Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

environmental

Startup uWare Robotics develops ‘first’ complete system to map and monitor coastal ecosystems

by Leave a Comment

A Belgian-Spanish startup called uWare Robotics says it has developed the “first end-to-end technology to map and monitor coastal ecosystems”.

uWare says its system consists of a number of proprietary hardware and software technologies, including an autonomous underwater vehicle, called the uOne.

Designed for maximum mobility, stability, cost-effectiveness, and autonomy, the uOne allows for data collection at “five times the speed of a diver” and with the precision of a robot, claims uWare. [Read more…] about Startup uWare Robotics develops ‘first’ complete system to map and monitor coastal ecosystems

Canadian innovator wins award for robot that does the dirtiest of industrial dirty work

by Leave a Comment

Nicolas Olmedo is on a mission to keep people safe by sending robots where no human should ever have to go: into the murky, muddy sludge of industrial mine tailing ponds and other hazardous terrains that need to be continually monitored.

His ground-breaking work to develop intelligent robots capable of traversing mud, snow, ice or rock using screw-shaped pontoons has earned Olmedo a prestigious award from Mitacs, a national innovation organization that fosters growth by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.

In recognition of his efforts to advance the robots through his company, Copperstone Technologies, Olmedo – one of three Copperstone co-founders who completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta – was presented the Mitacs Outstanding Entrepreneur Award on June 2 at a ceremony in Montreal, Canada. [Read more…] about Canadian innovator wins award for robot that does the dirtiest of industrial dirty work

Open Ocean Robotics raises $4 million to develop autonomous boat

by Leave a Comment

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

Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

by Leave a Comment

Berkshire Grey has launched a range of Robotic Pick and Pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment.

Berkshire Grey RPP solutions automate picking and packing of items directly from inventory totes to outbound customer shipping packages.

This solution improves operational efficiency for fulfillment centers, reduces shipping costs and lowers the environmental impact of eCommerce orders. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

Flexiv gains ‘world’s first’ CE and ETL certification for ‘force-controlled robot’

by Leave a Comment

Flexiv, a maker of “general-purpose” robotics, has received CE and ETL approval for their Rizon 4 robot, making it the “first-ever” seven-axis force-controlled adaptive robot to achieve both certifications at the same time, according to the company.

Demonstrating the “intrinsic safety” of the Rizon 4 robot, the CE and ETL approval was awarded by the world’s foremost testing, inspection, certification and assurance provider, Intertek. Accepted in the EU and Northern America, the approval enables Flexiv to distribute the Rizon 4 in the European Union, Canada, and the USA.

Meeting or exceeding the strict CE and ETL requirements, the Rizon 4 was subjected to hundreds of individual testing, evaluations, and assessments focused on machinery safety, electrical safety, functional safety, environmental reliability, electromagnetic compatibility, and collision detection. [Read more…] about Flexiv gains ‘world’s first’ CE and ETL certification for ‘force-controlled robot’

Einride and GE Appliances to launch ‘first US fleet of autonomous and electric trucks’

by Leave a Comment

Swedish freight technology company Einride and GE Appliances are partnering for the implementation of electric and autonomous transport at scale.

The companies say this will be the first time in history an autonomous and electric truck is live and operating on US soil.

The partnership will represent Einride’s first installation with its renowned Pods in the US, which will operate on GE Appliances’ 750-acre Appliance Park campus in Louisville, Kentucky. [Read more…] about Einride and GE Appliances to launch ‘first US fleet of autonomous and electric trucks’

Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million

by Leave a Comment

A startup company called Tau, which specializes in materials science and automotive electrification, says it has delivered a prototype wire that enables electric motors to double their power output without changing their size. 

The technology could mean that electric vehicles and machines of all kinds can keep going for longer on a single charge, and go faster.

Coinciding with the milestone of delivering prototype winding wire to the automotive industry, Tau also concluded its Series A financing round with additional funding from Finindus, a Belgium-based investment company financed by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, and a top-up by German specialty chemicals company Altana. The total raised is said to be €10.25 million. [Read more…] about Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million

Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

by Leave a Comment

Sarcos Robotics, a developer of exoskeletons and other robotic systems, has signed up Pine Environmental Services as an official distributor.

Pine Environmental is a professional services company providing equipment for environmental monitoring, nondestructive testing, visual inspection, and continuous emissions monitoring.

The agreement will see Pine Environmental become an official distributor of the award-winning Guardian S remote visual inspection and surveillance robot. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

by 1 Comment

ABB’s PixelPaint robotic “non-overspray” technology for the automotive industry has won this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology.

Launched in 2020, PixelPaint uses inkjet head technology to directly apply high resolution two-tone or individualized designs to a car body in a single pass, enabling manufacturers to easily meet the rising demand for customized paint jobs while eliminating wasteful overspray.

Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Auto OEM business line, says: “We are delighted that our PixelPaint solution has been recognized for its innovative, sustainable technology that helps our customers respond to consumer requests for more personalized design. [Read more…] about ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists

by Leave a Comment

According to the World Health Organization, almost a third of the world’s population does not have access to fresh water.

As evidenced by the 2020 UN report on water supply and climate change in the world, water consumption will experience a 20-30 percent increase by 2050, fuelled by the constant population growth and industrial development throughout the world.

Water pollution is a serious threat to both people and water inhabitants, greatly evidenced by the ecological disaster that took place on the coast of Kamchatka in September 2020. [Read more…] about Blockchain-based environmental drones ‘can help fight water pollution’, say scientists