Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

boston

Boston Dynamics partners with Robotics & AI Institute to develop reinforcement learning for humanoid robots

by

Boston Dynamics and the Robotics & AI Institute (formerly The AI Institute) have formed a partnership to advance humanoid robots through reinforcement learning.

Together, the two organizations will establish a shared reinforcement learning training pipeline for the new electric Atlas robot to build dynamic and generalizable mobile manipulation behavior.

The work, which kicked off this month, brings together two of the industry’s leading research teams to advance robot technology and to produce new capabilities on Atlas. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics partners with Robotics & AI Institute to develop reinforcement learning for humanoid robots

Boston Dynamics and Toyota partner to advance humanoid robotics research

by

Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute (TRI) say they are partnering to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and robotics.

The research partnership aims to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoid robots utilizing TRI’s Large Behavior Models and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot.

Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, says: “There has never been a more exciting time for the robotics industry, and we look forward to working with TRI to accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoids. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics and Toyota partner to advance humanoid robotics research

E-commerce giant Otto Group brings in Boston Dynamics robot to help fulfill orders

by

The Otto Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers, has signed a strategic agreement with Boston Dynamics, a provider of mobile robotics, to continue automating its logistics operations.

The plan is to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots in more than 10 and Stretch robots in more than 20 of the group’s facilities over the next two years, beginning with Hermes Fulfilment.

The deployment supports Otto Group’s efforts to improve safety, increase operational efficiency and address labor shortages for specific types of warehouse work and the agreement marks the first time both of Boston Dynamics’ commercially available robots will be deployed together at enterprise scale. [Read more…] about E-commerce giant Otto Group brings in Boston Dynamics robot to help fulfill orders

Boston University celebrates grand opening of its Robotics & Autonomous Systems Teaching & Innovation Center

by

An autonomous robot cut the ceremonial ribbon at the grand opening of Boston University’s $8.8 million Robotics & Autonomous Systems Teaching & Innovation Center (RASTIC).

Held March 4th, the grand opening included talks from state, industry and university leadership; facility tours; and 16 student demonstrations of robotic projects, spanning smart cities, medical robotics, drones, autonomous driving, smart home applications, and more.

In development over the past year, RASTIC brings together academia and industry to develop the next-generation competitive robotics and autonomous systems workforce. [Read more…] about Boston University celebrates grand opening of its Robotics & Autonomous Systems Teaching & Innovation Center

What Do You Know About Last-Minute Moves in Boston?

by

Last-minute relocations are characterized by certain factors like time consciousness and unexpected changes of plans that have escalated the need for last-minute moving services in urban settings such as Boston.

A resulting growing demand, however, necessitated moving companies to come up with innovative solutions that mix technology and automation in order to streamline the entire process involved in relocating people.

This guide examines how last-minute moves in Boston are being transformed by movers into a smooth transition for those working against the clock. [Read more…] about What Do You Know About Last-Minute Moves in Boston?

MassTech collaborative launches new $5 million initiative to boost statewide robotics sector

by

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech) has launched a new initiative to boost the robotics sector across the state, an effort funded through $5 million in investment.

A newly created department, established within the Innovation Institute at MassTech, will help catalyze a comprehensive statewide cluster development effort for robotics that will focus on expansion of research and development (R&D), testing, commercialization, and workforce development throughout the state.

The department will be led by the new director of the department of robotics, Peter Haas, who comes to MassTech from the private sector, where he was the CEO of Avendly, the restaurant robotics company. [Read more…] about MassTech collaborative launches new $5 million initiative to boost statewide robotics sector

Boston Dynamics gives new powers to truck-unloading robot

by

Boston Dynamics says it has introduced “a major advancement” in its robotic truck-unloading system.

The system, which is built around Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot, can now pick and place multiple boxes at the same time – “currently up to four at once”.

The company calls this new feature “multipick”. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics gives new powers to truck-unloading robot

Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

by

Otto Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers, has signed a strategic agreement with Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile robotics and maker of highly innovative machines, to continue automating its logistics operations.

The plan is to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots in more than 10 and Stretch robots in more than 20 of the group’s facilities over the next two years, beginning with Hermes Fulfilment.

The deployment supports Otto Group’s efforts to improve safety, increase operational efficiency and address labor shortages for specific types of warehouse work and the agreement marks the first time both of Boston Dynamics’ commercially available robots will be deployed together at enterprise scale. [Read more…] about Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

by

DHL Supply Chain, the world’s biggest logistics company and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has become the first company to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot developed for carton unloading of trucks.

The successful deployment of the robot comes just one year after DHL Supply Chain announced its $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

In the application, Stretch robots take packages from the back of trailers and place them on a flexible conveyor. [Read more…] about DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

Boston Dynamics joins Persistent Systems mobile telecommunications ecosystem

by

Persistent Systems, a provider of mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, says that mobile robotics company Boston Dynamics has joined its Relay Ecosystem.

The Ecosystem is an industry alliance of unmanned system and sensor producers all using the Wave Relay MANET as their preferred network for command-and-control and communications.

As part of its agreement with Boston Dynamics, Persistent will supply the MANET devices used on robots sold to defense, public safety, law enforcement and US federal government customers. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics joins Persistent Systems mobile telecommunications ecosystem