Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for January 17, 2022

Jetson Aero sells out of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft

by Leave a Comment

The Swedish company Jetson Aero says it has sold out of the “entire 2022 production” of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVtol).

Since the official launch on the 21st of October 2021, another 100 units have been sold for 2023 delivery, with over 3,000 pre-orders during the same time period.

The Jetson One official launch video made waves on the internet reaching over 14 million views on YouTube. [Read more…] about Jetson Aero sells out of its electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft

Kawasaki demonstrates unmanned cargo transport system which combines an aircraft and a mobile wheeled robot

by Leave a Comment

Kawasaki Heavy Industries says it has successfully completed proof-of-concept (PoC) testing for an unmanned cargo transport system. (See video below.)

The system combines Kawasaki’s K-Racer-X1 prototype unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and what is commonly described in the industry as an autonomous mobile robot, and which the company describes as a “delivery robot”.

Kawasaki says the PoC testing was conducted with the aim of helping to solve societal issues such as labor shortages in the logistics industry. [Read more…] about Kawasaki demonstrates unmanned cargo transport system which combines an aircraft and a mobile wheeled robot

Cogniteam’s Nimbus supports cloud-enabled robot management powered by Nvidia Jetson

by Leave a Comment

Cogniteam is supporting the Nvidia Jetson edge AI platform into its cloud-based robotics development and deployment platform, allowing cloud-enabled deployments to use Nvidia technology for the first time.

More customers are moving over to Nvidia’s GPU-accelerated technologies that can be developed and deployed through the cloud.

This is made possible by Nimbus’s packaging of field-tested software, such as sensors and AI capabilities, based on over a decade of Cogniteam’s work with enterprise businesses. [Read more…] about Cogniteam’s Nimbus supports cloud-enabled robot management powered by Nvidia Jetson

Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

by Leave a Comment

Exotec, a warehouse robotics startup, has raised $335 million in Series D funding, and is now valued at $2 billion.

The Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management led the round with follow-on investments from 83North and Dell Technologies Capital.

Exotec says it will use the funds to continue to launch large-scale deployments in North America, Europe, and Asia for global brands. [Read more…] about Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

Kivnon’s AGV ROI Calculation Starts on Product Delivery Date

by Leave a Comment

By Mike Kotzian, managing director, Kivnon USA

Modex 2022 in Atlanta March 28-31 will feature many AGV vendors who cannot deliver product this year. Too much emphasis has been placed on features, advantages, and benefits; too little attention has been paid to delivery dates.

AGV vendors must promise a delivery date with a guarantee not to exceed 180 days from purchase order to delivery. Failing to provide that commitment is unacceptable.

Solving the immediate challenges in production by delivering product by Q3 2022 and mitigating the hiring constraints plaguing industries must be the top priorities. The current state of the supply chain has exacerbated the situation. [Read more…] about Kivnon’s AGV ROI Calculation Starts on Product Delivery Date

Furhat Robotics acquires Misty Robotics

by Leave a Comment

Furhat Robotics, the Swedish company behind the humanoid social robot “Furhat”, has acquired US-based Misty Robotics, creators of purpose-built social robots for developers.

The Furhat robot is used in a variety of advanced academic research and business applications, including “the world’s first unbiased interviewer” – avoiding unconscious biases about race and gender.

The acquisition of Colorado-based Misty Robotics, for an undisclosed sum, establishes an American base of operations for the Swedish scaleup, which is already utilized by US brands including Disney, Intel, Accenture and Facebook, as well as academic institutions including Boston-based Northeastern University. [Read more…] about Furhat Robotics acquires Misty Robotics