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AutoFlight achieves ‘world’s longest eVTOL flight’

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AutoFlight, the global eVTOL (electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) pioneer, says it has achieved “the world’s longest eVTOL flight in history” with distance of 250 km / 155 miles on a single charge of the aircraft’s lithium-ion batteries.

The flight, which took place at AutoFlight’s eVTOL testing facility on February 23th, consisted of 20 circuits on a predefined flight track, with the plane remotely piloted from the ground by AutoFlight’s Flight Test team.

Interestingly, while AutoFlight’s Gen4 aircraft is fitted with the latest in state-of-the-art avionics, the aircraft also ran third-party avionics to record and verify the distance flown on ForeFlight, an independent system widely used in the aviation sector. [Read more…] about AutoFlight achieves ‘world’s longest eVTOL flight’

Noah Medical receives FDA clearance for its robotic surgery system

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Medical robotics innovator Noah Medical has received FDA clearance for its Galaxy System. The Galaxy System and its accessories are intended to provide bronchoscopic visualization of and access to patient airways for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The majority of potentially cancerous lesions are located in the outer third of the lung, which is more difficult for doctors to reach for biopsy. Current technologies are limited in their ability to both reach and then precisely target these suspect lesions.

The Galaxy System’s advanced imaging technologies provide real-time location updates, and are designed to improve tool-in-lesion and diagnostic yield. [Read more…] about Noah Medical receives FDA clearance for its robotic surgery system

fruitcore unveils new ‘all-rounder’ industrial robotic arm

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fruitcore robotics has unveiled what it describes as a new “all-rounder” industrial robotic arm – the Digital Robot HORST1000, which has a payload of up to 8 kilograms.

The robot also has a reach of 1,018 millimeters, and short cycle times.

fruitcore robotics says the new robot’s performance parameters “enable a wide range of additional applications and better meet the growing market for industrial processes” such as machine placement and pick and place applications. [Read more…] about fruitcore unveils new ‘all-rounder’ industrial robotic arm

National Science Foundation awards Michael Bartlett $590,600 to study soft composite manufacturing

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Michael Bartlett, an assistant professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been granted a $590,600 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award to research and understand new strategies for manufacturing liquid metal-based soft composites.

These functional composites are deformable robust materials that could be used to make robots and electronics that are soft, stretchable, and compatible for skin-like wearable devices.

The CAREER award is the foundation’s most prestigious award for early career faculty, encouraging them to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their organizations. [Read more…] about National Science Foundation awards Michael Bartlett $590,600 to study soft composite manufacturing

Swedish online pharmacy Apotea installs ‘world’s first’ piece-picking solution integrated with AutoStore

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Sweden’s leading online pharmacy Apotea has automated its logistics centre to “quickly, easily, and smoothly deliver approximately 50,000 orders a day” to its customers.

Following international cooperation between Element Logic, AutoStore, RightHand Robotics and Apotea, the centre fully integrated eOperator piece-picking robots with an AutoStore solution, a world first.

Pharmacy products are one of the fastest-growing segments of both Swedish and European e-commerce. Apotea.se is Sweden’s largest online pharmacy, with the country’s most comprehensive range of over-the-counter products and prescription drugs. [Read more…] about Swedish online pharmacy Apotea installs ‘world’s first’ piece-picking solution integrated with AutoStore

Sevensense Robotics to showcase its Alphasense Autonomy Evaluation Kit at ProMAT

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Swiss 3D visual autonomy provider Sevensense Robotics says it is planning to present its Alphasense Autonomy Evaluation Kit at ProMAT 2023.

The software would enable “off-the-shelf prototyping solutions” for manufacturers of autonomous mobile robots, says the company.

Sevensense says automation has the potential to “exponentially increase efficiency, profitability, and safety in the logistics and manufacturing sectors”. But so far, the lack of a robust, yet flexible navigation technology has limited the scope and scale of automation in material handling operations. [Read more…] about Sevensense Robotics to showcase its Alphasense Autonomy Evaluation Kit at ProMAT

Qualcomm and Zebra invest in Third Wave Automation

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Third Wave Automation, a provider of high-reach autonomous forklifts, has received strategic investments from Qualcomm Ventures and Zebra Technologies, bringing the startup’s total funding to $70 million.

Carlos Kokron, vice president, Qualcomm Technologies, and managing director, Qualcomm Ventures Americas, says: “The increasing adoption of advanced robotics, artificial intelligence and 5G connectivity is facilitating the use of autonomous solutions within the warehouse.

“Third Wave Automation’s shared autonomy approach with continuous learning capabilities delivers immediate value to the customers by easily integrating with existing workflows while enhancing labor productivity and safety. We are excited to invest in Third Wave Automation to bring next-generation autonomy to the forklifts.” [Read more…] about Qualcomm and Zebra invest in Third Wave Automation

Growth in electric vehicle manufacturing drives industrial robot sales to record highs in North America

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Data released by the Association for Advancing Automation show that 44,196 robots were ordered in 2022, up 11 percent over 2021. The record results are credited to a resurgence in sales to automotive companies looking to boost electric vehicle production.

Driven by the resurgence in robot orders from automotive companies, the North American robotics market set all-time records in both robots sold and value in 2022.

According to the report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), North American companies ordered 44,196 robots valued at $2.38 billion last year, representing increases of 11 percent and 18 percent, respectively, over 2021, the previous record. [Read more…] about Growth in electric vehicle manufacturing drives industrial robot sales to record highs in North America

Brightpick launches ‘world’s first’ commercially available autonomous mobile picking robot

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Brightpick, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for order fulfillment, has launched its Brightpick Autopicker, which the company describes as “the world’s first commercially-available autonomous mobile picking robot for e-commerce and grocery order fulfillment”.

Brightpick Autopicker is the only warehouse robot capable of both picking and consolidating orders in the aisles. Like humans with carts, Brightpick Autopickers move around the warehouse, retrieve product storage totes (bins) from shelving, and robotically pick items from those totes to consolidate orders directly in the aisles.

In contrast to other types of automated fulfillment systems, Brightpick Autopicker does not need to travel back and forth to centralized picking stations. [Read more…] about Brightpick launches ‘world’s first’ commercially available autonomous mobile picking robot

Deloitte unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ smart factory and warehouse in Canada

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Deloitte Canada has opened what it says is a first-of-its-kind facility showcasing an interconnected ecosystem of more than 20 cutting-edge solutions and technologies and intent on transforming manufacturing and warehousing through digital transformation.

The facility has been named The Smart Factory @ Montreal.

Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada, says: “As Canada’s largest professional services firm, we care about the future of the country. [Read more…] about Deloitte unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ smart factory and warehouse in Canada