Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Global food and beverage robotic systems integration market for pick and place application to surpass $40 million by 2025

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The global food and beverage robotic system integration market for pick and place application was estimated at $17.5 million in 2017 and is projected to reach $40.1 million by 2025, according to a new market study published by Coherent Market Insights.

The North America market is projected to reach $11.12 million by 2025 with a compound annual growth rate of 11.02 percent. Increasing demand for robotics for application in various industries has become one of the key factors for growth of this market.

According to Robotic Industries Association, in 2015, a total of 31,464 robots valued at $1.8 billion were ordered by North American companies of different industries, an increase of 14 percent in units and 11 percent in revenue over previous year. [Read more…] about Global food and beverage robotic systems integration market for pick and place application to surpass $40 million by 2025

AImotive and Sony partner to develop ADAS capability for Vision-S prototype

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AImotive, the most highly-funded automated driving technology company in Europe, is working with Sony to develop its automated driving software stack with Sony’s Vision-S Prototype (main picture and below).

According to Sony, the Vision-S – announced at CES 2020 – is conceived to re-imagine mobility as we know it, by integrating the advanced ADAS and automated driving systems with the latest electric vehicle technology and an innovative entertainment system.

Sony disclosed an update of the Vision-S concept on January 11 at the all-digital CES 2021, highlighting that prototypes are already being tested on public roads. [Read more…] about AImotive and Sony partner to develop ADAS capability for Vision-S prototype

Moorebot launches compact autonomous ‘Scout’ robot

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Moorebot, the maker of robot applications like the Hubble Hugo Baby Cam and the Zeus fighting robot, has launched its new “Scout” robot. 

Jun Ye, CEO at Moorebot at Pilot Labs, says: “The Moorebot Scout is an autonomous AI robot that lets you monitor, discover and explore the world around you.

“Scout’s applications range from an intelligent mobile home camera, a pet companion, a surveillance tool for handyman, and an inspiring, modern learning toy for kids.” [Read more…] about Moorebot launches compact autonomous ‘Scout’ robot

Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

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Seegrid, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, says it doubled revenue year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Seegrid says its growth reflects increased demand from manufacturing, e-commerce, and logistics companies for automation solutions to address rising pressures on the supply chain, which were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and ever-evolving consumer demands.

Jim Rock, Seegrid’s CEO, says: “The incredible growth we recorded last year is a testament to our collective ability to adapt to changing environments – something that our customers can uniquely do when using our automation solutions. [Read more…] about Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

Cox Automotive acquires computer vision company Fyusion

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Cox Automotive has acquired Fyusion, a computer vision company and provider of immersive vehicle imaging solutions for automotive and other industries.

This acquisition will deepen the collaboration between Manheim – a Cox subsidiary – and Fyusion, which have worked together for years to give clients the wholesale industry’s best mobile imaging and condition capture tools in the Manheim Express app.

Steve Rowley, president, Cox Automotive, says: “Anywhere a car can be imaged, we believe the new technologies that Cox Automotive and Fyusion create together will translate to big benefits for our clients across the auto industry. [Read more…] about Cox Automotive acquires computer vision company Fyusion

Silicon Valley Robotics awards two honors to SICK

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The Silicon Valley Robotics group awarded SICK two honors as a part of the SVR’s inaugural Good Robot Industry Awards.

This program celebrates robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence that helps to solve global challenges.

SVR is a non-profit industry cluster and coalition of robotics companies and startups, representing the robotics cluster in northern California. The organization works to support the innovation and commercialization of robotics technology. [Read more…] about Silicon Valley Robotics awards two honors to SICK

Argonaut Manufacturing Services turns to Bright Machines to accelerate and scale production

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Bright Machines and Argonaut Manufacturing Services have agreed a partnership whereby Bright Machines will automate Argonaut’s unique assembly process.

Argonaut, based in Carlsbad, California, is a contract manufacturing organization offering a host of customized manufacturing and supply chain solutions for life science, molecular diagnostics, and biopharmaceutical companies, including formulation, filling, lyophilization, and kitting, as well as automated aseptic fill-finish equipment for sterile injectable drugs.

Argonaut enables organizations to quickly scale pharmaceutical and life science operations by providing expert support and state-of-the-art manufacturing solutions, minimizing costs and risks. [Read more…] about Argonaut Manufacturing Services turns to Bright Machines to accelerate and scale production

Hyundai’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics can reinforce its position in smart mobility, says GlobalData

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Hyundai Motor Group has agreed to acquire approximately 80 percent stake in American engineering and robotics design company Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group for $1.1bn.

The move can fuel Hyundai’s long-term goal to become a smart mobility solutions provider by leveraging Boston Dynamics’ robots such as bipedal and quadruped equipped with 3D vision, navigation and advanced intelligence, says data and analytics company GlobalData.

Venkata Naveen, senior disruptive tech analyst at GlobalData, says: “Hyundai’s move to acquire major stake in Boston Dynamics polarizes with many automakers competing to add their name to the me-too stack of autonomous carmakers by purchasing self-driving tech startups. [Read more…] about Hyundai’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics can reinforce its position in smart mobility, says GlobalData

Motional and Lyft to launch fully driverless rideshare service

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Motional, a driverless technology developer, and rideshare service provider Lyft have agreed joint plans to launch a multimarket robotaxi service in major US cities, beginning in 2023.

Motional says its next generation, fully driverless vehicles will be integrated, operationalized, and implemented on the Lyft network.

The two companies claim this agreement marks the largest robotaxi partnership for a major ridesharing network. It follows an ongoing and successful three-year partnership, in which Motional and Lyft operate the world’s longest-standing commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas. [Read more…] about Motional and Lyft to launch fully driverless rideshare service

Software-based PLCs pose challenge to traditional hardware infrastructure

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By Sharmila Annaswamy, IoT Analytics

Software is increasingly replacing hardware in industrial environments. Software-based programmable logic controllers (Soft PLCs) today are reliable, powerful and flexible.

Soft PLC adoption is expected to double between 2019 and 2025, posing an “innovator’s dilemma” for incumbent industrial automation vendors.

Actions taken by incumbents will prevent significant disruption in the near-term, but the long-term threat of soft PLCs will remain. [Read more…] about Software-based PLCs pose challenge to traditional hardware infrastructure