Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Semicon West preview: Looking beyond Moore’s Law to the artificial intelligence era

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With the rapid rise of AI providing overwhelming possibilities for industry growth, Semicon West has been designed to help the microelectronics industry get a firm handle on how best to enable and take advantage of AI’s potential.

From the lab to the fab, and from design through system, the benefits from conversations at the event will be felt across transportation, medical, manufacturing, IoT and Big Data.

With the world’s interest racing toward how artificial intelligence can accelerate so many things, six visionary keynoters will reveal what lies ahead for semiconductors and society.  [Read more…] about Semicon West preview: Looking beyond Moore’s Law to the artificial intelligence era

Nippon Express builds new warehouse in Malaysia

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Nippon Express is building a new warehouse in Malaysia.

The company held a groundbreaking ceremony recently for a new warehouse to be built in the Shah Alam Industrial Park in Selangor Province.

Malaysia’s economy has maintained a steady growth rate of about 5 per cent in recent years.  [Read more…] about Nippon Express builds new warehouse in Malaysia

Grocery giant Kroger and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro to pilot autonomous delivery vehicle and system

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Kroger, one of the largest grocery store chains in the US, has teamed up with autonomous vehicle startup Nuro to develop shopping delivery services for customers.

Kroger and Nuro say the new partnership will “redefine the grocery customer experience for Americans” by piloting an on-road, fully autonomous delivery experience.

Kroger, which claims to be “America’s largest supermarket retailer”, and Nuro, maker of what it claims is “the world’s first fully unmanned road vehicle”, are working to make the convenience of grocery delivery accessible and affordable for customers everywhere.  [Read more…] about Grocery giant Kroger and autonomous vehicle startup Nuro to pilot autonomous delivery vehicle and system

Incas becomes part of the SSI Schaefer Group

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Italy-based industrial automation company Incas has become part of the SSI Schaefer Group. 

Established in Biella in 1981, Incas offers to its customers’ industrial automation solutions for logistics and production monitoring as well as integrated system and software solutions.

SSI Schaefer says the deal fosters the creation of a leading player in supply chain automation in Italy.  [Read more…] about Incas becomes part of the SSI Schaefer Group

Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

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Humanoids are probably the type of robots that the general public finds most fascinating. 

Yes, industrial robotic arms have their own attractions – the way they move so precisely and can work endlessly – but humanoids, for obvious reasons, possess the ultimate allure.

And if they take the form of your favourite person in the world – perhaps that film star you’ve had a crush on all your life – well, you’re practically in heaven.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Products and Markets: Humanoid robots struggle to find a place in today’s society

Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

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Honda is reportedly ending its development work on the iconic Asimo robot, which has become one of the most recognisable humanoids in the world. 

According to various reports in the media, starting with the original article on the Nikkei website, Honda has stopped development of Asimo.

Nikkei does not quote anyone from Honda but reports that the team behind Asimo are being redirected towards the development of technologies in sectors such as healthcare and self-driving vehicles.  [Read more…] about Honda ends development of iconic Asimo robot

World Economic Forum recognises Fetch Robotics as a ‘Technology Pioneer’

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Fetch Robotics, a developer of warehouse robots, was selected from hundreds of candidates as a World Economic Forum “Technology Pioneer”.

Fetch Robotics is said to have made it to the selection for its contributions in the field of robotics, and for its ability to address the rapidly increasing demands for flexible warehouse automation.

Fetch Robotics develops and manufactures collaborative autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics markets.  [Read more…] about World Economic Forum recognises Fetch Robotics as a ‘Technology Pioneer’

ZF and e.Go to start series production of autonomous and electric ‘people mover’ vehicle

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Automotive components manufacturer ZF and a startup called e.Go Mobile have agreed to start series production of an autonomous and electric “people mover” vehicle.

ZF says it is demonstrating its “multiple systems expertise” as a partner in the newly founded e.GO Moove joint venture.

In addition to other innovations which ZF will show at IAA commercial vehicles event in Hanover this September, the e.GO Mover is part of an entire digital logistics offering including hardware, software and services, highlighting the company’s strategic orientation.  [Read more…] about ZF and e.Go to start series production of autonomous and electric ‘people mover’ vehicle

Savioke raises $13.4 million in new funding for its small-item-carrying robot Relay

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Service robotics company Savioke has raised $13.4 million in its latest funding round.

New investors in this Series B round included Brain Corp, Swisslog Healthcare, NESIC, and Recruit.

The round brings Savioke’s total funding to $31 million.  [Read more…] about Savioke raises $13.4 million in new funding for its small-item-carrying robot Relay

Briefing – Products and Markets: Time running out for chipset manufacturers to meet IoT forecasts

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In this contributed article, Ville Ylläsjärvi, of Haltian, asks whether companies should choose LTE-M or NB-IoT chipsets

According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the internet of things will generate revenues of up to $11 trillion by 2025, with some experts predicting there will be more than 26 billion devices connecting to the Internet of Things by 2020. 

In addition to the McKinsey forecast is another from market research company IHS Markit, which claims that more than 75 billion smart devices will be in use by 2025. That’s a 400 per cent increase over the approximately 15 billion devices in use today.

Putting this in perspective, chipset manufacturers must build microchips at a rate six times greater than has ever been produced since they were first developed in 1958 by Texas Instruments.  [Read more…] about Briefing – Products and Markets: Time running out for chipset manufacturers to meet IoT forecasts