Day: September 23, 2016
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Chinese whispers: The most populous nation on Earth wants to replace millions of human workers with industrial robots it plans to manufacture
Towards the end of last year, the nominally communist Chinese government announced that it wants China to become the world’s largest producer of industrial robots. In comments made in the past few months, China’s President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have clearly stated their intention to embrace robots and the new industrial revolution brought about by internet…
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University of Pennsylvania’s Ghost Robotics launches Minitaur four-legged robot platform for autonomous vehicle applications
Ghost Robotics says Minitaur four-legged robot built for highly-precise force feedback applications and movement across unknown, rough and vertical terrains University of Pennsylvania startup company Ghost Robotics has launched its first patent-pending direct-drive legged robot platform, Ghost Minitaur. Ghost Robotics specialises in the research and development legged, direct-drive or gearless and proprioceptive robotics technologies. Founded by University of Pennsylvania…
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nuTonomy and Grab partner to expand public trials of self-driving cars
Uber rival Grab signs deal with driverless car developer nuTonomy nuTonomy, a developer of software for self-driving cars, and Grab, which claims to be Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing app, have entered a partnership to expand nuTonomy’s ongoing public trial of self-driving cars in Singapore, believed to be the first such public trial anywhere in the world. The…
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Startup company Sea Machines developing self-driving technology for which can be added to traditional boats
Boston-based startup Sea Machines is developing autonomous technologies that will enable traditional boats to become self-driving vessels. The company says its development heralds a smarter, safer and more efficient era of marine operations brought forward through self-aware and self-driving boats and ships. With autonomy readily making its way into many traditional land-based and airborne sectors, the massive marine…
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Universal Robots now certified for applications in cleanroom environments
Universal Robots’ lightweight collaborative robot arms can now be implemented in controlled environments, says the company Universal Robots says it collaborative robots have been awarded a certification which officially allows them to be used in cleanroom applications. After successful tests in accordance with VDI 2083 Part 9.1, the international industrial guideline concerning the various functions…
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Caterpillar, GE and Microsoft invest in Sarcos Robotics exoskeleton
Sarcos Robotics says its Guardian exoskeleton (pictured) will be capable of lifting hundreds of pounds when it is commercially available Sarcos Robotics, a developer of dexterous industrial robots for use in unstructured environments, has secured $10.5 million in funding from a group of top-tier strategic investors including Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures, and Microsoft. Additionally, Cottonwood…
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US government officials criticized for ‘inappropriate’ relationship with autonomous car developer Google
Consumer Watchdog has called on US President Barack Obama to hold expected autonomous vehicle policies and stop the administration’s undue haste to get autonomous vehicle technology on the road after newly released documents showed “an inappropriate and possibly unethical relationship between Google and key members of your administration involved in developing autonomous vehicle policy”. In a…