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Robotic Research raises $228 million in Series A funding round

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Robotic Research, a developer of autonomous mobility and robotics solutions, has raised $228 million in its Series A funding round – the first outside capital the company has raised.

This funding will drive further innovation and expansion of Robotic Research’s commercial division, RR.AI, which is focused on delivering comprehensive autonomous driving solutions for commercial truck, bus, drayage and logistics vehicles.

Investors in the Series A round include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Enlightenment Capital, Crescent Cove Advisors, Henry Crown and Company, and Luminar Technologies. [Read more…] about Robotic Research raises $228 million in Series A funding round

Baidu Apollo wins approval for commercialized autonomous car service on open roads in Beijing

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Baidu Apollo has received approval for the commercial operation of its autonomous car service in Beijing, as the company’s Apollo Go, known as Luobo Kuaipao in China, was authorized to provide paid service in China’s first-ever demonstration zone for commercial autonomous driving.

With the service’s first-ever commercial deployment on open roads, Apollo Go marks a further step in its accelerating progress towards large-scale commercial operation.

The autonomous vehicle commercial permit granted by the head office of the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD) today allows Baidu to charge fees for autonomous services offered to the public in a designated area. Baidu was among the first service providers to receive such authorization. [Read more…] about Baidu Apollo wins approval for commercialized autonomous car service on open roads in Beijing

UVD Robots sends its machines along supermarket aisles

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UVD Robots, a specialist manufacturer of autonomous ultraviolet disinfection robots, is partnering with OCC Commercial Consulting to offer “complete hospital-grade disinfection solutions” for supermarkets, with the aim of providing a safe shopping experience for employees and customers.

UVD Robots says that the average consumer spends about 60 hours grocery shopping per year – hours spent in an environment that may harbor different germ colonies, include shopping carts, refrigerator doors, and produce.

A study showed that grocery store carts have 361 times more bacteria than a bathroom door knob, with 75 percent of the germs found on those carts considered harmful to humans. [Read more…] about UVD Robots sends its machines along supermarket aisles

Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

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In a milestone moment slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for autonomous technology, Sea Machines will circumnavigate Denmark on a multi-week 1,000 nautical mile remotely commanded commercial voyage.

Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, says it will embark on a 1,000 nautical mile autonomous and remotely commanded journey around Denmark later this month.

Aptly named “The Machine Odyssey”, the voyage marks a landmark moment for autonomous transportation and is slated to prove that the world’s waterways are primed and ready for long-range autonomy.

The Machine Odyssey will depart from Hamburg, Germany, on September 30, with full onboard vessel control managed by autonomous technology, while operating under the authority of commanding officers located in the United States. [Read more…] about Sea Machines embarks on ‘world’s first’ autonomous, remotely commanded voyage by an ocean tugboat

Einride partners with Bridgestone to develop electric and autonomous trucks

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Einride and Bridgestone have agreed a partnership aimed at co-creating innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for electrified and autonomous Class 8 vehicles – trucks.

The collaboration will allow Einride to collect new layers of safety and efficiency-related data from Bridgestone’s smart-sensing tires, while enabling Bridgestone to integrate its advanced mobility technologies into Einride’s onboard vehicle platforms.

Together, the companies will work to create safer and more efficient mobility solutions to drive a more sustainable future for large commercial truck fleets. [Read more…] about Einride partners with Bridgestone to develop electric and autonomous trucks

Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

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Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, and REE Automotive, an innovator in e-mobility, have signed a strategic business alliance agreement to realize their shared vision of “providing new value to society through next-generation commercial mobility”.

With the backdrop of advancements in CASE – Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric – vehicles, the automotive industry is entering a major transformation phase.

Hino and REE envision beyond this transformation a future in which commercial vehicles that support the movement of people and goods will evolve into mobility that provides new value and opportunities for society. [Read more…] about Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

Arrival partners with Ambarella to develop advanced driver assistance systems

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Arrival, a develop of electric vehicles, has selected the Ambarella CV2FS CVflow AI vision processor for the environmental perception module available for all types of Arrival vehicles.

The module will be used to enable autonomous driving (AD) and ADAS features in the Arrival Bus and Van.

Arrival believes it will accelerate the mass adoption of EVs globally by producing affordable commercial vehicles across the whole transportation ecosystem, and working closely with cities and governments to transform mobility. [Read more…] about Arrival partners with Ambarella to develop advanced driver assistance systems

Scythe Robotics launches with $18.6 million funding to ‘transform commercial landscaping with autonomous mower’

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Scythe Robotics, a builder of commercial-grade autonomous robotic solutions for the landscaping industry, has emerged from stealth with its first offering: an all-electric, fully autonomous mower, designed completely in-house to be “the most advanced, reliable, and sustainable commercial-grade mower in the industry”.

Scythe has also completed its $13.8 million in Series A funding led by Inspired Capital with participation from existing investors True Ventures, Zigg Capital, and Lemnos, bringing the company’s total funding to $18.6 million.

The new investment will be used to grow the company’s existing operations in Texas, Florida and Colorado, expand with new customers, and accelerate development of further products to revolutionize how commercial landscape contractors care for outdoor environments. [Read more…] about Scythe Robotics launches with $18.6 million funding to ‘transform commercial landscaping with autonomous mower’

Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser

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Miso Robotics, a robotics and automation startup specializing in the foodservice industry, is partnering with Lancer Worldwide, a beverage dispenser manufacturer which works with the world’s top food and beverage brands, to build “an intelligence-backed, automated beverage dispenser that will bring enhanced functionality for a future-focused commercial kitchen”, according to the companies.

At a time when the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry is facing record labor shortages, operators are looking for ways to streamline operations, cut costs and implement solutions that drive a better and faster customer service experience. The pandemic drastically shifted the paradigm, creating new models for operator revenue streams that relied on drive-thru, takeout and delivery more so than ever before.

While 60 to 70 percent of certain QSR sales came from the drive-thru lane pre-pandemic, as Covid spread, major QSRs experienced a jump as high as 90 percent.1 Yet, the new delivery and drive-thru model have made the always-critical need of speed and efficiency an even bigger challenge as volume increases and staff decreases have added minutes to the clock for order completion. Because of this, total average drive-thru times slowed down by 29.8 seconds last year. [Read more…] about Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser