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Household appliances maker Vorwerk acquires Neato Robotics

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Neato Robotics, which mainly makes robotic vacuum cleaners for the home, has been acquired by Vorwerk. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Vorwerk first invested in Neato Robotics in 2010. With this acquisition, the German family-owned enterprise says it is enhancing its strategic position on the emerging global market for home robot vacuums.

Neato will operate within the Vorwerk Group as a wholly owned independent business unit, with its own brand identity and corporate culture. There will be no changes to leadership or daily operations.  [Read more…] about Household appliances maker Vorwerk acquires Neato Robotics

Columbia University develops soft actuator three times stronger than human muscle to make robots more lifelike

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Columbia University says it has developed a self-contained soft actuator that is three times stronger than natural muscle, without the need of externals.

The researchers say the development means robotic motion will be more lifelike, and that it signals a breakthrough in soft robotics.

The creation of untethered soft robots whose actions and movements can help mimic natural biological systems have been a long-standing issue, and the scientists at Columbia Engineering say they have solved it.  [Read more…] about Columbia University develops soft actuator three times stronger than human muscle to make robots more lifelike

Yamaha Motor opts for Siemens product lifecycle management to digitalise industrial processes

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Yamaha Motor has selected Siemens to provide product lifecycle management software to support its digitalization initiative.

Yamaha will deploy the Siemens’ Teamcenter portfolio across all development divisions of their key business, motorcycle products.

Siemens claims Teamcenter is “the world’s most widely used digital lifecycle management software”.  [Read more…] about Yamaha Motor opts for Siemens product lifecycle management to digitalise industrial processes

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

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

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

US Department of Transportation releases automated driving systems guidance

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The US Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released new federal guidance for Automated Driving Systems: A Vision for Safety 2.0.

This is the latest guidance for automated driving systems to industry and States.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, says: “The new Guidance supports further development of this important new technology, which has the potential to change the way we travel and how we deliver goods and services.

“The safe deployment of automated vehicle technologies means we can look forward to a future with fewer traffic fatalities and increased mobility for all Americans.”  [Read more…] about US Department of Transportation releases automated driving systems guidance

Liquid Robotics launches new version of its Wave Glider unmanned marine vessel

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Company says the “enhanced platform” extends operations in high sea states and high latitudes

Liquid Robotics, a producer of unmanned surface marine vessels, has launched the next generation of its Wave Glider.

The new version adds advancements to the platform’s operational range, and performance for missions in high sea states and high latitudes, says the company.

Changes also include advancements for expanded sensor payloads and increased energy and storage capacity required for long duration maritime surveillance, environmental monitoring and observation missions.  [Read more…] about Liquid Robotics launches new version of its Wave Glider unmanned marine vessel