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SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

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SoftBank, the Japanese telecommunications giant which has in the past few years become a huge force in the robotics market, is set to halt production of Pepper, the humanoid robot, according to a report by Reuters. 

The news agency cites sources and documents to say that “production of the humanoid Pepper… was stopped last year”, adding that “it would be costly to restart production”.

Pepper was being manufactured by Foxconn, famous for being Apple’s main manufacturer. [Read more…] about SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

Canon to offer SoftBank’s robotic vacuum cleaner Whiz to offices

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Canon Solutions America has formed a new strategic collaboration with SoftBank Robotics America and will provide the Whiz robotic vacuum cleaner to offices as part of the agreement.

The alliance initiates a new focus on commercializing robotics and integrated automation as part of Canon Solutions America’s larger Workplace Health Solutions portfolio, starting with Whiz, which is described as “the commercial robot vacuum that works to elevate the health and safety of varying work environments”.

The Whiz offering brings together Canon Solutions America’s industry-leading solutions and exceptional professional services with SoftBank Robotics’ global leadership in collaborative robotics, or cobotics, and impactful automation. [Read more…] about Canon to offer SoftBank’s robotic vacuum cleaner Whiz to offices

SoftBank to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore

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SoftBank, the telecommunications giant which has huge investments in the robotics sector, is to acquire a large stake in AutoStore, a robotics and software company that specialises in automated storage and retrieval systems for warehouses.

SoftBank has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore from funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners and EQT Private Equity, among other shareholders.

THL will continue to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder and THL, SoftBank and EQT will each have representatives on AutoStore’s board of directors. [Read more…] about SoftBank to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore

Hyundai to acquire controlling stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank

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Hyundai Motor Group and SoftBank Group have agreed on the main terms of a transaction through which Hyundai Motor Group will acquire a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics in a deal that values the world’s leading creator of creepy robots at $1.1 billion. 

The deal came as Hyundai Motor Group envisions the transformation of human life by combining world-leading robotics technologies with its mobility expertise. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, Hyundai Motor Group will hold an approximately 80 percent stake in Boston Dynamics and SoftBank, through one of its affiliates, will retain an approximately 20 percent stake in Boston Dynamics after the closing of the transaction. [Read more…] about Hyundai to acquire controlling stake in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank

Softbank Robotics launches automation analytics software for its floor scrubber

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SoftBank Robotics America (SBRA) has elevated the ability to enable continuous data delivery for the health and safety of indoor spaces, via an enterprise-grade application and dashboard called Whiz Connect.

As part of the Whiz solution, Whiz Connect centralizes customer automation portfolios, empowering users and stakeholders to make informed decisions on their occupant experience, optimize their Whiz fleet, and quantify the value of robotics in their workplace.

“Whiz with Whiz Connect is part of the heightened, people-first standard for our surroundings in this critical time. Providing continuous data, access and collaboration is at the core of how cobotics and technology can help simplify and rebuild trust in workplace wellness,” said Brady Watkins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of SBRA. [Read more…] about Softbank Robotics launches automation analytics software for its floor scrubber

SoftBank Robotics sells 10,000 units of its commercial vacuum cleaning robot

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SoftBank Robotics says it has sold 10,000 units of its industrial or commercial vacuum cleaning robot, Whiz, making it “the global number-one in autonomous professional cleaning robots by sales”, according to Grand View Research.

SoftBank Robotics says that, as of the end of June 2020, it recorded global cumulative sales of more than 10,000 units of Whiz, which is an AI-enabled vacuum-cleaning robot.

Following SoftBank Robotics’ launch of the humanoid robot Pepper, the company launched Whiz as its second robot in November 2018, and it began providing Whiz commercially from May 2019 in Japan. [Read more…] about SoftBank Robotics sells 10,000 units of its commercial vacuum cleaning robot

SoftBank Robotics launches educational IDE for Pepper robot

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SoftBank Robotics Americas has launched an integrated development environment for its humanoid Pepper robot.

SoftBank calls the IDE “Tethys”, and says it has been created to teach students how to code.

The standalone visual programming software can connect to their humanoid robot, Pepper, to program full functionality of the robot in real time.

SBRA’s first commercially available software tool is the latest milestone in their longstanding education initiative spanning Nao, Pepper, and their partnership with the SoftBank Group. [Read more…] about SoftBank Robotics launches educational IDE for Pepper robot

SoftBank and ICE Robotics launch Whiz commercial autonomous vacuum sweeper

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SoftBank Robotics America and ICE Robotics have launched an autonomous vacuum cleaner called Whiz.

The initial launch is in North American, and Whiz is described as a “commercial-grade autonomous vacuum sweeper”.

The machine has been unveiled at the ongoing ISSA Show North America in Las Vegas, Nevada. [Read more…] about SoftBank and ICE Robotics launch Whiz commercial autonomous vacuum sweeper

Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank pledge another $1 billion investment for Uber

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Taxi-sharing app maker Uber has been promised $1 billion in investment from companies including Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank Vision Fund.

The new funds will help accelerate the development and commercialization of its ridesharing services, says Uber in a statement.

Under the terms, Toyota and Denso will together invest $667 million and SVF will invest $333 million, valuing the new “Uber Advanced Technologies Group” entity at $7.25 billion on a post-money basis. [Read more…] about Toyota, Denso, and SoftBank pledge another $1 billion investment for Uber

Toyota and SoftBank joint venture starts operations

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Toyota and SoftBank Corp. have completed investment in their joint venture, MONET Technologies Inc., and full-scale operations have begun.

MONET has three main business domains: on-demand mobility services;  data-analysis services; and Autono-MaaS (Mobility as a Service). The joint venture will first roll out on-demand mobility services.

On-demand transportation through regional partnerships and corporate shuttles will begin in fiscal year 2018 through cooperation with local public agencies and private companies.

[Read more…] about Toyota and SoftBank joint venture starts operations