Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

AT&T working with Badger Technologies to provide 5G networking for retail robots

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AT&T and Badger Technologies are working together to accelerate retail automation using autonomous robots with 5G wireless networking capabilities.

Badger Technologies’ robots empower retailers to improve operational efficiencies and customer experiences by identifying out-of-stock, mispriced or misplaced inventory as well as store hazards.

These advanced mobile data collection systems can fill major gaps in the collection and sharing of vital in-store data and images, but also can tax a store’s existing Wi-Fi network. [Read more…] about AT&T working with Badger Technologies to provide 5G networking for retail robots

Element Logic to deliver ‘world’s largest’ AutoStore installation at Prime Cargo warehouse

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Element Logic, a warehouse automation provider which has developed a robotic piece-picking system, is to deliver what is claimed to be “the world’s largest AutoStore installation within third-party logistics” for Prime Cargo.

E-logistics company Prime Cargo says investing in the huge robot warehouse from AutoStore will “ensure faster deliveries”.

As the first provider of e-commerce logistics in Denmark, Prime Cargo now completely automates the product picking process. [Read more…] about Element Logic to deliver ‘world’s largest’ AutoStore installation at Prime Cargo warehouse

Shopify to acquire 6 River Systems for $450 million

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Shopify, an e-commerce platform used by about 800,000 businesses around the world, has reached an agreement to acquire 6 River Systems, a supplier of collaborative warehouse robots and fulfillment solutions.

In June, Shopify introduced the Shopify Fulfillment Network, a fulfillment network to ensure timely deliveries, lower shipping costs, and reports “superb customer experience” for merchants and their customers.

Shopify says the acquisition is “a critical step” to accelerate its growth, while 6 River Systems will also continue to build and sell their solution for warehouses. [Read more…] about Shopify to acquire 6 River Systems for $450 million

Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground

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The City of Peachtree Corners, in the state of Georgia, has opened what is claimed to be “America’s first 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground”.

Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners, powered exclusively by True Mobile 5G from Sprint, enables companies to prove out emerging technologies in a living environment with smart city infrastructure, next-generation connectivity and real-world conditions.

Sprint says the “groundbreaking” Curiosity IoT dedicated network and advanced operating system is poised to enable a new world of applications. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners opens ‘America’s first’ 5G-powered smart city tech proving ground

Universal Robots ‘maintains top spot’ in collaborative robot market

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Universal Robots is maintaining its top spot in the collaborative robot market, according to a report by ABI Research.

However, competitors including Doosan, Techman Robot and Precise Automation are “closing in“, says the study, Industrial Collaborative Robots Competitive Assessment.

There are well over 50 manufacturers of collaborative robots, or cobots, worldwide, but only a handful of these companies have so far deployed cobots on any meaningful level of scale. [Read more…] about Universal Robots ‘maintains top spot’ in collaborative robot market

International Space Station creating new biological life forms

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The International Space Station is creating new biological life forms using “cutting-edge 3D biomanufacturing”.

3D printing – also known as additive manufacturing – is a well-known method of making things here on Earth, and on the ISS, but this method uses materials such as plastics and metals.

However, 3D biomanufacturing uses biological materials such as new tissue or blood vessels. (See video below.) [Read more…] about International Space Station creating new biological life forms

Yamaha taps into its $100 million fund to invest in Advanced Farm Technologies

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Yamaha is using part of its $100 million investment fund to buy a stake in Advanced Farm Technologies.

Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley led the Series A funding round for the startup.

Yamaha says this latest investment reflects the company’s “core interest in businesses driving innovation in the agricultural sector. [Read more…] about Yamaha taps into its $100 million fund to invest in Advanced Farm Technologies

New lasers can weld ceramics without furnace, claim scientists

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Smartphones that don’t scratch or shatter. Metal-free pacemakers. Electronics for space and other harsh environments.

These could all be made possible thanks to a new ceramic welding technology developed by a team of engineers at the University of California San Diego and the University of California Riverside.

The process, published in the August 23 issue of Science, uses an ultrafast pulsed laser to melt ceramic materials along the interface and fuse them together. [Read more…] about New lasers can weld ceramics without furnace, claim scientists

Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

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Industrial robot manufacturer Kuka says it has received an order in the “single-digit million euro range” from the Korean automotive supplier Donghee Industrial.

The order was booked in the second quarter of 2019.

Donghee relies on robot-based friction stir welding from Kuka in the area of electric mobility. [Read more…] about Kuka receives large order from Donghee for robotic welding systems

Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding

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Starship Technologies, which makes an autonomous delivery robot, has closed $40 million in Series A funding.

The company, which has just become the first to complete 100,000 commercial deliveries, also announced that it plans to expand its service to 100 university campuses in the next 24 months.

Delivery robots arrived today at the University of Pittsburgh. Purdue University, Indiana is launching on September 9 with more following shortly. [Read more…] about Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding