Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

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Google has extended the capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line. 

The search giant is partnering with global clothing brand Levi’s to make jackets which can be connected to smartphones and used for notifications.

The company says that part of the clothing item has a flashing light and vibration which act as notifications when, for example, you leave your jacket in a restaurant, or when your rideshare car has arrived.  [Read more…] about Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

MacroFab’s manufacturing-on-demand business sees ‘record growth’

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Houston-based tech startup MacroFab, which provides a manufacturing-on-demand platform, says it experienced “record growth” in 2018.

The company says it is “revolutionizing the electronics manufacturing industry” by building a marketplace that will benefit both its customers and contract manufacturers.

The company experienced a record-breaking year in 2018, marked by aggressive growth in bookings and revenue, an ever-increasing number of repeat customers, a new CEO and expanded management team entering 2019.  [Read more…] about MacroFab’s manufacturing-on-demand business sees ‘record growth’

NXP and Kalray partner to develop platform for autonomous driving

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NXP Semiconductors has agreed a new strategic partnership with Kalray, a designer of processors for new intelligent systems.

The partnership will combine NXP’s scalable portfolio of functional safety products for advanced driver assistance systems and central compute with Kalray’s high-performance intelligent “Massively Parallel Processor Array” processors.

The new platform is significant because it addresses the performance, safety and near-term commercial needs of levels 2 and 3 driving with an eye to longer-term release in level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles.  [Read more…] about NXP and Kalray partner to develop platform for autonomous driving

Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

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Udelv has unveiled the latest version of its autonomous delivery van at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show.

The company also announced what it described as “major contracts” with US supermarket giant Walmart and Baidu, which is like the Google of China.

Udelv’s autonomous delivery van says the latest model of its self-driving delivery vans feature “new state-of-the-art technology”.  [Read more…] about Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

Valeo demonstrates autonomous driving technologies at CES

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Valeo, one of the largest suppliers of automotive technologies, is showcasing its autonomous vehicle advancements at this year‘s CES.

The French company says it already supplies “the automotive industry’s largest range of sensors”, comprising ultrasonic sensors, cameras, radars and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) systems.

These devices act as the vehicle’s eyes and ears. At CES 2019, Valeo will be unveiling the full scope of its expertise in autonomy and connectivity.

Valeo says innovation is at the heart of its strategy. The company invested €1.9 billion in research and development in 2017, or close to 12 percent of original equipment sales.

valeo autonomous car parking

Valeo says its innovative technologies offer “clear insights into the shape of mobility to come” and are all conducive to the development of electric, autonomous, connected cars that are widely accessible yet adapted to individual needs.

Three of Valeo’s “major innovations” will be on display at CES:

  1. Valeo Drive4U, the autonomous vehicle which will be navigating the streets of Las Vegas fitted solely with series-produced sensors;
  2. Valeo Drive4U Remote, which is used to remotely control autonomous vehicles strictly when needed for safety reasons; and
  3. Valeo Voyage XR, which is able to simulate the virtual presence of a person – based in a fixed location – on board the autonomous vehicle during the journey.

Valeo has conducted a number of “world-first” autonomous driving trial runs, including 24 hours around the Paris beltway and road trips around Europe and the US.

The company says autonomous driving in dense and complex urban environments is “a major technological challenge that Valeo is tackling head-on”.

The Group took to the streets of Paris for a first trial run in autumn 2018 and, later this year, its autonomous car will operate in the streets of Las Vegas.

Sublue launches underwater robot prototype for photography

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A company called Sublue has launched an underwater robot prototype for photography, while showcasing two other products at CES.

The company highlighted its three new underwater recreational products with a talk from a marine conservationist, Hannah Fraser (main picture), a marine and ocean conservationist, who was on hand to discuss how Sublue products support her work.

Sublue describes its offerings as “intelligent water recreation and exploration products”.  [Read more…] about Sublue launches underwater robot prototype for photography

Smart Parks uses advanced sensors to save endangered black rhinos. Fewer than 900 left

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“Rhinos, people, vehicles and gates at a glance. Now that is useful!”

Over the past few months, Smart Parks has improved and expanded its current installation at the eastern black rhino sanctuary based in Mkomazi, Tanzania. (See video below.)

With a zero poaching track record and an increasing population, this sanctuary runs one of the most successful eastern black rhino breeding programs.

Since 2016 Smart Parks has been working on improving the security of this vulnerable species.  [Read more…] about Smart Parks uses advanced sensors to save endangered black rhinos. Fewer than 900 left

Sick introduces new motor feedback systems for direct drives in robotics

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Sensor manufacturer Sick has introduced a range of new motor feedback systems for direct drives in robotics.

Direct drives in robotics applications and handling systems are two of the key applications that are ideal for the new SEM70 and SEM90 motor feedback systems from Sick, featuring HiperFace interfaces.  [Read more…] about Sick introduces new motor feedback systems for direct drives in robotics

Ambarella and Smart Eye partner to deliver ‘next-generation AI-based driver monitoring’

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Ambarella, a developer of high-resolution video processing and computer vision semiconductors, and Smart Eye, a developer of artificial intelligence-powered eye, mouth, and head tracking technology, are partnering to deliver a Driver Monitoring System platform that they say “tracks driver actions and intentions”.

The platform is based on Ambarella’s CV22AQ CVflow computer vision processor, which offers high-quality image processing and high-performance AI computing at low power consumption, typically below 2.5 watts.

Smart Eye AI software running on CV22AQ will make it possible for automotive original equipment manufacturers and tier-1s to deploy a new generation of driver and in-cabin monitoring systems with advanced AI features, increasing safety and convenience for drivers and passengers.  [Read more…] about Ambarella and Smart Eye partner to deliver ‘next-generation AI-based driver monitoring’

FarmWise launches autonomous weeding robot

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San Francisco-based startup FarmWise has started production of its first generation of autonomous weeding robots after successful tests in 2018 and has already secured bookings for 2019.

The company says the robot can help farmers reduce their reliance on chemical weedkillers. (See video below.)

FarmWise says that farmers today are facing the need to use fewer chemical inputs to match current consumer expectations and preserve the integrity of our soil.  [Read more…] about FarmWise launches autonomous weeding robot