Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Mark Allinson

Seegrid closes $50 million funding round as market adoption of its autonomous lift truck ‘exceeds expectations’

by

Seegrid Corporation, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for pallet material handling, has successfully closed its $50 million Series D investment round, funded by its existing lead investors Giant Eagle Incorporated and G2 Venture Partners, as well as smaller investments from other existing shareholders.

Seegrid says the new investment allows the company to accelerate its autonomous lift truck market initiatives, which are “currently generating more growth than expected”.

Joe Pajer, Seegrid’s CEO and president, says: “We are thrilled to have secured this additional funding from our investors. It enables us to drive our innovative AMR technology and solutions into the market faster, delivering even more value to our customers sooner.

[Read more…] about Seegrid closes $50 million funding round as market adoption of its autonomous lift truck ‘exceeds expectations’

Toyota makes strategic investment in Gideon

by

Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), which includes Toyota Material Handling Group and Toyota Automated Logistics Group, and Gideon, have signed an investment agreement with immediate effect.

The technology company Gideon develops and offers technologies for autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) behaviour and application stack for automating specific processes in warehouse and manufacturing environments.

For TICO, this strategic partnership and investment creates possibilities to simplify automated vehicle systems through standardization, reduced deployment times and increasing flexibility, adaptability and scalability.

[Read more…] about Toyota makes strategic investment in Gideon

Global semiconductor equipment billings increase 4 percent

by

Global semiconductor equipment billings increased 4 percent year-over-year to $26.8 billion in the second quarter of 2024, while quarter-over-quarter billings edged up 1 percent during the same period, says industry association SEMI in its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report.

Ajit Manocha, SEMI president and CEO, says: “Global semiconductor equipment billings totaled $53.2 billion for the first half of 2024, reflecting a healthy year so far for the industry overall.

“The semiconductor equipment market has returned to growth driven by strategic investments to support continued strong demand for advanced technologies and regions seeking to bolster their chipmaking ecosystems.”

[Read more…] about Global semiconductor equipment billings increase 4 percent

Looking after your programmable logic controller: A PLC maintenance checklist

by

Tom Cash, director at Foxmere, explains how engineers can ensure PLCs last for their expected duration

Programmable logic controllers, or PLCs, can survive for more than 20 years, and it’s something we see regularly here at Foxmere.

Although the component parts of a PLC, such as central processing units (CPUs) and power supply units (PSUs), boast long lifespans, components such as input/output (I/O) modules and communication modules are not so robust.

In fact, about 80 per cent of PLC failures result from field devices, I/O module failure or power supply issues.

[Read more…] about Looking after your programmable logic controller: A PLC maintenance checklist

ATI releases high-speed Ethernet module to enhance robotic tool changer performance

by

ATI Industrial Automation (ATI) has developed the GBX 10 Gigabit Tool Changer Ethernet Module, designed to allow smart manufacturing processes to optimize performance and flexibility with timely, accurate communication.

It excels in high-speed data and signal communication with vision, inspection, metrology, motion control, and fieldbus systems.

The new Ethernet Module provides a variety of industries and applications with safe and reliable transmission of high-speed data, signals, and fieldbus communication for advanced automation, AI, and Industry 4.0.

[Read more…] about ATI releases high-speed Ethernet module to enhance robotic tool changer performance

The Benefits of Implementing Contact Center Software Solutions in Your Business

by

In today’s fast-paced business environment, keeping up with customer expectations for prompt and personalized service can be challenging.

However, with the integration of advanced contact center software solutions, companies can dramatically revolutionize their approach to customer service.

These systems improve communication efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience. Businesses leveraging such technology are witnessing substantial improvements in customer satisfaction and loyalty.

[Read more…] about The Benefits of Implementing Contact Center Software Solutions in Your Business

Holon to establish autonomous shuttle manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida

by

Holon, a manufacturer of autonomous, electric shuttles purpose-built to revolutionize shared mobility and sustainable transportation, says it is “poised to transform the future of transportation” with the launch of its first production plant for autonomous movers in Jacksonville, Florida.

This city unveiling was announced recently in collaboration with prominent Florida officials and key community stakeholders. Holon, a subsidiary of global automotive supplier Benteler Group, will be Florida’s first automotive vehicle manufacturer.

The approximately 500,000-square-foot facility will be constructed in Jacksonville, with completion expected in 2026. The developer for the project is VanTrust Real Estate. [Read more…] about Holon to establish autonomous shuttle manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Florida

DB Schenker implements Jungheinrich AGVs with Kollmorgen technology for terminal operations

by

DB Schenker – through its branch in Borås, Sweden – has taken the next step in efficiently moving goods with tight timeframes by automating internal transports and increased productivity alongside improved safety and reduced production damages.

The terminal has successfully implemented Jungheinrich Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) with Kollmorgen technology and is the first terminal within DB Schenker land to use automated forklifts in terminal operation.

DB Schenker in Borås, Sweden, has successfully implemented Jungheinrich Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) with Kollmorgen technology. As a leading provider of land transports of both goods and parcels, this marks a significant milestone in the company’s automation of intralogistics. [Read more…] about DB Schenker implements Jungheinrich AGVs with Kollmorgen technology for terminal operations

Kongsberg’s robotic underwater vessel completes multi-week fully autonomous mission

by

Kongsberg Discovery says it has reached “another successful milestone” in the development of its HUGIN Endurance in completing a “record setting multi-week fully autonomous mission”.

After receiving a final navigation update from a pre-deployed transponder 10 hours into the dive, the 8-ton, 40 ft, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) operated completely independent of all human interaction and with no external navigation aiding for the duration of the sortie.

This mission was conducted at depths ranging from 50 metres to 3,400 metres and met the advertised 1,200 nautical mile range. Most impressive of all, was that HUGIN Endurance returned with a position error of approximately 0.02 percent of total distance traveled. [Read more…] about Kongsberg’s robotic underwater vessel completes multi-week fully autonomous mission

ForwardX selects Optiscan as strategic distributor in Scandinavia

by

ForwardX Robotics, Asia’s largest vision-based autonomous mobile robot solution provider, has agreed a strategic partnership with Optiscan Group and appointed the warehouse automation specialist as its official distributor in Finland and the rest of the Nordic region, sometimes collectively called Scandinavia.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone for ForwardX’s “Go Global” strategy, as they strengthen their European presence with this project.

Consequently, this collaboration promotes the innovation of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), opening the door to pioneering research and development in voice control integration. [Read more…] about ForwardX selects Optiscan as strategic distributor in Scandinavia

Please switch off your ad blocker.

Our website relies on ads to provide free content and sustain our operations. By turning off your ad blocker, you help support us and ensure we can continue offering valuable content without any cost to you.

We truly appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you for considering disabling your ad blocker for this website