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Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics has launched a top module that enables the company’s omnidirectional warehouse robots to automatically load and unload payloads and connect to a variety of carts for material movement.

The module is called “Kingpin” and Waypoint says it enables its Vector robot – a 600 lb payload capacity AMR – to do two critical jobs with one simple top module, as opposed to having a dedicated fleet of lift deck robots for automatic load/unload, and another dedicated fleet of cart connecting robots for cart transport.

With Kingpin, Vector can automatically pick up a tote on one side of the factory, deliver it to the other side of the factory, and then connect to a cart on the way back to the starting point. [Read more…] about Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

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Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has raised $29 million in Series C funding. The company says the new funds will be used for the continued expansion of its autonomous mobile robot platform.

The investment, which follows years of rapid growth, was led by Kensington Private Equity Fund with participation from BMO Capital Partners, Export Development Canada, and previous investors iNovia Capital and RRE Ventures.

Including this Series C round, Otto Motors has now raised a total of $83 million in funding. [Read more…] about Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

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Special Report by Robotics and Automation News in association with SICK

It’s been almost 50 years since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, was established in the United States after much pressure from labour unions seeking more protection for workers.

In the half-century since OSHA’s creation, it is estimated that many thousands of workers’ lives have been saved and countless more have been kept out of harm’s way.

Today, OSHA, an agency of the Department of Labour, is more important than ever as people start returning to work after months of lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused almost 350,000 deaths worldwide to date, and infected 5.5 million more. [Read more…] about 5,000 deaths a year: A reminder of why safety systems matter

Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

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Fetch Robotics, a provider of warehouse robots, has agreed a collaboration with Zebra Technologies, a warehouse solutions specialist, to optimize and automate warehouse picking processes through the integration of Fetch autonomous mobile robots and Zebra FulfillmentEdge software.

The two companies say the unique solution optimizes picking across multiple orders for piece, case, and pallet workflows.

By dynamically optimizing and orchestrating the movement of warehouse workers and robots, FulfillmentEdge and Fetch AMRs enable collaborative picking for faster, more accurate fulfillment and improved workflows that allow workers to spend more time in the aisle instead of manually moving material throughout a facility. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

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Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile manipulation robots, and OTTO Motors, a maker of industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), have unveiled what they describe as “a demo of the future of warehouse automation”.

In a video (see below), Boston Dynamics’s logistics robot, Handle, can be seen picking boxes and building pallets on top of OTTO AMRs in a distribution center testbed.

Last year, Boston Dynamics announced its efforts to add flexible, highly mobile automation technology to the warehouse with its Handle robot and Pick computer vision system. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics partners with Otto Motors to co-ordinate mobile robots in the warehouse

ForwardX Aiming to Deliver ‘Best-in-Class’ Autonomous Mobile Robots

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By Nic Temple, Vice President of Sales for the Americas at ForwardX Robotics

Given the proliferation of warehouses, distribution centers, direct to consumer (D2C) business models, fleets of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), questioning the validity of innovation is worthy of examination.

Unlike in prior years when attendees would walk the show floor for days, many are using the MHI MODEX app and visiting for just a single day.

For that reason, a compelling innovation from ForwardX (Booth 1207) should be the first stop for serious AMR decision-makers. [Read more…] about ForwardX Aiming to Deliver ‘Best-in-Class’ Autonomous Mobile Robots

Teradyne completes acquisition of AutoGuide Mobile Robots

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Teradyne has completed the acquisition of AutoGuide Mobile Robots, a leading supplier of high payload autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

AutoGuide’s advanced products deliver easy deployment, improved safety, reduced costs and increased efficiency of industrial and warehouse material-handling operations.

Mark Jagiela, president and CEO of Teradyne, says: “AutoGuide’s safe, high-payload AMRs for the global forklift market provide a powerful, additional growth engine to Teradyne’s Industrial Automation group. [Read more…] about Teradyne completes acquisition of AutoGuide Mobile Robots

SLAM software paving the way for new generation autonomous mobile robots

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Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), a software-and-hardware technology which enables a mobile device to map its environment while positioning itself within it, is a crucial driver for robotics.

SLAM will enable the transition from automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in the industrial space.

According to report by global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research, the installed base of SLAM-enabled commercial and industrial robots will exceed 15 million by 2030. [Read more…] about SLAM software paving the way for new generation autonomous mobile robots