igus launches energy chain with 600-degree rotation for industrial robots

therobotreport.com Aug 3, 2026

igus launches energy chain with 600-degree rotation for industrial robots

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 3, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

igus GmbH unveiled a new self‑supporting “twisterchain” energy chain that permits continuous cable management through rotation angles exceeding 600° on compact industrial robots. The rotary module, mounted in a sag around the robot base, lifts incrementally as the robot turns, allowing full 360° motion without the connector plate colliding with cables. Designed for applications such as palletizing, screwing, gluing and pick‑and‑place, the chain solves two longstanding robotics challenges: supplying power and data to fast‑rotating first‑axis robots and preventing hose interference on fifth‑axis palletizing arms. Its unsupported design requires only two attachment points, eliminates guide troughs, and features an inner‑radius opening, removable shelves, and adjustable pretension for repeatable performance. The product is recyclable through igus’s end‑of‑life program.

💡 Why It Matters

· By eliminating bulky guide systems, the twisterchain frees up space on tight robot footprints, enabling higher‑speed, uninterrupted operation in automated factories.

Read full article on therobotreport.com

Samsung says Galaxy Z Fold 8’s new shape exists because ‘one size…

Samsung’s Executive Vice President Hubert Lee explained the rationale behind the Galaxy Z Fold 8’s new shape, emphasizing that foldables must cater to diverse user needs rather than a single “one‑size‑fits‑all” design. Lee highlighted the Fold 8’s passport‑like form, designed for single‑hand use and quick readability, and noted the company’s expanded Z series to address varying priorities such as productivity and portability. He also discussed the color strategy, with violet and lavender hues for the Fold 8 and pink for the Flip 8, and touched on the Galaxy Watch 9’s “cushion” design and new air‑pocket band technology.

💡 Samsung’s shift signals a strategic pivot toward modular foldable experiences, potentially reshaping consumer expectations and competitive dynamics in the high‑end smartphone market.

ign.com · Aug 3

Bluetti’s Popular AC70 768Wh 1,000W LiFePO4 Power Station With 5 Year Warranty…

Bluetti’s AC70 portable power station, a 768 Wh LiFePO4 unit rated at 1 000 W continuous output, is now listed on the brand’s AliExpress store for $220.43 with a $35 coupon, a price roughly 40 % lower than the $450 Amazon listing. The device ships free from the United States and arrives within one to two weeks, covered by Bluetti’s five‑year warranty. Weighing 22.5 lb, the AC70 offers two 120 V AC outlets (1 000 W each, 2 000 W surge), dual 100 W USB‑C, two 12 W USB‑A and a 12 V/10 A DC port, and can be recharged via AC, solar or hybrid input, reaching 80 % capacity in about 45 minutes. Its LiFePO4 chemistry provides safer operation and longer cycle life than typical NCM cells, and the unit integrates app control for monitoring.

💡 The steep discount puts a high‑capacity, long‑life LiFePO4 backup solution within reach of budget‑conscious consumers, likely spurring wider adoption of safer, portable energy storage for home and outdoor use.

appleinsider.com · Aug 3

Google Health now shares Fitbit workouts with Apple Health

Google Health version 5.05, released Monday, adds two‑way syncing with Apple Health, allowing data from Fitbit devices and other metrics to appear in the iPhone’s Health app without third‑party tools. The update overturns the earlier one‑way limitation that let Google Health import but not export Apple Health data. Users can now share exercise logs, sleep records, vitals, step counts and other Fitbit‑collected information from Google Health to Apple Health. The rollout also introduces Smart Health Links, a feature for sending medical records to providers or family, plus general stability fixes. Google Health, a free iOS app that replaced the Fitbit app in May, remains 542 MB in size, while Fitbit Premium subscriptions continue at $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annually for users.

💡 Closing the data gap lets users consolidate fitness and health metrics in a single dashboard, streamlining personal wellness management.

ign.com · Aug 3

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 Gaming Laptop is More Powerful Than the…

Best Buy is offering a discount on the Asus ROG Flow Z13, a 13.4‑inch 2‑in‑1 gaming laptop that now sells for $2,099.99 with shipping after a $1,000 price cut. The configuration includes an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 64 GB of LPDDR5X‑8000 MHz RAM and a 1 TB SSD, all housed in an aluminum chassis with Gorilla Glass protection. Weighing 2.65 lb, the device is only about one pound heavier than the Xbox Ally X handheld, yet its Radeon 8060S delivers performance comparable to a discrete RTX 5060 mobile GPU and surpasses the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU found in handhelds. The RAM is soldered, preventing upgrades, but the deal provides double the memory of a test unit for a lower price.

💡 It shows a high‑end, tablet‑sized PC can outclass dedicated handhelds, redefining performance expectations for ultra‑portable gaming.

9to5mac.com · Aug 3

Here’s why Apple Upgrade requires AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon for iPhone

Apple’s Upgrade leasing program mandates that customers connect a newly leased iPhone to AT&T, T‑Mobile, or Verizon at enrollment. A former Apple carrier‑team employee, speaking to John Gruber of Daring Fireball, explained that the clause is a concession tied to “hundreds of millions of dollars” in deals Apple negotiates with those three U.S. carriers. In exchange for the financing support, Apple grants the carriers prominent branding and exclusive placement, while using the requirement to curb fraud that surged when carrier financing began in Apple stores. Although the device must be activated on a Tier 1 carrier, Apple assures users the iPhone remains unlocked and can be switched to any carrier later, subject to that carrier’s terms.

💡 The stipulation reveals how Apple leverages its hardware to lock in lucrative carrier partnerships, turning device leasing into a strategic revenue‑sharing tool.

smartphonehrvatska.com · Aug 3

Apple sprema važno poboljšanje za iPhone 18e i osnovni iPhone 18

Apple is set to boost the RAM of its upcoming budget iPhone 18e from 8 GB to 9 GB, according to analysts Ming‑Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu, with the same upgrade expected for the standard iPhone 18. The increase is tied to Apple’s new AI platform, Apple Intelligence, which currently requires at least 8 GB to run basic features and more memory for advanced functions such as enhanced voice dictation and Siri capabilities. By adding an extra gigabyte, Apple aims to execute more AI tasks locally, reducing reliance on cloud processing, speeding performance, and improving privacy. The move is notable because DRAM costs have risen as chip makers shift production toward high‑bandwidth memory for data‑center AI workloads, making the decision to expand RAM on a lower‑priced model unexpected. Additional rumored specs include a 6.1‑inch OLED display, the 2‑nanometer Apple A20 chip, 256‑ or 512‑GB storage, a 48 MP rear camera and a 24 MP front camera.

💡 Local AI processing on a budget iPhone could give Apple a privacy‑focused edge while sidestepping the rising cost pressures of DRAM supply.