Robotics & Automation News

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Collaborative robots working with human welders in manufacturing, says Novarc

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Collaborative robots are working with human welders in manufacturing, according to Canada-based robotics company Novarc Technologies, a company which has built a robot specifically for pipe welding. 

Welding is one of the biggest applications for robots, particularly in the automotive industry.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, approximately half of all robotic arms sold in the US are bought by the automotive manufacturing sector, and around one-third of those robots are used for welding. [Read more…] about Collaborative robots working with human welders in manufacturing, says Novarc

Denso focuses on connected technology at new Seattle innovation lab

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Denso Corporation, the world’s second largest mobility supplier, has celebrated the grand opening of its Seattle Innovation Lab, which will strengthen the company’s development of connected technologies and advance its Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform.

The lab supports Denso’s recent expansion into software-based solutions to complement its hardware expertise, bolsters its North American R&D strategy and helps bring to life its long-term plan aimed at creating new value for future mobility.

It also furthers Denso’s exploration of new business domains, like MaaS, to propel its technology development and contribute to better, safer and more sustainable transportation solutions.

[Read more…] about Denso focuses on connected technology at new Seattle innovation lab

Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding

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Starship Technologies, which makes an autonomous delivery robot, has closed $40 million in Series A funding.

The company, which has just become the first to complete 100,000 commercial deliveries, also announced that it plans to expand its service to 100 university campuses in the next 24 months.

Delivery robots arrived today at the University of Pittsburgh. Purdue University, Indiana is launching on September 9 with more following shortly. [Read more…] about Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding

GreyOrange partners with eight supply chain companies in the US

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GreyOrange, a warehouse and supply chain robotics company, says it has reached partnership agreements with eight warehouse industry leaders in the United States.

The companies are:

  • Avik Services;
  • Bricz;
  • Hy-Tek;
  • Info-Sun;
  • McCombs-Wall;
  • S&H Systems;
  • TREW; and
  • UST Global.

These companies will join forces with GreyOrange to help sell, integrate and service GreyOrange technology. [Read more…] about GreyOrange partners with eight supply chain companies in the US

UPS invests in and already making deliveries with autonomous trucking company TuSimple

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Logistics giant UPS has invested in autonomous trucking startup TuSimple, and has already made some deliveries with driverless vehicles.

UPS says its venture capital arm, UPS Ventures, has made a minority investment in autonomous driving company TuSimple.

Together, both companies are testing self-driving tractor-trailers on a route in Arizona to determine whether the vehicles can improve service and efficiency in the UPS network. [Read more…] about UPS invests in and already making deliveries with autonomous trucking company TuSimple

Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

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Bosch and Daimler have chosen in a city located in the San Francisco Bay in Silicon Valley, California, as the pilot location for a first test fleet developing fully-automated and driverless driving.

Bosch and Daimler will offer customers a shuttle service with automated vehicles on selected routes. Daimler Mobility Services is envisaged as the operator of this test fleet and the app-based mobility service.

The pilot project will demonstrate how mobility services such as car sharing (car2go), ride-hailing (mytaxi) and multi-modal platforms (moovel) can be intelligently connected to shape the future of mobility.

[Read more…] about Bosch and Daimler to pilot automated driving in California

ThyssenKrupp invests €80 million in ‘world’s most advanced forging line’

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ThyssenKrupp is investing €80 million into building what the company describes as “the world’s most advanced forging line” in Homburg, in Germany.

The investment is to expand a front axle production facility for trucks, for which long-term customer contracts have been signed, says the industrial giant.

ThyssenKrupp says its decision to build the new forging line represents “the biggest single investment ever made at its Homburg site. [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp invests €80 million in ‘world’s most advanced forging line’

Formant acquires Formation to add robot remote control to its fleet management solutions

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Formant, a robot fleet management software company, has acquired Formation, a robot teleoperation startup based in Pittsburgh.

Formant will integrate the startup’s solution to enable customers to remotely control their robots through its browser-based, cloud-enabled robot fleet management system.

According to Formant’s CEO, Jeff Linnell, adding teleoperation to Formant’s offerings will create an end-to-end solution that robots-as-a-service companies can leverage to scale their fleets, enabling them to easily manage thousands of robots. [Read more…] about Formant acquires Formation to add robot remote control to its fleet management solutions

‘Prawn day’ – it’s a thing

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US delivery firm Postmates, launched its first annual Prawn Day, offering two days of deals on select “prawn-related” merchants its service on 15-16 July.

Customers who visited the app found Prawn Day themed content and deals.

The company, which operates in more than 3,500 cities, added some of the most sought-after local and national restaurants, serving 70 of the top 100 restaurants in the US.

Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’

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Switzerland-based Teralytics has raised $17.5 million for what is described as “the world’s first intelligent mobility operating system”.

innogy Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of innogy Innovation Hub, has invested in Teralytics as part of a $17.5 million funding round. innogy Ventures and innogy Innovation Hub are backed by innogy SE, a leading German energy company.

The round was led by Robert Bosch Venture Capital, the corporate venture capital company of the Bosch Group. Other participants included Deutsche Bahn Digital Ventures, LBBW Venture Capital and Liil Ventures, as well as existing investors Atomico and Lakestar. [Read more…] about Teralytics raises $17.5 million for ‘world’s first intelligent mobility operating system’