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Swiss university developing mobile robot that learns on the job

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A team from the Autonomous Systems Lab at the public research university ETH Zurich in Switzerland is creating robots and intelligent systems that are able to learn on the job. (See video below.)

The team’s machine – which consists of a robotic arm mounted on a mobile platform – can “autonomously operate in complex and diverse environments”, says an article on Clearpath Robotics’ website.

Using a Clearpath Ridgeback as a base and equipped with a Franka Emika Panda manipulator arm (called RoyalPanda, that is Ridgeback + Panda), the team is experimenting with a series of different scenarios to develop best practices of how a robot could “learn”. [Read more…] about Swiss university developing mobile robot that learns on the job

Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

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Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has raised $29 million in Series C funding. The company says the new funds will be used for the continued expansion of its autonomous mobile robot platform.

The investment, which follows years of rapid growth, was led by Kensington Private Equity Fund with participation from BMO Capital Partners, Export Development Canada, and previous investors iNovia Capital and RRE Ventures.

Including this Series C round, Otto Motors has now raised a total of $83 million in funding. [Read more…] about Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

Clearpath unveils new indoor research robot ‘Dingo’

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Clearpath Robotics has unveiled its Dingo Indoor Research Robot, described as a “compact, lightweight and cost-effective indoor robotic platform” that is extensible and programmable, and designed to accelerate robotics research and education.

Julian Ware, general manager at Clearpath Robotics, says: “Dingo offers the reliability and flexibility our customers expect from a Clearpath robot, at an approachable price point.

“We have seen a gap in the market for a system with these capabilities and believe Dingo is a cost-effective, ROS-ready indoor platform suitable for benchtop and laboratory testing. The lower cost also makes the use of multi-robot systems more accessible than with other robots.” [Read more…] about Clearpath unveils new indoor research robot ‘Dingo’

Scaled Robotics integrates mobile robot into construction site

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Scaled Robotics has integrated a mobile robot called “Husky”, built by Clearpath Robotics, into a construction site’s activities

A construction site is an extremely busy, fast-paced, and interconnected environment. With specific building instructions and deadlines to meet, having a clear overview of the project is paramount.

Barcelona-based Scaled Robotics see the need to provide a beneficial service that has previously not existed in the construction industry.

Since it is virtually impossible to keep track of the hundreds of thousands of variable elements on a construction site, progress tracking was typically accomplished with very sparse spot checks. [Read more…] about Scaled Robotics integrates mobile robot into construction site

Husky UGV helps US grape growers conserve water

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A university project in California has developed a robotic system to help vintners manage their water systems, and implement precision irrigation across the vineyard.

The RAPID (Robot-Assisted Precision Irrigation Delivery) system was developed by Electrical Engineering and Computer Science professor, Stefano Carpin, with a team of researchers from University of California-Merced, Davis, and Berkeley.

By replacing an existing system with low-cost, plastic emitters that control the water flow, the team can send a Husky UGV, from Clearpath Robotics, to adjust them, and change the amount of water each plant area is receiving.

[Read more…] about Husky UGV helps US grape growers conserve water

Husky UGV used for 3D mapping in Mars simulation

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The Austrian Space Forum (OeWF), in partnership with international research organisations including Oman Astronomical Society, conducted a four-week Mars simulation mission in the Arabian desert in Oman.

The study was to simulate a typical day on Mars. Tasks performed in the study included 3D mapping, minerology, evaluation of biological habitats, and preparation of food.

The Husky UGV from Clearpath Robotics, was used for 3D mapping of the Oman terrain and transportation in the simulated mission, with the help of a 260 degree scanner laser. Once the Husky mapped environments, it was able to identify potential hazards, move around and collect data for the astronauts.

Watch the video here

Clearpath Robotics launches amphibious robot

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Clearpath Robotics partners with Argo XTR to launch Warthog unmanned ground vehicle 

Clearpath Robotics, a provider of mobile robotic platforms for research and development, has released Warthog – a large, amphibious, all-terrain mobile robot designed for application development.

The company says Warthog enables researchers to reliably test, validate, and advance their robotics research faster in real world conditions, whether on land or in water.

Julian Ware, general manager for research solutions at Clearpath Robotics, says: “Argo XTR (Xtreme Terrain Robotics) has a terrific record of manufacturing rock-solid outdoor platforms.  [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics launches amphibious robot

Clearpath Robotics raises $30 million to expand Otto self-driving logistics vehicle technology

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Funding from iNovia Capital, Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures and previous investors will expand new Otto Motors division

Clearpath Robotics, a leading provider of self-driving vehicle solutions, announced today the completion of a $30 million investment led by iNovia Capital with participation from Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures, Eclipse Ventures, RRE Ventures and Silicon Valley Bank.

Clearpath will use the funding to grow the company’s industrial division, Otto Motors. Clearpath launched Otto Motors in 2015 to focus on self-driving vehicles for material transport inside manufacturing and warehouse operations.

Matt Rendall, CEO and co-founder of Clearpath, says: “Factories operate like small indoor cities, complete with roads, traffic, intersections and pedestrians.

“Unlike city streets, a factory floor is a controlled environment, which makes it an ideal place to introduce self-driving vehicles at scale. Companies like Google, Tesla and Uber are still testing, whereas our self-driving vehicles are commercially available today.”  [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics raises $30 million to expand Otto self-driving logistics vehicle technology

Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica

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Yaskawa has launched a new collaborative industrial robot range at Automatica, along with a number of other innovations, including a new compact controller. 

The hotly anticipated collaborative Motoman HC10 is consistent with the plan to position Yaskawa as one of the world’s leading robot manufacturers in the area of human-robot collaboration.

The manufacturer of Motoman industrial robots is presenting the new development outside Japan for the first time at its stand in the new robotic technology hall (B6-502).  [Read more…] about Yaskawa launches new collaborative industrial robots at Automatica

Clearpath to provide GE Healthcare repair center with self-driving vehicles

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The Clearpath Otto logistics robot
The Clearpath Otto logistics robot

A fleet of Otto self-driving vehicles will automate just-in-time parts delivery within Milwaukee facility 

Clearpath, the developer of Otto – a self-driving vehicle designed for material transport, has been selected to automate just-in-time parts delivery in a GE Healthcare repair facility being expanded near Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“The Otto fleet will optimize GE Healthcare’s just-in-time manufacturing process to help enable repair cells to operate at full capacity,” said Matt Rendall, chief executive officer at Clearpath Robotics.  [Read more…] about Clearpath to provide GE Healthcare repair center with self-driving vehicles

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