Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for February 5, 2016

Yamaha’s motorbike-riding robot steps up a gear

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MotoBot, Yamaha’s motorbike-riding robot
MotoBot, Yamaha’s motorbike-riding robot

Yamaha Motor Company says the company’s humanoid riding robot – MotoBot – has moved into the second phase of its development, and that the current partnership in joint development with SRI International is set to continue.

Presentations on the MotoBot headed by Yamaha Motor and SRI representatives took place at the last month’s CES, the global consumer electronics and technology trade show being held in Las Vegas, where in recent years, fields such as autonomous driving and robotics have been featured.

Being an automated humanoid robot able to ride a non-modified motorcycle, the MotoBot became a hot topic of conversation when it was exhibited at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show in 2015. [Read more…] about Yamaha’s motorbike-riding robot steps up a gear

euRobotics appoints new secretary general

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Reinhard Lafrenz, new secretary general of euRobotics
Reinhard Lafrenz, new secretary general of euRobotics

The European robotics association – euRobotics – has appointed a new secretary general.

Reinhard Lafrenz was previously vice-president industry and takes over from current acting secretary general Uwe Haass.

Lafrenz signed his contract at the euRobotics board meeting after the board decided to select him based on a suggestion by the search committee. [Read more…] about euRobotics appoints new secretary general

US government backs new training to fuel the autonomous revolution

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Autonomous vehicles networking
Autonomous vehicles networking infrastructure will require new skills and training

In the less than distant future, your car may drive itself, but the infrastructure that communicates with your vehicle will require a staff of highly trained technicians.

The supply of talented technicians able to maintain and support the technology required for the autonomous transportation network will be critical for society to take advantage of the numerous safety, social, and economic benefits of this incredible technology.

Expert technicians in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Connected Vehicle (CV) technology are in short supply and with the autonomous revolution advancing closer each day the demand is continually increasing. [Read more…] about US government backs new training to fuel the autonomous revolution

Costa Group to test Pepper humanoid robots on cruise liners

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Cruise liner company Costa Group has signed an exclusive agreement with the French company Aldebaran for a pilot project with Pepper robots.

Aldebaran, which is a subsidiary of the SoftBank Group through SoftBank Robotics Corp, said the contract was worth more than a million euros.

Pepper is the world’s first robot that reads main human emotions, says the company, adding that it is ideally suited to help and delight guests on board of cruise ships. Aldebaran adds that Pepper will improve guest experience and provide help and entertainment on board the ships of the Costa Group’s cruise brands: AIDA and Costa.  [Read more…] about Costa Group to test Pepper humanoid robots on cruise liners

US Navy orders five ship inspection robots from Bluefin

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Bluefin Robotics’ EOD HULS MK19 System
Bluefin Robotics’ ship inspection system

The US Navy has awarded five delivery orders to Bluefin Robotics for vehicles that will increase the Navy’s capability to remotely inspect ship hulls.

The robots can also search and investigate harbor sea floors, and other underwater infrastructure for limpet mines, Improvised Explosive Devices and other objects of interest.

The delivery orders, valued at $5 million, are to be used in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization System (EOD HULS) Program of Record.  [Read more…] about US Navy orders five ship inspection robots from Bluefin