Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Cleaning robots

Tennant to launch autonomous floor cleaning machines

by

Tennant Company will launch its first autonomous floor care machine capable of operating in complex, real-world environments without direct operator control.

The first Tennant autonomous solution is expected to be available in North America on the T7 floor scrubber in 2018 with further expansion into global markets and additional models to follow.

Tennant, a cleaning products and solutions company, recently formed a relationship with Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (A.I.) company specializing in technology for autonomous robots.

[Read more…] about Tennant to launch autonomous floor cleaning machines

Cyberdyne and Sumitomo install robot office cleaners

by

Cyberdyne and Sumitomo Corporation have agreed to work together to automate and streamline office building cleaning, signing a memorandum of understanding on March 26, 2018.

Sumitomo Corporation plans to operate Cyberdyne’s Cleaning Robot CL02 in office buildings owned by subsidiary companies of Sumitomo Corporation.

In 2001, Sumitomo Corporation installed a cleaning robot system at its headquarters in Harumi Triton Square, Tokyo, where it is still in use today.

[Read more…] about Cyberdyne and Sumitomo install robot office cleaners

MaidBot launches Rosie the robot to provide room service at hotels

by

A company backed by PayPal founder Peter Thiel has launched a robot to provide room service at hotels.

Rosie the robot, which looks like a small robotic vacuum cleaner, has a number of data gathering functions which can help improve the operation of hotels and similar establishments.

The company that developed and launched Rosie is MaidBot, which has recently closed a new funding round.  [Read more…] about MaidBot launches Rosie the robot to provide room service at hotels

Ilife launches all-new A8 robot vacuum at CES

by

Robot vacuum manufacturer Ilife has unveiled its flagship robot vacuum A8 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Ilife also showcased its classic robot vacuum collection, displaying the company’s latest achievements in robotic cleaning technology.

Among the models, the all-new A8, a robot vacuum equipped with a 360 degree live-vision camera navigation system, has drawn the most attention from the public and the media with its aesthetic design and superior automation, says the company.

Robot vacuum cleaners have been introduced into homes and offices as a cleaning tool requiring no human assistance. In general, robot vacuums perform random or planned cleaning. Random cleaning models have dominated the market with their competitive price range.

[Read more…] about Ilife launches all-new A8 robot vacuum at CES

Mopping robot EveryBot raises 4,000 per cent more funds than makers asked for

by

The makers of a mopping robot have raised 4,000 per cent more money than they asked for on crowd-funding site Indiegogo. 

The developers of EveryBot RS700 have raised a total of $25,500 which is currently 4,200 per cent more than they asked for.

Although we’re talking about relatively small numbers, the success of EveryBot is an indication of how popular new robots can be both as a simple product purchase and as an investment.  [Read more…] about Mopping robot EveryBot raises 4,000 per cent more funds than makers asked for

Walmart testing autonomous floor scrubber developed by Brain Corporation

by

One of the world’s largest retail chains, Walmart, which has more than 4,600 stores in the US, is testing autonomous, robotic floor scrubbers in several of its stores, according to QZ.com. 

The original, conventional vehicle – usually driven by a human – was built by International Cleaning Equipment, but it has been roboticised by Brain Corporation, which specialises in autonomous vehicles for floor care.

Quartz says Walmart is evaluating the robot in five of its stores, with a view to introducing into more of its stores.  [Read more…] about Walmart testing autonomous floor scrubber developed by Brain Corporation

Time Magazine picks several automation technologies in its top 25 inventions of the year

by

Time Magazine has chosen several automation technologies in its selection of what it considers the top 25 inventions of 2017. 

Although it doesn’t seem to have listed them in any numerical order, it did place the Jibo home robot at the top.

Jibo is not mobile in the way many home robots are, but its top part moves as it speaks.

Jibo is designed as an interactive companion and helper to families, according to its creator Cynthia Breazeal (main picture), who was interviewed by Spectrum, the IEEE website.

[Read more…] about Time Magazine picks several automation technologies in its top 25 inventions of the year

iRobot buys Robopolis to expand in Europe

by

 

iRobot, the US company which makes consumer robots such as the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner range, has closed the previously announced acquisition of Robopolis, a French company.

The preliminary purchase price of $141 million is subject to normal purchase price adjustments and is expected to be finalized no later than the first quarter of 2018.

Europe is a key strategic region for iRobot and provides “an excellent opportunity for further growth”, says the company.  [Read more…] about iRobot buys Robopolis to expand in Europe

Samsung releases limited edition robotic vacuum cleaner that looks like Darth Vader

by

 

Would you want Darth Vader to vacuum your house? 

Samsung has released a limited edition of its robotic vacuum cleaner which looks like the dark lord from the Star Wars movies.

So if you want the evil one to terrify you while cleaning your home, you can buy one now from Samsung’s website for $799.  [Read more…] about Samsung releases limited edition robotic vacuum cleaner that looks like Darth Vader

Yujin Robot awarded patent for system of recognising locations and positions for robotic vacuum cleaner

by

 

South Korean robotics and automation company Yujin Robot has been awarded a patent relating to technology that enables mobile robots to pinpoint the locations and positions. 

Awareness of its own precise location within an environment and the location of other objects close by is obviously a crucial requirement of a mobile robot.

Yujin says the new technology in the patent “has the effect of reducing the position error caused by tilting or sliding of mobile robots, and enables stable position recognition”.  [Read more…] about Yujin Robot awarded patent for system of recognising locations and positions for robotic vacuum cleaner