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Wal-Mart using robots to wander around the shelves and scan products

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Wal-Mart has hired a number of robots to wander around the aisles of its stores and check if products are in stock and displayed correctly. 

The company is said to be rolling out the robot shopkeeping assistant at 50 locations around the US, according to a report on ArkansasOnline.com.

The robots themselves are from a company called Bossa Nova Robotics, which we previously reported had developed an automated planogram compliance system in partnership with software developer Digimarc.  [Read more…] about Wal-Mart using robots to wander around the shelves and scan products

UPS using automation to move more parcels with same number of people, says boss

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The chief executive of logistics giant UPS says the company is using automation technologies to move a greater number of parcels with the same number of people. 

In comments to Yahoo Finance, UPS CEO David Abney says: “Last year we hired about the same number of people and we’re doing it this year with an extra 5 per cent of packages and it is because of automation.” 

The company’s busiest periods are the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holidays, and Cyber Week, which is a week after that.  [Read more…] about UPS using automation to move more parcels with same number of people, says boss

Volvo testing driverless refuse collection trucks

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Volvo Trucks is currently testing and researching how automated vehicles can contribute to safer, more efficient refuse handling and create a better working environment for drivers. 

The company is partnering with Swedish waste management company Renova on the project. 

The automated systems being tested are in principle the same as those fitted to the autonomous Volvo truck operating in the Kristineberg Mine in northern Sweden since autumn last year.  [Read more…] about Volvo testing driverless refuse collection trucks

Mercedes demonstrates driverless snow-clearing trucks at Frankfurt Airport

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Mercedes has demonstrated a driverless snow-clearing truck, called Arocs, at Frankfurt Airport. The world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer says the vehicle is the result of specific customer requirements.

Daimler, parent company of Mercedes, says it the demonstration, which involved four trucks, is an “unprecedented test” which shows another potential solution for the future use of automated commercial vehicles.

Following the successful demonstration of the innovative Highway Pilot and Highway Pilot Connect systems, the latter making truck platooning possible, the company says the self-driving, snow-clearing truck presentation is “another development step forward” on the road to the fully connected and autonomous commercial vehicle.  [Read more…] about Mercedes demonstrates driverless snow-clearing trucks at Frankfurt Airport

Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters ‘new era in connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’

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Citic becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to host Points of Presence along the ‘One Belt, One Road’ route

Citic Telecom International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citic Telecom International, today announced that after Citic Telecom CPC completed its acquisition of Linx Telecommunication, the merged company is to be named Citic Telecom CPC Europe.

Citic says it marks a new era for the company as it becomes one of the first Asian managed service providers to own Points of Presence (POPs) across a multitude of countries along the ‘Digital Silk Road’.

Stephen Ho (main picture), CEO of Citic Telecom CPC, who presented the new developments at a press conference in London, says the company is “accelerating internationalization and digitalization”.  [Read more…] about Citic Telecom CPC reveals new name for Linx Telecommunications and enters ‘new era in connecting the world to the Digital Silk Road’

Kindred AI launches warehouse robots already in use by ‘major retailers’

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A company called Kindred AI has launched a new range of warehouse robotics systems powered by artificial intelligence. 

In one system, Kindred appears to be using a Fanuc robot, and in another, an arm that looks like it’s from Universal Robots.

The company, which says it is building “human-like intelligence in machines”, says “major global retailers” have started pilot programs integrating Kindred Sort, the company’s first commercial offering, in their existing fulfillment centers.

Kindred also says it has raised $28 million in Series B funding led by Tencent, bringing the total amount raised to $44 million. Previous investors Eclipse Ventures and First Round Capital participated in the new round.  [Read more…] about Kindred AI launches warehouse robots already in use by ‘major retailers’

Teijin Aramid increases production capacity with a new line at Technora facility

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Teijin Aramid has increased its production capacity at a new production line at its Technora production facility in Matsuyama, Japan.

The company says that, as of now, extra Technora capacity is available for Teijin Aramid’s customers globally.

Teijin specializes in producing a fiber known as aramid, which is used in a variety of products, such as car and bicycle tires.  [Read more…] about Teijin Aramid increases production capacity with a new line at Technora facility

Final call for Instructables ‘Design for Robotics’ competition

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Instructables is probably the most popular website for the maker community, and contains thousands and thousands of guides on how to make things. 

The website was bought by the Autodesk group, which owns the AutoCad and Fusion 360 range of software, and is offering free software to the education sector. 

A few weeks ago, Instructables launched a competition which it called “Design for Robotics”, in partnership with GE Appliances, which makes washing machines and similar household goods.  [Read more…] about Final call for Instructables ‘Design for Robotics’ competition

Toyota Research Institute demonstrates new Guardian and Chauffeur autonomous driving systems

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Toyota Research Institute has released a video showing the first demonstration of its Guardian and Chauffeur autonomous vehicle platform.

“Today, you’re going to see four different demonstrations,” says Dr Gill Pratt, CEO of TRI, at the opening of the video. “The first two are going to be in Chauffeur mode. The other two demonstrations are going to be in Guardian mode.”

The video shows the advances TRI has made with Platform 2.1, the next iteration of TRI’s innovative advanced safety research vehicle for autonomous driving, conducting several test maneuvers on a closed course.  [Read more…] about Toyota Research Institute demonstrates new Guardian and Chauffeur autonomous driving systems

TDK launches new sensor range as it hosts industry event

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The sixth annual TDK Sensors Developers Conference is currently under way in Santa Clara, in the US. 

Keynote speaker at the event is Jenelea Howell, director of IoT and connectivity at IHS Market. 

Sensors often presented as the backbone of the Internet of Things (IoT), measuring and collecting data that enables any IoT application.  [Read more…] about TDK launches new sensor range as it hosts industry event