamic process optimization. Now enterprise customers can drive productivity and improve operational resilience.”

    Space Intelligence combines business, robotic, and spatial data to streamline real-world operations. It offers flexibility and clear insights, supporting ongoing improvements and achieving balance.

    InOrbit Space Intelligence offers enterprises:

    • Unified Command: Seamlessly connecting enterprise systems (WMS, ERP, WES) with robot operations for complete process visibility and control.
    • Intelligent Orchestration: Mapping and managing autonomous robots, IoT devices, and non-robotic equipment for synchronized and optimized facility operations.
    • Proactive Operations: Real-time traffic management, path planning and incident response to execute business workflows and improve utilization.
    • AI-Powered Optimization: Continuously learning and adapting, dynamically optimizing operations for peak efficiency and improved ROI.

    “We are excited to introduce Space Intelligence to enterprises,” continued Pestoni. “This transformative technology enables businesses to truly unlock the full potential of a facility with smart operations.”

    About InOrbit.AI

    InOrbit, headquartered in Mountain View, CA, specializes in cloud-based robot operations (RobOps) management. Founded in 2017, the company offers an AI-powered platform that helps enterprises and robot developers optimize autonomous robot fleets at scale. Serving industries like logistics, manufacturing, and smart cities, InOrbit streamlines deployment, monitoring, and optimization of robotic systems. Its platform enables seamless integration across multi-vendor fleets, improving efficiency and reliability.

    Source: InOrbit

  • ABB Robotics, Agilent Partner for Automated Lab Solutions

    ABB Robotics, Agilent Partner for Automated Lab Solutions

    ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan 27, 2025 – ABB Robotics and Agilent Technologies have signed a collaboration agreement to deliver automated laboratory solutions. Working together, ABB and Agilent will combine the benefits of their technologies to enable companies across multiple sectors including pharma, biotechnology, energy and food and beverage transform their laboratory operations by making processes such as research and quality control faster and more efficient.

    “By combining Agilent’s state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and laboratory software solutions with ABB’s advanced robotics, we will empower laboratories to operate with greater speed, precision, and flexibility,” said Marc Segura, president ABB Robotics Division. “By using our robots to automate key processes, this partnership will enable companies to introduce new approaches to carrying out key laboratory tasks. This will improve efficiency and free up laboratory teams to take on more rewarding work.”

    Laboratories are facing growing demands to speed up research and bring products to market faster while maintaining quality. ABB and Agilent will collaborate to develop solutions that will automate manual tasks such as sample handling, testing, and data processing. These tools aim to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and boost productivity.

    “This collaboration with ABB Robotics underscores Agilent’s dedication to fostering an open ecosystem within laboratories, representing a significant advancement in our mission to revolutionize lab operations across diverse markets such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental testing, and food safety,” said Tom Lillig, vice president and general manager of the Software Informatics Division at Agilent. “By integrating Agilent’s cutting-edge analytical technologies with ABB’s state-of-the-art robotics, we empower our customers to achieve faster, more reliable results, driving innovation and enhancing scientific outcomes. Seamless interoperability of all instruments, robots, and software is crucial to significantly boosting productivity,” Lillig added.

    About ABB Robotics

    ABB Robotics, a division of ABB Ltd., is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. The division is a front-runner in robotics, machine automation, and digital services, providing innovative solutions for a diverse range of industries, from automotive to electronics to logistics. As one of the world’s leading robotics and machine automation suppliers, ABB Robotics has shipped more than 500,000 robot solutions. The company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, and employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide. In 2023, ABB Ltd. reported revenues of $32.2 billion.

    About Agilent Technologies

    Agilent Technologies, established in 1999, is a global leader in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets. The company provides laboratories worldwide with instruments, software, services, and consumables, enabling customers to gain the insights they seek. Agilent focuses its expertise on six key markets; food, environmental and forensics, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, research, and chemical and energy. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Agilent employs approximately 18,000 people and reported revenues of $6.51 billion in fiscal year 2024.

    Source: ABB

  • XoMotion Recognized as ’Top Robot’ at CES by USA Today

    XoMotion Recognized as ’Top Robot’ at CES by USA Today

    VANCOUVER, Canada, Jan 22, 2025 – Human in Motion Robotics announced that XoMotion, the world’s most advanced medical exoskeleton, was named the Top Robot at CES 2025 by USA Today.

    USA TODAY’s 50 Top Picks for CES 2025
    (CNW Group/Human in Motion Robotics Inc.)

    At CES 2025, XoMotion received recognition from attendees, media, and industry leaders for its transformative potential to assist individuals with mobility impairments caused by spinal cord injuries, strokes, and other neurological conditions.

    Other Highlights from CES 2025

    As CES 2025 concluded, Human in Motion Robotics celebrated a productive and well-received exhibition, highlighted by:

    • Recognition from visitors, media, and industry leaders: XoMotion earned recognition, including a CES 2025 Innovations Award, highlighting its role as a leader in user-focused technology.
    • Product demonstrations: Attendees, including people with mobility issues, and doctors, tested XoMotion’s self-balancing, hands-free, and natural movement features. They saw how the exoskeleton increases user independence and improves care.
    • Investor and partner engagement: The platform technology and multidisciplinary expertise of Human in Motion Robotics impressed investors and partners, positioning XoMotion as a useful solution.
    • Inspiration for the future: Meeting exhibitors and discovering new technologies at CES created valuable opportunities to collaborate and improve XoMotion.

    The event was another key step for Human in Motion Robotics, as the exposure and connections at CES will support future growth and innovation.