Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mai Tao

Yaskawa achieves 30 million total shipments of AC drives

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Yaskawa, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robotics and automation technologies, says it has reached 30 million total shipments of alternating current drives.

An AC drive is a device that is used to control the speed of an electric motor, which are present in almost all robots and automated machines.

In a statement, Yaskawa, which shipped the world’s first transistor inverter in 1974, says: “We are pleased to announce that the cumulative shipments of AC Drives reached 30 million units in January 2021.” [Read more…] about Yaskawa achieves 30 million total shipments of AC drives

Kia to develop autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore

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Kia is planning to develop a variety of technologies including autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore.

The company has begun to lay the groundwork for its “Purpose Built Vehicle” (PBV) business, partnering with cold chain start-up S.lab Asia to break into Singapore’s last-mile delivery market.

The two companies have signed an agreement aimed at launching a pilot project in Singapore using the e-Niro and evaluating the potential for a future PBV-based business model. [Read more…] about Kia to develop autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore

Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

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Continental has developed what it says are “quieter” conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo.

The company says its “Sicon” pouch conveyor belt transports bulk material safely and cleanly, with low noise and emissions, through residential districts of Japan’s capital.

The conveyor belt are being used in the construction of an underground catch basin for 150,000 cubic meters of water. [Read more…] about Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

Hyundai unveils hotel robot developed with KT

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Hyundai Robotics has unveiled a new service robot designed for hotels and developed with KT, formerly Korea Telecom.

The UNI-050H is a mobile service robot co-developed by Hyundai Robotics and KT to perform hotel amenities delivery, and can now be found at the Daegu Marriott Hotel & Residences.

UNI-050H delivers amenities such as towels and bottled water, to guest rooms upon request. [Read more…] about Hyundai unveils hotel robot developed with KT

Siasun partners with Jordan Sports to open new logistics facility

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Siasun has partnered with Jordan Sports to open a new, “modern“ logistics facility which features extensive robotics and automation.

The Chinese manufacturer of robotic arms says that, with the widespread application of sports biomechanics in the field of sports equipment, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a more scientific and comfortable sports experience.

In this “huge market”, a large number of outstanding sports brands compete, and Jordan Sports is one of the outstanding ones. [Read more…] about Siasun partners with Jordan Sports to open new logistics facility

HRG unveils ‘Intelligent Patrol Robot’ to fight against pandemic

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HRG has unveiled what it calls its “Intelligent Patrol Robot”.

Developed by the Intelligent Equipment Research Institute of HRG Hefei Institute, the new product is designed to carry out patrol inspections in multiple scenarios.

It can achieve a 24-hour observation of 360 degrees horizontal and 180 degrees vertical to effectively reduce human contact during the pandemic. [Read more…] about HRG unveils ‘Intelligent Patrol Robot’ to fight against pandemic

Lenovo unveils ‘the most versatile smart glasses ever’

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Lenovo has unveiled what it describes as “the most versatile smart glasses ever designed for the enterprise”. 

The technology giant says its ThinkReality A3 smart glasses can enhance productivity for the office professional and industrial worker in small business or global enterprise, and “everywhere in-between”.

Lenovo introduced the ThinkReality A3 lightweight smart glasses during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month. [Read more…] about Lenovo unveils ‘the most versatile smart glasses ever’

Baidu Apollo receives driverless vehicle test permit in California

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Baidu Apollo has now been approved by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to test driverless vehicles without a safety driver behind the wheel on public streets.

This makes Baidu the first permit holder in the state to receive driverless test permits for two different vehicle models due to the “robustness” of its AI driver system, according to the company.

Baidu says California will partner in its ongoing driverless testing program which began last year. [Read more…] about Baidu Apollo receives driverless vehicle test permit in California

AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

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Autonomous driving company AutoX has launched a “fully driverless” RoboTaxi pilot program to the public in Shenzhen, China after its taxis completed final testing last month. (See video below.)

This marks the first time that the general public will be able to book a completely autonomous RoboTaxi without accompanying safety drivers in China.

Members of the public can sign up for the pilot program through AutoX’s RoboTaxi registration page. Selected pilot users can use AutoX membership credits for the RoboTaxi rides. [Read more…] about AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

Toyota demonstrates autonomous shuttle for ‘mobility as a service’ applications

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Toyota Motor has unveiled an operations management system to support the providing of services that will enable practical use of the e-Palette, the Japanese auto giant’s battery-electric vehicle for autonomous mobility as a service (Autono-MaaS) applications. (See video below.)

In collaboration with a range of partners, Toyota is also planning to operate the vehicles in Woven City, a fully connected prototype city, while targeting commercial use in multiple areas and regions in the early 2020s.

When announcing his goal to transition Toyota to a mobility company at the January 2018 CES, Toyota president Akio Toyoda also announced the e-Palette as a symbol of mobility that goes beyond cars to provide customers services and new value. [Read more…] about Toyota demonstrates autonomous shuttle for ‘mobility as a service’ applications