Robotics & Automation News

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Humanoids

Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

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A robotics startup called Figure, an AI Robotics company building general purpose humanoid robots, has raised $70 million in its Series A funding round. The company says the new funding will be used to accelerate the development of Figure 01, which is the company’s autonomous humanoid robot, build out Figure’s AI data pipeline for autonomous operations, and drive towards commercialization.

The round is led by Parkway Venture Capital and joined by participating investments from Brett Adcock, Aliya Capital, Bold Capital Partners, Tamarack Global, FJ labs, and Kuka Robotics CEO Till Reuter. This funding news comes on the heels of Figure’s emergence from stealth.

Figure is building humanoid robots designed for initial deployment into the workforce to address labor shortages and to support supply chain on a global scale. In recent months, Figure made notable hires across AI, Controls, Manipulation, Perception, and Commercial Operations. [Read more…] about Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

ITU planning ‘world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots’

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The International Telecommunications Union’s upcoming AI for Good Global Summit will include what the organization says is “the world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots”.

At this “unprecedented media event”, nine robots and their creators will be available for questions from reporters in Geneva, Switzerland on 7 July.

Over 40 specialized robots demonstrating capabilities ranging from fighting fires and building houses to providing healthcare and farming sustainably will also be on display during the full event running from 6 to 7 July at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). [Read more…] about ITU planning ‘world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots’

Zorabots partners with QSS to showcase humanoid robot and plans to establish robotics joint venture in Saudi Arabia

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Robotics and software company Zorabots have started talks to create joint venture with Saudi tech company QSS. The news comes after the two companies jointly presented what is believed to be Saudia Arabia’s first domestically created humanoid robot, called “Sara” (main picture and below).

Sara is being presented at the renowned tech event LEAP, being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the sophisticated humanoid has been declared by relevant authorities as a “Saudi tech jewel”.

The robot was developed by tech company QSS with the support of Zorabots. Due to the “overwhelming success” of Sara, Zorabots and QSS signed an agreement for further cooperation. Extensive talks were started for the establishment of a Belgian-Saudi joint venture. [Read more…] about Zorabots partners with QSS to showcase humanoid robot and plans to establish robotics joint venture in Saudi Arabia

Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

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Apptronik, a maker of general-purpose robots, exoskeletons and humanoids, has received an equity investment from Terex Corporation and has reached an agreement with Terex to co-develop “first-of-a-kind robots” to work alongside workers to support safety, productivity, and efficiency of industries that power the economy and are essential to building infrastructure.

Robots have long held the promise of solving labor shortages and productivity issues, but until recently have been limited to performing repetitive tasks within structured environments such as warehouses or factories.

While robots have proven useful at completing dull and repetitive tasks in controlled environments, they have not been leveraged for more complex tasks in unstructured environments. [Read more…] about Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

How useful can Tesla’s ‘overhyped’ humanoid robot be?

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Research company IDTechEx has been analyzing how useful Tesla’s “overhyped” humanoid robot could be when it is eventually launched. For example, “Will it really be able to serve people?”, asks the analyst.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently unveiled its humanoid robot “Optimus” at the electric vehicle maker’s “AI Day” event. Musk said that a robot business will be worth more than its cars, and he hopes to expand Tesla beyond an electric vehicle manufacturer.

At the show, the Tesla Bot was able to perform a variety of tasks, including watering plants, dancing, and moving metal bars in the automaker’s factory. [Read more…] about How useful can Tesla’s ‘overhyped’ humanoid robot be?

Start-up EEVE claims ‘thousands’ of customers already using its robots

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Start-up company EEVE says it has “thousands” of home robots already working in customers’ homes, mowing their lawns.

And the company’s upcoming model X has two arms and can do multiple tasks, such as weeding, cleaning the patio, mowing, collecting fruit and nuts, collecting litter, serving drinks and even pouring a beer.

EEVE has released a video of its latest prototype doing all of those things. This model is known as Willow X and is sold at a price point of $4,000. [Read more…] about Start-up EEVE claims ‘thousands’ of customers already using its robots

Beyond Imagination receives order for 1,000 humanoid robots

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Robotics innovator Beyond Imagination has entered into an agreement with SELF Labs to provide at least 1,000 humanoid robots for use in agricultural “grow boxes”. This is believed to be the largest deal of its kind.

SELF and Beyond are announcing a partnership to develop automated off-the-grid grow boxes. Each box will be equipped with solar panels, windmills, atmospheric water generators, 5G, and an advanced version of Beyond Imagination’s Beomni robot with its Omni-Purpose AI Brain.

By aligning the visions of Milan Cheeks of SELF and Dr Harry Kloor of Beyond, this futuristic take on farming will be made possible through a uniquely powerful combination of Omni-Purpose AI, humanoid robotics, blockchain, and game technology. [Read more…] about Beyond Imagination receives order for 1,000 humanoid robots

Apptronik raises $15 million for its humanoid robots

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Apptronik, an Austin-based robotics company specializing in the development of exoskeletons and collaborative robotics systems, says it raised $14.6 million in a Seed Round, including Capital Factory, Grit Ventures, Perot Jain and other strategic investors.

This funding will go toward fulfilling the company’s current customer orders while accelerating the commercialization of one of the industry’s first mass-produced humanoid robots capable of working alongside humans.

Apptronik is positioned to scale its deep portfolio of safe, intelligent, versatile, and adaptable robotic technology for unstructured environments across enterprises. [Read more…] about Apptronik raises $15 million for its humanoid robots

Halodi selects Immervision to give ‘human-like’ vision to its humanoid robots

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Immervision, a leading developer of advanced vision systems combining optics, image processing, and sensor fusion technology, has been chosen by Halodi Robotics to provide their next generation vision system for their humanoid service robot platform, capable of handling both human and computer vision.

Robots are capable of performing a wide variety of tasks that are difficult or dangerous for humans to perform. To intelligently and accurately perform these tasks, they require mobility and the aptitude to explore, understand and function within various environments.

For a robot to work autonomously, or problem-solve with human assistance, it requires sensor data to understand the human world and the ability to process the data and respond in a timely manner. [Read more…] about Halodi selects Immervision to give ‘human-like’ vision to its humanoid robots

Halodi Robotics to supply 140 humanoid robots to security company ADT

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Halodi Robotics has signed an agreement to provide 140 humanoid robots to ADT Commercial, a US-based provider of commercial security, fire, life safety and risk consulting services. This is believed to be the largest deal of its kind involving humanoid robots.

The two companies will demonstrate their joint solution at the ISC West trade show in the Las Vegas Convention Center, stand 20019, from March 22-25.

The agreement is the result of the strategic partnership announced in April 2021 where Halodi Robotics secured an investment from ADT Commercial to develop a robot to complement their physical security solutions. [Read more…] about Halodi Robotics to supply 140 humanoid robots to security company ADT