For the DLR's 'Surface Avatar' experiment, Swedish ESA astronaut Marcus Wandt controlled various robotic systems on Earth from the ISS. The experiment is intended to show how time delays affect the remote control of robots.

Dr. Kurt D. Bettenhausen, Chief Technology and Development Officer, is leaving the Harting Technology Group by mutual agreement. He will relinquish his office on March 1, 2024.

To determine a safe absolute position, Pepperl+Fuchs relies on a combination of the 'PUS' evaluation unit with the 'safePXV' or 'WCS' sensors.

Nanotec is expanding its management team: CEO Stephan Huber and Chief Technical Officer Dr. Christian Hainzlmaier will manage the electronics company together with Elke Zec, Chief Financial Officer, and Durmus Özcan, Chief Sales Officer.

ITIS Holding, a PPF Group company, intends to take over the Vitronic Group. The aim is to create a globally active company for intelligent transportation, infrastructure and automation solutions.

Jan Drömer, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at ek robotics, is taking over the chairmanship of the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association for the next two years.

The first quarter of fiscal year 2024 went well for Siemens: Revenue from September to December 2023 increased nominally by 2% to EUR 18.4 billion, profit after tax by 56% and order intake was also better than many analysts would have expected.

AI-based systems for automated quality control cannot avoid the time-consuming collection of image data. At BMW in Dingolfing, an inspection cell has been in operation since July 2023, which starts camera-based visual inspection from the very first car body.

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Pilz offers manufacturers a safety solution in accordance with ISO 3691-4 for freely navigating mobile platforms.

Lütze is expanding the intelligent current monitoring system 'LOCC-Box' with an IO-Link gateway for coupling up to 15 LOCC-Box Net modules.

The touch displays in the 'uniTFT' product family from Display Visions can both receive and output data. Thanks to the integrated I/O and graphics controller, users can also use them to implement a complete small controller without additional hardware.

Instead of using automation to make existing processes more efficient, a group of researchers in Linz is trying to rethink these processes in a free and new way. Keyword: creative robotics.

The Hima Group from Brühl (Baden) has acquired the Norwegian technology company Origo Solutions. The corresponding company purchase agreement was signed on January 8 and came into effect on January 31.

Trend Micro bundles its business in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: Hannes Steiner is the new Vice President DACH, Nicholas Pook takes over responsibility for channel sales in the region.

As the new Zone President DACH, Stefan Gierse will succeed Christophe de Maistre in April 2024. His task will be to further develop the regional business strategy, expertise and market access in line with Schneider Electric's corporate philosophy.

Researchers at the University of Freiburg have developed 3D-printed pneumatic logic modules that enable logical switching of the air flow and thus imitate electrical control. They could be used to produce electro-free soft robots entirely using 3D printing.

How relevant is the SPS for companies? 99% of exhibitors rate the automation technology industry event as important or very important for their company. This was the result of the trade fair analyses.

Parker Hannifin has added the 'NX8xHM' low-voltage series to its family of mobile motors. The permanent magnet AC motor (PMAC) is suitable for on-road and off-road vehicles and therefore for electro-hydraulic pumps in 48 V (DC) construction vehicles such as mini-excavators.

Until now, servo brakes could not be monitored due to the small air gaps or their installation situation. With 'Roba-brake-checker', Mayr Antriebstechnik now offers a solution for sensorless brake monitoring.

Sumitomo Drive Technologies presents 'Eye clean', 'Eye connect' (Fig.) and 'Eye complete', a condition monitoring system (CMS) for drive solutions.