Robotics & Automation News

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Kiwibot modifies its robot for ads, delivery and cargo needs

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Kiwibot, a developer of autonomous sidewalk robots, has launched what it describes as a “first-of-its-kind rent-a-robot” service to support companies in their cargo, advertising, and delivery needs.

Kiwibot Automation helps clients improve their operational costs by providing end-to-end automation solutions, particularly in industries with labor-intensive operations.

This service is already available through the company’s webpage. The company officially unveiled the new multi-service robot during the ongoing Web Summit. [Read more…] about Kiwibot modifies its robot for ads, delivery and cargo needs

Omron launches new integrated autonomous mobile robot solutions with lifter and roller modules from ROEQ

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Omron’s new medium-payload autonomous mobile robots, the MD-650 and the MD-900, are launching as complete solutions with top modules by ROEQ, a leader in mobile robotic equipment.

Businesses looking to deploy autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in their facility often realize that an AMR without a top module is like a robot arm without a gripper.

A lifter top module enables an AMR to drive underneath the cargo, lift it up and transport it to the desired location, while a top roller makes sure that the cargo is seamlessly transferred from the AMR to a conveyor station, providing a fully-automated, efficient logistics cycle.

Kyle Hable, group product manager, Omron Robotics and Safety Technologies, says: “Manufacturers are adopting AMR technology at a staggering rate as the world moves forward from the supply chain crisis inflicted by the pandemic and it’s never been more important to launch complete, out of the box solutions accelerating production automation projects.” [Read more…] about Omron launches new integrated autonomous mobile robot solutions with lifter and roller modules from ROEQ

Changi Airport partners with Aurrigo to trial new autonomous baggage handling vehicle

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Changi Airport Group and Aurrigo International are collaborating to test the latest version of its electric-powered autonomous vehicle, Auto-DollyTug, at Changi Airport, Singapore.

Auto-DollyTug, which has new ground handling capabilities and is more maneuverable, will be put through different scenarios to assess its efficiency and speed when it comes to aircraft turnaround times.

Combining the utility of a baggage tractor and the unit load device (ULD) carrying capability of an airport dolly, the latest Auto-DollyTug can rotate in its own length and, using the groundbreaking sideways drive system, move directly sideways and slide into tight spaces, enabling the swift delivery of a single ULD even when other GSE equipment is in place at the aircraft. [Read more…] about Changi Airport partners with Aurrigo to trial new autonomous baggage handling vehicle

Changi Airport and Aurrigo to trial new autonomous baggage handling vehicle

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Changi Airport Group and Aurrigo International are collaborating to test the latest version of its electric-powered autonomous vehicle, Auto-DollyTug, at Changi Airport.

Auto-DollyTug, which has new ground handling capabilities and is more maneuverable, will be put through different scenarios to assess its efficiency and speed when it comes to aircraft turnaround times.

Combining the utility of a baggage tractor and the unit load device (ULD) carrying capability of an airport dolly, the latest Auto-DollyTug can rotate in its own length and, using the groundbreaking sideways drive system, move directly sideways and slide into tight spaces, enabling the swift delivery of a single ULD even when other GSE equipment is in place at the aircraft. [Read more…] about Changi Airport and Aurrigo to trial new autonomous baggage handling vehicle

Italian port Livorno provides Comau exoskeletons to cargo handlers

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The logistics and cargo handling activities carried out in the port environment are largely managed manually by workers in order to ensure the required operational standards.

With the aim of making their employees’ tasks easier, more efficient and ergonomic, the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale (Port System Authority of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, AdSP MTS) and the Compagnia Portuale di Livorno (Livorno Port Company, CPL), together with IUVO, a spin-off company of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa), and Comau have conducted a pilot study – among the first carried out in Europe and in the world – for the adoption of wearable MATE-XT and MATE-XB exoskeletons designed by the 2 companies.

MATE-XT helps to reduce the muscle load of the upper limbs during static or repetitive activities, which require workers to keep their arms raised for extended periods of time, while MATE-XB relieves the muscle effort of the lumbar area when handling loads. [Read more…] about Italian port Livorno provides Comau exoskeletons to cargo handlers

Reliable Robotics flies large cargo aircraft with no one on board

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Reliable Robotics, a specialist in aircraft automation systems, says it has achieved “a significant milestone” in its work to bring advanced safety-enhancing technologies to market in the United States.

Last month’s successful flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan with no one on board was a first for aviation. A remote pilot supervised the uncrewed aircraft from Reliable’s control center 50 miles away. For a 360° experience inside the cockpit, view and scroll around at: https://youtu.be/0W5JHIHq40Q

The Reliable autonomous flight system enables the aircraft to be remotely operated by a pilot on the ground and improves safety by fully automating the aircraft through all phases of operation including taxi, takeoff and landing. [Read more…] about Reliable Robotics flies large cargo aircraft with no one on board

Xwing’s uncrewed aircraft system becomes FAA’s first certification project

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Autonomous aviation company Xwing has submitted a Project Specific Certification Plan (PSCP) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), becoming the first Standard Category large unmanned aerial system (UAS) to receive official project designation.

This marks the beginning of the process for approval of uncrewed commercial cargo operations in the national airspace.

Unlike other aviation projects that focus on augmenting piloted operations with autonomous technology or have Special Category certification, Xwing’s Superpilot technology integrates into existing type certified aircraft to enable uncrewed operations that work within the existing air traffic control system. [Read more…] about Xwing’s uncrewed aircraft system becomes FAA’s first certification project

ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

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Astrocast, a global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and ArrowSpot has signed a multi-million-dollar contract to start mass production of ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack SAT device.

The contract between Astrocast and ArrowSpot includes hardware integration and Satellite IoT (SatIoT) connectivity for an initial three-year period.

For context, ArrowSpot’s technology solutions provide the worldwide supply chain logistics industry with online information for safe & secure sensitive chilled cargo and high value cargo. Clients working with ArrowSpot include ZIM Shipping Line and Oceanex Inc. intermodal transportation services. [Read more…] about ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

Autonomous aviation company Xwing expands its air cargo operations to 400 weekly flights

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Autonomous aviation company Xwing is marking what it describes as “significant milestones”, including the expansion of its commercial cargo operations under FAA CFR Part 135 Air Carrier certificate, the addition of FAA CFR Part 145 certificates and “rapid company growth”.

Over the last 12 months, Xwing has more than tripled its team to 180 employees.

Xwing has completed the acquisition of Martinaire Aviation, a Texas-based FAR Part 135 air cargo carrier with over 40 years of experience throughout the United States. [Read more…] about Autonomous aviation company Xwing expands its air cargo operations to 400 weekly flights

Kawasaki demonstrates unmanned cargo transport system which combines an aircraft and a mobile wheeled robot

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Kawasaki Heavy Industries says it has successfully completed proof-of-concept (PoC) testing for an unmanned cargo transport system. (See video below.)

The system combines Kawasaki’s K-Racer-X1 prototype unmanned vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and what is commonly described in the industry as an autonomous mobile robot, and which the company describes as a “delivery robot”.

Kawasaki says the PoC testing was conducted with the aim of helping to solve societal issues such as labor shortages in the logistics industry. [Read more…] about Kawasaki demonstrates unmanned cargo transport system which combines an aircraft and a mobile wheeled robot