Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for December 11, 2017

Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

by

A startup company called Ouster has raised $27 million in its Series A funding round, led by Cox Enterprises, a diversified company which has a very large automotive business unit. 

Ouster is a developer of light detection and radar systems, or lidar, which is said to be a critical component in many new technologies, including autonomous cars. A lidar unit can often be seen on top of self-driving cars, and looks a bit like a siren light.

Ouster’s new product is called OS1 Lidar, which is likely to find wide application as a perception technology for the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors.  [Read more…] about Lidar developer Ouster backed by Cox Enterprises raises $27 million

Emerson withdraws bid to buy Rockwell

by

It probably would have been a good merger or takeover, but it didn’t happen. 

Emerson Electric’s initial $27 billion bid to buy Rockwell Automation was rejected by the latter company’s board, as was the former’s subsequent, raised bid of $29 billion.

Some business analysts said combining strengths would be a good move for both companies, but Rockwell seems to have plans of its own which do not include a takeover or merger.  [Read more…] about Emerson withdraws bid to buy Rockwell

General Electric to shed 12,000 jobs as electric future opens up

by

General Electric’s recent decision to reduce its employee numbers by 12,000 globally indicate how important it thinks the trend of electric power will become, or perhaps has already become. 

The significant job losses will come from the GE Power division. GE says the decision is part of its overall restructuring.

The company acknowledges that the growth in renewables is part of the reason for the cost-cutting measures.  [Read more…] about General Electric to shed 12,000 jobs as electric future opens up

PerceptIn raises $11 million funding and launches robotics vision system

by

A startup company called PerceptIn has raised a total of $11 million in funding, and has launched a new robotics vision system. 

The funding came from Samsung Ventures, among others.

The vision system is called Ironsides, and PerceptIn claims it to be “the first full robotics vision system to combine both hardware and software for real-time tracking, mapping, and path planning for autonomous robots”.  [Read more…] about PerceptIn raises $11 million funding and launches robotics vision system

Boston Dynamics terrifies humanity again with humanoid robot that can do backflips like an Olympic gymnast

by

As many people – including us – have said many times, Boston Dynamics makes the scariest robots in the world (see video below). 

Not only do they look terrifying, they move in such a realistic way that you wonder if the makers have done something horrible to achieve such life-like motion.

Like transplanting an actual human brain into the humanoids or a dog’s brain into the canines to achieve such expert movement skills.  [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics terrifies humanity again with humanoid robot that can do backflips like an Olympic gymnast

Honda to launch new concept robots at CES 2018

by

As well as being a globally well-known automaker, Honda is the maker of what is probably the most recognizable humanoid robot in the world – the famous Asimo – it’s the one that looks like an astronaut and runs in a funny way. 

But the company hasn’t really made many headlines in recent times for its ongoing work in robotics. Now it’s in the spotlight again.

Honda Robotics is preparing to unveil what it calls its “3E – Empower, Experience, Empathy – Robotics Concept at CES 2018, which is scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, US, from January 9th to 12th. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Honda to launch new concept robots at CES 2018

Happy Holidays from Robotics and Automation News

by

Yes, it’s nearly that time of the year when we all – or most of us anyway – take a break from the sheer drudgery that is working life at Robotics and Automation News. 

Your job might be exciting, a labour of love, in which case, good for you, and you’ll be back soon.

It’s probably a little early to wish you Happy Holidays, but we don’t have a lot of staff here and if we don’t put this message up now, we might forget as we get busy during the days ahead. So, Happy Holidays!

And, if you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to our site – it helps us pay the bills and keep going.

There’s not many websites like ours which prioritise the technology we believe you are interested in, judging by our increasing readership and what the analytics show as being popular articles.

 

We know that many of you are interested in the stories we publish and, looking around on the web, we don’t see many other websites covering these subjects as consistently as we do.

That’s not to show off – just that we want to bring you stories that give you an added advantage in your decision-making, stories which help you become better-informed, stories which we really hope helps you in your job and, by extension, your life in general. We would feel very proud if we can do that.

So, if you want to help us keep bringing you information which you find useful, interesting and – hopefully – entertaining as well, please do subscribe.

We’ll try and entice you with offers, such as complimentary tickets to events and perhaps discounts for various products and services – which are all part of our plans going forward – but to subscribe even without those additional incentives is to show that you care about money, just like we do.

And to those of you who have already subscribed, we thank you from the depths of our hearts. We appreciate you more than we can show you. The best way we think we can begin to repay you is by continuing to publish content which we really hope will help you make money – because that’s what it’s all about.

Money, money, money. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what you want and that’s what we want. And good will. That too. Peace and good will to all readers. Yes, money and massive goodwill payments. (No, good will, not goodwill – Ed.) Oh ok, good will too, why not? Peace, good will, and goodwill payments, and plain old straightforward money – that’s what it’s all about. Share dividends as well of course. And end-of-year salary bonuses. And…

Anyway…

If you have any suggestions for articles you want us to write, or subjects you want us to look into, or just general suggestions and comments about the website and our coverage, please feel free to send us an email – costs nothing and we always enjoy hearing from readers.