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Bota Systems opens demo center at Heidenhain facility

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Bota Systems, a developer of multi-axis force-torque sensors, has opened its own Customer Experience Center at Heidenhain’s Connect Manufacturing Innovation Hub in Fremont, California.

The new center will showcase Bota Systems’ complete portfolio of force-torque sensors alongside a Mecademic robot demonstrating cutting-edge applications.

Visitors will experience firsthand how these sensors can optimize robotic performance in a range of industrial settings. [Read more…] about Bota Systems opens demo center at Heidenhain facility

Contra Costa Transportation Authority and May Mobility launch autonomous vehicle service in Martinez, California

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Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and May Mobility, an autonomous driving technology company, have launched Presto, a shared autonomous vehicle service for the general public in Martinez, California and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (County Hospital) patients.

A goal of the service is to improve access to healthcare in the area by providing another reliable and convenient mode of transportation.

The free service will run Monday through Friday, first offering County Hospital patients rides from 2pm to 6pm and then opening to the general public from 6pm to 10pm. [Read more…] about Contra Costa Transportation Authority and May Mobility launch autonomous vehicle service in Martinez, California

Blendid expands robotic smoothie kiosk presence on California college campuses

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Blendid, a robotic food service solutions leader, has opened its autonomous robotic smoothie kiosk locations at two community colleges in California.

Furthering efforts to expand the reach of Blendid robotic kiosks across US college campuses, two kiosks are opening this week in partnership with the West Valley-Mission College district.

Brad Davis, Chancellor of the West Valley-Mission College district, says: “Our students and faculty deserve easy access to healthy, quick-serve food options across our campuses on any day and at any time. [Read more…] about Blendid expands robotic smoothie kiosk presence on California college campuses

California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

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Mercedes‑Benz says its Drive Pilot system for SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving received certification from California state authorities.

With this significant milestone Mercedes-Benz is the first car manufacturer with authorization to introduce such a SAE Level 3 system in a standard-production vehicle for use on public freeways in the most populous state in the United States.

Drive Pilot will be available in the US market as an option for model year 2024 Mercedes‑Benz S-Class and EQS Sedan models, with the first cars delivered to customers in late 2023. [Read more…] about California certifies Mercedes semi-autonomous drive system

California Energy Commission awards Liminal $2.75 million grant

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The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved a $2.75 million grant for Liminal, a battery manufacturing intelligence company, to advance the assembly of its EchoStat platform from manual to mostly-automated factory-ready equipment.

EchoStat is an EV battery cell inspection system that uses ultrasound inspection and machine learning analytics to provide manufacturers with previously unavailable insights into battery quality, reliability and performance.

Andrew Hsieh, CEO of Liminal, says: “To power the global EV transition, battery production needs to expand by 20 percent annually, but challenges with battery reliability have created setbacks for automakers and battery companies. [Read more…] about California Energy Commission awards Liminal $2.75 million grant

Stäubli opens new office in Southern California

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Stäubli Group, one of the world’s largest industrial and mechatronic solutions providers, has opened the doors of its brand-new office in Cypress, California.

Gerald Vogt, CEO of the Stäubli Group, and members of the executive committee, were present at an event held by the company to mark the milestone.

With this additional location, Stäubli aims to accelerate growth in North America and provide further local presence to customers. [Read more…] about Stäubli opens new office in Southern California

Zoox says its robotaxi is ‘first in the world to operate on public roads’

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Autonomous mobility-as-a-service company, Zoox, has completed what it describes as “a key milestone” – deploying “the world’s first purpose-built robotaxi on open public roads with passengers”.

On February 11, 2023, Zoox conducted the first run of its employee shuttle service in Foster City, California, marking “the first time in history” a purpose-built autonomous robotaxi without traditional driving controls carried passengers on open public roads.

To reach this milestone, Zoox completed rigorous testing on private roads and received approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to operate its robotaxi on the state’s public roads. [Read more…] about Zoox says its robotaxi is ‘first in the world to operate on public roads’

Indy Autonomous Challenge returns to CES

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The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) returns to CES 2023 to push the boundaries of head-to-head autonomous racing and showcase the future of autonomous mobility.

The IAC will have a significant presence throughout CES 2023 with the Autonomous Challenge @ CES at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 7; an exhibit in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in the LVCC West Hall booth #3601; a tabletop at CES Unveiled on January 3 and a press conference at CES Media Days on January 4. [Read more…] about Indy Autonomous Challenge returns to CES

Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

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Chipotle Mexican Grill, one of the largest restaurant chains in the US, is piloting advanced technologies such as robotics to enhance its employee and guest experience by streamlining operations and reducing friction.

The company recently began piloting two new technologies in its restaurants to deliver precise forecasting, optimal quality, and increased convenience for digital guests.

In select Southern California restaurants, Chipotle is piloting a cook to needs kitchen management system that provides demand-based cooking and ingredient preparation forecasts to optimize throughput and freshness while minimizing food waste. [Read more…] about Chipotle pilots robots at key restaurants

Uber and Nuro agree 10-year partnership for autonomous food deliveries starting in California and Texas

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Uber Technologies and Nuro, an autonomous vehicle technology company, have agreed a multi-year partnership to use Nuro’s autonomous, electric vehicles for food deliveries in the United States.

Uber Eats consumers will be able to order meals and goods delivered by Nuro’s zero-occupant autonomous delivery vehicles, which run on public roads and are built specifically to carry food and other goods.

The partnership will kick off this fall with deliveries in Houston, Texas and Mountain View, California. Uber and Nuro plan to expand the service to the greater Bay Area. [Read more…] about Uber and Nuro agree 10-year partnership for autonomous food deliveries starting in California and Texas