Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for June 4, 2018

Killer alien robots may have wiped out all extraterrestrial colonies, says scientist

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The reason why we have not yet found life on Mars, or anywhere else in outer space, is because a whole load of psycho alien killer robots wiped them all out.

That is the considered opinion of scientist Alexander Berezin of the National Research University of Electronic Technology.

Particle physicist Berezin suggests psycho alien killer robots from an undetermined origin is the most likely explanation for something called “the Fermi paradox”, named after famous scientist Enrico Fermi.  [Read more…] about Killer alien robots may have wiped out all extraterrestrial colonies, says scientist

Kuka launches new collaborative robot

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Kuka Robot Group has launched a new collaborative robot it calls “LBR iisy”. (See video below.)

The company says the new machine is specifically designed for work in the electronics sector but can be applied in many others.

In a statement, Kuka says: “The LBR iisy is incredibly effective and impressive both in industrial series production and in environments with dynamic, unstructured workplaces previously closed to automation.”

Sharp in talks to buy Toshiba’s computer business

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Sharp is in talks to buy Toshiba’s personal computer business, according to a report on the Reuters website. 

Sharp is owned by Foxconn, which is the main contract manufacturer to, and makes iPhones and iPads for, Apple.

Toshiba, meanwhile, has been looking to sell some of its assets to see itself through a difficult financial situation.  [Read more…] about Sharp in talks to buy Toshiba’s computer business

EcoRobotix raises $11 million funding for its farming robot

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A Swiss company called EcoRobotix has raised $11 million in Series B financing to further develop and market its farming or gardening robot. 

Founded in 2011, EcoRobotix develops autonomous weeding robots, which help farmers to produce healthier food with a more efficient and sustainable use of herbicides.

After having successfully carried out pilot projects in Switzerland and Europe, and achieved key research and development milestones, the company closed a CHF 10.6 million ($11 million) Series B financing round recently.  [Read more…] about EcoRobotix raises $11 million funding for its farming robot

Terrifying cyborgs move one step closer to taking over the world

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If you’re old enough to remember the cyborgs from the early series of science fiction series Doctor Who, you would probably agree that the Cybermen were without question the most terrifying villains to ever show their horrifying faces on our television screens. Ever. 

But what’s happening today in the real world is even more scary than that. It’s just that we seem to have become accustomed to being shocked and traumatised.

The Cybermen were probably made mostly of metal and plastic or some sort of inorganic material – as in, they were not made of flesh and bone as we know them.  [Read more…] about Terrifying cyborgs move one step closer to taking over the world

Alibaba unveils unmanned logistics vehicle featuring lidar

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Alibaba, the world’s largest e-commerce company, has unveiled a new unmanned logistics vehicle.

The “G Plus” was built in co-operation with Alibaba’s logistics business unit, Cainiao, and RoboSense, a developer of robotic technology.

The G Plus is said to be the world’s first autonomous logistics vehicle to use solid-state light detection and ranging (lidar) technology.  [Read more…] about Alibaba unveils unmanned logistics vehicle featuring lidar

Cambridge Medical Robotics raises $100 million in new funding

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Cambridge Medical Robotics, which is building what it describes as a “next-generation surgical robot”, says it has closed a Series B funding round raising $100 million from new investor, Zhejiang Silk Road Fund and existing investors Escala Capital Investments, LGT, Cambridge Innovation Capital and Watrium. 

CMR Surgical says it will use the proceeds to prepare its Versius system for planned commercialisation.

Activities will include the completion of validation studies for regulatory approval processes in both Europe and the USA, international expansion, and commercial scale-up in response to considerable industry interest in adoption of this new product.  [Read more…] about Cambridge Medical Robotics raises $100 million in new funding

IMF warns of ‘death spiral’ caused by global domination by robots

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Some people believe that robots will one day take over the world and kill us all, but these people have so far been dismissed as being overly concerned or more simply as “crackpots”. 

But now, the International Monetary Fund is warning of a “death spiral” caused by what it calls the “robot revolution”.

In a working paper, Should We Fear the Robot Revolution? The Correct Answer is ‘Yes’, produced by Andrew Berg, Edward Buffie and Luis-Felipe Zanna, the IMF analyses the effects of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence on economies around the world.  [Read more…] about IMF warns of ‘death spiral’ caused by global domination by robots

New Airbus chief wants more automation and digitalisation to increase productivity

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The new president of Airbus says he will accelerate the adoption of the latest automation technologies in an effort to increase productivity at the company.

In an interview with news agency Reuters, Guillaume Faury, says he believes new technologies would “transform aircraft factories” in the coming years.

These new technologies include robotics, automation and digitalisation, all of which will bring about the higher productivity that would be required to meet “strong” demand for its jet aircraft.  [Read more…] about New Airbus chief wants more automation and digitalisation to increase productivity

SoftBank to invest more than $2 billion into General Motors’ self-driving cars unit Cruise Automation

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SoftBank is planning to invest more than $2 billion into General Motors’ self-driving vehicle technology unit, Cruise Automation. 

Cruise Automation is a startup company acquired by General Motors two years ago.

In some ways, this is a surprise move by SoftBank. The Japanese telecommunications giant has previously invested in other sectors of the robotics market.  [Read more…] about SoftBank to invest more than $2 billion into General Motors’ self-driving cars unit Cruise Automation