Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Yandex partners with Grubhub to operate delivery robots on college campuses

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Yandex Self-Driving Group, an autonomous vehicles developer owned by Russia’s largest internet search engine company, has agreed a multi-year partnership with Grubhub, an online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform on college campuses.

The partnership between Grubhub and Yandex SDG will create faster and more cost-effective deliveries on college campuses in the United States.

Yandex autonomous delivery robots will join Grubhub’s robust food delivery platform built specifically for life on campus. [Read more…] about Yandex partners with Grubhub to operate delivery robots on college campuses

Explorer Surgical expands its digital platform into robotic surgery

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Explorer Live, a cloud-based digital platform customized for medical device companies to share best practices live with surgical teams, is expanding into robotic surgery, predicted to be the fastest-growing market for the next 10 years.

Medical robotics companies can now leverage Explorer Live, a digital platform featuring a first-of-its-kind procedural playbook, video capabilities and robust data collection to provide unparalleled support and insight into workflow and performance.

Robotic technology is transforming health care worldwide; enabling surgeons to perform cases with more precision and providing minimal downtime for the patient. But the increased learning curve in robotic surgeries presents a unique set of challenges for coordination and collaboration in the operating room. [Read more…] about Explorer Surgical expands its digital platform into robotic surgery

Ghost raises $100 million for ‘breakthrough’ in autonomous driving safety

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A startup company called Ghost has raised $100 million Series D financing, fueling the development of its autonomous driving system that features what it describes as “a revolutionary breakthrough in crash prevention”.

Returning investors Sutter Hill Ventures and Founders Fund participated in the round, along with a new commitment from Coatue.

Ghost was founded in 2017 with the belief that driving should not be dangerous. Despite all the technology and features included in modern cars, cars still crash – accidents and fatalities are going up, not down. [Read more…] about Ghost raises $100 million for ‘breakthrough’ in autonomous driving safety

Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

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Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, and REE Automotive, an innovator in e-mobility, have signed a strategic business alliance agreement to realize their shared vision of “providing new value to society through next-generation commercial mobility”.

With the backdrop of advancements in CASE – Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric – vehicles, the automotive industry is entering a major transformation phase.

Hino and REE envision beyond this transformation a future in which commercial vehicles that support the movement of people and goods will evolve into mobility that provides new value and opportunities for society. [Read more…] about Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

Robotiq launches new screwdriving solution for robots

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Robotiq, a provider of tools and software solutions for the collaborative robot market, announced today the launch of its Screwdriving Solution.

Designed for manufacturers looking to automate screwdriving applications, this solution’s intuitive features eliminate the need for expensive, complicated custom-designed solutions.

Catherine Leclerc, product owner at Robotiq, says: “Screwdriving is a dull and repetitive task that often leads to fastening inconsistencies and stress injuries. [Read more…] about Robotiq launches new screwdriving solution for robots

Pitney Bowes to install Ambi Robotics systems in US to support global ecommerce network

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Pitney Bowes, a provider of ecommerce solutions, has selected automated systems from Ambi Robotics.

The company has decided to install AmbiSort robots in ecommerce hubs within the US over the next five years.

The AmbiSort AI-powered systems will help Pitney Bowes speed parcel sortation to last-mile delivery providers on behalf of its ecommerce clients, while improving operational efficiency, accuracy and worker safety as parcel volumes continue to surge. [Read more…] about Pitney Bowes to install Ambi Robotics systems in US to support global ecommerce network

Micropsi Industries’ AI-based control system speeds complex and precise robot training and implementation

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Industrial and collaborative robots learn to perform camera-guided movements more quickly with the latest version of Micropsi Industries’ MIRAI robot control system.

Using artificial intelligence (AI), MIRAI enables robots to flexibly react to variances in their tasks in real time by learning from humans.

Variances in position, shape, surface properties or lighting conditions are a common challenge for robotic automation of machine tending, assembly or test applications. [Read more…] about Micropsi Industries’ AI-based control system speeds complex and precise robot training and implementation

Koch Industries’ OnPoint Digital and AWS collaborate to develop industrial engineering platform

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OnPoint Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of Koch Engineered Solutions, has agreed a collaboration with Amazon Web Services to co-develop an intelligent process optimization platform (IPOP).

The platform – designed to enable OnPoint’s solutions – will utilize cloud and edge digital infrastructure to provide advanced machine learning and industrial computing capabilities for OnPoint’s connected ecosystem, enabling industrial operators and their preferred partners to integrate and act upon the best available knowledge anywhere, anytime, at scale.

Manufacturers worldwide are modifying operations to address the Industry 4.0 revolution and the associated infrastructure necessary to integrate smart technologies. This unique collaboration between OnPoint and AWS will leverage and complement AWS’s generally available infrastructure services, IoT, advanced analytics and machine learning. [Read more…] about Koch Industries’ OnPoint Digital and AWS collaborate to develop industrial engineering platform

Advanced Intelligent Systems launches UV light disinfection robot

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Advanced Intelligent Systems (AIS), a Canadian custom robotics engineering firm, has launched an ultraviolet light robot to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses in healthcare facilities and combat the spread of infectious diseases in public spaces.

The development was made possible by a grant from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).

Jayson Myers, CEO, NGen, says: “At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NGen rallied industry leaders from across the country to help build a domestic supply of critical equipment. Support for organizations like AIS enabled the rapid development of viable disinfecting solutions and demonstrates the diverse manufacturing and technology capabilities that exist here in Canada.” [Read more…] about Advanced Intelligent Systems launches UV light disinfection robot

Google research reveals ‘what’s needed for AI acceleration in manufacturing’

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By Dominik Wee, managing director manufacturing and industrial, Google Cloud

While the promise of artificial intelligence transforming the manufacturing industry is not new, long-ongoing experimentation hasn’t yet led to widespread business benefits. Manufacturers remain in “pilot purgatory,” as Gartner reports that only 21% of companies in the industry have active AI initiatives in production.

However, new research from Google Cloud reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic may have spurred a significant increase in the use of AI and other digital enablers among manufacturers.

According to our data—which polled more than 1,000 senior manufacturing executives across seven countries—76% have turned to digital enablers and disruptive technologies due to the pandemic such as data and analytics, cloud, and artificial intelligence (AI). And 66% of manufacturers who use AI in their day-to-day operations report that their reliance on AI is increasing.

The top three sub-sectors deploying AI to assist in day-to-day operations are automotive/OEMs (76%), automotive suppliers (68%), and heavy machinery (67%). [Read more…] about Google research reveals ‘what’s needed for AI acceleration in manufacturing’