by Gary Mintchell | Mar 18, 2025 | Robots
Teredyne is a conglomerate that has been snarfing up collaborative robotic assets. Many are based on Universal Robotics technology. This news expands AI-powered applications. Of course, AI is the entry point phrase for any new technology currently. That’s OK, it is an advancement in usability. And that’s a good thing.
Teradyne Robotics and its partners are set to unveil a suite of advanced, AI-driven robotics solutions at NVIDIA GTC 2025 March 17-21. The unveiling represents the first public demonstration of the AI Accelerator in commercially viable applications.
“Physical AI equips robots with the capacity to perceive and respond to the real world providing the versatility and problem-solving capabilities that are often required by complex use cases that have been out of scope until now,” says James Davidson, Chief AI Officer, Teradyne Robotics. “Instead of merely executing pre-programmed instructions, robots empowered by AI gain the ability to learn, adapt, and make informed decisions grounded in their sensory input,” he says.
Davidson adds, “Think of a logistics operation where robots navigate through a warehouse with constantly changing layouts and obstacles. Or a construction site where robots assist in assembly tasks within unpredictable and changing environments. The AI Accelerator helps our cobots better understand their surroundings, plan optimal paths, and execute tasks safely and efficiently in previously unmanageable spaces.”
The AI Accelerator is a toolkit designed by Teradyne Robotics company Universal Robots (UR) in collaboration with NVIDIA to enable the development of AI-powered applications by bringing AI acceleration to UR’s next-generation software platform, PolyScope X. The toolkit is powered by NVIDIA Isaac accelerated libraries and AI models, running on the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin system-on-module.
Partner displays:
- 3D Infotech – Dynamic Metrology: Showcasing a UR3e cobot that scans workpieces, compares them with CAD models, and highlights dimensional inaccuracies by projecting them onto the workpiece surface. The AI Accelerator enhances the perception capabilities of the cobot, allowing it to more accurately locate the workpiece for inspection.
- T-Robotics – GenAI Driven Programming: Demonstrating a UR5e cobot with LLM-driven CNC machine tending. With T-Robotics ActGPT, users can describe an application setup in natural language and have it translated into a robot program with the help of the AI Accelerator.
- AICA – Reinforcement Learning Assembly: Featuring a UR5e cobot executing single-arm gear assembly using reinforcement learning. The cobot locates a part using AI Accelerator-based perception and then uses a reinforcement learning skill to complete a contact-rich assembly process.
- Acumino – Bimanual Assembly: The AI Accelerator facilitates a bimanual UR5e cobot’s ability to learn complex manipulation tasks from human demonstrations. The system completes an electrical cable handling task and attendees can collaborate with the robot to solve the task.
- Groundlight – Workpiece Detection for Streamlined Picking: The AI Accelerator trains a model to detect a workpiece and generate a robot program for picking, then verifies that the robot workspace is ready, ensuring a robust and easily deployed solution.
While the AI Accelerator is primarily focused on UR cobots, the underlying AI and accelerated computing technology also benefit Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), another Teradyne company featured at GTC. The MiR1200 Pallet Jack uses 3D vision and the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin module for pallet detection, allowing the pallet jack to identify, pick up, and deliver pallets with precision in complex environments.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 17, 2025 | Generative AI, Technology
Just in from The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) about a timely new conference. I’m not sure I can make it to Seattle for this conference, but it looks like a good place to explore timely topics.
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the leading voice in automation and robotics, today announced the launch of a new industry event, FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI Conference. Set to take place September 24-25, 2025, in Seattle, this conference will provide an in-depth look at the latest advancements in machine vision, imaging technologies, AI, and smart automation applications. Attendees will explore cutting-edge innovations in vision systems and imaging while also diving into real-world case studies on AI-driven automation across industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, defense, energy, logistics and medical devices.
With AI-powered automation and vision systems rapidly improving quality control, predictive maintenance, and robotics capabilities, industrial leaders need actionable insights to stay ahead of the curve. Unlike broader industry conferences, the FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI conference will center specifically on the real-world applications of AI and vision technology, featuring expert-led sessions, in-depth case studies, and hands-on technology showcases.
Registration opens soon! Stay ahead of the curve—visit the FOCUS 2025 page and subscribe for updates to be among the first to know when registration goes live.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 17, 2025 | Embedded Control
Festo never ceases to amaze me with their pneumatics advances. Here introducing digital closed-loop control.
Festo introduces Controlled Pneumatics, a digital closed-loop control strategy for delivering energy efficiency, high dynamic response, and precision movement. Controlled Pneumatics is an ideal solution for web tensioning; welding; surface processing; flexible gripping, including vacuum gripping; dispensing and pumping; PET bottle blowing; and diaphragm pump control.
Controlled Pneumatics lowers compressed air usage by up to 50%. The reduction in energy improves the sustainability of the operation by lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation. Precise proportional pressure control also conserves gases used in food and beverage, chemical, and semiconductor processing applications.
Controlled Pneumatic systems are composed of digitally controlled proportional pressure regulators, sensors, high-speed communications, and control algorithms. Controlled Pneumatics proportional pressure regulators feature piezoelectric valves, a technology Festo has been applying for decades and now mass produces.
Piezoelectric valves consume 95% less energy than solenoid valves. Piezoelectric valves open proportionally for precision control of pressure and flow and are fast acting for highly dynamic applications. Closed-loop control of these valves ensures an accurate, stable, and linear flow rate – without hysteresis. Repetition accuracy is rated at +/-0.25% of setpoint. Piezoelectric valves do not generate heat and can be densely packed. Low friction prolongs service life. These valves have a peak particle size per switching cycle of 0.1 μm, which is about five times smaller than proportional pressure regulators that do not use piezoelectric valves. These valves operate silently.
The Festo Controlled Pneumatics product range includes the VPPI proportional pressure regulator for high flow rate applications. The VTEM motion terminal is used for multi-channel control of large and small workpieces. The VEAB low flow rate proportional pressure regulator is designed for highly precise applications. The VTEP is a compact valve terminal for multi-channel low flow rate pressure control. It features high precision and dynamic response. These proportional pressure regulators can be used in addition with solenoid valves for hybrid functionality. The VEAB is a proportional pressure control valve for pressure ranges up to 6 bar. The VEFC is a compact mass flow controller for inert gasses.
Festo offers control algorithms to operate the VTEM Motion terminal, including:
- Flow control
- Selectable pressure level
- Positioning over the entire stroke of the cylinder
- Preset travel time
- Operating actuators with minimum pressure
- Leakage diagnostics
- Soft stop
- Model-based proportional pressure regulation (no need for external sensors)
- Proportional pressure regulation – two pressure regulators per valve slice at the two valve outlets that can be used to regulate pressures independently of each other, including vacuum.
These algorithms can be downloaded as apps on demand for the VTEM motion terminal.
Case studies:
A silicon wafer manufacturing plant applied Controlled Pneumatics to its Nitrogen gas (N2) purge application. Controlled Pneumatics cut N2 flow rate for oxygen flushing by 75%. For every 1,000 nitrogen purge systems, the plant saved $163,000 (U.S. dollars) in lower energy costs. The reduced energy lowered CO2 emissions from energy generation by 1,045 metric tons. In other words, Controlled Pneumatics removed CO2 emissions equivalent to burning 1.2 million pounds of coal.
At a tire manufacturing plant, small pneumatic cylinders were used to apply various tread patterns, depending on the layer of rubber being applied. These cylinders had to be precisely controlled in a pressure range of 0.05 to 8 bar. Previously, a proportional valve was used for each individual pressure zone in this application. The multi-channel VTEM motion terminal reduced valve slices by 50%. For the application’s control algorithm, the plant used model-based control for proportional pressure, which did not require external sensors.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 14, 2025 | Sensors, Technology
I’ve had a soft spot for visual systems ever since my introduction to the technology in the mid-1980s. Trends of more powerful video sensors plus AI have combined to form a number of interesting new products.
This news comes from a company called Cybord (that I previously wrote about here), who bills itself as “the leading provider of advanced AI-powered electronic component analytics.” They have announced the launch of its Real-Time Interception (RTI) solution, an advanced visual AI-powered software that prevents defective components from being assembled onto Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) in real time. By identifying and discarding faulty components within milliseconds before placement, Cybord’s RTI safeguards product quality, integrity, and compliance while significantly reducing manufacturing waste and costs. The solution, which is already integrated into Fuji’s NXT III placing machines, is currently expanding to manufacturing lines globally.
The solution provides:
- Instantaneous Detection and Rejection: The solution identifies every type of defect and discards defective or unauthorized components in real time before they are assembled onto electronic circuit boards, ensuring only top-quality and approved components are utilized.
- Seamless Manufacturing Integration: The flexible, drop-in software solution easily integrates into existing manufacturing lines to enhance quality control without disrupting production workflows.
- Data-Packed Insights: The platform provides manufacturers with crucial analytics and monitoring and ensures compliance with IPC standards.
- Value-Add for Machine Manufacturers: RTI allows machine manufacturers to empower their EMS customers with enhanced production efficiency and quality control by reducing rework and scrap. EMSs, in turn, prevent unnecessary revenue loss.
The RTI solution builds on Cybord’s successful Quality Component Inspection (QCI) and Traceability Component Inspection (TCI) offerings, addressing a critical need voiced by manufacturers: the ability to prevent faulty components from penetrating the assembly line rather than detecting them post-assembly. The RTI solution has already driven high demand from leading industry players and is currently integrated in Fuji America’s pick-and-place machines.
Powered by a database of nearly five billion components and counting, Cybord utilizes deep learning and AI algorithms to advance the next generation of AI in electronics manufacturing. During placement on the assembly line, the visual AI solution prevents defective, damaged, and counterfeit components from being assembled onto PCBA in real time with 99.9% accuracy. Cybord currently works with industry leaders including Fuji America, Siemens, and Flex.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 11, 2025 | Security
Rubrik has announced new capabilities to its cyber resilience offerings across cloud, SaaS, and hypervisors including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, RedHat OpenShift, and more. Its new Identity Recovery for Active Directory and Entra ID addresses the key vulnerability to business operational recovery.
The innovations aim to provide customers with even more ability to anticipate breaches, detect potential threats, and recover with speed and efficiency no matter where their data lives.
Here is a list of new products.
Cloud Posture Risk Management (CPR): CPR addresses the lack of data visibility by automatically discovering and inventorying cloud data assets and identifying unprotected or sensitive data. CPR helps organizations make informed backup decisions and strengthen their overall backup posture by protecting only what truly matters, reducing risk and unnecessary costs.
Oracle Cloud Protection: Rubrik Security Cloud (RSC) is planned to support data protection for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) —beginning with Oracle Cloud VMWare (OCVS) workloads and self-managed Oracle DB workloads operating OCI VMs. The solution is designed to enable customers to safeguard their cloud-based environments with the same robust, unified backup and recovery capabilities they rely on for other cloud and on-premises data.
Expanding Data Protection to PostgreSQL: Rubrik recognizes the critical importance of fortifying data defenses across all platforms. According to a recent Rubrik Zero Labs report, attackers are targeting backups in 96% of cyberattacks. By extending coverage to PostgreSQL, Rubrik ensures that one of the world’s most popular open-source databases thrives in the face of evolving digital threats. The comprehensive data security solution provides organizations with the assurance of maintaining data backup, availability, and recoverability.
Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization Data Protection: Sixty-percent of enterprises have adopted Kubernetes, emphasizing the critical need for cyber resilience solutions for their critical workloads. Rubrik’s new OpenShift support marks a significant step in securing these environments with comprehensive, automated, and immutable backups that deliver fast recovery from cyber incidents. Businesses have the flexibility to choose virtualization platforms for critical business processes without compromising manageability or cyber resilience.
Azure DevOps and GitHub Backup: For organizations using continuous integration and continuous development to accelerate innovation, Rubrik now protects Azure DevOps and GitHub with cyber resilient automated backups, granular recovery, extended retention, and robust compliance coverage for critical data stores.
Rubrik Cloud Vault (RCV) for Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS): RCV reduces the complexity and cost of managing a highly secure off-site archival location, with flexible policies and/or regions. RCV features immutable, isolated, logically air-gapped off-site backups combined with role-based access controls, advanced encryption, and retention locks to provide unparalleled confidence in data recovery.
Security and Resilience for Microsoft Dynamics 365: Rubrik’s enhanced protection for Microsoft Dynamics 365 aims to ensure businesses can secure their critical operational and customer data within a unified platform.
Sandbox Seeding for Salesforce: An intuitive user experience designed to allow users to select objects and records depending on specific criteria. This process aims to prevent seeding errors by thoroughly analyzing data selection size versus destination size availability before moving data to the sandbox environment. The goal of this solution, planned for 2025, is to save queries for future repetitive use, further expediting the sandbox seeding process.
With the introduction of Identity Recovery, Rubrik delivers the industry’s most comprehensive, automated, and secure solution for protecting hybrid identity environments across Entra ID and Active Directory (AD). Identity Recovery includes orchestrated Active Directory Forest Recovery to rapidly and cleanly restore entire identity environments – eliminating manual complexity and reducing downtime.
Advanced Security Features for Azure & Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS): Leveraging advanced machine learning and automation, new capabilities available today include Anomaly Detection, Data Discovery and Classification, and soon, Threat Hunting and Threat Monitoring. These capabilities are designed to work together to proactively detect and mitigate cyber threats, accelerate recovery, and ensure sensitive data remains protected and compliant.
Orchestrated Recovery for Azure VM: Rubrik is planning to extend its Orchestrated Recovery capabilities to the cloud beginning with Azure VM. By enabling customers to automate recovery sequences, schedule regular test recoveries, and generate comprehensive recovery reports, the solution is designed to reduce complexity and minimize the potential for human error.
Turbo Threat Hunting: Unlike traditional methods that scan one object at a time or require navigating multiple panes of glass, Turbo Threat Hunting scans at scale by leveraging pre-computed hashes stored within Rubrik’s metadata. This eliminates the need for file-by-file scanning, allowing organizations to rapidly pinpoint the exact recovery points free from malware or other threats within seconds — even in the most complex data environments. Internal testing found Turbo Threat Hunting scans 75,000 backups in less than 60 seconds.
Enterprise Edition for Microsoft 365: Delivering enterprise-grade security and resilience for Microsoft 365, Rubrik expands its capabilities for organizations to rapidly detect, respond to, and recover from attacks. New capabilities available for Microsoft 365 include Sensitive Data Discovery, which identifies and protects high-risk data before an attack happens, and Prioritized Recovery, which restores critical data first for fast operational recovery. Coming soon, Rubrik’s customers using Enterprise Edition for Microsoft 365 will also be able to add Anomaly Detection, Threat Monitoring, Threat Hunting, and Self-Service Recovery capabilities.
by Gary Mintchell | Mar 11, 2025 | Robots
The development of collaborative robots in the Odense, Denmark area led to important increases in the development of end-of-arm effectors. OnRobot became a leading developer of these tools. This new release marks OnRobot’s highest payload gripper to date, with intelligent control and seamless integration for palletizing and handling.
OnRobot’s new VGP30 vacuum gripper robust at 30 kg (66 lbs.) payload is designed to excel at palletizing boxes and handling irregular shapes and porous surfaces, even those constructed from cost-saving, thinner cardboard. The VGP30 is ready for immediate deployment out of the box and includes all the hardware and software needed for all leading robot brands.
Key features and benefits of the VGP30:
- High Payload: Capable of handling up to 30 kg (66 lbs.).
- Immediate Deployment: Ready to use out of the box, including all necessary hardware and software for seamless integration with all leading robot brands.
- Intelligent Vacuum Control: Automatically adjusts to any box size or interlayer, optimizing air consumption and reducing energy costs.
- Multichannel Capability: Provides failsafe and flexible operations. The VGP30 has two channels that can be operated together or independently, convenient for handling small boxes.
- Seamless Integration with D:PLOY: The VGP30 seamlessly integrates with OnRobot’s D:PLOY platform, the first automatic software development platform that enables the configuration of complete, off-the-shelf robotic systems for high-mix manufacturing applications.
