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Mitsubishi might invest $20 million in GreyOrange Robotics

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Mitsubishi Electric is reportedly planning to invest almost $20 million into GreyOrange Robotics.

GreyOrange is a startup company developing robotics and automation systems for the logistics industry, particularly warehouse automation systems integrating robots, and has been growing fast, according to a story on EconomicTimes.com.

The investment would lead to a valuation for GreyOrange of an amount between $300 million and $500 million.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi might invest $20 million in GreyOrange Robotics

HRG launches industrial robotics tutorial platform

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HIT Robot Group, one of China’s leading manufacturer of robots, has launched an industrial robotics tutorial platform.

HRG says Haidu Academy is designed to help learners of different levels to improve their industrial robot-operating skills on various brands.

China is the largest and fastest-growing robot market in the world.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in the first seven months of 2017, 71,600 industrial robots were produced in China, accounting for more than 30 percent of global output during the period.

Statistics also suggest an increasing demand for skilled workers. The Ministry predicts that China will need 200,000 skilled workers to operate industrial robots as of 2020.

[Read more…] about HRG launches industrial robotics tutorial platform

Cambridge Medical Robotics raises another $26 million in funding

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Cambridge Medical Robotics, a company which is developing a robotic system for minimal access surgery, has closed its Series A funding round, raising a further $26m.

The investment came from existing investors Cambridge Innovation Capital, LGT Global Invest, Escala Capital and ABB Technology Ventures, and new investor Watrium.

Together with the first tranche in July 2016, the Series A round has raised $46m in total.  [Read more…] about Cambridge Medical Robotics raises another $26 million in funding

ABB doubling investment in China to see off challenge from Kuka and surpass Fanuc

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ABB has a significant lead in the industrial robotics and automation market in China, but it seems somewhat wary of Kuka. 

The company recently decided it would double its investment in its research and development facility in China, and effectively make it the company’s global R&D HQ.

ABB currently employs 17,000 people in 139 cities in China. Its robotics division, though huge by itself, is just one part of the Swiss multinational engineering company.

Speaking to Bloomberg, ABB CEO Ulrish Spiesshofer says: “ABB is ahead of Kuka globally, we are ahead of Kuka here in the market and our ambition is to stay so.”  [Read more…] about ABB doubling investment in China to see off challenge from Kuka and surpass Fanuc

Kawasaki planning to manufacture more robots, possibly a collaborative one

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Kawasaki Robotics is planning to manufacture significantly more robots this year than it did in previous years, according to a report on Nikkei.com. 

The company is investing an extra $1 million in its Chonqing facility to increase robot production capacity.

The parent company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries employs around 35,000 people.  [Read more…] about Kawasaki planning to manufacture more robots, possibly a collaborative one

Samsung strengthens interest in autonomous driving with $300 million investment fund

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Samsung has created a $300 million fund to build on a number of earlier investments in auto-related startups and technologies. 

Earlier this year, the electronics giant bought Harman, a premier supplier to original equipment manufacturers in the automotive sector.

The two companies have now jointly launched a new strategic initiative, focused on developing innovations for next-generation, smart, connected vehicles.

The main area of interest in autonomous driving, or advanced driver assistance systems, which are referred to in the auto trade as ADAS.  [Read more…] about Samsung strengthens interest in autonomous driving with $300 million investment fund

Teamsters boss files objections to driverless trucks

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Teamsters general secretary-treasurer Ken Hall testified yesterday at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on self-driving technology, urging for the exemption of commercial vehicles from pending legislation and the need for further analysis of the safety, jobs and cybersecurity impact of developing technologies.

“It is incumbent upon the members of this committee to help ensure that workers are not left behind in this process. It is essential that American workers are not treated as guinea pigs for unproven technologies that could put their lives at risk,” Hall said.

Hall noted the Teamsters Union is concerned about the impact of advanced automated technologies on highway safety.  [Read more…] about Teamsters boss files objections to driverless trucks

Moduform puts Rethink Robotics collaborative robot to work making furniture

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Challenged with a hard-to-find human workforce, family owned company brings in a robot

Family-owned furniture manufacturer Moduform has given a job to Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot at its Fitchburg, Massachusetts facility.

Faced with a shortage of workers, Moduform brought in Sawyer to fill that gap.

The company says utilising the collaborative robot is also helping to improve innovation, create better jobs for existing employees and meet market demands in the furniture manufacturing industry.  [Read more…] about Moduform puts Rethink Robotics collaborative robot to work making furniture

University of Illinois presents its TerraSentia farming robot to investors

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Scientists at the University of Illinois, in the US, have presented agricultural robot technology which they say can save significant amounts of time and money in farm labour costs. 

The TerraSentia mobile robot for precision agriculture is being marketed by a startup company called EarthSense, presumably a spin-out from the university.

Developed with support from the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy, the TerraSentia costs $5,000.  [Read more…] about University of Illinois presents its TerraSentia farming robot to investors

Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics

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Kuka has launched an autonomous logistics robot in the form of a mobile platform which are by now quite familiar in the logistics industry. 

The robot maker says its Kuka KMP 1500 navigates using the SLAM method, which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, utilising laser scanners.

It adds that the robot is highly flexible, and features precise maneuverability and positioning using the omni-directional mecanum wheels and an accurate lifting mechanism.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics