Archives for January 23, 2019

Giant Food Stores puts robots into all its stores

Giant Food Stores has started installing robots in all its stores, which is at least 172 locations.

The installation is said to be one of the largest applications of in-store robotics innovation in the US.

The robot model, called “Marty”, was developed by Badger Technologies, which specialises in retail automation. [Read more…] about Giant Food Stores puts robots into all its stores

Amazon ‘field testing’ delivery robot as part of premium service

Amazon is “field testing” a small delivery robot as part of its premium service, Amazon Prime. (See video below.)

The robot, called Amazon Scout, is a “fully-electric delivery system” designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices, says the company in its blog.

These devices were created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace. [Read more…] about Amazon ‘field testing’ delivery robot as part of premium service

Webcast: Interview with Ken Sutton of Yobe

In this webcast, Ken Sutton, founder and president of Yobe, gives us an insight into the company’s software, which can isolate and clean up the sound of human voices.

The software can be used in all voice-enabled devices, such as the smart home speakers that many people are buying now – for example, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomePod.

If devices could understand human speech, there would be need to type any more. But that’s just the start – many other things would become possible if computers could properly hear and understand human speech.

Automated storage and retrieval systems market forecast to see significant growth

The automated storage and retrieval systems market is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 7.6 percent during the period 2018-2028, according to a report by Fact.MR.

North America is likely to maintain its lucrativeness in the automated storage and retrieval systems market, accounting for nearly 30 percent revenue share of the global market in 2018.

The report opines that opportunities will not be limited to developed regions alone; the automated storage and retrieval systems market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan is likely to register the highest annual growth throughout the forecast period. [Read more…] about Automated storage and retrieval systems market forecast to see significant growth

Festo and Lely unveil new version of milking robot

Festo and Lely have developed the fifth generation of a milking robot – called “Astronaut A5”.

The companies say the strategic partnership between the two family-owned companies creates “technological advantages” which place them “at the forefront of robotic milking technology”.

The collaboration between Lely and Festo for nearly 20 years demonstrates how a simple customer-supplier relationship can evolve into a strategic partnership on an equal footing. [Read more…] about Festo and Lely unveil new version of milking robot

Webcast: Cobalt Robotics CTO showcases office security robot

In this webcast, we interview Erik Schluntz, co-founder and CTO of Cobalt Robotics, a startup company which produces a security robot. (See video below.)

The startup sees itself as a security company which just happens to use advanced technologies – including the robot – to provide its services.

The robot itself sports around 60 sensors and Cobalt says it can provide a cost-effective alternative to companies which may not have the funds to hire human security personnel. [Read more…] about Webcast: Cobalt Robotics CTO showcases office security robot

PepsiCo sends Robby’s delivery robot to college

PepsiCo has enrolled its “Hello Goodness snackbot” into college. (See video below.)

What the company calls “the friendliest new freshman” at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, arrived on campus earlier this month. And it’s stocked with snacks and beverages.

Snackbot is described as an “outdoor, self-driving robot” which brings snacks and beverages from Hello Goodness, a curated portfolio of brands from PepsiCo, to hungry college students. [Read more…] about PepsiCo sends Robby’s delivery robot to college

ThyssenKrupp takes step towards CO2-free steel production

Carbon2Chem is off to a good start in the new year. For the first time, thyssenkrupp has produced ammonia from steel mill gases. Ammonia is a chemical used to make fertilisers to improve food production.

Steel mill gases come from steel production and contain, among other things, CO2. It is the first time in the world that steel mill gases, including the CO2 they contain, have been converted into ammonia.

It represents a further milestone in the Carbon2Chem project, which is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to the tune of around 60 million euros.

Atoun debuts Model Y exoskeleton

Atoun Inc., a Panasonic company, showcased two kinds of powered wear at CES 2019: Model Y that assists bending and stretching of the waist and a prototype, Himico, designed to support walking.

Since Atoun started domestic sales in Japan of Model Y in July 2018, it has been well received and the company has already secured orders for 160 units.

Atoun is now selling Model Y to overseas markets. The company is planning to expand sales to Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the future, starting with sales to ST Logistics Pte. Ltd., one of the biggest logistics companies in Singapore.

DHL to build new automated hub at Copenhagen airport

Leading international express services provider DHL Express will make its largest ever investment in Denmark and the Nordic countries with a new hub at Copenhagen Airport.

The hub will significantly improve the speed and quality of DHL Express’ activities in the region.

With new state-of-the-art automated systems, DHL will be able to handle nearly 37,000 packages per hour, 24 hours a day, in the 26,172 m2 building, which also includes offices. The company therefore expects to add 100 new jobs.