Where Innovation Meets Imagination
Springer Nature has launched a new e-book collection called “Intelligent Technologies and Robotics”.
New and emerging research areas such as ambient intelligence, big data and human-machine collaboration will be a major focus of the new collection.
Springer says this is “a specially-tailored e-book collection focusing on the fields of intelligent technologies and robotics”. [Read more…] about Springer Nature launches new ‘Intelligent Technologies and Robotics’ e-book collection
The Western Australian city of Perth is now home to one of the world’s first driverless, on-demand vehicles, after the official unveiling of the RAC Intellicar yesterday.
RAC is an insurance and breakdown recovery service in Australia. It previously showcased ideas for a driverless minibus called an Intellibus, citing David Hasselhoff and Batman as influences.
Designed as a shared mobility service, the RAC Intellicar will become the newest addition to RAC’s automated vehicle program, supported by the Western Australian Government and vehicle manufacturer, Navya.
RAC Group CEO Terry Agnew says the arrival of the prototype vehicle was a significant transportation milestone for both Western Australia and Australia. [Read more…] about Australia’s ‘first’ on-demand, driverless car arrives in Perth, built with Navya
Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has launched the Otto Omega, which the company says is “the world’s first truly self-driving lift truck”.
Otto says the Omega is “the easiest, safest and most reliable automated lift truck for busy factories and warehouses”.
The company is targeting the vehicle at industrial engineers and operations professionals who need to reduce material handling costs, increase process throughput and improve plant safety. [Read more…] about Otto Motors launches ‘world’s first’ self-driving forklift truck
Elevators, escalators and moving walkways are so ubiquitous in urban environments – at metro stations, airports and other places – that most people probably hardly notice them and perhaps take them for granted.
Not everyone, however: some of us still actually feel a sense of enjoyment at having their strolls through transport hubs aided by these automated systems, even if it’s part of a daily commute to work.
It’s probably fair to say, however, that these automation systems are less complex than ones which involve movement in less straightforward, distraction-filled environments – like, say, those involving an autonomous car. [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp agrees big contract to maintain automated movement at Stockholm’s spectacular metro stations
German auto giant BMW says it is building “the world’s most advanced” driving simulation centre in Munich.
The company says the facility is “the most advanced of its kind” and provides “unique possibilities for development of autonomous driving systems”.
The construction of the centre begins as part of BMW’s so-called “FIZ Future” masterplan, and completion is scheduled for 2020. [Read more…] about BMW building ‘world’s most advanced’ driving simulation facility in Munich
Techman Robot has launched several new industrial automation systems – including the new TM12 and TM14 robots – at the International Manufacturing Technology Show, currently taking place in Chicago.
The company boasts that its Techman robot is “the most intelligent collaborative industrial robot in the world” and recently signed a partnership with industrial automation giant Omron.
Techman Robot has a built-in visual system and “innovative” user interface. The company says it has become one of the industrial robots with “the fastest sales growth in the global market”. [Read more…] about Techman Robot launches new industrial robot systems at IMTS
GreyOrange, a provider of warehouse robotics and automation systems, has raised $140 million in Series C funding, claiming it marks “the largest round ever raised by an industrial robotics company”.
Mithril Capital, co-founded by Ajay Royan and Peter Thiel, led this round, which included Binny Bansal and other existing investors including Blume Ventures.
They join Mitsubishi, Flipkart, and Project Verte as investors in the company. [Read more…] about GreyOrange raises $140 million in new funding, claiming ‘the biggest fundraising round in industrial automation sector’
A small autonomous vessel launched by a Norwegian company called Offshore Sensing has crossed the Atlantic, sailing from Newfoundland in Canada to north Ireland.
It is claimed that this is the first Atlantic crossing made by an autonomous vessel.
Offshore Sensing says the vessel, called Sailbuoy Met, was designed and “field proven” to stay at sea for months.
It navigates the oceans autonomously – transmitting back data at regular intervals. [Read more…] about Sailbuoy becomes the ‘first’ autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic
Sarcos Robotics, which specializes in making exoskeletons for industry, has raised $30 million in new funding.
The new Series B funding is from a consortium of investors co-led by DIG Investment and Alex Brown & Sons.
Each of the company’s Series A investors also participated in this round, including Caterpillar Ventures, Cottonwood Technology Fund, GE Ventures, Microsoft, Schlumberger and Sarcos’ chairman and CEO, Ben Wolff. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics raises $30 million in new funding
Nidec, the Japanese maker of industrial machinery components such as motors, is planning to buy five German robotics companies, according to a report on Nikkei.
Nidec recently reported record profits for its most recent quarter and is apparently flush with cash, and looks to have decided to spend it on acquisitions.
According to Nikkei, the first of the five acquisition targets is MS-Graessner, which makes speed-reducing gearboxes which fit into the joints of robotic arms. [Read more…] about Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’
