Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

exoskeleton

Comau launches exoskeleton for factory workers

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Comau has released the first Muscular Aiding Tech Exoskeleton – MATE, which is a lightweight, passive, portable upper-limb exoskeleton.

Released in China, it was developed in collaboration with ÖSSUR, an Icelandic leading non-invasive orthopedic company, and IUVO, a spin-off company of the Italian BioRobotics Institute specialized in wearable technologies.

MATE can reproduce shoulder movement with joint axes parallel to the user’s shoulder axes, providing effective gesture support and stable movement assistance to reduce the burden of repetitive tasks.

[Read more…] about Comau launches exoskeleton for factory workers

German Bionic to present its first robot exoskeleton for industrial IoT

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Robotics specialist German Bionic is to present the first connected robot exoskeleton for use with the industrial internet of things, at the Hannover Messe industrial technology show.

The German Bionic IO cloud platform connects the third generation of the Cray X exoskeleton with all common enterprise solutions and networked manufacturing systems, enabling complete integration into “smart factory” and Industry 4.0 environments.

Besides cloud services such as wireless software updates – over the air – and predictive maintenance, German Bionic IO facilitates the continuous optimization of the intelligent control system through machine learning and lays the data-scientific foundation for the next development stages of bionics.  [Read more…] about German Bionic to present its first robot exoskeleton for industrial IoT

Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

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Roam Robotics, a company building robotic exoskeletons for everyday people as they live, work and play, has completed a $12 million Series A round of funding.

Yamaha Motor led the investment round with participation from existing and new investors Boost VC, Heuristics Capital Partners, Menlo Ventures, R7 Partners, Spero Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, and Venture Investment Associates. Collectively these investors bring a wealth of experience in robotics, hardware, and consumer startups.

Tim Swift, Roam founder and chief executive officer, says: “Roam exists to change the boundaries of human mobility.  [Read more…] about Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome ‘major obstacle’ to commercial deployment of its exoskeletons

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Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome a “major obstacle” to the commercial deployment of its exoskeletons.

Sarcos says a number of significant technology advancements for its highly anticipated Guardianä XO Max full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton robotic system.

The company, which plans to start shipping the Guardian XO Max to customers in early 2020, has completed the assembly of the world’s first all-electric, battery-powered, full-body industrial exoskeleton capable of enabling a human operator to safely lift and manipulate up to 200 pounds for extended work sessions.  [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome ‘major obstacle’ to commercial deployment of its exoskeletons

Comau launches ‘lightweight, wearable’ exoskeleton for workers

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Industrial automation company Comau has launched its first “innovative wearable exoskeleton” for industrial workers.

The exoskeleton, called “Mate”, has been designed to improve work quality in an efficient and highly ergonomic manner by providing consistent and advanced movement assistance during repetitive as well as daily tasks, says Comau.

The “Mate Fit for Workers” exoskeleton, to give the device its full name, uses an advanced spring-based passive structure.  [Read more…] about Comau launches ‘lightweight, wearable’ exoskeleton for workers

LG Electronics to show off its new exoskeleton or ‘wearable robot’

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Electronics giant LG is planning to showcase its new exoskeleton or, as the company calls it, its “wearable robot” at IFA, a consumer electronics event in Germany. 

The powered suit looks similar to the exoskeleton other companies have been bringing out – namely, Comau, Atoun, Ekso Bionics, Roam Robotics, and Sarcos, among others.

LG says it is focused on becoming a leading developer of service robots in the next decade.  [Read more…] about LG Electronics to show off its new exoskeleton or ‘wearable robot’

Comau unveils new exoskeleton at Automatica

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Industrial automation solutions company Comau has unveiled “Mate”, its first wearable exoskeleton at Automatica, the international trade fair for automation and mechatronics.

Comau says Mate has been designed to improve work quality in an efficient and highly ergonomic manner by providing consistent and advanced movement assistance during repetitive as well as daily tasks.

The company says the “Mate Fit for Workers” exoskeleton uses an advanced spring-based passive structure, which is lightweight and breathable, and provides “highly effective postural support without the need for batteries, motors or other failure-prone devices”.  [Read more…] about Comau unveils new exoskeleton at Automatica

Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

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Columbia Engineering researchers have invented a new Robotic Spine Exoskeleton (RoSE) that may lead to new treatments for spine deformities.

Spine deformities, such as idiopathic scoliosis and kyphosis (also known as “hunchback”), are characterized by an abnormal curvature in the spine.

The children with these spinal deformities are typically advised to wear a brace that fits around the torso and hips to correct the abnormal curve. Bracing has been shown to prevent progression of the abnormal curve and avoid surgery. The underlying technology for bracing has not fundamentally changed in the last 50 years.

[Read more…] about Robotic spine exoskeleton paves the way for new spine deformity treatments

US stroke association teams with Ekso to promote exoskeleton technology

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A new partnership has been launched to educate stroke survivors and the medical profession about the benefits of exoskeleton technology in stroke rehabilitation.

The National Stroke Association, a US non-profit organisation that provides stroke education and programs to stroke survivors, caregivers, and the healthcare community, and Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a leader in exoskeleton technology for medical and industry use, have announced an educational partnership to increase awareness of and access to advance stroke rehabilitation exoskeleton technology, which enables earlier mobility and restored independence for survivors of stroke.

The partnership will coincide with National Stroke Awareness Month, in May, and Stroke and Technology Month, in November, when the national spotlight will be on developments in technologies that provide post-stroke independence and improved health outcomes.

[Read more…] about US stroke association teams with Ekso to promote exoskeleton technology

Roam Robotics launches ‘lightweight’, AI-powered exoskeleton for skiers

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Startup company Roam Robotics is launching its first product – a mobile exoskeleton that it says will help to improve endurance, safety, and experience for skiers and snowboarders. (See video below.)

The device will target the 16 million US adults currently engaged in snow sports, inclusive of the millions of adults age 45 and older that will benefit the most from the support provided by this product, especially those with knee or muscle fatigue issues.

Roam’s device promises to extend your ski day, access longer challenging terrain, make stronger turns, or simply enjoy the sport without the pain – “all the while keeping your knees safer”, says the company.  [Read more…] about Roam Robotics launches ‘lightweight’, AI-powered exoskeleton for skiers