Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Nuro awarded ‘first ever’ autonomous vehicle permit in California

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Nuro claims it has become “the first company” to receive a permit to deploy autonomous vehicles on public streets from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

This permit will allow its vehicles to operate commercially on California roads in two counties near Nuro’s headquarters in the Bay Area.

Nuro says it will soon announce its first deployment in California with an established partner. The service will start with its fleet of Prius vehicles in fully autonomous mode, followed by its custom-designed electric R2 vehicles. [Read more…] about Nuro awarded ‘first ever’ autonomous vehicle permit in California

Fabulos completes autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece

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An autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece, led by an Estonian consortium called the Future Automated Bus Urban Level Operation Systems (Fabulos), has now successfully ended. After two months and 1,930 km driven in the streets of the municipality of Lamia, nearly 400 people used autonomous bus “Iseauto”.

The bus has been developed in Estonia and offers a full-scale autonomous public transportation service in Lamia.

The autonomous minibus developed by AuveTech in Estonia is the first Level 4 category autonomous vehicle that has officially been declared “street-legal” in Greece. [Read more…] about Fabulos completes autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece

Space robotics market predicted to grow to $5.7 billion by 2027

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The global space robotics market size is expected to reach $5.71 billion by 2027, registering a compound annual growth rate of 5.2 percent from 2020 to 2027, according to a new report by Grand View Research. 

Space robotics is gaining traction in recent years owing to the growing exploration of outer space; the need for operations and maintenance of satellites, space stations, and other platforms; and the need for saving cost and mitigating safety issues.

Furthermore, the rising trend of using autonomous systems and artificial intelligence technology in robotics is widening the horizon of space exploration. [Read more…] about Space robotics market predicted to grow to $5.7 billion by 2027

Aston Martin to integrate 3D printed parts into Callum Vanquish 25

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The Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged will be the first in a series of bespoke and limited-edition supercars to be designed and produced using MakerBot’s Method X 3D printer, with other projects already in the pipeline.

MakerBot, a 3D printing company and subsidiary of Stratasys, says product design and engineering firm Callum has installed a Method  3D printer to produce functional prototypes, tooling, and production parts across a number of luxury vehicles and lifestyle brands, including the limited edition Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged. [Read more…] about Aston Martin to integrate 3D printed parts into Callum Vanquish 25

Robot displays ‘glimmer of empathy’ to partner robot

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Columbia University engineers say they have created a robot that learns to visually predict how its partner robot will behave, displaying a glimmer of empathy. This “Robot Theory of Mind” could help robots get along with other robots – and humans – more intuitively.

Like a longtime couple who can predict each other’s every move, a Columbia Engineering robot has learned to predict its partner robot’s future actions and goals based on just a few initial video frames.

When two primates are cooped up together for a long time, we quickly learn to predict the near-term actions of our roommates, co-workers or family members. Our ability to anticipate the actions of others makes it easier for us to successfully live and work together. [Read more…] about Robot displays ‘glimmer of empathy’ to partner robot

Oqton raises over $40 million investment for its digital manufacturing platform

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Oqton, an American-Belgian software company specialising in artificial intelligence-powered solutions for the manufacturing industry, has raised more than $40 million in a Series A financing round, led by Fortino Capital, a leading B2B software investor, by PMV, the regional Flemish investment fund, and by Sandvik, a global engineering group.

The founding team – Samir Hanna and Ben Schrauwen – and several angel investors, including Carl Bass, who is the former CEO Autodesk, Dries Buytaert, of Drupal and Acquia, and Peter Mercelis, of Layerwise, also participated in the round.

The financing will be used to further develop its platform, while expanding its commercial partnerships in multiple domains and verticals, including additive manufacturing, robotic welding, and CNC machining. [Read more…] about Oqton raises over $40 million investment for its digital manufacturing platform

General Motors opens new 3D printing facility

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General Motors has opened a 15,000-square-foot “Additive Industrialization Center”, a facility exclusively dedicated to productionizing 3D printing technology in the automotive industry.

GM says the AIC is the “capstone” of its expertise and increased investment in 3D printing over the past several years.

Audley Brown, GM director of additive design and materials engineering, says: “The core component of GM’s transformation is becoming a more agile, innovative company, and 3D printing will play a critical role in that mission. [Read more…] about General Motors opens new 3D printing facility

BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

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The BMW Group is breaking new ground in the field of logistics as it founds warehouse robotics company IDEALworks – a fully-owned subsidiary headquartered in Munich. 

This marks the first time a major automotive brand is building and supplying what are often called autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The aim is to become a leading supplier of autonomous robotics solutions in the logistics sector. The name “IDEAL” stands for Industry Driven Engineering for Autonomous Logistics. [Read more…] about BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

Volvo Penta launches autonomous boat docking system

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Volvo Penta has launched what it describes as “the industry’s first fully integrated Assisted Docking system” at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Volvo says the Assisted Docking system gives the captain better control when docking a boat by automating his or her intentions, compensating for some dynamic variables, such as wind and current, and helping the vessel stay on its intended course.

The technology will be on display at Volvo Penta’s virtual booth at CES from 11-14 January 2021. [Read more…] about Volvo Penta launches autonomous boat docking system

Kuka introduces robot that can be your personal trainer

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Kuka has unveiled a robot that can be a personal trainer which could provide highly personalised training for elite athletes. (See video below.)

But the company says the expensive-looking system can also be used by ordinary people, even if they’re not top athletes.

The company calls the system “RoboGym” and describes it as a “revolutionary” training system that is “not just for top athletes”. [Read more…] about Kuka introduces robot that can be your personal trainer