Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

IPL cricket being covered by robotic dog with camera and mic

by

The ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season has witnessed a unique addition to its broadcast, capturing the attention of fans and players alike: a four-legged robot dog named “Champak”.

This innovative piece of technology, roughly the size and shape of a medium-sized dog, is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, allowing it to interact with players and spectators, offering a fresh perspective to the cricket.

Developed by wTVision in collaboration with Omnicam and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Champak made its debut on April 13th at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. [Read more…] about IPL cricket being covered by robotic dog with camera and mic

Inbolt and Fanuc launch ‘breakthrough robots that can think and act on the fly at moving assembly line speeds’

by

French startup Inbolt and the world’s largest industrial robotics company Fanuc are launching what they describe as a “manufacturing breakthrough” enabling Fanuc robots to tackle one of the most complex automation challenges.

The companies claim that the robots can “perform production tasks on continuously moving parts at assembly line speeds”.

With Inbolt’s AI-powered 3D vision, manufacturers can now automate screw insertion, bolt rundown, glue application and other high-precision tasks on parts moving down the line without costly infrastructure investments or cycle time compromises. [Read more…] about Inbolt and Fanuc launch ‘breakthrough robots that can think and act on the fly at moving assembly line speeds’

Rosendin starts taking offers to purchase its solar module installation robot

by

Rosendin, America’s largest employee-owned electrical contracting company with one of the fastest-growing renewable energy programs, has begun taking offers to sell its groundbreaking autonomous robotic solution for photovoltaic (PV) solar module installation.

The move follows a successful live demonstration of its three-piece robotic solution at a large-scale solar project under construction in West Texas.

At the April 17 event near Abilene, Rosendin’s robotic system proved it could accelerate utility-scale solar construction, while enhancing worker safety and solving persistent labor shortages. [Read more…] about Rosendin starts taking offers to purchase its solar module installation robot

John Deere: Harvesting the future – automation, autonomy, and the investor landscape

by

Our recent article, Deere unveils new combine harvester with ‘expanded advanced automation’, became one of our most-read pieces in the past few months.

This probably underscores a strong public interest in the intersection between agricultural tradition and cutting-edge technology that is capturing the attention of both farmers and, increasingly, investors.

Deere & Co. (DE), listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), currently trades around $481. As of early May 2025, its market capitalization stands at approximately $130-131 billion. [Read more…] about John Deere: Harvesting the future – automation, autonomy, and the investor landscape

Neochromosome and Opentrons develops new robotic system for antibody discovery

by

New platform integrates yeast-based synthetic biology and robotics to streamline antibody discovery, ‘eliminating lengthy steps and significantly reducing costs’ compared to traditional outsourcing

Opentrons Labworks, a lab automation company with more than 10,000 robotic systems deployed, and Neochromosome, its subsidiary specializing in products unlocked through genome-scale cell engineering, have unveiled the Opentrons Flex neoSwitch Workstation powered by the Neochromosome neoSwitch platform for in-house antibody discovery.

The Workstation enables labs to automate critical steps of the neoSwitch antibody discovery workflow, including high throughput purification of binders for rapid characterization.

By combining the ease-of-use of the Flex workstation with the turnkey neoSwitch platform, it is now straightforward to onboard yeast-based antibody discovery and unlock cost and time savings up to ten-fold relative to conventional outsourcing. [Read more…] about Neochromosome and Opentrons develops new robotic system for antibody discovery

ABB Robotics to showcase ‘full-scale’ OmniCore controller at Automate 2025

by

ABB Robotics will unveil a powerful lineup of robotic demos at Automate 2025, May 12-15 at Huntington Place in Detroit (Main Booth #2632; Education Pavilion #8614), showcasing its new OmniCore controller – a transformative control platform delivering faster, more precise and more autonomous automation across ABB’s entire robot portfolio.

This will be the first full-scale US debut of OmniCore, which streamlines installation and programming while boosting performance.

Developed through a $170 million investment, OmniCore is ABB’s most advanced control platform yet, a unique, single architecture that integrates ABB Robotics’ complete range of hardware and software, for flexible, future-ready automation. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics to showcase ‘full-scale’ OmniCore controller at Automate 2025

Piaggio Fast Forward launches Star Wars-themed cargo-carrying robot

by

Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), the robotics company backed by the maker of the iconic Vespa scooter, has unveiled a special-edition Star Wars-licensed version of its gitamini robot – dubbed G1T4-M1N1.

Inspired by the beloved droids of the Star Wars galaxy, G1T4-M1N1 fuses sci-fi flair with real-world utility.

The autonomous cargo-carrying robot features a distinctive astromech-style design, interactive Star Wars-themed audio responses, and enhanced app integration, making it both a collector’s item and a functional sidekick for everyday adventures. [Read more…] about Piaggio Fast Forward launches Star Wars-themed cargo-carrying robot

MRCA launches new business unit to support US manufacturers

by

An unusual organization called the Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America (MRCA) has launched a new business unit to better support its ever-growing manufacturing of consumer products in the USA.

The MRCA is not a government organization but works with manufacturers across the US to support them through knowledge-sharing and other initiatives.

This announcement is coupled with the acquisition of three direct-to-consumer (DTC) and e-commerce brands whose products will be made in MRCA facilities. Elton Rivas, co-founder of Semi Exact, largest of the DTC brands acquired, was appointed to lead this new business unit. [Read more…] about MRCA launches new business unit to support US manufacturers

ASTM tests exoskeletons for proposed ‘firefighter readiness’ standard

by

The exoskeletons and exosuits committee (F48) of industry standards association ASTM has proposed a new test method for evaluating exoskeleton device performance on first responder tasks.

According to ASTM member Ben Beiter, there are currently 16 different test methods to evaluate the performance of exoskeletons for industrial applications.

The specific applications of the technology for first responders, though, are unique. This new test method aims specifically at testing exoskeletons for their ability to help with firefighting tasks. [Read more…] about ASTM tests exoskeletons for proposed ‘firefighter readiness’ standard

DoorDash to acquire Deliveroo in $3.9 billion deal to expand global reach

by

DoorDash, the largest food delivery service in the United States, has agreed to acquire British rival Deliveroo in a $3.9 billion all-cash deal, marking a major step in its international expansion strategy.

The San Francisco-based company will pay 180 pence per share for Deliveroo, representing a 44% premium over the UK firm’s stock price before the deal talks became public. Deliveroo’s board has unanimously recommended the offer, and the deal is expected to close later this year, pending shareholder approval.

Founded in 2013, Deliveroo operates in nine countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite rapid early growth, the company has struggled with profitability and intense competition, particularly after its disappointing 2021 IPO, where shares debuted at 390 pence and have since lost more than half their value. [Read more…] about DoorDash to acquire Deliveroo in $3.9 billion deal to expand global reach