Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Canon to offer SoftBank’s robotic vacuum cleaner Whiz to offices

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Canon Solutions America has formed a new strategic collaboration with SoftBank Robotics America and will provide the Whiz robotic vacuum cleaner to offices as part of the agreement.

The alliance initiates a new focus on commercializing robotics and integrated automation as part of Canon Solutions America’s larger Workplace Health Solutions portfolio, starting with Whiz, which is described as “the commercial robot vacuum that works to elevate the health and safety of varying work environments”.

The Whiz offering brings together Canon Solutions America’s industry-leading solutions and exceptional professional services with SoftBank Robotics’ global leadership in collaborative robotics, or cobotics, and impactful automation. [Read more…] about Canon to offer SoftBank’s robotic vacuum cleaner Whiz to offices

Beep launches Yellowstone’s first autonomous shuttles in partnership with Local Motors

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Beep – a provider of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions – has launched what it says is Yellowstone National Park’s first-ever autonomous shuttle program, called TEDDY (The Electric Driverless Demonstration in Yellowstone), in partnership with Local Motors, a designer and manufacturer of autonomous vehicles.

The TEDDY project, an ode to Teddy Roosevelt, will enable the National Park Service to test the feasibility and sustainability of autonomous mobility and better plan for the future of transportation.

Joe Moye, Beep CEO, says: “Beep is proud to have been selected by the National Park Service to provide transformative mobility at the country’s first national park. [Read more…] about Beep launches Yellowstone’s first autonomous shuttles in partnership with Local Motors

Startup company launches new class of robot – the Wyzo ‘sidebot’

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Wyzo, a startup company with backing from established companies such as Demaurex, the inventor of the delta robot, has launched a new class of robot – the Wyzo “sidebot”.

Wyzo – which is described as “the world’s first high-speed pick-and-place sidebot” – is now available for companies making their first steps into automation, as well as for large manufacturers looking for “unrivalled versatility”.

Compact and agile, Wyzo works safely side-by-side with humans without protective barriers or performance compromises. Critically, the robot uses the “revolutionary” new direct drive invented by Genesis Robotics. [Read more…] about Startup company launches new class of robot – the Wyzo ‘sidebot’

NuPort Robotics selects Nvidia Drive platform for autonomous trucks

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NuPort Robotics, a Canada-based autonomous trucking company, has selected the Nvidia Drive platform to power its middle-mile semi-truck transportation solutions, which will be capable of safely operating in all weather conditions.

NuPort is defining next-generation transportation solutions for the Canadian trucking industry. Using state-of-the-art technology and a unique approach, NuPort is poised to change the middle-mile logistics.

NuPort will leverage the centralized compute capabilities of the Nvidia Drive platform-which is scalable to Level 4 autonomy-for processing a wide array of deep neural networks (DNNs) necessary for autonomous trucks to operate safely under various weather conditions. [Read more…] about NuPort Robotics selects Nvidia Drive platform for autonomous trucks

Infineon and Reality AI teach cars how to ‘hear’

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Today’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are based on cameras, radar or lidar. As a result, their target objects need to be within the line of sight to be recognized by the system.

This, however, turns into a weakness when it comes to emergency vehicles – they can be heard much earlier than they can be seen and thus are invisible to ADAS for a longer time.

To address this challenge, Infineon Technologies together with Reality AI created an advanced sensing solution giving vehicles the sense of hearing. [Read more…] about Infineon and Reality AI teach cars how to ‘hear’

Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

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Shipbuilder Fincantieri and Comau Robotics, two Italian industrial giants in their respective markets, have signed a letter of intent to develop prototypes of robotized steel welding solutions and the resulting construction of series of machines, to be implemented at first in Fincantieri shipyards.

Paolo Carmassi, Comau CEO, and Fabio Gallia, Fincantieri general manager, signed the agreement.

The first joint project, of which the operating agreement is currently under way and related tests are scheduled at the Fincantieri shipyards by the first half of the year 2022, will involve a welding robot vehicle consisting of an anthropomorphic welding robot and a remote control tracked vehicle. [Read more…] about Comau to develop new robotic systems with shipbuilder Fincantieri

Carnegie Mellon awarded $150 million to develop robotics research facility

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The Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded Carnegie Mellon University $150 million to support science and robotics research through the building of a new facility. 

Farnam Jahanian, CMU president, says: “Pittsburgh’s future – and the future of US innovation and global competitiveness – are inextricably linked to scientific and technological advances, and how well organizations, communities, and industries can stay ahead of the rapid pace of change.

“Carnegie Mellon is positioned at the forefront of science and innovation’s great promise, and this visionary grant will fuel the research and activities that will build this exciting future. [Read more…] about Carnegie Mellon awarded $150 million to develop robotics research facility

ASRock Industrial and Dynamis PRC to provide autonomous car technology for 2022 Formula Student Championship

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ASRock Industrial is currently collaborating with Dynamis PRC, providing its latest Intel 10th Gen CPU motherboard IMB-1222 to power up the prototype’s autonomous driving system and participate in the 2022 Formula Student Championship.

Formula Student is one of the world’s most competitive international automobile design competitions for students among university teams. Each team designs and builds a formula-style competition vehicle to enter the race.

Among many great teams, Dynamis PRC from Italy has achieved 4th place globally and ranked 1st nationally after years of competitions and successes. [Read more…] about ASRock Industrial and Dynamis PRC to provide autonomous car technology for 2022 Formula Student Championship

ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

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Nine out of 10 construction businesses predict a skills crisis by 2030, with 81 percent saying they will introduce robots in the next 10 years, while safety and the environment both catalysts for accelerating investment in robotics

ABB Robotics is driving automation in the construction industry with new robotic automation solutions to address key challenges, including the need for more affordable and environmentally friendly housing and to reduce the environmental impact of construction, amidst a labor and skills shortage.

Robotic automation offers huge potential to enhance productivity, efficiency and manufacturing flexibility throughout the construction industry, including automating the fabrication of modular homes and building components off-site, robotic welding and material handling on building sites and robot 3D printing of houses and customized structures.

As well as making the industry safer and more cost effective, robots are improving sustainability and reducing environmental impact by enhancing quality and cutting waste. [Read more…] about ABB Robotics advances construction industry automation to enable safer and sustainable building

Path Robotics raises $56 million to ‘lead American manufacturing into the future’

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Path Robotics, the Columbus, Ohio-based artificial intelligence and robotics company responsible for designing “the world’s first truly autonomous robotic welding system”, has received $56 million dollars in Series B funding, bringing the total invested in the company to $71 million.

Investment company Addition led the round and was joined by returning investors Drive Capital, Basis Set, and Lemnos Lab.

Lee Fixel of Addition says: “Path Robotics is solving a complex and critical problem in our country by bridging the gap between the supply of skilled welders and demand. [Read more…] about Path Robotics raises $56 million to ‘lead American manufacturing into the future’