Robotics & Automation News

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SAIC unveils China’s ‘first’ Level 4 robotic taxi platform

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Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor has officially started the operation of its SAIC Mobility Robotaxi, claiming it to be China’s first Level 4 self-driving platform.

SAIC says its “Robotaxi” employs “superior resources” – from SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company, SAIC Motor AI Lab, autonomous driving technology company Momenta, and its ride-hailing service platform SAIC Mobility – to create a data-driven ecosystem featuring continuing evolution in an effort to explore the application of Level 4 self-driving technology in urban mobility scenarios.

There is a lack of clarity about the term “robotaxi”. So far, most companies have used it as a generic term to mean robotic taxi. None of them has yet trademarked the actual word. SAIC doesn’t seem to have done so either, but has the word on the side of its cars. [Read more…] about SAIC unveils China’s ‘first’ Level 4 robotic taxi platform

Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

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Verizon Robotics Business Technology, a business unit of telecommunications giant Verizon and one of America’s leading newspapers, the Los Angeles Times, have entered into an agreement to accelerate the application of advanced robotics and other technology from Verizon to expand on the way news is gathered, shared and consumed.

Through the engagement, the companies will work to integrate technologies including 4G-connected drones, 5G-connected ground robots and 3D modeled data, among others, to redefine digital media and add dimension to news reporting and storytelling. [Read more…] about Verizon Robotics and LA Times to ‘enhance storytelling’ with network-connected robots and drones

Open Ocean Robotics raises $4 million to develop autonomous boat

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Open Ocean Robotics has completed a $4 million round of seed financing to advance its marine robotics and ocean data analytics platform.

This included a $2.8 million non-dilutive investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, an agency of the Canadian government, and $1.2 million from a syndicate of international investors including Rhiza Capital and Cindicates.

This funding enables the company to accelerate the development of its solar powered autonomous uncrewed surface vehicle technology and ocean data analytics platform for maritime monitoring. [Read more…] about Open Ocean Robotics raises $4 million to develop autonomous boat

Walmart to roll out inventory analytics function to fleet of robotic floor cleaners

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Walmart business unit Sam’s Club – a membership warehouse club – is planning the national, chain-wide roll out of “Inventory Scan”, a new inventory analytics function which will be added to the its existing fleet of robotic scrubbers.

The implementation will be undertaken in partnership with software company Brain Corp and Tennant Company, the manufacturer of the vehicle.

The rollout marks the largest and fastest technology deployment undertaken by Brain Corp – which provides the operating system for the robotic floor cleaners – and the first commercial application of its inventory scanning technology anywhere in the world. [Read more…] about Walmart to roll out inventory analytics function to fleet of robotic floor cleaners

Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

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“How do we build robots that can optimally explore space?” is the core question behind Dr Frances Zhu’s research at the University of Hawai’i. One part of the answer is, “with motion capture”.

“It is my hope that my research contributes to the way extraterrestrial robots move and make decisions on other planets,” explains Zhu (main image), an assistant researcher and deputy director at the University’s Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology.

That research is in its early stages, but NASA has seen the value in it and awarded Zhu an EPSCoR grant by the name “Autonomous Rover Operations for Planetary Surface Exploration using Machine Learning Algorithms”. [Read more…] about Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

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By Christoph Elhardt

ETH Zurich researchers led by Marco Hutter have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain.

Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. [Read more…] about How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

Three opportunities to implement new fleet management innovations

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Like the automotive retail market, giant strides are being made in the fleet management industry.

Electrification has been introduced for long haul trucks and integration has radically altered what maintenance and refueling looks like.

5G technology has supplanted slower satellite and 3G data transmission for more accurate tracking, routing, and vehicle diagnostics. Dash cams have improved driver safety by preventing instances of distracted driving. [Read more…] about Three opportunities to implement new fleet management innovations

7 Industrial Workplace Innovations and Trends to Emerge in 2022

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The best way to prepare for the future is to predict it. While it may not be feasible to define the future perfectly, it’s possible through study, research, and scientifically guided forecasts to learn the recurring patterns that influence how work is done and develop plans around those expected plans.

Several studies are being conducted to decipher and grasp what the future of work will look like in 2022 and beyond.

Considering how rapidly things change in our world today, industries need to get even with the various workplace innovations that are shaping the industry and trends to emerge in 2022.

Currently, there are tools, software, and platforms that make digital work easier. There are also code-compliant, prefabricated industrial stairs, and it’s only a matter of time before other innovations are implemented.

But specifically, the following workplace innovations and trends should be on your watchlist in 2022: [Read more…] about 7 Industrial Workplace Innovations and Trends to Emerge in 2022

Robotics data and operations startup Formant raises $18 million

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Formant, a robotics data and operations platform, has completed an $18 million series A funding round.

The investment was led by SignalFire, with participation from Hillsven, Pelion, Goodyear Ventures, Thursday Ventures, Ericsson, Picus Capital, and Holman Strategic Ventures.

Founded in 2017, Formant is a cloud-based platform for managing fleets of heterogeneous robots. [Read more…] about Robotics data and operations startup Formant raises $18 million

Enway releases new generation of its sweeping robot

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Enway has released the new generation of its autonomous sweeping robot, the B2.

The second generation of the autonomous sweeper is the first of a new series, says the company.

There are several new features and other advantages compared to the B1 for industrial cleaning. In addition, the Europe-wide export of the fully CE-certified self-driving sweeper starts now. [Read more…] about Enway releases new generation of its sweeping robot