Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Left Hand Robotics raises $3.6 million for ‘transformer’ robot

by

Left Hand Robotics has raised $3.6 million for its “transformer” robot, which can be used as a commercial field mower and then reconfigured to be used as a snow clearing robot.

The funding round was led by Catapult Ventures to build out its team and expand distribution of the world’s first state-of-the-art, fully autonomous outdoor robot designed as a scalable platform that allows customers to complete multiple tedious outdoor tasks.

The company says the robot transforms from a large-scale field mowing robot to a snow clearing robot by “simply switching out attachments”. [Read more…] about Left Hand Robotics raises $3.6 million for ‘transformer’ robot

Strange spacecraft lands on Earth carrying humanoid robot

by

An unmanned spacecraft recently landed on Earth carrying a humanoid robot. But, perhaps disappointingly for UFO buffs, neither is alien in origin.

The spacecraft is the Soyuz MS-14 space capsule, which made a “first of its kind test flight” to the International Space Station.

The vehicle is Russian, and so is its passenger, a humanoid robot called Skybot F-850, also known as “Fedor”, apparently (main picture). [Read more…] about Strange spacecraft lands on Earth carrying humanoid robot

ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

by

ABB has launched the new version of its robotic picking software Pickmaster, which now feature “digital twin technology” to reduce commissioning times. 

The product was introduced today at the China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. It will be on display next week at Pack Expo in Las Vegas at the ABB Robotics booth C-2051.

The company says the system is now capable of achieving picking times that are “15 percent faster”, enabling it to increases output and total line efficiency by 40 percent.

ABB Robotics says PickMaster is the market-leading robotic software for vision-guided random flow picking and packing applications for the digital factory of the future. [Read more…] about ABB launches new version of robotic picking software Pickmaster

BMW unveils ‘the world’s blackest’ car using nanotech coating

by

BMW has unveiled what the automaker describes as “the world’s blackest of black” cars, using a coating called “Vantablack”.

The company says Vantablack “highlights the expressive design language and confident, dominant and muscular appearance of the new BMW X6 to perfection”.

Vantablack is the registered trademark for the VBx2 nanostructure paint finish BMW used on the new X6 vehicle. [Read more…] about BMW unveils ‘the world’s blackest’ car using nanotech coating

Universal Robots reports sales of 37,000 units and launches new collaborative robot

by

Universal Robots has launched a new collaborative robot with a higher payload capacity than the other three currently in its range – the new one has a 16 kg payload capability.

The company says its new UR16e expands collaborative robot solutions, adding heavy payload capability for manufacturers seeking to accelerate automation.

Universal Robots is the largest collaborative robot manufacturer in the world, having sold more units than other companies in the category. [Read more…] about Universal Robots reports sales of 37,000 units and launches new collaborative robot

FarmWise raises $14.5 million for its weed-removing robots

by

FarmWise, a US startup which builds autonomous farming robots, has raised $14.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Calibrate Ventures.

In addition to existing investors backing FarmWise, agriculture company Wilbur Ellis, Xplorer Capital and Alumni Ventures Group are participating in the round.

The proceeds will be used to grow the company’s robotic engineering and operation teams, as well as boost R&D efforts on plant-level detection and actuation capabilities. [Read more…] about FarmWise raises $14.5 million for its weed-removing robots

ABB to showcase robotic innovations at Pack Expo

by

ABB is set to showcase the company’s latest robotic innovations that help packagers manage high mix, low volume production at Pack Expo Las Vegas.

ABB will be in the Central Hall, at booth C-2051, where it will showcase several major new technological innovations.

The company says the innovations will provide the engineering and commissioning efficiency to package more products on the same lines, switch between products with minimal downtime, and quickly ramp up to full-production speed for new products.

Also, for the first time, ABB Robotics and ABB subsidiary B&R Industrial Automation will share adjacent booths, bringing together the most advanced solutions for flexible, high-performance packaging automation. [Read more…] about ABB to showcase robotic innovations at Pack Expo

Brodmann17 launches ‘world’s first’ automated deep learning training platform for autonomous driving

by

Brodmann17, a Tier 2 automotive software supplier, has launched what it says is the world’s first automated deep learning training platform, specifically designed for automotive-grade ADAS/AD solutions. 

ADAS stands for advanced driver assistance systems, and AD is being used to mean autonomous driving.

Brodmann17 says its new platform seamlessly trains and deploys deep learning neural network models for ADAS/AD solutions, automating a process that cannot be done at scale manually. [Read more…] about Brodmann17 launches ‘world’s first’ automated deep learning training platform for autonomous driving

Nissan invents golf ball that always finds its own way into the hole

by

Nissan has taken the dreaded “putting nerves” out of golf with its latest innovative concept, the ProPilot golf ball. (See video below)

The concept is inspired by Nissan’s ProPilot 2.0 driver assistance technology, set to debut on the new Nissan Skyline next month in Japan.

Designed for on-ramp to off-ramp (ramp-to-ramp) highway driving, ProPilot 2.0 engages with the vehicle’s navigation system to help maneuver the car according to a predefined route on designated roadways. [Read more…] about Nissan invents golf ball that always finds its own way into the hole

House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’

by

House built using robots and 3D printing technologies claimed to be a first

ETH university in Zurich, in partnership with industrial companies, has built what is claimed to be “the world’s first” inhabited house to be digitally planned and digitally built with the help of robots and 3D printers. (See video below.)

Called the “DFAB House” (main picture), the construction is part of a project that involves the Empa materials science and technology project and Eawag, an aquatic research company. [Read more…] about House built using robotic and digital technologies claimed to be ‘world’s first’