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Robotics4EU project is response to ‘unprecedented importance of robotics in modern economy’

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The European Commission, the administrative arm of the European Union, says its Robotics4EU project is its answer to the “unprecedented importance of robotics in the modern economy”.

Launched officially in January 2021 under the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme, Robotics4EU aims to take concrete steps to ensure a more widespread adoption of (AI-based) robots in the EU, particularly in the areas of Healthcare, Inspection and Maintenance of Infrastructure, Agri-Food, and Agile Production.

The project’s goal also includes raising awareness about non-technological aspects of robotics, such as ethics, legal, socioeconomic, data, privacy and gender issues. [Read more…] about Robotics4EU project is response to ‘unprecedented importance of robotics in modern economy’

Nvidia brings AI perception to ROS developers

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Nvidia has unveiled initiatives to deliver a suite of perception technologies to the Robot Operating System (ROS) developer community.

The chipmaker says these initiatives will “reduce development time and improve performance for developers seeking to incorporate cutting-edge computer vision and AI/ML functionality into their ROS-based robotics applications”.

Nvidia and Open Robotics, the organisation which maintains ROS, have entered into an agreement to accelerate ROS 2 performance on Nvidia’s Jetson edge AI platform and GPU-based systems and to enable seamless simulation interoperability between Open Robotics’s Ignition Gazebo and Nvidia Isaac Sim on Omniverse. [Read more…] about Nvidia brings AI perception to ROS developers

Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

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Kiwibot, a robotic delivery service that has completed over 150,000 food deliveries with semi-autonomous robots, has expanded its operations to San Jose, Miami-Dade County, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. 

This implementation of sidewalk delivery devices is possible due to a partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds initiatives that ensure that “residents’ voices drive the future of people-centered, smart cities”, says the company.

Each of the four cities will be given up to 10 robots with one human supervisor, making deliveries across these urban zones more efficient and cost-effective through Kiwibot’s last-mile delivery network. [Read more…] about Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

European project Robotics4EU releases surveys aimed at robotics community

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Robotics4EU, a three-year project funded under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, is releasing two surveys to support the project implementation and its goal: to boost a wider adoption of robotics in Europe. 

Developed as a basis for foundational work and to support the Robotics4EU project implementation, which started in January, these two surveys are aimed at the robotics community and policy makers in the area of robotics.

The data gathered from these surveys will also help identify the greatest challenges, bottlenecks and needs in enabling wider adoption of robotics in the project’s areas – healthcare, inspection and maintenance of infrastructure, agri-food, and agile production – and help the uptake of principles of responsible robotics. [Read more…] about European project Robotics4EU releases surveys aimed at robotics community

Comau launches global support network for small businesses

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Comau has launched a global web-based networking platform designed to support general industrial small medium enterprise.

The company says the platform will help create a “win-win ecosystem” between verified systems integrators and companies exploring automation opportunities.

To help industries of all sizes reap the benefits of automation in an intelligent and cost-effective manner, the Comau Marketplace platform features real-world case studies, targeted solutions and industry-specific guidance on how automation can help increase productivity and lower overall costs. [Read more…] about Comau launches global support network for small businesses

Startup Veo Robotics named ‘Technology Pioneer’ by World Economic Forum

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The World Economic Forum announced its selection of 100 of the most promising Technology Pioneers of 2020.

Many Technology Pioneers are using their tech to support Covid-19 responses around the world.

Veo Robotics, a startup company which develops software to enable industrial robots to work safely and efficiently alongside people to make manufacturing more flexible, was selected for its contributions in the field of industrial automation. [Read more…] about Startup Veo Robotics named ‘Technology Pioneer’ by World Economic Forum

UPS to use drones to deliver medicines to retirement homes in Florida

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CVS Health Corporation and UPS subsidiary UPS Flight Forward will use drones to deliver prescription medicines from a CVS pharmacy to The Villages, Florida for the largest US retirement community, home to more than 135,000 residents.

The service will use Matternet’s M2 drone system.

Drone transport offers a fast delivery option for medicines that are time-sensitive, while supporting social-distancing efforts. Drone delivery options provide individuals with a convenient alternative to visiting a pharmacy. This program can also help prioritize the protection of healthcare workers. [Read more…] about UPS to use drones to deliver medicines to retirement homes in Florida

Now you can make Boston Dynamics’ robot dog as scary as you like with the new SDK

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Boston Dynamics has launched a software development kit for its robot dog, Spot.

Already one of the scariest robots the world has ever seen, now the nightmare canine can be made even more terrifying by sick and twisted developers.

Boston Dynamics says the SDK enables a broad range of developers and non-traditional roboticists to communicate with the robot and develop custom applications that enable Spot to do useful tasks across a wide range of industries. [Read more…] about Now you can make Boston Dynamics’ robot dog as scary as you like with the new SDK

Waypoint Robotics moves to larger facility to ‘meet growing demand’ for its warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics has moved to a larger facility to meet what it says “growing demand” for its autonomous mobile robots. Among the products the company supplies is the MAV3K, an AMR with the capacity to lift 3000 lb.

The new, larger manufacturing facility in Nashua, New Hampshire. The new location features expanded space for production, design, engineering, quality control, and robot testing.

Jason Walker, CEO and co-founder of Waypoint, says: “The response for our Vector and MAV3K AMRs has been strong and we quickly outgrew our Merrimack, New Hampshire location. We need space to ramp up production as customers transition from pilot programs into scaling their robot fleets. [Read more…] about Waypoint Robotics moves to larger facility to ‘meet growing demand’ for its warehouse robots

Via unveils its first autonomous vehicle service in public transportation pilot

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Via, a developer of on-demand shared mobility solutions, has launched what it claims is the “first public autonomous vehicle service in the world”.

The driverless vehicle, dubbed BusBot, is now fully operational and serving a community in New South Wales, Australia.

In partnership with local bus operator Busways, Transport for NSW, and autonomous vehicle technology provider EasyMile, BusBot will serve the Marian Grove Retirement Village in Toormina, a suburb of Coffs Harbour. [Read more…] about Via unveils its first autonomous vehicle service in public transportation pilot