Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for December 4, 2018

Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

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Roam Robotics, a company building robotic exoskeletons for everyday people as they live, work and play, has completed a $12 million Series A round of funding.

Yamaha Motor led the investment round with participation from existing and new investors Boost VC, Heuristics Capital Partners, Menlo Ventures, R7 Partners, Spero Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, and Venture Investment Associates. Collectively these investors bring a wealth of experience in robotics, hardware, and consumer startups.

Tim Swift, Roam founder and chief executive officer, says: “Roam exists to change the boundaries of human mobility.  [Read more…] about Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

Remotely operated passenger ferry tested in Helsinki

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An ice-class passenger ferry Suomenlinna II has been remotely piloted through a test area near Helsinki harbour, proving that human oversight of vessels from anywhere is now achievable.

With this trial in the Finnish capital’s port last week, ABB and Helsinki City Transport have taken the next step in autonomous shipping.

In the remote trial, the world’s first for an existing passenger ferry, ABB tested the enhancement of ship operations with technologies that are available for vessels.

[Read more…] about Remotely operated passenger ferry tested in Helsinki

Insight: How neural networks are powering autonomous delivery

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By Tanel Pärnamaa, deep learning engineer at Starship Technologies

Artificial neural networks are one of the main tools used in machine learning to convert unstructured, low-level data into higher level information. As the ‘neural’ part suggests, they are brain-inspired systems intended to replicate the way that humans learn.

At Starship, we are building a fleet of autonomous delivery robots using trainable units, including mostly neural networks, where code is written by the model itself. The robots are recording and processing large sets of data in order to recognise surroundings and how to react in real time as each situation requires.

To begin with, the robots start by gaining a sense of the world through radars, a multitude of cameras and ultrasonics. However, this poses challenges because most of this knowledge gained is low-level and non-semantic.  [Read more…] about Insight: How neural networks are powering autonomous delivery

Industrial technology provider JMP Solutions acquires Alfacon assets

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JMP Solutions, industrial technology provider to Fortune 1000 companies, has acquired the assets of Alfacon Solutions, a 35-year-old custom material handling solution provider based in Milton, Ontario.

The employees of Alfacon now form JMP’s material handling division and the company says it is “excited about the value this will bring to their customers”.

Scott Shawyer, JMP president and CEO, says: “We are very happy the Alfacon team has decided to join us at JMP. Their capabilities are world class and allow us to provide our customers with very high quality, made-in-North-America advanced material handling solutions.  [Read more…] about Industrial technology provider JMP Solutions acquires Alfacon assets

Why investing in robotic packaging automation is right for your business

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Robotics packaging is being applied to an increasing number of industries as the advantages of robotics in packaging automation have become evident and identified as the future of production line packaging.

Production line automation allows companies to create efficiencies without sacrificing craftsmanship or quality. Using robotic package automation will reducing staff injury and provide the scope for expanding operations with accuracy and consistency.

Packaging robots are easily integrated into a workspace and perhaps the greatest benefit is that by using robotic packaging automation it reduces packaging time, it has the ability to lift larger items, automation means reduced labour costs and staff are free from time-consuming, repetitive and often dangerous manual tasks.  [Read more…] about Why investing in robotic packaging automation is right for your business

EU report – the digital future could be stressful

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In a new report, EU-OSHA publishes the findings of a major 2-year project to anticipate the effects of digitalisation on occupational safety and health (OSH) in the EU.

The final results of this foresight project highlight developments in ICT-enabled technologies, the potential impact of these technologies on the nature and organisation of work, and the challenges and opportunities to OSH that they may bring.

Increased monitoring of workers, 24/7 availability, frequent job changes and the management of work by algorithm can raise levels of workers’ stress.

[Read more…] about EU report – the digital future could be stressful

WinSystems launches ultra-small single board computer

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Embedded computer firm WinSystems has launched its tiniest-yet industrial SBC based on the Intel® Atom™ E3800 processor family.

The  ITX-F-3800 measures  3.31 inches by 2.17 inches (84 mm by 55 mm), but incorporates what it claims is an extraordinary amount of embedded computing performance and versatility.

Leveraging the compact size of the Femto-ITX form factor, this single board computer includes Ethernet, USB channels, a serial port, video and more to support design needs.

[Read more…] about WinSystems launches ultra-small single board computer