Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for April 8, 2023

Teledyne FLIR adds new functions to its thermal camera system

by Leave a Comment

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies, has expanded the Boson+ thermal camera module product line with 24 compact models featuring 320 x 256 resolution.

Radiometry, the ability to take the temperature of every pixel, as well as both MIPI and CMOS interfaces are now also available on all resolutions.

With these updates and a thermal sensitivity of 20 millikelvin (mK) or less, Boson+ is the most sensitive longwave infrared (LWIR) camera line in the market and is ideal for integration in unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), automotive, wearables, security applications, handhelds, and thermal sights. [Read more…] about Teledyne FLIR adds new functions to its thermal camera system

Apex.AI launches ‘full-scale’ business expansion in the Japanese market

by Leave a Comment

Apex.AI, a company developing safety-certified software for mobility and automotive applications, has expanded operations to Japan in response to “the growing demand” for software-defined vehicles and to better support businesses in the country.

With a well-established presence in the United States and Europe, Apex.AI is now focusing its international expansion efforts in Asia by launching in Japan as it is home to three of the world’s biggest automakers.

The Japanese entity, Apex.AI Japan GK, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Apex.AI. [Read more…] about Apex.AI launches ‘full-scale’ business expansion in the Japanese market

Czech retailer’s robots clean 20 million square metres

by Leave a Comment

Albert, said to be one of the Czech Republic’s largest retail brands, says its fleet of autonomous mobile robots have officially cleaned over 20 million square metres (215 million square feet), completing over 92,000 cleaning routes.

The industrial cleaning robots were implemented across Albert’s Czech Republic hypermarkets and two distribution centres. During 2023, Albert says it will “almost double” the number of stores with robot deployments for the robots.

Albert, an Ahold Delhaize local brand, released the figure in partnership with Brain Corp and Tennant Co, who supply and develop the robots and software. [Read more…] about Czech retailer’s robots clean 20 million square metres

ExRobotics develops ‘new and improved’ version of its inspection robot

by Leave a Comment

ExRobotics has developed a “new and improved” version of its ATEX-certified inspection robot, together with the help of Shell Pernis and DOW Terneuzen.

ExRobotics says “many companies” have adopted this way of working, and as a result, there are now 30 of its robots operating worldwide on a daily basis.

Why do industrial companies send employees into potentially hazardous environments (ATEX Zone 1 environments) when robots could do some of the work? Several studies have shown that inspection of hazardous environments by robots is the solution to preventing human injury during inspection. Robots perform inspections more accurately, more productively and more cost-effectively than humans. [Read more…] about ExRobotics develops ‘new and improved’ version of its inspection robot

Todaro Robotics and Abwiz Bio celebrates continuous operation of ‘very complex system’ for two years

by Leave a Comment

Todaro Robotics, a laboratory automation and robotics company based in San Diego, has achieved what it describes as “a major milestone” with its flagship client Abwiz Bio, a company that speeds up the development of high impact monoclonal antibodies with its proprietary phage display technology.

The milestone of operating continuously a very complex system for over two years, has demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated laboratory automation solutions, as well as unique methods and protocols to help keep pace with the ever-evolving life science industry.

Announcing the milestone, James Slatic, co-founder of Todaro, says: “We at Todaro have greatly appreciated the partnership with the leading-edge science at Abwiz. As the life science industry has grown, the research services provided by Abwiz are ever more important. [Read more…] about Todaro Robotics and Abwiz Bio celebrates continuous operation of ‘very complex system’ for two years

Xwing’s uncrewed aircraft system becomes FAA’s first certification project

by Leave a Comment

Autonomous aviation company Xwing has submitted a Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming the first Standard Category large unmanned aerial system (UAS) to receive official project designation.

This marks the beginning of the process for approval of uncrewed commercial cargo operations in the national airspace.

Unlike other aviation projects that focus on augmenting piloted operations with autonomous technology or have Special Category certification, Xwing’s Superpilot technology integrates into existing type certified aircraft to enable uncrewed operations that work within the existing air traffic control system. [Read more…] about Xwing’s uncrewed aircraft system becomes FAA’s first certification project

Artificial Intelligence: UNESCO calls on all Governments to implement Global Ethical Framework ‘without delay’

by Leave a Comment

Following calls by over 1,000 tech workers this week for a pause in the training of the most powerful AI systems, including Chat GPT, UNESCO is calling on countries to fully implement its Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence immediately.

This global normative framework, adopted unanimously by the 193 Member States of the Organization, provides all the necessary safeguards.

Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, says: “The world needs stronger ethical rules for artificial intelligence: this is the challenge of our time. [Read more…] about Artificial Intelligence: UNESCO calls on all Governments to implement Global Ethical Framework ‘without delay’

Saudi Industrial Investment Group stakes $70 million in Unibio

by Leave a Comment

Producer of high quality, sustainable protein for the global animal feed market
Unibio has announced an investment of approximately $70 million from the Saudi Industrial Investment Group (SIIG).

Unibio was the Wealth Club’s first ever single company Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer to its clients in 2017.

Unibio has developed technology to convert natural gas (methane) into organic, high quality sustainable protein for the global animal feed market on an industrial scale. [Read more…] about Saudi Industrial Investment Group stakes $70 million in Unibio

Convergix Automation solutions acquires Eagle Technologies

by Leave a Comment

Convergix Automation Solutions, an automation solutions company backed by private equity firm Crestview Partners, has completed the acquisition of Eagle Technologies, a Bridgman, Michigan-based systems integrator specializing in turnkey automated production and testing solutions.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021, Classic Design in February 2022, and AGR Automation in August 2022, Eagle marks the fourth acquisition in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. [Read more…] about Convergix Automation solutions acquires Eagle Technologies