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Conveying: Drive system enables two synchronous movements with max performance

The new FAULHABER DualGear drive system optimizes automated warehouse logistics, enabling two synchronous, powerful movements in one compact unit. Combining a BX4 motor with two GPT planetary gearheads, it is ideal for storage/retrieval machines and autonomous logistics. Hall sensors ensure exact positioning for compact, efficient, and reliable performance in demanding, small-space environments.
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Decentralized drives offer seamless integration

NORD DRIVE-SYSTEMS' NORDAC LINK motor starters, plus NORDAC LINK and NORDAC FLEX variable frequency drives, feature a plug-and-play design for rapid commissioning and high system availability. With onboard AS-Interface (ASi) functionality, these modular products integrate seamlessly into existing or new systems, supporting ASi standards V2.0 and V3.0 with integrated follower profiles for connectivity.
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Non-Magnetic ball slides made in the USA

Del-Tron's USA-made, non-magnetic ball slides prevent magnetic interference in medical, semiconductor, military, and laser applications. Featuring silicon nitride ceramic bearings, titanium shafts, aluminum components, and brass fasteners, these lightweight slides come in seven sizes with travels from .5 to 12 in., providing an ideal solution for sensitive environments.
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What's new in robotic efficiency and advanced gauging systems?

Renishaw will highlight its latest solutions for maximizing robot performance and manufacturing efficiency at Automate 2026, taking place June 22-25 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Highlights will be demonstrations of its Robot Calibration System for cell recovery and in-field robot calibration, the Equator-X dual-method gauging system for high-throughput production environments, and position and motion control encoders.
Read the full article.

New Titanium servo-drive line for harsh environs

The Elmo advanced Titanium line of harsh-environment servo drives offers optimal performance with advanced power density, providing exceptional intelligent and compact servo drives that are operational within minutes. These single-axis and multi-axis servo drives, featuring top-performance multi-core processors, deliver superior productivity, Functional Safety, advanced networking, and local intelligence in a compact package for operation in extreme conditions.
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Top Tech Tip: Automating winding, unwinding applications

From paper mills and textiles to sheet metal and plastics manufacturing, winding and unwinding mechanisms play critical parts in many industries. Jonathan Bullick from KEB America examines the automation architecture behind industrial winding applications, with particular emphasis on motor selection, variable frequency drive (VFD) configuration, and control system design. Tension, winding loads, torque speed, regen energy, bus load sharing, and more are all addressed in this excellent technical overview.
Read the KEB America article.

3D printing and 5-axis milling get highly portable

Powered by Siemens' SINUMERIK ONE CNC platform and Ingersoll's MasterPrint^® industrial 3D printer, a new generation of deployable machines is bringing additive and subtractive manufacturing directly to the point of use for defense, disaster relief, and infrastructure and industry.
Read the full article.

Double the force capacity: New RSX50 linear actuators

Tolomatic's RSX50 is the newest, most powerful addition to the RSX Extreme Force electric actuator family. Delivering 50 tons of force within the compact footprint of its 25-ton predecessor, it offers industry-leading power density. Built with high-precision planetary roller screws, the RSX50 provides high-force reliability and environmental compliance, eliminating the mess and maintenance complexity of traditional hydraulic systems.
Get all the specs from Tolomatic.

Integrated drive system for next-gen robotics and human-like motions

Engineered for modern robotics, the BXI is FAULHABER's most powerful integrated drive. Delivering up to 20 Nm of torque, it ensures dynamic, precise control. This compact unit combines a motor, stepped planetary gearhead, and high-res encoder into one functional system. Its strength lies in systematic integration, offering maximum performance in minimal space -- ideal for humanoid robot joints and demanding applications.
Get all the specs from FAULHABER.

Important Qs about linear motor actuators that design engineers should ask

Many design engineers overestimate how accurate traditional motors and actuators stay over long travel runs, mistakenly believing that if the solution works well for short runs, it will work equally well on long ones. Do you know what type of actuator you should use for your application? Patrick Lehr, Product Manager, Precision Mechanics at Parker Hannifin, has some really good tips for you.
Read the full article.

Cobots get 4 m tall with the 8th-Axis Vertical Robot Transfer Unit

Designed to optimize industrial processes across various sectors, the 8th-Axis Vertical Robot Transfer Unit (RTU-V) from Bishop-Wisecarver features a vertical travel length of up to 4 m, enabling a single small robot or cobot to cover large areas traditionally requiring multiple robots. This innovation not only boosts productivity but also offers considerable cost savings, making it an ideal solution for industries such as logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, packaging, and more. Extended reach allows robots to perform tasks on oversized workpieces, such as rocket tubes, boat hulls, and aerospace structures, with ease.
View the video.

UR AI Trainer for robotics: First lab-to-factory AI model trainer

Universal Robots unveiled the UR AI Trainer last week. Developed in collaboration with Scale AI, the AI Trainer marks a tectonic shift as robots move from pre-programmed applications to fully AI-driven tasks. These systems are powered by robust data generated in AI training cells where robots imitate humans.
Read the full article.

BLDC motors with advanced safety features built in

Dunker-motoren has built advanced safety functions directly into its BG75 and BG95 BLDC motors, so you no longer need a separate safety controller or complex wiring. This means faster installation, lower costs, and simpler designs. With features such as safe stop and speed control, plus secure digital communication, dSafe motors are ready for automation, robotics, and mobile systems worldwide. It's safety that scales with your future.
Learn more.

Mobile robotic platform with contactless charging

MAXOLU-TION, an SEW-EURODRIVE company, has introduced the modular Mobile Robot Platform 1600 (MR P1600). It is designed to move heavy loads such as pallets through factories and warehouses, with less manual handling and more consistent material flow. The platform supports configurable load-handling options, including conveyor transfer, lift, drive-under, and precise docking, using standardized material transfer attachments or custom-engineered load handling. Max load is 1,600 kg.
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Configurable modular precision linear stages

PI's Modular Precision Linear (MPL) stage family is a configurable platform that simplifies specifying and integrating high-precision linear positioning systems. Engineers can select mechanical, drive, and feedback options online, creating application-specific stages without the cost of fixed designs. The MPL series offers 50- to 300-mm travel ranges and servo or stepper motor options -- with linear motors planned for future release -- while maintaining high precision, stiffness, and reliability.
Learn more.

Air Force partners with Stanford researchers to test AI copilots

[Credit: Video screenshot courtesy of Stanford University]

 

 

By Cassidy Beach, Stanford School of Engineering, Stanford University

Stanford engineers recently partnered with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) and the DAF-Stanford AI Studio to evaluate how an AI "copilot" could support pilots during the most demanding moments of flight. The system was designed to help pilots diagnose problems, reduce workload, and respond faster during emergencies where every second matters.

The collaboration originated in the Stanford Intelligent Systems Laboratory, led by Mykel Kochenderfer, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics, which focuses on developing decision-making systems for safety-critical environments. As a third-generation pilot, he emphasized the stakes: "Pilots train intensely for emergencies, but accident databases show that many mishaps stem from human error. If we can get the right information to the pilot as quickly as possible, we can significantly improve safety."

The researcher developed and tested the system using a simulator -- and it also made it to the cockpit of a Learjet 25 as part of a Test Management Project, a capstone in which TPS students design flight-test and safety-plan programs.

Cool under pressure
Running on an iPad, the system relies on retrieval-augmented generation, a system similar to a highly advanced "Ctrl + F," allowing it to instantly search documents for relevant information.

PhD candidate Marc Schlichting said the system could assist pilots across a wide range of emergency scenarios. "When a pilot spots an anomaly like a warning light, time is always the limiting factor," he said. "Normally, they'd flip through checklists and manuals to diagnose the issue, but the assistant can scan those and return guidance within seconds. It may not sound like much, but in an emergency, those seconds matter."

Knowing AI's capacity for making up or twisting information, the team worked extensively to reduce the risk of AI "hallucinations," so pilots can trust the assistant's recommendations under pressure, explained Kochenderfer.

VIDEO: Stanford researchers and Air Force test pilots team up to study AI copilots. [Credit: Stanford University]

To test their work in controlled but demanding conditions, the team used a full-motion research simulator in the Stanford Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The six-degrees-of-freedom platform features an immersive curved display and controls that provide realistic vibration and resistance, allowing researchers to stage rare, complex, or cascading failures that are too dangerous to attempt in flight. Schlichting described the simulated scenarios as "a pilot's nightmare in a controlled setting."

In-flight tests
To test the system in a more realistic setting, 24 TPS pilots flew a Learjet 25 through two custom scenarios: once without the AI assistant and once with it. The goal was to measure how the system affected workload, decision-making, and pilots' ability to diagnose hard-to-interpret system failures.

Major John "Heater" Alora, director of operations at the DAF-Stanford AI Studio, said the collaboration was a "natural fit" because "Stanford is advancing the frontier of AI and autonomy while TPS is the nation's leading institution for testing new flight-system technologies."

Captain Jorge "FAIR" Cervantes, a TPS student in Class 25A and member of the test team, said the flights helped him better understand "how pilots chose to interact with the assistant, what information they trusted, and what follow-up questions they asked under pressure."

Understanding these behaviors is important when considering how this technology could scale for future use. Alora said AI copilots could benefit many areas of aviation. "What's really exciting about this technology is that it has applications for both long-duration military missions and enhancing safety and workload management in commercial aviation."

The results of this work are still being analyzed, and the researchers plan to detail them in an upcoming paper. They are already using the valuable feedback they got from the flight tests to improve the system and have a new version of the assistant that talks to pilots and has vision capabilities. "Each phase of testing were baby steps toward building the confidence required to deploy AI assistants responsibly and reliably in safety-critical environments, and ultimately, to make flying safer for everyone," said Kochenderfer.

Published February 2026

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