Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Agtonomy raises another $5 million to develop technology platform for local agriculture

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Agtonomy, a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform, has raised an additional $5 million in Seed II funding from strategic and venture investors Toyota Ventures, Flybridge, Hampton VC, E²JDJ and Momenta, for a total of $9 million in seed funding to date.

The startup, which is developing a platform for local agriculture, raised $4 million in its seed round from Grit Ventures, GV (formerly called Google Ventures), and Village Global, the venture firm backed by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Michael Dell, in September last year.

This latest round will be used to accelerate development and trials of the Agtonomy platform to address the growing labor and sustainability challenges facing local agriculture. [Read more…] about Agtonomy raises another $5 million to develop technology platform for local agriculture

How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

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By Christoph Elhardt

ETH Zurich researchers led by Marco Hutter have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain.

Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. [Read more…] about How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

Mercedes-Benz partners with Luminar to develop automated driving systems

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Mercedes-Benz and Luminar Technologies has agreed a partnership to accelerate development of future automated driving technologies for passenger cars.

A central component of this is the optimal access to new technologies and global competencies.

The new partnership with Luminar underlines Mercedes-Benz’s policy of continuously expanding its network of top-flight tech partners and suppliers for passenger cars. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz partners with Luminar to develop automated driving systems

Perseverance’s first year on Mars: Purdue professor, mission team member looks at what is ahead

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Almost one year into the Mars rover mission, accomplishing its goal is on the horizon for Purdue University’s Briony Horgan and the Perseverance team.

February 18 will mark one year since the rover landed on the red planet following a seven-month, 300-million-mile flight across space.

Horgan, associate professor of planetary science in the Purdue College of Science’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, says anticipation is building as the team focuses on the mission goal: researching a now-dry large river delta. [Read more…] about Perseverance’s first year on Mars: Purdue professor, mission team member looks at what is ahead

Three opportunities to implement new fleet management innovations

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Like the automotive retail market, giant strides are being made in the fleet management industry.

Electrification has been introduced for long haul trucks and integration has radically altered what maintenance and refueling looks like.

5G technology has supplanted slower satellite and 3G data transmission for more accurate tracking, routing, and vehicle diagnostics. Dash cams have improved driver safety by preventing instances of distracted driving. [Read more…] about Three opportunities to implement new fleet management innovations

Can You Use Health Insurance to Cover Car Accident Injuries?

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The last thing anyone wants is to be involved in a car accident. You need to deal with the damage, physical injuries, and filing claims. Also, you have to worry about paying your medical bills.

Can your health insurance cover car accident-related injuries? Or can it deny a claim caused by a car accident? Generally, many different types of insurance can pay for the cost of medical care in a car accident, including MedPay (medical payments), PIP (personal injury protection), and health insurance.

Here’s what you need to know about using your health insurance to cover auto accident injuries. [Read more…] about Can You Use Health Insurance to Cover Car Accident Injuries?

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

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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

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

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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

Furhat Robotics acquires Misty Robotics

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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

Auto systems giant Magna acquires autonomous shuttle startup Optimus Ride

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Magna, one of the world’s largest producers of automotive components and systems, has acquired autonomous shuttle startup Optimus Ride for an undisclosed amount.

Magna says the agreement has resulted in the company adding more than 120 employees of Optimus Ride to its books.

Optimus Ride is a provider of autonomous vehicle and mobility solutions located in Boston. [Read more…] about Auto systems giant Magna acquires autonomous shuttle startup Optimus Ride