Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Via raises $200 million to develop and expand its mobility services

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Mobility services startup Via has raised a further $200 million in its latest funding round.

Money raised in Via’s Series E fuding round will be used to “expand access to efficient, sustainable, and equitable public mobility across the globe”, says the company.

John Elkann, chairman and CEO of Exor, lead investor in the financing, says: “More important than ever to work for an innovative and sustainable future.” [Read more…] about Via raises $200 million to develop and expand its mobility services

Ecentria Distribution Center installs inVia Robotics to increase e-commerce throughput and accuracy

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inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, says Ecentria has deployed its robotics-as-a-service system to automate order fulfillment in the Ecentria Distribution Center in Aurora, Illinois.

inVia’s integrated automation system, which includes a fleet of autonomous mobile robots and artificial intelligence-driven software, is now live in EDC, the primary distribution center supporting OpticsPlanet, an Ecentria company and a “Top 200 Online Retailer for more than 12 years”.

The system gives Ecentria a flexible robotics solution that can scale along with dynamic e-commerce order volumes. [Read more…] about Ecentria Distribution Center installs inVia Robotics to increase e-commerce throughput and accuracy

Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

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Fetch Robotics, a provider of warehouse robots, has agreed a collaboration with Zebra Technologies, a warehouse solutions specialist, to optimize and automate warehouse picking processes through the integration of Fetch autonomous mobile robots and Zebra FulfillmentEdge software.

The two companies say the unique solution optimizes picking across multiple orders for piece, case, and pallet workflows.

By dynamically optimizing and orchestrating the movement of warehouse workers and robots, FulfillmentEdge and Fetch AMRs enable collaborative picking for faster, more accurate fulfillment and improved workflows that allow workers to spend more time in the aisle instead of manually moving material throughout a facility. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

Mimaki expands portfolio with large-scale 3D printer

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Mimaki Europe, a manufacturer of inkjet printers and cutting systems, has launched its new Mimaki 3DGD-1800 3D printer, facilitating large-scale production up to three times faster than with conventional Fused Filament Fabrication type 3D printers.

The Mimaki 3DGD-1800 3D printer connects the company’s 2D printing expertise and 3D technology innovations, providing customers with a cost-effective, total solution for 3D sign and display applications.

Capable of producing objects up to 1.8 metres tall in just seven hours – with its assembly-based design allowing for the creation of even larger designs – the innovative 3D printing system boasts a number of clever time- and cost-saving features, including dual-head configuration to enable the simultaneous output of two structures. [Read more…] about Mimaki expands portfolio with large-scale 3D printer

Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

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Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new method that doesn’t require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots. (See video below.)

The innovation comes from rethinking the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a rigid robot body, the UC San Diego researchers started with a soft body and added rigid features to key components.

The structures were inspired by insect exoskeletons, which have both soft and rigid parts – the researchers called their creations “flexoskeletons”. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘flexoskeletons’ that cost a dollar to 3D print

Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

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Starship Technologies has rolled out its robot food delivery service in Tempe.

Locals can now order contact-less delivery from three area restaurants – Fate Brewing Company, Tempe City Tacos and Venezia’s Pizza, which is famous for its multiple references in the popular TV shows Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.

More restaurants and grocery stores will be added to the service soon. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches autonomous robot delivery service in Tempe

Aceinna claims its new $150 navigation chip rivals $10,000 alternatives

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Aceinna has launched a $150 high precision navigation chip for autonomous vehicles that it claims rivals the performance of $10,000 systems.

The new Aceinna OpenRTK module is said to be “highly accurate, extremely reliable, smaller, easier to integrate, and far less expensive”.

Aceinna says its OpenRTK330L is the only solution on the market to integrate a triple-band RTK/GNSS receiver and a triple-redundant inertial sensor enhancing the safety of autonomous systems. [Read more…] about Aceinna claims its new $150 navigation chip rivals $10,000 alternatives

Selling an Efficient Manufacturing Company in the Covid-19 Era

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First Order of Business is Occupational Health and Safety. By Frances A. Brunelle

Due to Covid-19, more small and midsized manufacturers ($2 million to $20 million) will either close or be sold. For those owners who are thinking of selling their manufacturing operation, occupation health and safety should be #1 on the list of issues to address when preparing their company for sale.

With so much of the world on lockdown, more industrial enterprises are using Q2 2020 to evaluate the short-term game plan. Companies will enter Q3/Q4 2020 and all of 2021 with one thought: acquire or be acquired.

Manufacturing occupational health and safety processes prevents or lessens the risk of workplace injury, illness, and even death. These are the right actions to take, whether a manufacturer is looking to be acquired or not. [Read more…] about Selling an Efficient Manufacturing Company in the Covid-19 Era

SICK launches new ultra-compact safety laser scanner nanoScan3

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SICK is launching its newest ultra-compact safety laser scanner, nanoScan3. The company says the new product combines smart safety functions with excellent measurement data quality for accurate and reliable localization. 

With an overall height of just over three inches, this space-saving sensor can be used wherever machines and vehicles require maximum performance, but have minimal mounting space.

This enables manufacturers to use small automated guided vehicles or mobile robots equipped with SICK’s leading-edge safety technology. [Read more…] about SICK launches new ultra-compact safety laser scanner nanoScan3

Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development

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By Serena Brischetto, marketing and communications manager at SEMI Europe

In the future, electronics-related gear including advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will account for a whopping 50 percent of automotive costs.

More importantly, with more control of vehicles shifting to automation, the margin of error in component performance and reliability will become vanishingly small as zero defects become the new safety standard.

SEMI’s Serena Brischetto spoke with Antoine Amade, senior regional director EMEA, Entegris about zero defects as a “new collaborative approach” (see video below) necessary to shape the car of the future and the automotive industry. [Read more…] about Overcoming chip defectivity challenges in automotive product development