Robotics & Automation News

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NEC unveils autonomous mobile robot control system

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NEC has developed a control technology that the company claims “doubles the efficiency of autonomous mobile robots” in warehouses while maintaining a high level of safety.

NEC plans to put this technology into practical use by March 2024 and to have it installed in NEC’s co-operative AMRs in Japan.

In recent years, the introduction of robots for transporting materials has accelerated due to labor shortages and large warehouses. [Read more…] about NEC unveils autonomous mobile robot control system

Kiwibot partners with Careem for last-mile meal delivery

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Kiwibot, a autonomous last-mile delivery solution, is partnering with Careem, an online fulfillment app for the greater Middle East region.

The plan is for Kiwibot to work with Careem to autonomously fulfill local orders in Dubai.

Kiwibot has already established operations in a variety of other cities around the world, but this is the first deployment in the middle east. [Read more…] about Kiwibot partners with Careem for last-mile meal delivery

Ideal Working Environments for Robots with item

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Networking, researching, and training – the Mehnert Lab in Erfurt sees itself as a platform for industrial cooperation in the age of Industry 4.0.

Mehnert GmbH provides skilled workers and specialists for various projects in the fields of electronics, mechanics, digital control, 3D measurement technology, and robotics. The company employs 55 permanent staff members, headquartered in Mülsen but also represented in Erfurt.

The globally-deployed team is focused on the construction, maintenance, and servicing of modern industrial plants. A few years ago, Managing Director René Mehnert founded the Mehnert Lab in Erfurt. It facilitates a new form of industrial collaboration and creates the perfect working environment to provide specialists with the best possible qualifications. [Read more…] about Ideal Working Environments for Robots with item

Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

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Baidu has launched testing of its Apollo Go in Shanghai, marking the fifth city where passengers have the ability to trial the robotaxi mobile platform. Baidu is the only company to offer this service in the three first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The Shanghai operation will include 150 stations opened in phases throughout the city to provide users convenient access to residential areas, commercial areas, offices and public transportation. Passengers can use the service from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm every day of the week.

This launch comes on the heels of another milestone for Baidu Apollo – the expansion of Apollo Go to Tongzhou District in Beijing, where the service will enable residents and visitors of the suburb to experience travel in an autonomous vehicle. [Read more…] about Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

Beep secures $20 million Series-A investment from Intel and Blue Lagoon

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Beep, a provider of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions, has closed the company’s Series A investment round with Intel Capital and Blue Lagoon Capital, raising $20 million.

The funding will enable Beep to continue the expansion of its autonomous fleet deployments across North America and leverage its learnings to advance passenger mobility service for cities, business districts and campuses at scale.

Beep utilizes a combination of machine learning, contextual traffic data and the company’s existing centralized command center data to provide vital oversight in managing high-risk scenarios for autonomous vehicles in complex geo-fenced environments. [Read more…] about Beep secures $20 million Series-A investment from Intel and Blue Lagoon

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

Fujitsu to use ‘world’s fastest supercomputer’ for tsunami prediction

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Fujitsu, in partnership with other companies and academic institutions, has developed a computing system that will enable the prediction of tsunamis – massive, sudden floods caused by turbulence at sea. 

The International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University, the Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, and Fujitsu Laboratories have developed an artificial intelligence model that will empower disaster management teams with the ability to predict tsunami flooding in coastal areas in near real-time.

The system harnessed the computational power of what is claimed to be “the world’s fastest supercomputer”, Fugaku, jointly developed by Riken and Fujitsu. [Read more…] about Fujitsu to use ‘world’s fastest supercomputer’ for tsunami prediction

Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

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Continental has developed what it says are “quieter” conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo.

The company says its “Sicon” pouch conveyor belt transports bulk material safely and cleanly, with low noise and emissions, through residential districts of Japan’s capital.

The conveyor belt are being used in the construction of an underground catch basin for 150,000 cubic meters of water. [Read more…] about Continental develops ‘quieter’ conveyor belts for flood protection projects in Tokyo

Customer Due Diligence: Why and How?

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Customer-related risk assessment is highly important to any organization. That’s why companies process information from each prospective customer to maintain the needed level of organizational supervision.

Proper customer due diligence (CDD) is what institutionalizes this process. Proper CDD utilizing makes companies aware of the smallest risk and helps identify the highest risks, including fraud.

CDD is a legal requirement for businesses in the US and many other countries with EDD (Enhanced Due Diligence) required for dealing with clients from the KYC high-risk category. [Read more…] about Customer Due Diligence: Why and How?

Panasonic to apply industrial technology to solve society’s problems

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Panasonic says it aims to tackle the needs of smart societies – from healthcare to retail and logistics – with industrial technology. (See video below.)

The company says it will use its broad expertise in sensors as well as drives technology, and its technologies in industrial robots to meet the challenge.

Panasonic says its approach is based on “pragmatic solutions that work with people”, and this can be defined within three core pillars: augmented solutions, stand-alone solutions, and complete robotics automation solutions. [Read more…] about Panasonic to apply industrial technology to solve society’s problems