Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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From old mail order catalogues to same-day delivery: Warehouse robots are the quintessential sign of changing times

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Ever since Amazon acquired Kiva Systems in 2012 for $775 million and took the startup company’s robots off the market, warehouse managers have been looking for alternative suppliers. 

At that time, there simply no significantly well-known alternatives or proven solutions, but now, seven years on, there is a relatively large number of companies which build and supply warehouse robots.

It’s highly unlikely to be a coincidence that, in the intervening years, Amazon has grown extremely fast to become not only the world’s largest online retailer but also one of the largest logistics companies – not just in its native US, but worldwide. [Read more…] about From old mail order catalogues to same-day delivery: Warehouse robots are the quintessential sign of changing times

Top 25 AI chip companies: A macro step change inferred from the micro scale

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One of the effects of the ongoing trade war between the US and China is likely to be the accelerated development of what are being called “artificial intelligence chips”, or AI chips for short, also sometimes referred to as AI accelerators. 

AI chips could play a critical role in economic growth going forward because they will inevitably feature in cars, which are becoming increasingly autonomous; smart homes, where electronic devices are becoming more intelligent; robotics, obviously; and many other technologies.

AI chips, as the term suggests, refers to a new generation of microprocessors which are specifically designed to process artificial intelligence tasks faster, using less power. [Read more…] about Top 25 AI chip companies: A macro step change inferred from the micro scale

Amazon testing automated custom packaging machine

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One of the things many people have noticed about receiving goods they ordered online is the amount of empty space inside the box. Sometimes, more than 90 percent of the box is empty.

This is obviously inefficient and can result in much additional and unnecessary cost, from the amount of box material wasted, through the amount of wasted space within vehicles in transit, to name just two aspects.

While these inefficiencies have continued, for a long time, machines that automate the process of putting items inside boxes have been available. Not only can these machines box things up, they can also custom-build the box to fit the item on the fly.

[Read more…] about Amazon testing automated custom packaging machine

Top 20 autonomous delivery robots: Ready to take over the streets

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Despite some occasional antipathy towards them, autonomous delivery robots are gaining ground in urban landscapes. 

While some local authorities are unsure about allowing machines to roam free on city streets, most people probably accept that it’s only a matter of time before regulations accommodate the new technology.

Universities, meanwhile, as well as other organizations such as hotels, airports and large companies with extensive grounds of their own, have the opportunity to allow relatively large numbers of these autonomous mobile robots to deliver such things as snacks and maybe books, documents, and other items to students, guests and staff.  [Read more…] about Top 20 autonomous delivery robots: Ready to take over the streets

Toilet-cleaning robot goes on sale at Amazon for $500

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Amazon is selling a portable toilet-cleaning robot for $500.

The robot, called “Giddel”, was developed by service robotics company Altan Robotech.

Altan says Giddel scrubs hard to reach places, and that its efficacy has been tested by SGS, an industrial product testing organization.  [Read more…] about Toilet-cleaning robot goes on sale at Amazon for $500

Amazon ‘field testing’ delivery robot as part of premium service

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Amazon is “field testing” a small delivery robot as part of its premium service, Amazon Prime. (See video below.) 

The robot, called Amazon Scout, is a “fully-electric delivery system” designed to safely get packages to customers using autonomous delivery devices, says the company in its blog.

These devices were created by Amazon, are the size of a small cooler, and roll along sidewalks at a walking pace.  [Read more…] about Amazon ‘field testing’ delivery robot as part of premium service

Amazon plans fulfilment centre in Missouri, US

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Amazon.com, Inc.  is planning its first Missouri fulfilment centre in St. Peters, creating more than 1,500 full-time jobs and opportunities to engage with Amazon Robotics in a highly technological workplace. Amazon currently operates a sortation centre in Hazelwood, where it employs hundreds of associates.

Amazon employees at the more than 800,000 square foot fulfilment centre will pick, pack and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics and toys.

The facility will feature innovative technology such as Amazon Robotics that will assist employees in fulfilling customer orders.

 

BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

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BMW is to integrated Amazon’s Alexa artificial intelligence into its in-car systems.

Amazon Alexa will be available in BMW and Mini vehicles starting in mid-2018.

Users can ask Alexa in-car to get directions, call a business, play music or Audible content, control your smart home, check the news, and so on – without downloading a separate app.  [Read more…] about BMW partners with Amazon to integrate Alexa artificial intelligence into its cars

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

Kiva Systems developers launch new company and their own logistics robot

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Kiva Systems was a company that built a mobile robot for logistics operations, mainly for use in warehouses. It was a basically a small platform on wheels, and proved popular throughout the industry.

But then it got bought out by Amazon, which initially said it would still sell it to the rest of the logistics industry but actually didn’t. Instead it rebranded Kiva as Amazon Robotics and turned it into a business unit of its own.

The online retail giant now has one of the largest number of robots in operation of any company in the world.

But two former executives at Kiva Systems – Jerome Dubois and Rylan Hamilton – have now launched a new company and a range of new logistics automation solutions.  [Read more…] about Kiva Systems developers launch new company and their own logistics robot