Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Curtains Up for Innovation Theatre at Aquaculture UK
Aquaculture UK has announced the schedule for its Innovation Theatre, highlighting the latest technological advancements in the aquaculture sector. This event will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow on June 16-17. The Innovation Theatre, which is free to attend, aims to showcase the rapid digitalisation and significant innovations shaping the industry. As the aquaculture community convenes for the UK's premier trade show, the programme will emphasize the transformative changes currently influencing the global market.
innovation theatre events aquaculture uk
Zone Separation Innovations Could Enhance Cold Chain Efficiency in the UK
The UK, holding the largest cold storage market in Europe, faces significant challenges as cold-chain energy costs surged by 46% in 2023. The Cold Chain Federation highlights that the temperature-controlled sector contributes £14 billion to the economy, making energy management a critical operational factor for logistics operators. A major energy drain in distribution centers arises from the movement of goods between temperature zones, with air infiltration accounting for over half of the refrigeration load in high-traffic facilities. Implementing physical zone separation, such as temperature-separating curtain walls and PVC strip curtains, can significantly reduce energy loss by minimizing uncontrolled air exchange. As the cold chain sector moves towards energy efficiency, particularly in light of the UK's 2050 Net Zero target, the adaptability of curtain systems offers a practical solution. These systems allow for flexible reconfiguration of temperature zones without extensive construction, aligning with the industry's evolving needs while promoting energy savings without major facility overhauls. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Cold Chain Logistics Storage & Racking Transport and Distribution Warehouse Property Warehousing cold chain
BANNER ENGINEERING - RSio Remote Safe I/O Blocks
Banner Engineering has introduced a new line of I/O blocks designed to enhance safety architectures in industrial settings. These innovative blocks support EtherNet/IP and CIP Safety™, allowing for configurable inputs for emergency stops, light curtains, and switches. The introduction of in-series diagnostics significantly reduces cable usage, enabling the connection of up to 192 safety devices per block while providing device-level status updates. The RSio series is characterized by its scalability and robustness, making it particularly suitable for large conveyor networks and modular machine designs. This development aims to streamline safety management and improve operational efficiency in manufacturing environments.
Robotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
