Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Humanoids

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

Facebook files patent for robotic eyeball

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Social media giant Facebook has filed a patent for a robotic eyeball, according to a report on Gizmodo.com.

The “mechanical eyeball” is said to feature human-like abilities and can be integrated to humanoid or other types of robots.

Why Facebook, which recently rebranded itself as Meta, is developing a robot eyeball is subject to considerable speculation. [Read more…] about Facebook files patent for robotic eyeball

Elon Musk and his Tesla Bot: Will humanoid robots take over the world like all of science fiction predicts?

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Arguably the world’s most visionary entrepreneur, Elon Musk, is rarely out of the news, whether it’s because of his super-duper Tesla electric cars or because of his achievements in aerospace, which include rockets and spacecraft built by his SpaceX company docking with and supplying the International Space Station.

In recent days, Musk has been in the news because of his reported comments about humanoid robots. According to Reuters and hundreds of other reputable news outlets, Musk believes humanoid robots will be an even bigger business than his Tesla car company, which at one stage was estimated to be the most valuable automaker in the world.

Musk unveiled his proposed humanoid robot – given the name “Tesla Bot” or “Optimus” for now – at a 3-hour stage presentation, which has been uploaded to YouTube. The machine is also mentioned on the Tesla company website. [Read more…] about Elon Musk and his Tesla Bot: Will humanoid robots take over the world like all of science fiction predicts?

Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

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Shareholders in Rotor Acquisition, a publicly-traded special-purpose acquisition company, have approved what’s being described as a “business combination” – possibly meaning a merger – with Sarcos Robotics, a maker of exoskeletons.

Upon completion of the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, Rotor will change its name to Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation.

The post-closing company’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “STRC” and “STRCW” respectively. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

Sarcos Robotics and T-Mobile team up to integrate 5G into Guardian XT exoskeleton robot

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Sarcos Robotics, a developer of robotic exoskletons, and telecommunications company T-Mobile, have agreed a collaboration to integrate T-Mobile 5G into the Sarcos Guardian XT highly dexterous mobile industrial robot.

The Guardian XT robot is a remote-controlled robotic system designed to help humans safely work in hazardous conditions, performing tasks such as lifting heavy materials or using power tools at significant heights.

With T-Mobile 5G integration, the companies aim to improve performance and response time for remote operations, so the robots can perform tasks more quickly and more in tune with their operator’s movements. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics and T-Mobile team up to integrate 5G into Guardian XT exoskeleton robot

UBTECH Robotics unveils latest version of Walker X humanoid

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UBTECH Robotics, a developer of intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, has unveiled Walker X, the latest version of its groundbreaking bipedal humanoid robot.

With significant improvement in physical performance, autonomous intelligence and human to robot interactions, Walker X took another step closer to becoming the gold standard in humanoid robotics.

Walker X has been upgraded to perform a wider range of household tasks including serving tea, pouring liquids, watering the flowers, wiping surfaces and operating the vacuum cleaner. [Read more…] about UBTECH Robotics unveils latest version of Walker X humanoid

RoboCup Federation and UBTech Robotics team up to improve robots’ football skills

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The RoboCup Federation, famous for organising football matches between teams of tiny Nao humanoid robots, and UBTech Robotics have formed a strategic partnership.

The two companies say they are aiming to achieve “the highest-quality artificial intelligence and robotic research and education as well as respective worldwide visibility”.

Both organizations share the goal of intelligent robots serving and supporting humans in various challenging tasks both at home and at work. [Read more…] about RoboCup Federation and UBTech Robotics team up to improve robots’ football skills

SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

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SoftBank, the Japanese telecommunications giant which has in the past few years become a huge force in the robotics market, is set to halt production of Pepper, the humanoid robot, according to a report by Reuters. 

The news agency cites sources and documents to say that “production of the humanoid Pepper… was stopped last year”, adding that “it would be costly to restart production”.

Pepper was being manufactured by Foxconn, famous for being Apple’s main manufacturer. [Read more…] about SoftBank to halt production of Pepper and reduce its robotics business, says Reuters

Hyundai launches humanoid robot ‘DAL-e’ for customer service

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Hyundai Motor Group has launched the humanoid “DAL-e”, which it describes as a “highly advanced customer service robot” that independently communicates with people using precise recognition capabilities and mobility functions.

DAL-e is an acronym for “Drive you, Assist you, Link with you-experience”. Designed to pioneer the future of automated customer services, the DAL-e is equipped with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technology for facial recognition as well as an automatic communication system based on a language-comprehension platform.

Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of the robotics lab at Hyundai Motor Group, says: “The DAL-e is a next-generation service platform that can offer automated customer services anytime. It is expected to become a messenger capable of delivering consistent messages to customers in a more intimate and personal way than conventional robots. [Read more…] about Hyundai launches humanoid robot ‘DAL-e’ for customer service

Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton

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Comau Robotics has unveiled a new “lightweight, ruggedized” version of its exoskeleton.

The new Mate-XT wearable exoskeleton “fully accommodates the specific needs of workers in demanding industrial, non-industrial and open-air environments”, says Comau.

Featuring a slim, lightweight carbon fiber structure and an intuitive regulation system, the water, dust, UV-light and temperature resistant design can be quickly adjusted to fit virtually any body frame. [Read more…] about Comau unveils new ‘lightweight, ruggedized’ version of its exoskeleton