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Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

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The warehousing and storage industry faces growing demand to deliver goods across the country as consumers purchase more goods online.

To address the productivity crunch and improve workers’ well-being, policymakers should establish measures to support robotic automation in logistics facilities, according to a new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the leading think tank for science and technology policy.

Morgan Stevens, a research assistant at ITIF who wrote the report, says: “Firms need to adopt robotics to help workers accomplish more per hour and stay safe while doing so. [Read more…] about Industry group proposes plan to increase automation in logistics facilities

Uber Eats and Cartken expand sidewalk robot deliveries to Virginia

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Building on a successful pilot of autonomous deliveries in Miami, Florida, Uber Technologies and Cartken, an AI-powered robotics company, are expanding their partnership to include food deliveries via automated robots in Fairfax, Virginia.

Uber Eats consumers at Mosaic District will have the opportunity to have orders delivered by Cartken’s self-driving robot.

Starting today, Uber and Cartken will begin operating with select merchants at Mosaic District, a shopping and dining district owned and operated by EDENS. At launch, merchants like Our Mom Eugenia, Pupatella, and RASA, will participate in the program. [Read more…] about Uber Eats and Cartken expand sidewalk robot deliveries to Virginia

SGS introduces ‘cutting-edge testing protocol’ for robots checking furniture drawer slides

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SGS, a testing, inspection and certification company, has launched a new advanced slide test protocol that uses “PROF” – short for “SGS Performance Factory” – to assess the performance and durability of furniture drawers.

The PROF furniture drawer slide test protocol accurately simulates real consumer use and misuse to measure and map the evolution of opening force, damping force and drawer face position when operating. It can also compare the impact of drawer use on the right and left sides and be used to contrast different brands and designs.

This protocol has several key advantages for consumers, manufacturers and brands. Its high-quality, trusted and impartial data supports performance and durability claims, enabling consumers to make better-informed purchasing decisions. It also empowers better commercial decisions concerning design improvements and product selection. [Read more…] about SGS introduces ‘cutting-edge testing protocol’ for robots checking furniture drawer slides

Be afraid. Be slightly afraid: Drivers feel ‘increasingly anxious’ about autonomous cars

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The results of AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey show that while there is still a high level of interest in partially-automated vehicle technology, attitudes toward fully self-driving vehicles have become increasingly apprehensive.

This year there was a major increase in drivers who are afraid, rising to 68 percent as compared to 55 percent in 2022. This is a 13 percent jump from last year’s survey and the biggest increase since 2020.

AAA believes automakers must be diligent in creating an environment that promotes the use of more advanced vehicle technologies in a secure, reliable, and educational manner. This includes the consistent naming of vehicle systems available to consumers today. [Read more…] about Be afraid. Be slightly afraid: Drivers feel ‘increasingly anxious’ about autonomous cars

Uber Eats and Cartken partner to offer sidewalk robot deliveries

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Uber Technologies, and Cartken, a delivery robots company, have formed a new partnership for food deliveries via automated robots in Miami, Florida. Uber Eats consumers in Miami will have the opportunity to have orders delivered by Cartken’s self-driving robot.

Starting today, Uber and Cartken will begin operating with select merchants in the Dadeland area of Miami-Dade County with plans to expand in Miami-Dade and to additional cities in 2023.

Cartken’s AI-powered sidewalk delivery robots currently are used for neighborhood food and grocery delivery, campus meal delivery and curbside pickup across the country. Uber Eats will be its first formal partnership with a global on-demand delivery app beyond college campuses. [Read more…] about Uber Eats and Cartken partner to offer sidewalk robot deliveries

Unilever to launch fleet of driverless ice cream vans using Robomart autonomous vehicles

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Robomart, the inventor of a grocery store on autonomous wheels, has agreed a partnership with Unilever, the world’s largest ice cream producer, under its virtual storefront, The Ice Cream Shop.

Unilever will deploy a fleet of Ice Cream Robomarts this summer, featuring treats from Unilever ice cream brands Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Good Humor, Magnum ice cream and Talenti.

With its patented one-tap grocery ordering technology, consumers can hail The Ice Cream Shop Robomarts to their location using Robomart’s proprietary mobile app. [Read more…] about Unilever to launch fleet of driverless ice cream vans using Robomart autonomous vehicles

Massive growth predicted for robotic last-mile delivery

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Worldwide robotic last-mile delivery revenues are forecasted to grow from $70 million in 2022 to $670 million in 2030.

This is according to new research from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research.

Furthermore, the value of those parcels delivered by autonomous mobile robots could reach $3.3 billion by 2030. [Read more…] about Massive growth predicted for robotic last-mile delivery

How Does Route Planning Software Work?

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When it comes to your organization’s bottom line, you want to be sure that you are doing all possible to obtain the finest conclusion. Whatever your industry, when you devote significant time and effort going to several countries, the costs quickly pile up.

Naturally, the first step should be to choose a solution that can decrease significant expenses and assist your organization in operating more efficiently – and this is where route planning software comes into play.

Route softwares, like Route4Me, provide several advantages to your organization; here are four to consider. [Read more…] about How Does Route Planning Software Work?

Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

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Nommi, a new startup automating customizable bowl-based meals, has launched to raise up to $20 million in seed capital and is now open for reservations.

As part of this investment, visionary Sam Nazarian has led funding as part of a 50/50 deal to establish robotic Nommi kitchens in partnership with Nazarian’s global food tech platform C3 (Creating Culinary Communities).

Nommi, which is backed by Wavemaker Labs, a robotic incubator, is building a standalone robotic kitchen that is able to produce and dispense any grain-, noodle- or lettuce-based dish through a fully integrated cooking system. [Read more…] about Robotic kitchen Nommi raises $20 million and partners with food tech platform C3

BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

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BMW i Ventures took a lead investment in HeyCharge, the German start-up providing electric vehicle charging stations in apartment complexes, office buildings and other infrastructure locations.

HeyCharge was in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 batch of start-ups.

Kasper Sage, managing partner, BMW i Ventures, says: “The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market in coming years will necessitate greater infrastructure build-out of charging solutions around the globe. [Read more…] about BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations