Robotics & Automation News

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Humanoids

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

Sarcos Robotics exoskeleton included in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 list

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Sarcos Robotics, a maker of robots that augment humans to enhance productivity and safety, says that its Guardian XO industrial exoskeleton has been chosen by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2020.

Sarcos says its exoskeleton is “the world’s first full-body, battery-powered wearable industrial robot designed to increase strength and endurance”.

The Guardian XO exoskeleton was selected for this prestigious annual list in the Productivity category, among three other products designed to streamline the way we work. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics exoskeleton included in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 list

Our Cyborg Future: 16-nation study finds support for human augmentation

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Research says most of us would change something about ourselves if we could. But many fear human augmentation could be reserved for the rich – and that our bodies could even be the target for cybercriminals.

New research released today has uncovered widespread enthusiasm for human augmentation – the process of augmenting or improving the human body with technology.

The research – commissioned by security firm Kaspersky – found that 92 percent of us would change a physical aspect of ourselves if we could while nearly two thirds (63 percent) of us would consider augmenting our bodies with technology to improve them – either permanently or temporarily. [Read more…] about Our Cyborg Future: 16-nation study finds support for human augmentation

iRobot launches ‘Genius’ robotic floor cleaners

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iRobot, maker of robotic floor cleaners for the home, is unveiling new ways to clean with the launch of its iRobot Genius Home Intelligence. (See video below.)

The company describes the new system as a “powerful new robot platform” that unlocks an expansive range of digital features and experiences for the company’s line of Wi-Fi connected products, including the Roomba robot vacuum and Braava jet robot mop.

iRobot Genius gives users an “unmatched level of personalization and control over their cleaning robots”, accounting for their unique homes, schedules, cleaning preferences and smart home integrations, says the company. [Read more…] about iRobot launches ‘Genius’ robotic floor cleaners

Promobot puts its humanoid robot to work as a civil servant

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Russian robotics company Promobot has put a humanoid robot the company has developed into an office to work as a civil servant.

The office in question is the Multi-Function Center, located in Perm, Russia and generally provides citizens with information about their rights and the services available to them.

Promobot’s humanoid sits at a desk, much like a human employee would, and talks to people who have appointments and need advice. It processes inquiries and automatically transfers them to the MFC Civil Service Office IT systems. [Read more…] about Promobot puts its humanoid robot to work as a civil servant

Commercial cleaning robots using Brain OS log 2 million hours of autonomous operation

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Commercial cleaning robots which run Brain Corp’s operating system have racked up 2 million hours of autonomous operation.

Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence company which provides its “Brain OS” software to commercial cleaning robots, says it now powers “the world’s largest fleet of autonomous commercial mobile robots operating in public indoor spaces”, estimated to be more than 10,000.

The milestone was achieved earlier this month due in part to a recent surge in activity by retailers who are maximizing their use of Brain OS-powered cleaning robots in the wake of the Covid-19 health crisis. [Read more…] about Commercial cleaning robots using Brain OS log 2 million hours of autonomous operation