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Photoneo Brightpick raises additional $19 million to complete $40 million in Series B funding

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Photoneo Brightpick Group, the parent company of Photoneo, a provider of robotic vision sensors and intelligence software, and Brightpick, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for ecommerce and grocery order fulfillment, has raised an additional $19 million to complete a $40 million Series B.

Taiwania Capital led this most recent round, which also included follow-on investments by prior Series B lead investors IPM Group and Alpha Intelligence Capital.

Additional investors in this round include H&D Asset Management, Venture to Future Fund and Kolowrat Group. This round brings the company’s total capital raised since inception to $53 million. [Read more…] about Photoneo Brightpick raises additional $19 million to complete $40 million in Series B funding

Kodiak Robotics equips autonomous trucks with Ambarella AI system-on-chip

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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, has agreed a partnership with Ambarella, an edge AI semiconductor company, to integrate Ambarella’s CV2AQ AI perception system-on-chip (SoC) into its self-driving trucks for all camera data processing.

To kick off the partnership publicly, Kodiak will exhibit one of its self-driving trucks at Ambarella’s demo event in Las Vegas during the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak, says: “Our focus on building the world’s safest and most reliable self-driving trucks requires us to seek out the best partners. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics equips autonomous trucks with Ambarella AI system-on-chip

Wieland acquires Heyco Metals and National Bronze Manufacturing

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With the acquisition of Hummock Industries, Wieland has acquired Heyco Metals, a leader in light and medium gauge copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel strip processing, and National Bronze, a manufacturer and distributor of bronze-based bearing products.

Hummock Industries is a family-owned holding company focused on long-term investments in North American-based manufacturing companies.

These complementary operations will further strengthen Wieland’s market position with expanded product offerings, manufacturing capabilities, and distribution networks in North America. [Read more…] about Wieland acquires Heyco Metals and National Bronze Manufacturing

VoIP Phone Systems: Automation in the World of Communication

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Automation is often a driver of efficiency. That is certainly the case, when it comes to communication systems, such as the ones led by VoIP. It has changed the way customers are taken care of when they call in, but also how a company can adapt itself better to their needs. Here is an overview on automation inside VoIP phone systems.  [Read more…] about VoIP Phone Systems: Automation in the World of Communication

4 Ways Marketing Can Use Automated Systems for Better Success

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Autonomous systems and software rightfully enjoy more demand in various spheres, including marketing. In an era of digital growth, companies must adapt to new realities and follow their customers’ needs.

Often referred to as “marketing automation,” this software helps marketers achieve many key business goals, such as boosting website traffic, increasing conversion rates, and generating more leads. But let us dive into detail. [Read more…] about 4 Ways Marketing Can Use Automated Systems for Better Success

Outrider equips autonomous trucks with deep-learning driven robotic arms

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Outrider, the startup developing autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, has releaseed TrailerConnect – a patented technology that robotically attaches the needed brake and electric lines from yard trucks to any of the over 10 million trailers and chassis circulating globally.

A deep-learning based technology, TrailerConnect is now available as part of the Outrider System, which automates distribution yards for large, logistics-dependent enterprises.

In distribution yards around the globe, yard trucks transition semi-trailers from dock doors to parking spots to public roads. To move these trailers, truck drivers connect pressurized brake lines to semi-trailers to release the parking brake and move the trailers around the yard – a hazardous manual task that requires the driver to get in and out of the cab constantly. [Read more…] about Outrider equips autonomous trucks with deep-learning driven robotic arms

Recogni claims world’s fastest computing system for autonomous driving

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Recogni, a developer of AI-based perception for autonomous vehicles, has unveiled its Recogni Scorpio, which the company claims is “the world’s first 1,000 TOPS (Peta-Op) class inference solution for autonomous mobility”.

The company’s vision-inference chip enables superhuman object detection accuracy up to 300 m in real-time under various road and environment conditions, and the ability to process multiple streams of ultra-high resolution and very high frame rate cameras.

Microprocessor Report says that Recogni’s solution “performs far better than the inference engines in leading SoCs such as Nvidia’s Orin”. [Read more…] about Recogni claims world’s fastest computing system for autonomous driving

North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

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North American robot sales in the first nine months of 2022 reached record levels, with all indications pointing to 2022 ending with the highest number of robots sold in a year for the second year in a row.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), from January to September 2022, North American companies purchased 35,804 units valued at $1.875 billion, up 24 percent for units ordered and 27 percent for revenue over the same period in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “Ongoing labor shortages, easier-to-use robotic solutions and new industries embracing robotics, such as restaurants, retail, construction and even agriculture, have led to record units sold here in North America this year. [Read more…] about North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022

The 5 Kinds of Contracts Every AI or Robotics Company Should Have

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The AI/robotics world is still a relatively new one, and therefore the laws governing their usage are still in the process of being formed. Nonetheless, it is critical that contracts for AI/robotics be utilized in their sale/usage as these machines require the same type of protection that other services do.

Which contracts need to be signed, though? Well, there are five major types that every company in the industry should make note of so as not to fall victim to data leaks, sub-par services, or other unexpected problems. [Read more…] about The 5 Kinds of Contracts Every AI or Robotics Company Should Have

Motional launches first robotaxi service on the Uber network

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Motional’s new all-electric IONIQ 5 robotaxis will be available on UberX and Uber Comfort Electric in select markets, contributing to Uber’s 2030 zero emissions goal.

Motional and Uber today announced the launch of their public robotaxi service in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the first time ever, Uber customers are able to hail an autonomous ride using Motional’s all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5-based robotaxis.

Motional and Uber are launching with vehicle operators now to lay the groundwork for a fully driverless commercial service, with the goal of launching the driverless service to the public in 2023. [Read more…] about Motional launches first robotaxi service on the Uber network