Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

clearpath

Clearpath Robotics launches new version of Husky mobile robot

by

Clearpath Robotics a global leader in autonomous mobile robots for research and development, has launched Husky A300, the next-generation version of its flagship rugged mobile robotic platform.

Clearpath, which is part of Rockwell Automation, says the new robot offers “superior performance, durability, and flexibility, empowering robotics researchers and innovators to tackle the most complex challenges in demanding environments”.

With key improvements in speed, weather resistance, payload capacity and runtime, Husky A300 is “poised to redefine the possibilities” for robotics research and development, driving forward the next generation of groundbreaking discoveries and applications, adds Clearpath. [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics launches new version of Husky mobile robot

Rockwell Automation completes acquisition of Clearpath Robotics and Otto Motors

by

Rockwell Automation, which says it is “the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation”, has completed its acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics, a developer of autonomous robotics, including autonomous mobile robots for industrial applications.

The acquisition includes Clearpath Robotics’ namesake research division, a developer autonomous technology for the innovation market, and the industrial division Otto Motors, which provides AMRs, which Rockwell says is “the next frontier in industrial automation and transformation”.

Both divisions will report to Rockwell’s Intelligent Devices operating segment. Financial details do not appear to have been officially disclosed, but media reports say Rockwell may be paying $600 million for the acquisition. [Read more…] about Rockwell Automation completes acquisition of Clearpath Robotics and Otto Motors

Clearpath Robotics launches outdoor autonomy software

by

Clearpath Robotics, a manufacturer of mobile robotics platforms for research and development, today launched OutdoorNav – an autonomous navigation software platform designed for vehicle developers, OEMs, and robotics researchers.

Compatible with Clearpath’s outdoor mobile platforms as well as third-party industrial vehicles, OutdoorNav provides reliable GPS-based navigation for faster, more efficient autonomous vehicle development.

Bryan Webb, president of Clearpath Robotics, says: “Robotics product development can often be a difficult, sometimes harrowing experience. [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics launches outdoor autonomy software

Clearpath Robotics launches latest version of TurtleBot

by

Clearpath Robotics, a manufacturer of mobile robotic platforms for research and development, and Open Robotics, primary maintainers of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Gazebo simulator, have launched TurtleBot 4 – the next generation of the open-source robotics platform.

TurtleBot 4 is described as a “low-cost, fully expandable mobile robotics platform with improved sensing, increased payload capacity, ROS 2 support, and auto-docking capabilities” aimed at educators, researchers, and developers.

Bryan Webb, president of Clearpath Robotics, says: “This year marks ten years since we started working with the Open Robotics’ founding team on the Turtlebot 2. [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics launches latest version of TurtleBot

Teknic ClearPath servos power Guinness World Record domino robot

by

Teknic’s ClearPath servos were used to power a much-talked-about robot called “the Dominator”, a Guinness World Record setting robot, made by Mark Rober (main picture). 

In just over 24 hours, the Dominator placed more than over 100,000 dominos to create a Super Mario Brothers mural. (See video below.)

Teknic’s all-in-one servos were used to power the omnidirectional wheels to place 300 dominos at a time, with an accuracy of a couple millimeters. [Read more…] about Teknic ClearPath servos power Guinness World Record domino robot

Clearpath develops autonomous ice resurfacer that smooths skating rink with GPS navigation

by

Every year, Clearpath Robotics holds a Hack Day – an entire workday dedicated to pet robotics projects to push and challenge itself. Numerous teams come together to draft and build out their ideas from the ground up and then present them to the entire Clearpath team. (See video below.) 

This is the chance to test out fun experiments in a supportive and constructive environment. This year, however, one team decided to stick close to Clearpath’s Canadian roots.

For Hack Day 2021, a team presented an autonomous ice resurfacer using Husky UGV equipped with its GPS Waypoint Navigation package. [Read more…] about Clearpath develops autonomous ice resurfacer that smooths skating rink with GPS navigation

Otto Motors integrates its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog

by

Otto Motors, a maker of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses and part of Clearpath Robotics, has integrated its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, as part of a demonstration. (See video below.)

The company says it combined its separate areas of expertise – from Clearpath and Otto – into “a dynamic real-world application using Boston Dynamics’ Spot”.

At the end of last year, Clearpath released a ROS software package for Spot which allows researchers to take full advantage of ROS capabilities out-of-the-box and leverage widely available open-source libraries and tools with Spot. [Read more…] about Otto Motors integrates its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog

Swiss university developing mobile robot that learns on the job

by

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

by

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’

by

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’