Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotics and automation systems for supply chain processes, has launched its AI-powered Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (RSPW) solution for e-commerce order fulfillment.

The RSPW is an automated put wall that increases capacity and throughput with robotic automation, which the company says is “more important than ever”, given today’s heightened customer expectations for fast and efficient fulfillment and the parallel industry pressure of labor scarcity.

Kevin Prouty, analyst at IDC, says: “Businesses will continue to see e-commerce orders rise as global e-commerce sales expect to approach $5 trillion by the end of 2021. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

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Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics have agreed a collaboration that they say will deliver “comprehensive remote command, autonomous control and intelligent crew support systems to the marine market” and complement Rolls-Royce’s mtu NautIQ marine automation portfolio.

The companies say the plan is to provide customers with “complete automation solutions from a single trusted source”.

As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems and Sea Machines, the leading developer of remote-vessel command and autonomous control systems, will join forces on the development and sale of fully and semi-autonomous vessel control systems. [Read more…] about Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

Estée Lauder invests in robotics from Inther Group

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Inther Group, international system integrator headquartered in Venray, the Netherlands, has signed an agreement with cosmetics giant Estée Lauder to implement the Gantry Robotic Intelligent Piece Picker (GRIPP).

This fully automated, compact, gantry robot picking technology developed by Inther has now made its first entry into the intralogistics market place.

Estée Lauder and Inther Group
Estée Lauder was founded in 1946 and has worldwide sales in the skin care, make-up and fragrance markets. The company has built a reputation for elegance, luxury and superior quality. [Read more…] about Estée Lauder invests in robotics from Inther Group

ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

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ABB is expanding its range of SCARA robots with the launch of the IRB 920T.

The company says the machine is designed to meet the requirements of the electronics industry for high-speed production in increasingly complex manufacturing processes.

The IRB 920T provides “the highest levels of speed, accuracy and repeatability for assembly, picking and handling tasks”, says ABB. [Read more…] about ABB launches new SCARA robot range for ‘faster, high precision assembly’

Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

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Advanced Farm Technologies, developers of robotic technology for farmers, has completed a series B investment round raising $25 million to support the company’s growth in strawberry harvesting and the adaptation of its technology to apple harvesting.

The Series B funding round was led by Catapult Ventures and included all the Series A investors Kubota Corporation, Yamaha Motor Corporation, and Impact Ventures.

Kyle Cobb, president, and co-founder of Advanced Farm Technologies, says: “It is gratifying to have the ongoing support and commitment from our early investors in this funding round. It reflects all of our team’s hard work to develop and bring our TX Strawberry Harvester to the market. [Read more…] about Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

Locus Robotics secures $50 million in additional funding 
to accelerate global expansion

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has secured $50 million in additional funding from existing investor Tiger Global Management.

The funds will be used to facilitate continued growth and expansion into new markets around the globe, and more effectively meet the needs of its growing customer and partner ecosystem.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “At a time of increasing volumes and ongoing labor shortages, this new round of funding underscores how critical flexible, scalable, intelligent robotics automation has become to the warehouse and the supply chain. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics secures $50 million in additional funding 
to accelerate global expansion

Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

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Ambi Robotics, a developer of AI for highly-dexterous robotics, has closed a $26 million Series A funding round. The investment is led by new investor, Tiger Global Management, and builds on participation from existing investors Bow Capital, Vertex Ventures US and The House Fund.

The new funding comes at a time of significant customer growth and expansions just five months after the company emerged from stealth.

The funding round enables Ambi Robotics to scale the team and operations to support rapid deployments of AI-powered robotic systems throughout US supply chain operations. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

GUSS offers preview of ‘mini’ version of its autonomous orchard sprayer

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GUSS Automation is giving a “sneak peek” at a new compact version of its autonomous orchard sprayer – the “miniGUSS”.

The company says the agriculture industry has been asking for this innovative sprayer designed specifically for vineyards and high-density orchards.

The “revolutionary”, full-sized version of GUSS – short for Global Unmanned Spray System – made its debut in 2017 and has received awards and rave reviews for its precision and efficiency giving farmers, growers and orchard spraying businesses the ability to lower labor and overhead costs as well as increase precision, efficiency, safety, and profitability with this autonomous machine. [Read more…] about GUSS offers preview of ‘mini’ version of its autonomous orchard sprayer

Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

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In a milestone moment slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for autonomous technology, Sea Machines will circumnavigate Denmark on a multi-week 1,000 nautical mile remotely commanded commercial voyage.

Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, says it will embark on a 1,000 nautical mile autonomous and remotely commanded journey around Denmark later this month.

Aptly named “The Machine Odyssey”, the voyage marks a landmark moment for autonomous transportation and is slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for long-range autonomy.

The Machine Odyssey will depart from Hamburg, Germany, on September 30, with full onboard vessel control managed by autonomous technology, while operating under the authority of commanding officers located in the United States. [Read more…] about Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services

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Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, is partnering with Advanced Handling Systems, a system integrator of fulfillment and distribution solutions within the supply chain.

The partnership aims to help companies grow despite the labor shortages and logistics challenges that are straining the supply chain.

The two companies will combine their AI-enabled robotic automation and system design and integration services to deliver “next-generation warehouse robotics” to the world’s largest and best-known e-commerce and third party logistics providers. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services