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ABB and SKF increase collaboration on industrial automation

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Industrial automation giant ABB and SKF, one of the world’s largest suppliers of bearings, have agreed a partnership to explore the possibilities for a collaboration in the automation of manufacturing processes.

The agreement was signed at ABB’s Robotics Experience Center in Västerås, Sweden, by ABB CEO Björn Rosengren and SKF CEO Rickard Gustafson.

Following the successful delivery of a number of projects in SKF’s global manufacturing network, including in Gothenburg, where a fleet of industrial robots from ABB are installed in the bearing manufacturer’s state-of-the-art factory, the two companies are now taking the next step in their collaboration. [Read more…] about ABB and SKF increase collaboration on industrial automation

‘First-of-its-kind’ $50 million fund launches for early-stage robotics, automation, and AI companies

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Cybernetix Ventures, an independent venture capital firm investing in early-stage robotics, automation and AI technology companies, today announced the launch of its first global fund headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Cybernetix Fund I will focus on pre-seed, seed and Series A investments into companies in the US and around the world developing robotics solutions for manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare verticals.

The fund will also invest in key robotics-enabling software companies in AI/machine learning, cloud robotics, cybersecurity, autonomy and sensors/edge computing. [Read more…] about ‘First-of-its-kind’ $50 million fund launches for early-stage robotics, automation, and AI companies

Serve Robotics partners with Piestro to deliver robot-made pizzas

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Piestro, a maker of a robotic pizzeria, is partnering with Serve Robotics, a maker of autonomous sidewalk delivery robots, to offer customers a totally robotic pizza delivery service.

When a customer places an order, Piestro’s scheduling system will notify Serve’s fleet and the nearest available robot will pick up the pizza for transport from a Piestro pod.

The partnership will roll out in the coming months, as Piestro deploys units within Serve delivery areas.  [Read more…] about Serve Robotics partners with Piestro to deliver robot-made pizzas

Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain partners with GreyOrange to increase warehouse automation

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Apotek Hjärtat, Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain, has signed a new partnership with GreyOrange to develop automation solutions for its new 20,000 square meter e-commerce warehouse that will open in September in Norrköping.

Through the partnership, Apotek Hjärtat will take the next step in automating its logistics. The warehouse that supplies pharmacies with goods is already largely automated, but the new collaboration gives Apotek Hjärtat the conditions to continue to improve customer experience through faster and smoother deliveries.

Eric Lundberg, CEO of Apotek Hjärtat, says: “Through the collaboration, we continue to automate our logistics flows and thereby lay the foundation for the next generation of e-commerce offering. [Read more…] about Sweden’s largest pharmacy chain partners with GreyOrange to increase warehouse automation

DB Schenker to operate zero-emission autonomous ship for Ekornes

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DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, has revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway. The fully electric vessel has a unique design, making it the first of its kind in the world.

Having just signed a pre-study agreement, DB Schenker and its co-operation partners – the furniture giant Ekornes and the vessel designer Naval Dynamics, along with Kongsberg and Massterly – have taken the first steps in an ambitious joint project to replace the traditional feeder vessels utilized along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund.

The new autonomous and electric, short-sea container feeder leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept that was developed in partnership with Kongsberg and Massterly. [Read more…] about DB Schenker to operate zero-emission autonomous ship for Ekornes

Additive manufacturing startups MakerBot and Ultimaker agree to merge

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MakerBot and Ultimaker, two of the best-known startups in desktop 3D printing, have come to a “business combination agreement” – or a merger.

The company says the move will accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing by providing a comprehensive desktop 3D printing ecosystem of hardware, software, and materials.

The new entity will be backed by existing investors, NPM Capital and Stratasys, and will benefit from a planned cash investment of $62.4 million to fuel innovation and expansion into new markets. [Read more…] about Additive manufacturing startups MakerBot and Ultimaker agree to merge

Addverb Technologies expands warehouse robotics solutions to Americas

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Addverb Technologies, an automation solutions provider for warehouses and factories, is expanding into North and South America.

The move comes on the heels of $132 million in funding from Reliance Industries.

This expansion establishes an experienced US leadership team with more than four decades of robotics, manufacturing, and business development experience. [Read more…] about Addverb Technologies expands warehouse robotics solutions to Americas

Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of robotic material handling automation, has raised $65 million in its Series C funding round led by Tiger Global Management, along with additional funding from new investors Lineage Logistics, Proficio Capital Partners, and Impulse.

The new financing will help fund the company’s technology roadmap with new autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software, and will accelerate fulfillment of new orders and expanded operations to address the $165 billion market opportunity for pallet-moving autonomy.

Craig Malloy, CEO of Vecna Robotics, says: “There is huge headroom for growth in automated material handling with over 5 billion pallets in the world being moved by more than 5 million forklifts and nearly 5 million manual operators. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

Ottonomy provides ‘first’ fully autonomous delivery robots for airport

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A company called Ottonomy is providing a fleet of its fully autonomous delivery robots – called Ottobots – for food and retail at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

This is said to be the first autonomous robotic delivery of food, beverage and lifestyle products in an airport environment.

Officially launched for the holiday travel season, passengers are now able to order contactless delivery directly to their location in Concourse B of the airport, delivered by an autonomous robot. Customers can select grab and go, beverage and travel items sold at select retail stores operated by Paradies Lagardere via orderatcvg.com on mobile devices. [Read more…] about Ottonomy provides ‘first’ fully autonomous delivery robots for airport

Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition

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Shareholders in Rotor Acquisition, a publicly-traded special-purpose acquisition company, have approved what’s being described as a “business combination” – possibly meaning a merger – with Sarcos Robotics, a maker of exoskeletons.

Upon completion of the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, Rotor will change its name to Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation.

The post-closing company’s common stock and warrants are expected to commence trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “STRC” and “STRCW” respectively. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics ‘merges’ with Rotor Acquisition