Robotics & Automation News

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Motional and Lyft agree ‘world’s largest’ robotaxi partnership

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Motional and Lyft have signed what they describe as “the world’s largest robotaxi deployment partnership” in a deal that has the potential to make driverless vehicles a reality for millions of Americans.

Starting in 2023, consumers in select markets will be able to book a Motional robotaxi through the Lyft app. For many, this will be their first experience with driverless technology.

In a statement, Motional said: “Today, we unveil a key part of that experience. We’re excited to announce that the celebrated Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be the vehicle platform for Motional’s next-generation robotaxi.” [Read more…] about Motional and Lyft agree ‘world’s largest’ robotaxi partnership

Gatik and Isuzu partner to develop fully autonomous trucks

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Gatik and Isuzu North America have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks.

Gatik claims to be the “industry leader” in automating on-road transportation networks for business-to-business middle-mile logistics.

Isuzu has consistently been at the forefront of truck evolution, introducing iconic models of superlative quality and reliability in the US and Canadian markets. [Read more…] about Gatik and Isuzu partner to develop fully autonomous trucks

IAM Robotics partners with Tompkins Robotics to develop order fulfillment solution

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IAM Robotics has joined forces with Tompkins Robotics to create a new robotic application to automate the exit process of order fulfillment.

Developed by Tompkins, the new application enhances the current t-Sort system with the addition of xChange to autonomously remove completed order containers from sortation and replace them with empty order containers at one time. xChange is based on IAM Robotics’ latest robot, Atlas.

Thanks to the industry-leading features of xChange, companies are even closer to experiencing human-free automated sortation. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics partners with Tompkins Robotics to develop order fulfillment solution

XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

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XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, has embarked on a new autonomous forklift truck technology pilot program in collaboration with Balyo, a specialist developer of robotics for goods handling equipment.

XPO is the first logistics company in Europe to test Balyo’s latest robotic “reach truck” – referring to its higher reach – under real-life conditions. The pilot is underway at an XPO distribution center near Blois, France.

Malcolm Wilson, XPO’s chief executive officer – Europe, says: “We’re pleased that our on-site tests will help optimize intelligent reach trucks for the logistics environment. As we pilot the robotics in our operations, we’re also exploring these applications to increase efficiency for customers and to support our employees.” [Read more…] about XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

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Mobileye, an Intel Company, Transdev Autonomous Transport System (ATS), part of Transdev Group dedicated to autonomous mobility solutions, and Lohr Group, a mobility solutions manufacturer, have agreed a strategic collaboration to develop and utilize autonomous shuttles.

The companies are integrating Mobileye’s self-driving system into the i-Cristal electric shuttle, manufactured by Lohr Group, with plans to integrate it into public transportation services powered by fleets of self-driving shuttles across the globe, starting in Europe.

Johann Jungwirth, vice president of Mobility-as-a-Service at Mobileye, says: “Our collaboration with Transdev ATS and Lohr Group serves to grow Mobileye’s global footprint as the autonomous vehicle (AV) technology partner of choice for pioneers in the transportation industry. [Read more…] about Mobileye, Transdev ATS and Lohr Group to develop autonomous shuttles

Efficient production of even the smallest of series

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Human-robot collaboration: Advantages for manual production

The video below will show you why human-robot collaboration holds enormous benefits for staff in manual assembly and enables companies to efficiently produce very small series in semi-automated processes.

item Industrietechnik developed a system for human-robot collaboration with the aim of lightening the load on workers in manual assembly while also boosting the efficiency of associated processes. [Read more…] about Efficient production of even the smallest of series

Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

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Siemens, IBM and Red Hat have launched a new collaboration that will use a hybrid cloud designed to deliver an open, flexible and more secure solution for manufacturers and plant operators to “drive real-time value from operational data”.

In one month, a single manufacturing site can generate more than 2,200 terabytes of data according to a report by IBM – yet most data goes unanalyzed.

Through the joint initiative, Siemens Digital Industries Software will apply IBM’s open hybrid cloud approach, built on Red Hat OpenShift, to extend the deployment flexibility of MindSphere, the industrial internet of things as a service solution from Siemens. [Read more…] about Siemens, IBM and Red Hat launch cloud initiative to ‘increase real-time value of industrial data’

Veo Robotics signs up Calvary Robotics as first integration partner

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Veo Robotics, an industrial automation company building technology to make robots responsive to humans, has agreed a partnership with Calvary Robotics, a developer of custom automation solutions, robotic platforms, and material handling systems, as its initial certified systems integrator partner.

Calvary will include Veo’s flagship product FreeMove, a “3D safeguarding solution” that is said to turn standard industrial robots into collaborative machines that work safely with humans, as part of its solution offering to customers.

The Veo team will provide training to the Calvary team on how to install FreeMove in various manufacturing settings. [Read more…] about Veo Robotics signs up Calvary Robotics as first integration partner

E-mobility manufacturer orders test benches for e-drives from teamtechnik valued at ‘several million euros’

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An original equipment manufacturer in the e-mobility sector has ordered test benches for electric drives from teamtechnik valued at “several million euros”.

For teamtechnik, the turn of the year was a success. The year 2020 ended with the announcement that machine and system builder Dürr is coming aboard at teamtechnik with a majority shareholding of 75 percent.

Simultaneously, teamtechnik received a major contract – one of the world’s largest e-mobility OEMs commissioned the company to build test benches for electric drives. [Read more…] about E-mobility manufacturer orders test benches for e-drives from teamtechnik valued at ‘several million euros’

MassRobotics chooses Festo as winner of its GM Gripper Challenge

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MassRobotics has chosen Festo, a MassRobotics partner, in collaboration with Magswitch, is the winner of the 2020 GM Gripper Challenge.

Festo’s design concept was selected for its ability to handle a variety of parts, in addition to avoiding occluding a part when gripped.

Joseph Cyrek, Magswitch CEO, says: “The technology challenge hosted by MassRobotics provided an excellent platform for collaboration and rapid development of innovative solutions.” [Read more…] about MassRobotics chooses Festo as winner of its GM Gripper Challenge