Robotics & Automation News

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MiR releases new software to improve scalability and cybersecurity for its autonomous mobile robots

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Autonomous mobile robot maker Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) has launched MiR Fleet Enterprise – a scalable, flexible and secure fleet management software platform. This new software is designed to optimize overall material handling workflows to boost productivity.

MiR Fleet Enterprise solidifies MiR’s position as the “one-stop shop” for internal logistics and material handling.

While MiR has consistently provided robust software, this latest release enhances its ability to deliver a full solution for advanced AMR hardware, sophisticated capabilities such as traffic management, and streamlined deployment processes, addressing the complex needs of enterprise-level customers seeking end-to-end solutions. [Read more…] about MiR releases new software to improve scalability and cybersecurity for its autonomous mobile robots

Scientists develop ‘cat’s eye-inspired vision system’ for autonomous robotics

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Researchers led by Professor Young Min Song from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have unveiled a vision system inspired by feline eyes to enhance object detection in various lighting conditions.

Featuring a unique shape and reflective surface, the system reduces glare in bright environments and boosts sensitivity in low-light scenarios.

By filtering unnecessary details, this technology significantly improves the performance of single-lens cameras, representing a notable advancement in robotic vision capabilities.

[Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘cat’s eye-inspired vision system’ for autonomous robotics

Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

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By Shihao Fu, technology analyst at IDTechEx

The commercialization of Autonomous driving technology in the trucking industry has rapidly advanced in 2024, presenting substantial potential to address critical industry challenges such as high operational costs, driver shortages, and safety concerns.

It is expected that the global trucking fleet will be supported by an additional half million L4 autonomous drivers, while the remaining drivers will either transition into supervisory roles or continue to operate in less developed regions.

IDTechEx’s recent research on more than 10 companies in the autonomous trucking sector reveals that the industry has officially entered the commercialization phase, marked by deep collaborations across the global supply chain.

[Read more…] about Autonomous trucks: How the US, EU, and China are commercializing driverless logistics

May Mobility and NTT partner to promote autonomous driving services

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May Mobility and telecommunications giant NTT have embarked on a collaboration which they say aims to “continuously provide reliable and safe autonomous driving services in Japan”.

NTT Docomo was selected as the service provider for the Aichi Prefecture government’s Autonomous Driving Operation Project and will conduct autonomous vehicle operations as a regular service, using May Mobility’s technology provided through this collaboration.

Additionally, the companies are pleased to announce the plan of an autonomous driving pilot at the NTT Central Training Center. [Read more…] about May Mobility and NTT partner to promote autonomous driving services

Corvus Robotics brings drone-based autonomous inventory management system to lights-out warehouses

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New funding round brings total company investment to $18 million

Corvus Robotics, a provider of autonomous inventory management systems, has released an updated version of its Corvus One system that brings, “for the first time”, the ability to fly its drone-powered system in a lights-out distribution center without any added infrastructure like reflectors, stickers, or beacons.

The newest generation product is supported by an $18 million Series A round and seed funding led by S2G Ventures and Spero Ventures. [Read more…] about Corvus Robotics brings drone-based autonomous inventory management system to lights-out warehouses

Robots roll into Memphis for the AMR & Logistics Conference

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One of the fastest growing segments in robotics is getting top billing at this year’s Autonomous Mobile Robots & Logistics Conference, which is due to take place from October 8-10 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Organized by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and sponsored by FedEx, the conference highlights the latest innovations with exhibits, in-person demos, and conference sessions that offer insights and best practices to help users from any industry get the most out of the flexible, cost-effective and scalable tools.

The AMR market is projected to reach more than 2.7 million units globally by 2027, according to research firm Interact Analysis, as more companies in myriad industries such as manufacturing, third-party logistics and healthcare look to automate material handling tasks. [Read more…] about Robots roll into Memphis for the AMR & Logistics Conference

Beep and Mississippi university launch autonomous bus test

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Beep, a provider of autonomous shared mobility solutions, has launched C.A.B. or Campus Autonomous Bus, at Mississippi State University (MSU), marking Mississippi and Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) first-ever autonomous pilot program.

Celebrated on September 20 at a ribbon cutting ceremony on MSU’s campus, the pilot completed weeks of continued testing and validation and is now available to all students, faculty and guests of MSU for transit.

C.A.B. is currently scheduled to operate through the end of the year and will give MSU a chance to evaluate how autonomous transportation systems can be used on campus to diversify its existing fleet of transportation assets. [Read more…] about Beep and Mississippi university launch autonomous bus test

Peachtree Corners launches autonomous vehicle in partnership with May Mobility and T-Mobile

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Peachtree Corners, a smart city in the state of Georgia, United States, has agreed a partnership with autonomous driving technology provider May Mobility to implement its autonomous vehicle solutions.

The implementation will utilize the vehicle 5G communications infrastructure Peachtree Corners has developed in the city with T-Mobile.

This marks May Mobility’s first-ever deployment in the state of Georgia, providing its one-of-a-kind on-demand autonomous solution for reliable transportation. [Read more…] about Peachtree Corners launches autonomous vehicle in partnership with May Mobility and T-Mobile

Decelerating progress for autonomous buses and roboshuttles, says report

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By Shihao Fu, technology analyst, IDTechEx

In recent years, the promise of the public transport revolution has been teased by autonomous buses and roboshuttles. These technologies promise to deliver significant cost reductions for operators and alleviate labor pressures.

More than 50 autonomous bus and roboshuttle players once competed in this space. However, as the autonomous driving industry evolved during 2022-2024, the commercialization progress of autonomous buses and roboshuttles has been slow, falling short of industry expectations.

IDTechEx has observed a yearly decline in the number of active companies from 2020 to 2024, and large-scale commercial testing has not been achieved. Roboshuttles need to overcome the uncertainties posed by dynamic routes and the performance challenges of navigating narrow urban streets.

[Read more…] about Decelerating progress for autonomous buses and roboshuttles, says report

Nuro to license its autonomous driving system to automakers

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Nuro has decided to license its Nuro Driver autonomous driving system directly to automakers and mobility providers to “to accelerate autonomous vehicle development and deployment timelines”.

The Nuro Driver is built on Nvidia’s end-to-end safety architecture, which includes Nvidia GPUs for AI training in the cloud and an automotive-grade Nvidia Drive Thor computer running the Nvidia DriveOS operating system inside the vehicle.

The Nuro Driver has demonstrated its reliability and safety in real-world conditions with more than 1 million autonomous miles completed across its fleet of R&D vehicles and zero at-fault incidents. [Read more…] about Nuro to license its autonomous driving system to automakers