Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

ATI unveils ‘ultra-thin’ force torque sensor for robots

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ATI Industrial Automation has unveiled its “ultra-thin” Mini43LP Force/Torque Sensor, which the company says provides “high-precision force sensing in a rugged, yet compact transducer”.

At less than 8 mm tall, the newest member of ATI’s force/torque sensor product range is “uniquely suited for smaller automated applications”, says ATI.

The low profile sensor body allows users to optimize their work envelope and preserve the robot’s lifting power for end-of-arm tools. [Read more…] about ATI unveils ‘ultra-thin’ force torque sensor for robots

Starship Technologies launches North Carolina’s first robotic delivery service

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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) and its food services provider, Sodexo, have partnered with robot maker Starship Technologies to roll out the university’s food delivery service via autonomous robots.

A&T is the first historically Black college or university to partner with Starship, as well as its first partnership in North Carolina.

Starship’s fleet of 20 autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from three campus eateries: Qdoba, 1891 Bistro and the new Paavo’s Pizza with the goal to expand additional retail locations by next spring. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches North Carolina’s first robotic delivery service

ABB launches Genix management system for industrial equipment

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ABB says it is bringing artificial intelligence to asset performance management for improved efficiencies and increased uptime across industries in the form of something Genix.

The launch of ABB Ability Genix Asset Performance Management Suite “brings next-generation AI-based predictive maintenance, asset reliability and integrity insights to process and utility industries”, says the company.

Genix APM is described as an enterprise-grade application to monitor assets, prescribe maintenance actions, improve equipment utilization, and support lifecycle analysis and capital planning. [Read more…] about ABB launches Genix management system for industrial equipment

Dexterity raises $140 million in new funding

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Dexterity, the creators of intelligent robotic systems for logistics, warehouses, and supply chain, has raised an additional $140 million in Series B equity funding and debt.

Major existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Kleiner Perkins greatly expanded their commitment to Dexterity by leading the Series B, with additional participation from Obvious Ventures, B37 Ventures and Presidio Ventures. Dexterity will use the new capital to support the growth of the company as its first thousand robots are deployed into production.

The latest funding round raises Dexterity’s total capitalization over $200 million at a valuation of $1.4 billion. [Read more…] about Dexterity raises $140 million in new funding

Agtonomy launches out of stealth to address farm labor crisis with $4 million

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Agtonomy, a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform, has launched out of stealth and has announced a $4 million seed round from Grit Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Village Global, the venture firm backed by some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs including Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Michael Dell.

The Agtonomy mission is to address the massive labor crisis gripping local farm and land maintenance operations. The executive team consists of veterans from the AI, EV, cloud service and agriculture industries, with extensive experience at tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, Dell, Uber and Cruise, as well as lifelong farming experience at Northern California agriculture operations such as Trattore Farms.

By 2050, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that we will need to produce 60 percent more food on a smaller amount of land just to feed a growing global population of 9.3 billion. [Read more…] about Agtonomy launches out of stealth to address farm labor crisis with $4 million

Zebra Technologies expands Fetch Robotics portfolio with solution to optimize fulfillment workflows

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Zebra Technologies, which provides automation solutions to the supply chain sector, has introduced what it claims is “the industry’s most comprehensive picking solution to help businesses improve their fulfillment operations”.

The fulfillment solution uses machines from Fetch Robotics, which Zebra recently acquired, and consists of three new autonomous mobile robots – FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide – and a new FetchCore fulfillment software package for order or batch picking.

These new offerings further extend Zebra’s position as a leader in automating and digitizing critical workflows in warehouses, distribution and fulfillment centers as order volumes increase, labor pools get more competitive and customer expectations continue to rise. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies expands Fetch Robotics portfolio with solution to optimize fulfillment workflows

Festo and MassRobotics select companies for healthcare robotics startup program

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Festo and MassRobotics have selected companies for the inaugural Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program.

The Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst is a new program for the global robotics startup community to advance healthcare developments by providing promising companies with investor and customer introductions, access to subject-matter experts, and a range of technical and marketing support resources.

The robotics companies selected include Assistive Technology, an American startup dedicated to at-home physical therapy solutions that are operable at a low cost and always accessible to rural patients and those who need closer monitoring for recovery. [Read more…] about Festo and MassRobotics select companies for healthcare robotics startup program

Miso Robotics unveils robotic chicken wing frying solution

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Miso Robotics, the startup specialising in automation for the foodservice industry, has launched its newest product line – Flippy Wings, which the company claims is “the only robotic chicken wing frying solution designed from the ground up for high volume restaurants”.

The lead innovation partner in the Flippy Wings initiative is the multi-brand restaurant company Inspire Brands.

Buffalo Wild Wings, part of the Inspire family of brands, began testing Flippy Wings at the Inspire Brands Innovation Center this fall. [Read more…] about Miso Robotics unveils robotic chicken wing frying solution

Geodis and Bastian Solutions claim world’s highest AutoStore throughput

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Transport and logistics provider Geodis has partnered with Bastian Solutions to implement an AutoStore system into a new fulfillment site for a leading clothing retailer.

The $48 million material handling equipment deal will deliver the highest throughput documented of an AutoStore system globally to support the retailer’s omnichannel capabilities, including e-Commerce and its more than 1,000 stores across the United States.

AutoStore is a pioneering goods-to-person automated storage and retrieval system that is the market leader in storage density. AutoStore Bins are stacked vertically in a grid and retrieved by robots that travel on the top layer of the system, allowing the grid to be placed around columns and on mezzanines and multiple levels. [Read more…] about Geodis and Bastian Solutions claim world’s highest AutoStore throughput

Xwing and Textron Aviation to develop autonomous flight

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Xwing, a startup developing autonomy for aviation, has signed a joint development agreement with Textron Aviation.

Under this non-exclusive agreement, Xwing and Textron Aviation, home to the iconic Cessna and Beechcraft brands, can begin to work together to accelerate the seamless integration of autoflight technologies into existing and future aircraft, beginning with the Cessna Grand Caravan.

On the heels of its recent $40 million funding round, $400 million valuation, and completion of the world’s first autonomous gate-to-gate flight of a commercial cargo aircraft, Xwing enters the agreement as a leader in autonomous flight technology. [Read more…] about Xwing and Textron Aviation to develop autonomous flight