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ABB to acquire autonomous mobile robot maker ASTI

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ABB says it will acquire ASTI Mobile Robotics Group, an autonomous mobile robot manufacturer with a broad portfolio across all major applications enabled by the company’s software suite.

This will expand ABB’s robotics and automation offering, making it the only company to offer a complete portfolio for the next generation of flexible automation.

The acquisition, a key part of ABB’s external growth strategy, was signed on July 19 and is expected to close in mid-summer 2021. Both parties agreed not to disclose any details regarding the purchase price. [Read more…] about ABB to acquire autonomous mobile robot maker ASTI

Komatsu to develop zero-emission vehicles for mining industry

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Komatsu says it will collaborate with its customers – most notably perhaps Rio Tinto – to develop “zero-emission equipment” solutions for the mining industry.

Komatsu, which is a leading supplier of mining vehicles, including an autonomous dump truck, says it plans to utilize electrification for the next generation of its offerings.

Working together to rapidly innovate in support of carbon reduction targets, Komatsu and several of its customers have formed the Komatsu Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Alliance. The founding members of the alliance are Rio Tinto, BHP, Codelco and Boliden. [Read more…] about Komatsu to develop zero-emission vehicles for mining industry

Ranpak launches ‘completely automated packaging solution’ in North America

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Ranpak, a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, has launched its AutoFill solution in North America.

AutoFill is described as a “next-generation, fully automated end-of-line packaging solution that enhances throughput, reduces labor costs, and ensures the optimal amount of void fill in each package”.

Ranpak’s proprietary solution uses smart sensors to scan the package, computing the box size and the volume of objects inside, and then dispenses the optimal amount of paper needed to protect items during shipping. [Read more…] about Ranpak launches ‘completely automated packaging solution’ in North America

Vecna Robotics and Alta Material Handling to bring ‘high-capacity autonomous mobile robots to expanded markets’

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Vecna Robotics, the autonomous mobile robot and workflow orchestration company, is partnering with Alta Material Handling.

The partnership enables Alta MH to bring the capabilities of Vecna Robotics’ high-capacity AMRs to its customers looking for highly versatile, safe and integrated pallet-handling solutions.

Over 1.8 billion pallets are in circulation in the US each day – with billions more across the globe – but less than 1 percent of the millions of material handling vehicles moving them are automated today. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics and Alta Material Handling to bring ‘high-capacity autonomous mobile robots to expanded markets’

Kiwibot and Sodexo launch robotic food delivery services to three university campuses

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Kiwibot, a robotic last-mile delivery company, is partnering with Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, to expand its robotic fleet to “drive the future of smart university campuses”.

This August, the two companies will make robot deliveries available at three campuses in the US:

  • New Mexico State University;
  • Loyola Marymount University, California; and
  • Gonzaga University, Washington.

Kiwibot says it offers full remote and in-field customer support to businesses and integrates with any business’s point-of-sale to distribute their food products via “powerful, cute-looking robots”. [Read more…] about Kiwibot and Sodexo launch robotic food delivery services to three university campuses

DXC Luxoft and AWS partner to accelerate autonomous driving industry with Robotic Drive Cloud

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DXC Luxoft has entered into a collaboration with Amazon Web Services to accelerate the autonomous driving industry with DXC Luxoft’s Robotic Drive Cloud offering on AWS.

The Robotic Drive tooling and services provide reduced development and test times with unmatched total cost of ownership (TCO) to customers building autonomous driving systems.

The new relationship offers a tangible competitive advantage to customers by accelerating the development of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. [Read more…] about DXC Luxoft and AWS partner to accelerate autonomous driving industry with Robotic Drive Cloud

Walmart teams up with Symbotic to implement ‘industry-leading supply chain automation system’

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Symbotic, a supply chain robotics and automation company, and retail giant Walmart are partnering to “reimagine the retailer’s regional distribution network”.

Symbotic first implemented its system in Walmart’s Brooksville, Florida distribution center in 2017. Since that time, the companies have worked together to optimize the system.

Today, Symbotic will begin the process of outfitting 25 additional regional distribution centers with the high-tech system aimed at furthering Walmart’s mission of operating a best-in-class supply chain. [Read more…] about Walmart teams up with Symbotic to implement ‘industry-leading supply chain automation system’

Berkshire Grey secures $23 million order for grocery picking robots

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, has secured a $23 million multi-phase order with a global retailer for online same day grocery fulfillment.

The Berkshire Grey Intelligent Enterprise Robotics (IER) solutions robotically pick grocery items from inventory and pack the items into customer bags to fill orders that are placed online and via mobile apps.

Berkshire Grey’s robotic solutions can operate back-of-store, putting the operation close to current shoppers for rapid pickup and delivery, and in larger dedicated fulfillment and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey secures $23 million order for grocery picking robots

Seegrid introduces subscription model for acquiring its robots

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Seegrid, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, has introduced a “Robots as a Service” (RaaS) subscription model.

The additional purchasing model provides customers with more alternatives to facilitate access to the latest Seegrid Palion AMR fleet and enterprise software solutions.

In addition to the new subscription model, the company will continue to offer its customers options to purchase equipment outright, as well as various leasing models. [Read more…] about Seegrid introduces subscription model for acquiring its robots

OTTO Motors’ autonomous mobile robots now available worldwide

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OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots, has agreed a series of partnerships to extend availability of OTTO Motors’ line of AMRs to a global market.

In addition, OTTO Motors has successfully completed third party assessments to demonstrate that the company’s products meet or exceed all relevant safety standards in Europe and in the United States including ANSI/RIA R15.08 which they helped define.

The company will be demoing their software and AMR fleet at Automatica, which is being held virtually this year from June 22-24. [Read more…] about OTTO Motors’ autonomous mobile robots now available worldwide