Robotics & Automation News

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Archives for October 2, 2020

6 River Systems Announces Wave of Enhancements at FLOW 2020

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6 River Systems (6RS), part of Shopify Inc., a leading global commerce company, announced during its second annual user conference, FLOW 2020, a series of enhancements to its wall-to-wall fulfillment solution to help senior-level warehouse operators further improve site management, gain more concrete business transparency across singular or multiple sites and accelerate their return on investment.

“We have developed a strategic product roadmap at 6RS to find and address the next level of efficiencies to help our customers meet ever-changing demand and drive value to their own customers,” says David Vallance, Director of Product at 6 River Systems. “We’ve grown from providing picking robots to supporting inbound to outbound tasks within the four walls of the warehouse. Our latest set of enhancements are another exciting step forward in the evolution of our company and our industry.” [Read more…] about 6 River Systems Announces Wave of Enhancements at FLOW 2020

ABB enhances portfolio of high-speed industrial robots with Codian acquisition

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ABB has acquired Codian Robotics B.V., a leading provider of delta robots, which are used primarily for high-precision pick and place applications. Codian Robotics’ offering includes a hygienic design line, ideal for hygiene-sensitive industries including food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. With the transaction, ABB is accelerating its engagement in the growing field of delta robots.

Codian Robotics is located in Ede, Netherlands and employs 20 people globally. The company will continue to serve its customers directly. The acquisition was signed and closed on October 1, 2020. Both parties have agreed not to disclose any details regarding the purchase price. [Read more…] about ABB enhances portfolio of high-speed industrial robots with Codian acquisition

Einride emerges as a leader in autonomous freight

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Einride, a Swedish technology company that develops and provides freight transport solutions based on electric and autonomous vehicles, has announced $10 million in new funding from existing investors led by impact fund – Norrsken VC. The EQT Ventures fund (“EQT Ventures”), Nordic Ninja VC, Ericsson Ventures, and other investors contributed.

This new funding will be used to fast track the official launch of its Einride Pods and meet the overwhelming demand from existing clients including Oatly, Lidl, and more. A representative from Norrsken VC, which was founded by the Klarna co-founder Niklas Adalberth, will be joining Einride’s advisory board.

In March 2020, the AI and robotics industry saw major names shut its doors which sent a shiver down the spine of the autonomous trucking industry. Contrarily, in the wake of COVID-19, there has been a shift towards searching for a more efficient, contactless way to achieve the same levels of transport as before. During this time, Einride has maintained a strong stream of new partnerships, including onboarding two major partners, Oatly and Lidl, and launching the mainnet version of its Freight Mobility Platform. [Read more…] about Einride emerges as a leader in autonomous freight

Rethink Robotics establishes new company headquarters and Siemens Technology Accelerator as a shareholder

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At its new Bochum, Germany headquarters, Rethink Robotics will develop new robotics technologies with the support of Siemens Corporate Technology, creating highly jobs for skilled professionals.

During the summer of 2020, Rethink Robotics, as a subsidiary of the HAHN Group, moved into new company headquarters, where the production of collaborative robot systems takes place. The location has been officially inaugurated in the presence of Bochum’s Lord Mayor Thomas Eiskirch and Bernd Tönjes, CEO of the RAG-Stiftung, a majority stakeholder in the HAHN Group through its holding company RSBG SE.

The premises are part of the new HAHN Group Technology Center, a meeting point for customers and partners to experience and further develop innovative technologies. In the immediate vicinity of universities and research institutions, this creates a central place for the exchange of information, skills and technological developments. The building itself was constructed by sister companies of the HAHN Group within the RAG-Stiftung, accounting for the short-term space requirements and promoting further growth. [Read more…] about Rethink Robotics establishes new company headquarters and Siemens Technology Accelerator as a shareholder

How Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Shipping

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Have you ever ordered a large package and found that it would be shipped to you the very next day? Ever wonder how it was possible that the minute you buy something online, it’s already found, registered, and in the process of getting to you?

It’s all thanks to warehouses that are using some special tech to make the process as efficient as it can be. [Read more…] about How Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Shipping

mHUB launches hands-on accelerator for hardtech startups

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mHUB, has announced the launch of mHUB Accelerated Incubation, a six-month, hands-on startup accelerator focused on the product development and commercialization of early-stage, high-potential physical product startups. mHUB Accelerated Incubation will focus on startups building and growing demand-driven technologies in industries such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), medical devices, connected buildings and home, communication technologies, smart cities, smart mobility, and energy technology. The first cohort – focused on IIoT technologies – is accepting applications for the next 90 days at www.mHUBaccelerator.com. The IIoT cohort is supported by strategic corporate partners Avnet and Panduit, and will officially commence with teams onsite at mHUB beginning March 2021. A second cohort of the program focusing on medical devices and supported by lead partner Baxter International, Inc. is anticipated to begin in late 2021.
 
mHUB Accelerated Incubation will bring 10 high-potential startups from across the country to its Chicago-based innovation center to participate in an intensive six-month incubation program including rapid product development and prototyping, business development and leadership training, mentorship, customer validation and piloting. The startups will focus on solutions to IIoT market opportunities identified by mHUB, Avnet and Panduit. By engaging the cohort’s teams with corporate partners throughout the incubation, mHUB seeks to establish market demand for the startups’ solutions from the get-go. Startups will also be surrounded by mHUB’s broader community of hardtech startups, manufacturing industry experts and integrated U.S. manufacturing supply-chain. Beyond the formal six-month program, startups will maintain exclusive access to mHUB for a full two years.

[Read more…] about mHUB launches hands-on accelerator for hardtech startups

Siemens and VSI Labs partner to advance autonomous vehicle development

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Siemens Digital Industries Software and VSI Labs, a leading researcher of active safety and autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies, announced that they are partnering to further advance development of self-driving car technology. Through the partnership, Siemens’ PAVE360™ platform will be used to create digital twin simulations for the validation and testing of all processors, electronics, sensors and systems powering the VSI Labs Capability Demonstrator — an advanced AV development vehicle equipped with components from best-in-class automotive technology leaders and integrated by VSI solutions engineers.

“The primary objective of this partnership is to demonstrate equivalence between Siemens’ industry-leading digital twin technology and a physical platform, thereby increasing confidence in digital twin-based modeling methodologies well in advance of the existence of a physical vehicle,” said Ravi Subramanian, senior vice president, IC Verification, Mentor, a Siemens business. “This collaboration with VSI has the potential to significantly advance the AV space with the creation of a high-fidelity autonomous vehicle digital twin that simulates the interaction and combined power of the most advanced AV components and technologies in the world.” [Read more…] about Siemens and VSI Labs partner to advance autonomous vehicle development

Tennant Company debuts floor scrubber with increased manoeuvrability

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Tennant Company has announced the launch of its newest autonomous floor cleaning machine, the T380AMR Robotic Floor Scrubber. The T380AMR’s smaller size enhances manoeuvrability and responsive navigation in tight areas, leading to maximum productivity. This makes it ideal for customers with narrow spaces or layouts that may have previously challenged other robotic machines. T380AMR units began shipping to North America customers in September and will begin shipping globally in November.

The T380AMR robotic cleaning machine is the latest in Tennant’s world-class AMR line that operates in complex, real-world environments without direct operator control. This frees up employees to focus on other tasks, like cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces. Cleaning has never been more important, as custodial crews put in additional time, effort and materials to thoroughly clean surfaces from top to bottom. [Read more…] about Tennant Company debuts floor scrubber with increased manoeuvrability