Robotics & Automation News

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drones

Wingtra lands $22 million funding round for its commercial drones

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The business use case and appetite for drone technology is growing rapidly, a marketplace that was worth $29.8 billion in 2022 and is growing 38.6 percent annually.

Serving this demand, Wingtra, which claims to be the world’s largest producer of commercial vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones, has closed a $22 million series B funding round as they accelerate their operations globally.

The funding round included DiamondStream Partners, EquityPitcher Ventures, Verve Ventures, the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund), ACE & Company, John L. Steffens (founder of Spring Mountain Capital) and some of the most successful Swiss Entrepreneurs. [Read more…] about Wingtra lands $22 million funding round for its commercial drones

New York Power Authority cleared to fly drones beyond line of sight

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The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has received its first federal approval to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the pilot in command.

In a significant step forward, this Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waiver enables NYPA to conduct fully remote drone operations such as asset and vegetative management inspections at its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County.

NYPA’s growing drone program supports its industry-leading asset management strategies and is part of an Authority-wide digitization initiative to modernize grid infrastructure to advance the efficient delivery of clean power statewide. [Read more…] about New York Power Authority cleared to fly drones beyond line of sight

How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?

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You couldn’t miss the international drone show trend if you followed social media or watched TV recently: a lot of indoor and outdoor events and ceremonies, such as sports shows, movie premieres, and even local celebrations include this new exciting technology.

But have you ever wondered how much it would cost to organize a cool drone show like the ones you see all over the world? Lumasky is here to answer the most asked questions. [Read more…] about How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?

4 Real-World Examples of Warehouse Automation to Spark Your Inspiration

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By Will Schneider, founder, InsightQuote

Companies around the world are investing in advanced automation systems. One goal behind the trend is streamlining their daily operations – these systems improve workplace safety, efficiency, and reduce overall operation costs.

When it comes to warehouse companies, they use automated systems to scale their operations according to fluctuating market demands, to sustain round-the-clock operations, and so on.

The technology behind these systems is advancing on an almost daily basis. This is leading companies to integrate more and more advanced digital solutions into their existing warehouse operations. [Read more…] about 4 Real-World Examples of Warehouse Automation to Spark Your Inspiration

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz jointly explore feasibility of drone-based network measurement solution

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Nokia has signed an agreement with network measurement technology provider Rohde & Schwarz to embed QualiPoc 4.9G/LTE and 5G network measurement capabilities into the Nokia Drone Networks platform.

The companies say this is the “first software-embedded solution of its kind” and will expand the use cases for drones to provide communication service providers (CPS), private wireless partners and enterprises with deeper knowledge around their wireless network coverage and performance for more efficient utilisation.

Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz will jointly work on a prototype that integrates mobile network measurement and troubleshooting QualiPoc capabilities using QualiPoc software from Rohde & Schwarz, embedded directly into the Nokia drone, connected to the MX Industrial Edge (MXIE) over the Digital Automated Cloud (DAC). [Read more…] about Nokia and Rohde & Schwarz jointly explore feasibility of drone-based network measurement solution

8 Technologies Changing the Future of Warehouse Automation

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Factors such as a rise in consumerism and eCommerce have contributed to the rapid growth being experienced in the warehouse market globally. Along with this growth, warehouses are also being increasingly automated for increased efficiency and productivity.

This warehouse automation guide will explore some technologies that are changing the future of warehouse automation. Read on. [Read more…] about 8 Technologies Changing the Future of Warehouse Automation

Verizon Robotics selects Pendleton Range to advance robotics proofs of concept

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Verizon Robotics is advancing its testing and proof-of-concept capabilities at Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Range, a leading FAA-designated test range that offers diverse testing environments for drones and ground robotics.

Verizon Robotics will expand its operations, and base its advanced air R&D, drone partner and long range robotics at the Pendleton Range.

This includes training Pendleton Range staff to control a rapid-response command mobile unit vehicle, capable of deploying mission-critical communications, applications and advanced computing solutions that can address robotics use-cases in the air and on the ground. [Read more…] about Verizon Robotics selects Pendleton Range to advance robotics proofs of concept

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

‘We wrote the playbook’: Michigan reinvents itself as the global capital of autonomous mobility

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The US state of Michigan is reinventing itself as the global capital of autonomous mobility. From opening an air corridor for drones to building a stretch of road on which electric vehicles can charge themselves wirelessly as they move along, the state is creating an ecosystem which could become something of a template for the rest of America.

Michigan is, as most readers will know, the state in which Detroit is located. Detroit, the most populous city in the state, is the historic centre of the modern global automotive industry, or “Motor Town” as it was famously called many decades ago, inspiring the name “Motown” for the even more famous record label.

And while it may have lost some of its industrial status in recent decades, Detroit still provides homes and office space to some of the largest automotive companies in the world: Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz USA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and a whole range of automotive components, systems and parts manufacturers. [Read more…] about ‘We wrote the playbook’: Michigan reinvents itself as the global capital of autonomous mobility

2022 Energy Forecast: Ultra-dense power delivery networks are re-shaping the future

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By Tom Curatolo, senior director, applications engineering, Vicor Corporation

It is estimated by the year 2030 there will be a global skilled labor shortage of up to 85 million jobs, which equates to $8.5 trillion, according to a recent Korn Ferry report.

Many of these jobs will be in the industrial and service sectors where the Covid pandemic has exposed weaknesses in global supply chains and labor pools. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and robots can alleviate this situation by efficiently automating manual tasks.

Today, UAVs are being quickly ushered into service for a host of unique and mission-critical applications, including security/surveillance, parcel delivery, agriculture, defense and even natural disaster recovery and humanitarian aid delivery missions. [Read more…] about 2022 Energy Forecast: Ultra-dense power delivery networks are re-shaping the future