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Big Joe Forklifts launches autonomous pallet mover in partnership with Thoro.ai

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Big Joe Forklifts has unveiled its Pallet Mover, a new user-directed autonomous mobile robot (AMR) on the first day of the ProMat Show 2023.

Developed in partnership with Thoro.ai, the Big Joe Pallet Mover is an easy-to-deploy autonomous solution for floor-to-floor pallet transportation and drop-off that companies can set up and put into operation in less than one hour.

The new Big Joe unit seeks to revolutionize on-demand material handling across a broad number of industries by offering Thoro.ai’s proven self-driving technology at an accessible price point on one of the most common material handling vehicles, an electric pallet truck. [Read more…] about Big Joe Forklifts launches autonomous pallet mover in partnership with Thoro.ai

Wingtra lands $22 million funding round for its commercial drones

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The business use case and appetite for drone technology is growing rapidly, a marketplace that was worth $29.8 billion in 2022 and is growing 38.6 percent annually.

Serving this demand, Wingtra, which claims to be the world’s largest producer of commercial vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, has closed a $22 million series B funding round as they accelerate their operations globally.

The funding round included DiamondStream Partners, EquityPitcher Ventures, Verve Ventures, the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), ACE & Company, John L. Steffens (founder of Spring Mountain Capital) and some of the most successful Swiss Entrepreneurs. [Read more…] about Wingtra lands $22 million funding round for its commercial drones

DeepRoute.ai launches $1,000 ‘map-free’ self-driving solution

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DeepRoute.ai, developer of the first production-ready autonomous driving solution, has launched its new Driver 3.0 solution, which the company describes as “the latest advance to achieving full autonomous driving and widespread commercialization”.

DeepRoute.ai is among the first to successfully complete HD map-free self-driving public road tests, thus breaking limitations created by geo-fencing. It is also among the first to win a production contract from automotive manufacturers to produce autonomous vehicles for consumer use.

DeepRoute.ai’s Driver 3.0 includes two versions of its self-driving solutions for automakers. D-PRO, with a hardware cost of $2,000, includes HD map-free operation and features like valet park assist (VPA) and point-to-point navigation on all roads without operational design domain (ODD) restrictions. [Read more…] about DeepRoute.ai launches $1,000 ‘map-free’ self-driving solution

Seegrid releases software to enable its warehouse robots to work together

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Seegrid, a provider in autonomous mobile robots for material handling, has expanded the capabilities of its Palion AMRs.

To fulfill more applications for more customers and foster AMR interoperability, Seegrid Palion Lift and Palion Tow Tractor now work in combination to load and unload carts with no human intervention.

Seegrid’s newest AMR, Palion Lift, brings together Seegrid’s breakthrough 3D vision-based navigation technology with best-in-class situational awareness capabilities to automate pallet movement. [Read more…] about Seegrid releases software to enable its warehouse robots to work together

Ambi Robotics unveils fleet management and business intelligence platform

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Ambi Robotics, a provider of AI-powered robotic parcel sorting systems, has unveiled AmbiAccess, the company’s cloud-based business intelligence platform designed to enable customers to get “even more out of their Robots-as-a-Service investment”.

AmbiAccess provides advanced fleet management capabilities and real-time analytics to optimize operations and maximize efficiency so global shippers and logistics companies can gain visibility into their entire operation.

Jeff Mahler, co-founder and CTO of Ambi Robotics, says: “We built the AmbiAccess platform with a suite of operation-enhancing applications to make our customers’ lives easier. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics unveils fleet management and business intelligence platform

Geodis almost doubles case picking throughput with Vecna Robotics solution

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of flexible material handling automation solutions, has collaborated with Geodis, a transport and logistics company, to implement a “first-of-its-kind” autonomous mobile robot solution for case picking at Geodis’ Indianapolis campus.

Starting in late 2022, the implementation completely rethinks the human-robot interaction, reducing inefficient travel and nearly doubling workflow throughput.

Anthony Moschella, SVP of product management at Vecna Robotics, says: “Our engagement with Geodis is a true advancement in material handling innovation. [Read more…] about Geodis almost doubles case picking throughput with Vecna Robotics solution

Built Robotics launches fully autonomous solar piling system

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Built Robotics, a maker of autonomous construction machinery, has launched the RPD 35, which the company describes as “the world’s first fully autonomous solar piling system”.

With the RPD 35, utility-scale solar foundations can be constructed up to five times faster than with traditional means and methods, bringing the nation closer to net zero energy, says Built Robotics.

Piling is a complex construction activity at the heart of every utility-scale solar project. Solar piles are generally steel H-beams 12 to 16 feet in length and up to 200 pounds in weight. [Read more…] about Built Robotics launches fully autonomous solar piling system

Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

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Fugro and Petrobras have achieved a major milestone in Brazil’s offshore energy sector by successfully completing the country’s first-ever remote subsea inspection survey.

This technology trial was carried out by Fugro in collaboration with Petrobras under an existing multiyear contract with the aim of minimising risk and improving sustainability during inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) projects.

Fugro utilised a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from the Fugro Aquarius to conduct the survey. Office-based personnel piloted the ROV from an operations centre in Aberdeen, Scotland, instead of from the vessel itself. [Read more…] about Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

Stiga launches ‘world’s smartest’ autonomous lawn mower

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Stiga, a European manufacturer and distributor of garden machinery and equipment, has launched its Stiga A1500 Autonomous Robot Mower.

Stiga claims it is the “world’s smartest” autonomous law mower and the very first mower that combines RTK GPS with Stiga’s patented Active Guidance System (AGS) technology for a robust signal that runs sustainably, without stoppages and which delivers “faultless mowing accuracy”.

Launched recently, the Stiga Autonomous Robot Mower has been created by Stiga’s engineers to revolutionise lawn care with a completely intelligent, consistently-smooth, sustainable mowing system. [Read more…] about Stiga launches ‘world’s smartest’ autonomous lawn mower

ABB to invest another $20 million on expanding its robotics factory in US

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ABB has strengthened its commitment to one of its largest customer markets – the US – with construction starting on the expansion of its existing North American robotics headquarters and manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The project is expected to be completed in November 2023 and represents an investment of $20 million. The expansion will create 72 highly skilled new jobs in the area and is supported by a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, says: “Our investment is a significant step in accelerating ABB Robotics’ global leadership in developing and manufacturing cutting -edge robotic solutions in the US, for the Americas. [Read more…] about ABB to invest another $20 million on expanding its robotics factory in US