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Seegrid ends distribution agreements with Toyota subsidiary in favour of direct sales

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Seegrid, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions for palletized material handling, has decided to terminate its product and distribution agreements with Raymond Corporation, a division of Toyota, effective upon the conclusion of a ninety-day notice period.

Joe Pajer, CEO of Seegrid, says: “This move will allow us to sell and service the full Seegrid-branded product line across all market segments rather than serving a large portion of the market through Raymond.

“We are seeing more customers desire a direct relationship with Seegrid as we roll out our new lift truck products and release innovative technology enhancements across our product line.” [Read more…] about Seegrid ends distribution agreements with Toyota subsidiary in favour of direct sales

Choosing Between an LLC and a Corporation Depends on Your Goals and Vision

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Starting a robotics venture requires a lot of attention to detail when it comes to all the tech aspects, but let’s not forget about the entrepreneurial side of the equation that deserves just as much focus.

If you’re someone who likes flexibility and simplicity in structure, an LLC might be the way to go as it allows you to enjoy pass-through taxation while protecting your personal assets.

However, if you’re aiming for growth and looking to attract investors, a corporation could be your best bet since it opens the door to issuing stock and bringing in that crucial funding. [Read more…] about Choosing Between an LLC and a Corporation Depends on Your Goals and Vision

Toyota makes strategic investment in Gideon

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Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), which includes Toyota Material Handling Group and Toyota Automated Logistics Group, and Gideon, have signed an investment agreement with immediate effect.

The technology company Gideon develops and offers technologies for autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) behaviour and application stack for automating specific processes in warehouse and manufacturing environments.

For TICO, this strategic partnership and investment creates possibilities to simplify automated vehicle systems through standardization, reduced deployment times and increasing flexibility, adaptability and scalability.

[Read more…] about Toyota makes strategic investment in Gideon

Numurus secures $2 million to grow its open-source robotic applications software business

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Numurus, a robotic solutions company and developer of NEPI, a commercial open-source software solution for robotic and smart sensing applications, has secured $2 million in funding led by Tokusui Corporation of America.

The startup says the funds will help it to establish its position in the rapidly growing robotics and smart sensing markets.

Combined with previous funding, this investment fortifies Numurus’ first-to-market entrance with its fully-developed NEPI software suite that focuses on edge artificial intelligence (Edge AI), sensor and data abstraction, and system interfacing. [Read more…] about Numurus secures $2 million to grow its open-source robotic applications software business

Trimble implements new localization system for autonomous vehicles

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Trimble has released details of the first deployment of its map-based localization system for land-based autonomous vehicle applications.

IHI Corporation, a heavy industry manufacturer based in Japan, will retrofit its existing container and haulage trucks with a customized Applanix POS LV system as part of its broader autonomy capabilities for the transport of goods around industrial facilities.

Map-based localization provides precise positioning and orientation estimation, augmenting GNSS/inertial data, which is critical for safe and efficient autonomous vehicle operations. The ability to provide IHI Corporation a full workflow and real-time data ensures seamless integration into IHI’s truck design. [Read more…] about Trimble implements new localization system for autonomous vehicles

Ohio Transmission acquires AAP Automation

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Ohio Transmission Corporation (OTC), an industrial equipment service provider and distributor headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has acquired AAP Automation, a provider of machine automation and control solutions throughout the North and South West United States.

AAP Automation will operate under OTC’s industrial products group segment.

Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, AAP Automation has three sales offices and two field service locations throughout Arizona, Colorado, and Utah and has 55 employees. AAP’s footprint also reaches into Idaho, Wyoming, and New Mexico. [Read more…] about Ohio Transmission acquires AAP Automation

Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

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Advanced Farm Technologies, developers of robotic technology for farmers, has completed a series B investment round raising $25 million to support the company’s growth in strawberry harvesting and the adaptation of its technology to apple harvesting.

The Series B funding round was led by Catapult Ventures and included all the Series A investors Kubota Corporation, Yamaha Motor Corporation, and Impact Ventures.

Kyle Cobb, president, and co-founder of Advanced Farm Technologies, says: “It is gratifying to have the ongoing support and commitment from our early investors in this funding round. It reflects all of our team’s hard work to develop and bring our TX Strawberry Harvester to the market. [Read more…] about Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

Mitsubishi Electric to acquire Sharp factory to expand power device business

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Mitsubishi Electric has agreed to acquire buildings and land from Sharp Fukuyama Semiconductor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sharp Corporation located in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

The acquired properties will serve as a new site where Mitsubishi Electric’s Power Device Works will process wafers for the manufacture of power semiconductors.

New production facilities scheduled to start up in November of next year will enable Mitsubishi Electric to expand its power device business. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to acquire Sharp factory to expand power device business

Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

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HERE Technologies says Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have completed their joint acquisition of a 30 per cent ownership stake in the company, after receiving regulatory approvals.

HERE welcomes Mitsubishi and NTT as strategic investors. The two companies have co-invested in HERE via their recently established, jointly owned holding company COCO Tech Holding in the Netherlands.

As a result, HERE now has nine direct and indirect shareholders: Audi, Bosch, BMW Group, Continental, Intel Capital, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, NTT and Pioneer.​ [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies

Toyota to offer rides in autonomous cars on public roads

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Toyota Research Institute plans to make its Platform 4 (P4) automated driving test vehicle available for public demonstration rides next summer in Tokyo.

Offered from July to September 2020, the P4 will demonstrate Toyota’s “Chauffeur” SAE Level-4 capabilities in a specific “mobility as a service” driving environment.

The P4 experience will take place in Tokyo’s Odaiba district, a busy and often congested waterfront subcenter. [Read more…] about Toyota to offer rides in autonomous cars on public roads