3 months ago
43
Listen to this article
Organization: ULC Technologies
Country: U.S.
Website: https://ulctechnologies.com
Year Founded: 2001
Number of Employees: 51-100
Innovation Class: Application
Homes, businesses, and more depend on a reliable and resilient electric grid. The connections between cables can be improperly spliced, leading to system stress and power outages. Highly trained operatives typically have to make hazardous manual repairs, noted ULC Technologies LLC.
The Hauppauge, N.Y.-based unit of SPX Technologies Inc. and Con Edison Company of New York have developed a system that automates the termination of medium-voltage cables. Version 3 of ULC’s Cable Splicing Machine brought the technology out of the proof-of-concept stage into a prototype to be tested in real-world conditions.
The Cable Splicing Machine can perform complex operations in underground vaults. It consists of several independent subsystems controlled by a centralized computer and a user interface.
The system can be secured onto the middle of an uncut cable and uses electrical actuators for precise motion control along the axial and circumferential directions. This enables continuous 360-degree operation, said ULC and Consolidated Edison Inc.
The Cable Splicing Machine includes numerous tools capable of stripping back each layer of the cable to a desired dimension using precision tool-depth controls. ULC said it has updated tooling to improve robustness and adaptability so different types of cables can be addressed even faster than before.
Several auxiliary subsystems can carry out additional steps such as shorting and cutting the cable. This, in combination with live camera feeds, allows an operator to monitor and verify the process from beginning to end from outside the manhole with no direct human intervention.
ULC said its technology can improve utility worker safety and shorten feeder outage duration. This reduction in complexity puts less stress on the power grid, which particularly helpful when adverse weather puts stress on other components. The company offers its systems through a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model.
Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.
RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024
| ABB Robotics | Modular industrial robot arms offer flexibility |
| Advanced Construction Robotics | IronBOT makes rebar installation faster, safer |
| Agility Robotics | Digit humanoid gets feet wet with logistics work |
| Amazon Robotics | Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV |
| Ambi Robotics | AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking |
| Apptronik | Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators |
| Boston Dynamics | Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid |
| Brightpick | Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses |
| Capra Robotics | Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics |
| Dexterity | Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading |
| Disney | Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics |
| Doosan | App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming |
| Electric Sheep | Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success |
| Exotec | Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier |
| FANUC | FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot |
| Figure | Startup builds working humanoid within one year |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics | evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design |
| Gardarika Tres | Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine |
| Geek+ | Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system |
| Glidance | Provides independence to visually impaired individuals |
| Harvard University | Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease |
| ifm efector | Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development |
| igus | ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand |
| Instock | Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS |
| Kodama Systems | Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires |
| Kodiak Robotics | Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations |
| KUKA | Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics |
| Locus Robotics | Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks |
| MassRobotics Accelerator | Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success |
| Mecademic | MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation |
| MIT | Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease |
| Mujin | TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading |
| Mushiny | Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility |
| NASA | MOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars |
| Neya Systems | Development of cybersecurity standards harden AGVs |
| NVIDIA | Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight |
| Olive Robotics | EdgeROS eases robotics development process |
| OpenAI | LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish |
| Opteran | Applies insect intelligence to mobile robot navigation |
| Renovate Robotics | Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles |
| Robel | Automates railway repairs to overcome labor shortage |
| Robust AI | Carter AMR joins DHL's impressive robotics portfolio |
| Rockwell Automation | Adds OTTO Motors mobile robots to manufacturing lineup |
| Sereact | PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics |
| Simbe Robotics | Scales inventory robotics deal with BJ’s Wholesale Club |
| Slip Robotics | Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR |
| Symbotic | Walmart-backed company rides wave of logistics automation demand |
| Toyota Research Institute | Builds large behavior models for fast robot teaching |
| ULC Technologies | Cable Splicing Machine improve safety, power grid reliability |
| Universal Robots | Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30 |
English (US) ·