Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

carbon

Carbon Robotics launches ‘breakthrough’ tractor solution with real-time remote supervision

by

Carbon Robotics, a developer of AI-powered farming automation solutions, has launched Carbon AutoTractor, which it describes as “a breakthrough tractor autonomy solution”.

Powered by Carbon AI, Carbon AutoTractor is installed on existing tractors and is remotely monitored by Carbon Robotics operators, who handle interventions in realtime to ensure seamless operation.

Carbon AutoTractor delivers reliable, uninterrupted autonomous tractor operation – helping farmers increase productivity, reduce labor dependency, and scale operations. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics launches ‘breakthrough’ tractor solution with real-time remote supervision

Carbon Robotics raises $70 million Series D investment round

by

Carbon Robotics, a developer of AI-powered, autonomous farming vehicles and technology, has raised $70 million in Series D financing.

The financing was led by new investor BOND with participation from existing investors NVentures (Nvidia’s venture capital arm), Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Revolution, Sozo Ventures, and Voyager Capital.

This round brings total company funding to $157 million. As part of the financing, Mood Rowghani, general partner at BOND, will join Carbon Robotics’ Board of Directors.

[Read more…] about Carbon Robotics raises $70 million Series D investment round

Carbon Robotics adds new capabilities to meet ‘strong global demand’ for LaserWeeder

by

Carbon Robotics has launched the Track LaserWeeder, a new model of its LaserWeeder, and two software enhancements: spatial data intelligence in the Carbon Ops Center and multi-language support in the iPad operator app.

By incorporating these advancements, Carbon Robotics not only addresses the diverse needs of farmers in various regions but also empowers them with actionable farm data, aligning seamlessly with the evolving demands of agriculture.

Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics, says: “We are excited to introduce the new Track LaserWeeder unit and software upgrades that will further improve the efficiency and capabilities of our industry-leading LaserWeeder for growers. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics adds new capabilities to meet ‘strong global demand’ for LaserWeeder

Can robotics improve the environment?

by

Although conversations about the impact of robots on society more often than not focus on the negative aspects of automation – such as the number of jobs that might be threatened by the rise of AI and robotics – there is also a very real possibility that new technologies like robots can be used to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Nowhere is this possibility truer than in relation to climate change, which is undoubtedly the most pressing problem of our time. But what exactly is the scope of the environmental problem we face and how can robots be used to tackle it? [Read more…] about Can robotics improve the environment?

Kiwibot and Sodexo bring food delivery robots to Shenandoah University

by

Kiwibot, a robotic sidewalk delivery company, is now available at Shenandoah University to ensure an affordable on-campus food delivery service for students.

With 15 robots operating at Shenandoah University, students profit from speedy food delivery with zero carbon emissions, reducing the carbon footprint on campus.

Kiwibot’s proven track record is in part due to its ongoing partnership with Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company and Shenandoah’s dining partner. [Read more…] about Kiwibot and Sodexo bring food delivery robots to Shenandoah University

Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

by

Carbon Robotics, a provider of AI-powered robotics to the agricultural sector, has closed $30 million in Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures along with existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital.

The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets. This latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million.

Rob Freelen, managing director of Sozo Ventures, says: “Carbon Robotics’ elegant use of AI, computer vision, robotics and lasers is the only solution that enables farmers to reduce their most expensive line item – weed control – without damaging plants or the soil. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

by

Carbon Robotics, an AI and robotics company specializing in agriculture, has introduced what it says is “the industry’s first LaserThinning capability”, continuing the “rapid innovation” of its LaserWeeder system.

LaserThinning targets areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth and yield. This is particularly valuable for farmers growing any direct seeded leafy green and cole crops – such as lettuce and broccoli.

By using lasers for thinning, the new solution does not require the use of any chemicals or manual hand labor, is unaffected by wind or moisture, and can be performed during the day or night. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

Nauticus Robotics presents at United Nations’ sustainability event

by

Nauticus Robotics, a developer of ocean robots, autonomy software, and services to the marine industries, today announced that founder and CEO Nicolaus Radford was scheduled to be speaking at an event on December 1, 2022, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The UN event is called “Energy Transition Industries: Solutions to Achieving SDG’s – How Renewable Energy Can Combat Inflation in Emerging Nations”.

The event will feature presentations from industry-leading companies helping to implement technologies and solutions towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics presents at United Nations’ sustainability event

300,000 tons in carbon emissions ‘could be saved by autonomous oil and gas operations’

by

ABB has published another of its Energy Transition Equation reports that shows how industrial customers can reduce carbon emissions and manage the energy transition for a more sustainable future.

Based on nine months of research and modelling, the report highlights how early adoption and integration of automation, digitalization, and electrification technologies to enable autonomous operations can deliver savings of over 300,000 tons of carbon emissions per annum for offshore sites (approximately 25 percent reduction).

This is the equivalent of removing 150,000 combustion cars from the road and is the same volume of CO2 responsible for five million tons of glacier mass lost each year. [Read more…] about 300,000 tons in carbon emissions ‘could be saved by autonomous oil and gas operations’

MIT device is converting carbon dioxide to oxygen – on Mars

by

On the red and dusty surface of Mars, nearly 100 million miles from Earth, an instrument the size of a lunchbox is proving it can reliably do the work of a small tree.

The MIT-led Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, or MOXIE, has been successfully making oxygen from the Red Planet’s carbon-dioxide-rich atmosphere since April 2021, about two months after it touched down on the Martian surface as part of NASA’s Perseverance rover and Mars 2020 mission.

In a study published today in the journal Science Advances, researchers report that, by the end of 2021, MOXIE was able to produce oxygen on seven experimental runs, in a variety of atmospheric conditions, including during the day and night, and through different Martian seasons. In each run, the instrument reached its target of producing six grams of oxygen per hour – about the rate of a modest tree on Earth. [Read more…] about MIT device is converting carbon dioxide to oxygen – on Mars