Archives for September 5, 2016

Robots planning to defend world’s oceans against alien invasion

A US non-profit company has designed an innovative method of controlling the spread of lionfish threatening to devastate fish stocks and coral reef ecosystems in warmer ocean waters.

Robots In Service of the Environment (Rise) joined deep ocean research charity, Nekton, on its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic to test a prototype being developed to operate remotely in deep water to locate and deliver a fatal electric shock to the invasive species.

Nekton’s research vessel was off the Bermudian coast conducting the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey, a pioneering multi-disciplinary marine research programme assessing the health and resilience of the deep ocean. [Read more…] about Robots planning to defend world’s oceans against alien invasion

Mantaro launches ‘rugged’ telepresence robot for industrial settings

Mantaro says its MantaroBot TeleTrak telepresence robot is designed for rugged industrial, manufacturing and construction environments

Mantaro, a developer of mobile telepresence products, has launched a new addition to the MantaroBot TelePresence Robot lineup, the MantaroBot TeleTrak.

With the introduction of a tracked based drive system, Mantaro says the user can drive the TeleTrak to monitor projects in rugged terrain and dynamic environments remotely, locations they could not do so before. [Read more…] about Mantaro launches ‘rugged’ telepresence robot for industrial settings

Lowe’s store bosses hire Fellow robot workers

Lowe’s, the home improvement and hradware store chain, has hired a robot shop assistant it developed with Fellow Robots. The company says LoweBot will enhance the shopping experience for customers.

LoweBot was developed through a partnership between Fellow Robots and Lowe’s Innovation Labs, and the companies say it explores how intelligent help can meet the needs of customers and employees.

Lowe’s will introduce LoweBot in fall, later this year.

LoweBot is part of the Navii autonomous retail service robot series by Fellow Robots, and will be in 11 Lowe’s stores throughout the San Francisco Bay area. [Read more…] about Lowe’s store bosses hire Fellow robot workers

Nasa selects ideas for space robotics, 3D printing and alien technologies

Nasa has selected 21 research and technology proposals from American small businesses and research institutions that will enable Nasa’s future missions into the solar system and alien worlds further out in space.

The agency says its selections also consider America’s technology-driven economy here on Earth.

The Phase II selectees of Nasa’s Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program are permitted to enter negotiations for possible contract awards worth a combined total of approximately $15.8 million.

The program selected 21 innovative technology and projects from 41 US firms and research institutions in 20 different states. [Read more…] about Nasa selects ideas for space robotics, 3D printing and alien technologies

Husqvarna launches virtual reality game for lumberjacks

Husqvarna, which makes robotic lawn mowers and demolition robots among other things, has launched a virtual reality game for lumberjacks.

Probably intended to test the market for future products such as smart glasses featuring augmented reality, aimed perhaps at the forestry and logging industry, the game is called Limberjack and is available through Steam.

The company says the game is aimed at anyone who wants to test their chainsaw skills or, to be precise, “limbing” skills. Limbing is the process of removing branches from the stem of a fallen tree. [Read more…] about Husqvarna launches virtual reality game for lumberjacks

Comau has installed 30,000 industrial robots worldwide

Comau says it currently has 30,000 robots installed worldwide. This puts the Italian robot manufacturer in our Top 10 list of industrial robot makers.

In exclusive comments to Robotics and Automation News, a senior executive at the Italian company provided the statistic as part of an extended interview.

Maurizio Cremonini, Comau head of marketing, says: “We have produced and installed around 30,000 robots all over the world so far.”

Full interview to be published soon.