Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for March 26, 2022

Nvidia unveils Isaac Nova Orin to accelerate development of autonomous mobile robots

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Next time socks, cereal or sandpaper shows up in hours delivered to your doorstep, consider the behind-the-scenes logistics acrobatics that help get them there so fast.

Order fulfillment is a massive industry of moving parts. Heavily supported by autonomous mobile robots, warehouses can span 1 million square feet, expanding and reconfiguring to meet demands.

It’s an obstacle course of workers and bottlenecks for hospitals, retailers, airports, manufacturers and others. [Read more…] about Nvidia unveils Isaac Nova Orin to accelerate development of autonomous mobile robots

Panasonic launches new factory automation systems

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Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe has introduced its NPM G Series, an integrated range of Surface Mounted Technology production systems designed to respond in real-time to customer supply and demand changes through continuous, autonomous updates – helping to make the autonomous factory a reality.

The Panasonic NPM G Series offers flexibility and customisable options to address production needs and extend automation in manufacturing.

Many production sites still rely on their employee’s knowledge and manpower – the so called 5M (Human, Machine, Material, Method, Measurement) method. The new Panasonic NPM G Series uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated production to improve the process. [Read more…] about Panasonic launches new factory automation systems

Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

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Honeywell has agreed a strategic collaboration with Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, giving warehouses and distribution centers throughout North America an automated option to handle some of the most labor-intensive roles in an increasingly scarce job market.

The collaboration enables Honeywell customers to increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve safety by deploying Otto’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in their facilities.

These AMRs provide significant productivity benefits by automating the movement of carts used to transport picked orders or returns and can travel over any floor surface smooth enough to handle a traditional cart pushed by a worker. [Read more…] about Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

Skyline Robotics unveils ‘world’s first high-rise window-cleaning robot’ Ozmo

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Skyline Robotics has unveiled “the future of window cleaning” with Ozmo, describing it as the “world’s first high-rise window-cleaning robot”, and investors are taking notice. (See video below.)

The company has closed a successful pre-Series A funding round led by Standard Industries with contributions from Karcher New Venture and Gefen Capital.

Skyline will use the funding across a variety of business operations including expanding its New York City team, as well as continued product development and new capabilities to own the facade operations of the future. [Read more…] about Skyline Robotics unveils ‘world’s first high-rise window-cleaning robot’ Ozmo

Kinova unveils ‘first’ Canadian collaborative robot

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Kinova has launched Link 6, a new generation industrial robot designed for all businesses looking to benefit from automation.

Kinova says that, in a booming market, this innovation created from start to finish in North America stands out for its ease of use and unparalleled user experience.

Kinova says Link 6 is “Canada’s first industrial collaborative robot”, featuring automation solutions that enable greater daily efficiency while improving the quality and consistency of production results. [Read more…] about Kinova unveils ‘first’ Canadian collaborative robot

Halodi Robotics to supply 140 humanoid robots to security company ADT

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Halodi Robotics has signed an agreement to provide 140 humanoid robots to ADT Commercial, a US-based provider of commercial security, fire, life safety and risk consulting services. This is believed to be the largest deal of its kind involving humanoid robots.

The two companies will demonstrate their joint solution at the ISC West trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center, stand 20019, from March 22-25.

The agreement is the result of the strategic partnership announced in April 2021 where Halodi Robotics secured an investment from ADT Commercial to develop a robot to complement their physical security solutions. [Read more…] about Halodi Robotics to supply 140 humanoid robots to security company ADT

Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

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Motiv Space Systems is has won a key contract with NASA that will continue to power the future of space exploration and innovation, with eyes set on NASA’s Artemis program.

Motiv was recently awarded a $5 million contract to begin development of the Distributed Extreme Environments Drive System (DEEDS) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Sequential Phase II Program.

This revolutionary technology has applications across a broad spectrum of missions, including in-situ resource utilization systems, robotics, payload offloading systems and mobility systems on the Lunar and Martian surfaces. [Read more…] about Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

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Global fab equipment spending for front-end facilities is expected to jump 18 percent year-over-year to an all-time high of $107 billion in 2022, marking a third consecutive year of growth following a 42 percent surge in 2021, according to a report by industry association SEMI.

Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI, says: “Crossing the $100 billion mark in spending on global fab equipment for the first time is a historic ​milestone for the semiconductor industry.

“This ​significant achievement is a tribute to the relentless drive to add and upgrade capacity to address a diverse range of markets and emerging applications, solidifying expectations for long-term industry growth to enable electronics for the digital world.” [Read more…] about Spending on semiconductor fabrication equipment expected to reach record $107 billion in 2022

Hikma Ventures leads $15 million Series B extension in Activ Surgical

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ venture capital arm, Hikma Ventures, has led an $15 million round of financing for Activ Surgical, a pioneering digital surgery imaging startup that is developing groundbreaking interoperative surgical intelligence hardware and software.

The investment is an extension of the Series B round that was previously announced by Activ Surgical in September 2021. This most recent financing, which also saw participation from existing investors, brings the total Series B round to $60 million.

Activ Surgical aims to revolutionize access to surgical care, enabling a future of augmented reality-based and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven surgery that is safe, smart, and accessible to all. [Read more…] about Hikma Ventures leads $15 million Series B extension in Activ Surgical

Walmart Canada investing $118 million to build new fulfillment centre in Calgary area

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Walmart Canada is investing more than $118 million to build a new high-tech sortable fulfillment cent Rocky View County, Alberta, located just outside of Calgary.

The investment is part of the retailer’s plan to expand, revolutionize and transform its best-in-class supply chain network while increasing its e-commerce capabilities to better serve Walmart customers.

It is part of Walmart Canada’s $3.5-billion investment to make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for Walmart customers as the retailer plans to invest for continued growth in Alberta and across Canada. [Read more…] about Walmart Canada investing $118 million to build new fulfillment centre in Calgary area