UTAC, a specialist in automotive testing and proving grounds with 1,300 employees worldwide, has announced a major expansion of its facilities in five countries, reinforcing its commitment to supporting its clients through the new era of electrified, autonomous and sustainable mobility. [Read more…] about Automotive testing UTAC embarks on global expansion and upgrade program
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Gartner predicts one in 20 supply chain managers will manage robots, not humans, by 2030
Eighty percent of humans will engage with smart robots on a daily basis, and one in 20 supply chain managers will manage robots, rather than humans, by 2030, according to business management consultancy Gartner.
Organizations are placing greater emphasis on enhancing the capabilities of their existing workforce by supplementing with robotics due to factors like labor scarcity and rising costs.
Smart robots have been identified by chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) as an important investment area, though many acknowledge their organization lacks internal robotics expertise to maximally leverage these innovative technologies. [Read more…] about Gartner predicts one in 20 supply chain managers will manage robots, not humans, by 2030
Pudu Robotics launches new industrial sweeper and vacuum
Pudu Robotics, a specialist in service robotics, has unveiled the Pudu MT1 Vac, an AI-powered robotic Sweeper and Vacuum designed to meet the rising demand for high-performance dry cleaning in commercial and industrial spaces.
Combining sweeping, vacuuming, and dust-mopping functions in a single robot, MT1 Vac brings intelligent automation to large-area environments such as airports, metro stations, hotels, casinos, and office buildings.
The MT1 Vac expands Pudu Robotics’ cleaning portfolio by addressing a clear market need for reliable, high-capacity automated vacuuming. [Read more…] about Pudu Robotics launches new industrial sweeper and vacuum
Bedrock Robotics raises $80 million to commercialize its construction technology
Bedrock Robotics, the company developing advanced autonomous systems for the $13 trillion global construction industry, emerged from stealth today with $80 million in Seed and Series A backing.
Rather than design and sell costly new machinery, Bedrock upgrades customers’ existing heavy equipment fleets with reversible, same-day hardware and software installs to enable fully autonomous operations.
With reindustrialization of the United States accelerating, Bedrock’s technology bridges the expanding gap between rapidly rising domestic infrastructure needs and shrinking workforce capacity. [Read more…] about Bedrock Robotics raises $80 million to commercialize its construction technology
DHL inaugurates Exotec automation system at Italy facility
DHL Supply Chain Italy has inaugurated a new automation system at its Health Logistics Campus in Livraga (Lodi).
In a dedicated area of more than 7,000 sq m, 138 robots deliver “high-performance automation” powered by Exotec’s Skypod Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS), now serving two key customers in the life sciences and healthcare sector: Viatris and DOC Pharma.
DHL Supply Chain Italy has invested more than €14 million to equip the Livraga Campus with this cutting-edge high-automation system, thereby strengthening the country’s vital Life Sciences & Healthcare sector. [Read more…] about DHL inaugurates Exotec automation system at Italy facility
HD shipbuilding unit partners with Persona AI to implement humanoid welding robots
HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Robotics has signed a “landmark” agreement with Persona AI, a developer of embodied artificial intelligence, and robotics integration and manufacturing firm Vazil company.
The agreement, signed during a formal ceremony in Houston, Texas, initiates a joint program to create humanoid robots capable of performing complex welding tasks in shipyard environments.
This strategic partnership aims to usher in a new era of human-machine collaboration. The initiative will deliver prototype humanoids by the end of 2026, with field testing and full commercial deployment scheduled to begin in 2027. [Read more…] about HD shipbuilding unit partners with Persona AI to implement humanoid welding robots
Lianhe Sowell delivers vision-based spray painting robot to Mercedes-Benz’s largest Asia body shop
Lianhe Sowell International Group, a provider of industrial machine vision products and solutions in China, has delivered one of its new generation automated precision vision spray painting robots to Mercedes-Benz Asia’s largest body and paint center.
This delivery marks a significant step forward in the company’s expansion into automated spray painting technology and the high-end automotive aftermarket service sector.
The company believes it also sets a new benchmark for intelligent, efficient, and precise body and paint operations, positioning the company as one of the global frontrunners in the field of precision vision-based automated spray painting robotics. [Read more…] about Lianhe Sowell delivers vision-based spray painting robot to Mercedes-Benz’s largest Asia body shop
Shenzhen’s ‘penguin’ robots ride the metro to restock shops in world-first delivery test
In a global first for urban logistics, a fleet of penguin-shaped delivery robots has begun using Shenzhen’s metro system as part of an integrated supply chain, marking a new milestone in automated goods distribution.
Developed by VX Logistics, a subsidiary of China’s Vanke Group, the autonomous robots were tested on Monday on Shenzhen Metro Line 2. The robots boarded a train at Wanxia Station, rode alongside passengers, and exited at their destinations to deliver goods to shops inside metro stations – without any human assistance.
The pilot project stands out not only for its novelty but for how it redefines the role of robots in supply chains. While delivery robots in the US and Europe are typically limited to short-range “last mile” use cases – navigating sidewalks to deliver food or parcels – Shenzhen’s system integrates robots into the existing metro infrastructure, enabling what could be called “middle-mile” automation. [Read more…] about Shenzhen’s ‘penguin’ robots ride the metro to restock shops in world-first delivery test
Mujin establishes global executive team to accelerate expansion of MujinOS
Mujin, the pioneer of intelligent robotics, has established a “Global Leadership Cabinet” (GLC) to unify its operations worldwide and drive the commercial expansion of its flagship platform, MujinOS.
The GLC will align technology, product, sales, and governance functions across all regions, positioning the company for its next phase of growth and long-term strategic plans.
At the heart of MujinOS is a real-time digital twin, a continuously updating model of a robotics system’s physical environment, forming the core of machine intelligence. This no-code technology allows robots to plan and adapt in real-time without the need to directly program behaviors. [Read more…] about Mujin establishes global executive team to accelerate expansion of MujinOS
Zimmer Biomet acquires robotic surgery company Monogram Technologies for $177 million
Zimmer Biomet, a medical technology company, and Monogram Technologies, an orthopedic robotics company, has entered into a definitive agreement for Zimmer Biomet to acquire all outstanding shares of stock of Monogram for an upfront payment of $4.04 per share in cash, corresponding to an equity value of approximately $177 million and an enterprise value of approximately $168 million.
Monogram common stockholders will also receive a non-tradeable contingent value right (CVR) entitling the holder to receive up to $12.37 per share of common stock in cash if certain product development, regulatory and revenue milestones are achieved through 2030.
The respective boards of directors of Zimmer Biomet and Monogram have unanimously approved the proposed transaction. [Read more…] about Zimmer Biomet acquires robotic surgery company Monogram Technologies for $177 million