Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Serve Robotics provides delivery robots to Uber Eats

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Serve Robotics, a developer of sidewalk delivery robots, is partnering with Uber Technologies, which is said to be the world’s largest food delivery and ridesharing platform.

The on-demand robotic delivery service will be available to Uber Eats customers starting in Los Angeles early next year.

Serve Robotics says it is “shaping the future of sustainable, self-driving delivery”. Founded in 2017 as the robotics division of Postmates, Serve is now an independent company on a mission to make delivery more affordable, sustainable and accessible for everyone. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics provides delivery robots to Uber Eats

Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

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Perrone Robotics has selected Ouster as its preferred lidar supplier to scale the company’s autonomous vehicle implementations.

Under the agreement, Ouster is to deliver hundreds of OS digital lidar sensors for Perrone’s autonomous vehicle kit.

Ouster is a specialist provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors describes the partnership as a “strategic customer agreement” with Perrone Robotics. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

Kiwibot launches robotic delivery service on Loyola university campus

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Kiwibot has launched its robotic delivery service at Loyola Marymount University campus, in partnership with LMU Dining.

And until November 14, new Sodexo Bite app subscribers can take advantage of free food delivery fee at two on-campus locations.

If you haven’t seen the newest four-wheeled residents on campus at Loyola Marymount University yet, chances are you will soon if you are on the campus. [Read more…] about Kiwibot launches robotic delivery service on Loyola university campus

Berkshire Grey launches new robotic shuttle solution

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of AI-enabled robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, has launched its Robotic Shuttle Product Sortation (RSPS) solution for order fulfillment.

The system supports filling e-commerce orders through stores and in-person shopping by automating store replenishment, allocation order processing, split-case cross docking, sortation, and packing.

RSPS increases processing capacity and throughput for existing operations without adding labor, helps right-size store inventories, and enables e-commerce fulfillment from stores to scale. Following a series of successful installations at major US retailers, the solution is now generally available for global deployments. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches new robotic shuttle solution

Welding and automation integration company Central McGowan completes its third acquisition of the year

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Central McGowan, a supplier of gases and technology for manufacturing the upper Midwest and a Fanuc- and Lincoln-authorized integrator, has completed the acquisition of Preferred Welder Sales in Mankato, Minnesota – bringing its acquisition roster for 2021 to three. 

The company acquired Metro Welding Supply in Minneapolis, Minnesota. in April and Fessler Carbonic Gas in Des Moines, Iowa in March.

According to Joe Francis, president/CEO, these acquisitions complement Central McGowan’s current business while strengthening its presence in key market areas. All three of these companies were independently operated, highly successful businesses with owners seeking to retire and wanting a way to continue what they each started. [Read more…] about Welding and automation integration company Central McGowan completes its third acquisition of the year

Local Motors selects Ouster lidar for its next-generation autonomous shuttles

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Ouster, a provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, has signed a strategic customer agreement with electric autonomous vehicle company, Local Motors.

The agreement includes a binding commitment for over one thousand OS digital lidar sensors through 2023 and a non-binding forecast of over 20,000 sensors through 2025 which will be used to meet production demand for Local Motors’ next-generation shuttles.

Local Motors intends to equip its next-generation 3D printed autonomous shuttles with the full suite of Ouster OS sensors. This includes wide field of view, mid-range, and long-range digital lidar sensors for complete coverage as Local Motors aims to meet demand for Level 3 autonomous vehicles operating on mapped routes within campuses, city centers, and municipalities. [Read more…] about Local Motors selects Ouster lidar for its next-generation autonomous shuttles

Yandex partners with Majid Al Futtaim to bring autonomous robot delivery to Dubai

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Yandex Self-Driving Group has signed an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Retail – a shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure company with interests across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia – to enhance Carrefour’s last-mile delivery capabilities via autonomous technology solutions.

The partnership will make Carrefour the first omnichannel retailer in the region to use self-driving robots to deliver orders.

Carrefour customers in selected neighborhoods across the UAE will be able to receive their online orders via Yandex autonomous delivery robots, as part of a pilot program set to launch in early 2022. [Read more…] about Yandex partners with Majid Al Futtaim to bring autonomous robot delivery to Dubai

Software that is Helping the Development of Robotics

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Are robotics something to get excited about?

When we think of robotics, we think of terminator, C3PO, and Wall-E, but there is so much more to it than just our beloved fictional characters, with developments in robotics having real-world consequences. Over the past few decades, the explosion in robotic technology has meant that we have been able to put a rover on Mars and send probes into deep space.

These robots of the future are not your stereotypical robots from pop culture, but they are incredible nonetheless and will change the world we know forever. We have passed the point of no return, and with the development of AI coming along too, things are really heating up. [Read more…] about Software that is Helping the Development of Robotics

‘Robotaxis will be disruptive to conventional taxis and ride-hailing, but not car ownership’, says new report

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Robotaxis remain one of the most pursued applications for autonomous vehicle technologies today, with many developers envisioning an end to – or at least a significant reduction in – car ownership.

Developers of autonomous vehicles, specifically those focused on Level-4 self-driving vehicles, often focus on mobility services as the first application.

Not only is there a demonstrated market for taxis and ride-hailing, but it’s a market where the high costs of labor create high prices, making it a ripe opportunity for autonomous vehicle deployment. [Read more…] about ‘Robotaxis will be disruptive to conventional taxis and ride-hailing, but not car ownership’, says new report

Fabric raises $200 million in new funding, bringing total to $336 million to date

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Fabric, a company specialising in retail supply chain automation, has raised $200 million in Series C funding.

The latest round was led by existing investor Temasek, with participation from Koch Disruptive Technologies, Union Tech Ventures, Harel Insurance & Finance, Pontifax Global Food and Agriculture Technology Fund (Pontifax AgTech), Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), KSH Capital, Princeville Capital, Wharton Equity Ventures, and others.

With a valuation of more than $1 billion, Fabric has established itself as a market leader in the on-demand fulfillment space, leveraging its proprietary robotic micro-fulfillment technology stack designed from the ground up to make on-demand fulfillment profitable and scalable for all retailers. [Read more…] about Fabric raises $200 million in new funding, bringing total to $336 million to date