Robotics & Automation News

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fields

TinyMobileRobots celebrates marking 1 millionth sports field

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Denmark-based TinyMobileRobots, a provider of fully autonomous GPS line-marking robots, has officially marked its 1 millionth sports field, culminating in “savings of approximately 1.6 million hours, $102.5 million and 1.5 million gallons of paint” for its rapidly growing customer base across three continents.

The landmark moment occurred in Dallas, Texas with FC Dallas, who manages 20 soccer fields. They have been using TinyMobileRobots’ solution for four years.

TinyMobileRobots can autonomously mark lines for virtually every type of sports field, including soccer, American football, baseball, lacrosse, softball and more. [Read more…] about TinyMobileRobots celebrates marking 1 millionth sports field

Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

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Advanced Farm Technologies, developers of robotic technology for farmers, has completed a series B investment round raising $25 million to support the company’s growth in strawberry harvesting and the adaptation of its technology to apple harvesting.

The Series B funding round was led by Catapult Ventures and included all the Series A investors Kubota Corporation, Yamaha Motor Corporation, and Impact Ventures.

Kyle Cobb, president, and co-founder of Advanced Farm Technologies, says: “It is gratifying to have the ongoing support and commitment from our early investors in this funding round. It reflects all of our team’s hard work to develop and bring our TX Strawberry Harvester to the market. [Read more…] about Advanced Farm Technologies completes $25 million Series B funding round

TerraClear raises $25 million to commercialize Robotic Rock Picker

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TerraClear, an applied AI and robotics company, announced Series A funding of $25 million led by Madrona Venture Group, bringing the company’s total funding to $38 million. Rocks in fields break machinery, slow precision farming, and take up valuable time that modern farms do not have.

TerraClear’s Rock Picker picks an average of 400 rocks per hour and can pick up rocks of up to 300 pounds each.

In the past year, TerraClear has deployed early versions of their solution that both map and clear fields of rocks. These rocks not only break the backs of those picking them up, but break increasingly expensive precision machinery that is in common use by farmers for planting, irrigating and harvesting. [Read more…] about TerraClear raises $25 million to commercialize Robotic Rock Picker

Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series

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Nachi-Fujikoshi is expanding its lineup of compact industrial robots with the launch of the new “EC06” and the “MZ12H”. 

The Japanese robot-making giant says that the need for automation by robots is expanding in the field of manufacturing with the aim of eliminating labor shortages and improving productivity.

This need has emerged against the backdrop of the worldwide declining birthrate and aging population, the shrinking working population and soaring labor costs. [Read more…] about Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series

SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

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SICK’s microScan3 family of safety laser scanners is now offering Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) integration.

SICK says this is the world’s first safety laser scanner with this capability.

Originally launching in 2016, the microScan3 is an extremely intelligent and durable safety laser scanner that enhances machine availability and productivity due to its safeHDDM scanning technology. [Read more…] about SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

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Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system