Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

air

Autonomous aviation company Xwing expands its air cargo operations to 400 weekly flights

by

Autonomous aviation company Xwing is marking what it describes as “significant milestones”, including the expansion of its commercial cargo operations under FAA CFR Part 135 Air Carrier certificate, the addition of FAA CFR Part 145 certificates and “rapid company growth”.

Over the last 12 months, Xwing has more than tripled its team to 180 employees.

Xwing has completed the acquisition of Martinaire Aviation, a Texas-based FAR Part 135 air cargo carrier with over 40 years of experience throughout the United States. [Read more…] about Autonomous aviation company Xwing expands its air cargo operations to 400 weekly flights

Amazon to begin drone deliveries in two US states

by

Amazon is preparing to start deliveries of its retail products to its customers by drone. The first areas chosen are Lockeford, in California, and College Station, in Texas.

The world’s largest online retailer says “hundreds of residents have expressed interest in receiving their Amazon orders via drone”, and the company has built new facilities to support the expansion into the air.

The company’s drone service is called Amazon Prime Air, one of only three companies given certificates by the Federal Aviation Authority to operate drone deliveries. [Read more…] about Amazon to begin drone deliveries in two US states

GXO unveils DroneDog and Aerial Drone System from Asylon for security applications

by

GXO Logistics, which says it is the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, has deployed advanced air and ground security robotics at one of its major distribution centers in Clayton, Indiana, and plans to significantly increase deployment of automated security systems across other sites within the next year.

This would be the largest air and ground security robotics fleet in the world.

The DroneDog and DroneSentry duo, integrated with the DroneCore security platform from Asylon, are security technologies of the future, providing high-quality data and onsite activity updates that can detect potential issues in real time and simultaneously report them to the security team. Click here to see the DroneDog in action. [Read more…] about GXO unveils DroneDog and Aerial Drone System from Asylon for security applications

Skyports partners with Park24 to develop vertiport infrastructure

by

Air taxi vertiport developer and operator, Skyports, and Japan’s largest parking lot and car sharing operator, Park24, have signed an agreement to explore the development and integration of vertiport infrastructure of “advanced air mobility” (AAM) into Park24’s parking and car sharing network.

The agreement also involves partners including Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance, a Japanese general insurance company, and Kanematsu Corporation.

Aioi Nissay Dowa provides and arranges insurance for ground infrastructure and related air mobility services and aim to develop a mobility as a service that seamlessly integrates air and land. [Read more…] about Skyports partners with Park24 to develop vertiport infrastructure

Skyryse and Air Methods partner to install new software in medical aircraft

by

Skyryse, a transportation technology company, and Air Methods, an American air medical transport company, have agreed a partnership to retrofit more than 400 single-engine helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in the Air Methods fleet with FlightOS, a shared mission to advance further safety measures to protect pilots and patients.

The new Skyryse FlightOS hardware and software stack replaces overly complex and manual flight control systems, allowing pilots to control helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft with a far simpler and safer control interface.

Air Methods has also invested $5 million into Skyryse Series B, bringing the total raised to $205 million, further backing the LA-based company’s automation hardware and software. [Read more…] about Skyryse and Air Methods partner to install new software in medical aircraft

Can You Automate a Diaphragm Liquid Pump?

by

A diaphragm liquid pump can still be automated even if it doesn’t use electric motors to produce torque power and rotation to move or pump the fluids. It’s often employed to move flammable fluids that shouldn’t be exposed, such as chemicals, paint, or other substances.

Companies that need to pump flammable fluids often refrain from using electric motors because these motors might cause a spark to fluids, like petroleum fuel, gas, or other combustible chemicals. [Read more…] about Can You Automate a Diaphragm Liquid Pump?

How Important is Technology in Automation?

by

Manufacturers face a variety of challenges in today’s evolving world. With security in mind, it is important to create processes to incorporate security into your operations and productivity.

When everyone is looking for ways to maintain social distance and monitor activity on the operating system, it can be difficult to promote and improve safety while maintaining productivity as well.

Automated systems not only reduce the risk of accidents but also help prevent occupational accidents, resulting in a safer workplace for all. By making your workplace safer, you also improve quality and productivity. [Read more…] about How Important is Technology in Automation?

Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

by

Verizon Robotics Business Technology, a business unit of telecommunications giant Verizon and one of America’s leading newspapers, the Los Angeles Times, have entered into an agreement to accelerate the application of advanced robotics and other technology from Verizon to expand on the way news is gathered, shared and consumed.

Through the engagement, the companies will work to integrate technologies including 4G-connected drones, 5G-connected ground robots and 3D modeled data, among others, to redefine digital media and add dimension to news reporting and storytelling. [Read more…] about Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

Reliable Robotics launches new cargo airline

by

Reliable Robotics, a developer of automated aircraft systems, has appointmented David DeRose as director of finance and Lee Tomlinson as director of operations to the company’s fully owned Part 135 airline subsidiary in preparation for commercial cargo flights.

DeRose and Tomlinson join Jeff Drees, director of cargo strategy, to begin cargo services this year.

Reliable Robotics will continue to grow its airline team and operational experience as part of a phased certification approach to bring its Remotely Operated Aircraft System and services to market. [Read more…] about Reliable Robotics launches new cargo airline

Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario

by

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Michigan and Ontario are collaborating on a “first-of-its kind technology initiative” involving unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones.

This effort involves studying the feasibility of a commercial drone skyway in three proposed areas, including an international connection between Michigan and Ontario, southeast Michigan, and any other suitable location in the state.

Through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Michigan Aeronautics Commission (MAC), the State of Michigan, with support from the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), will explore whether small drones can be flown beyond the line of sight of a pilot and be used in operations like just-in-time delivery, medical transport, or other small-scale deployment of UAS. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches air corridor for drones in Michigan and Ontario