Robotics & Automation News

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fleets

ABB launches new maintenance service for fleets and individual robots

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ABB has launched a condition-based maintenance service for fleet and individual robot assessments.

The company says the new service enables optimized production performance through improved robot management.

ABB’s new Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) service enables robot users to create a preventive maintenance schedule for individual or robot fleets based on real-time operational data, to optimize productivity and minimize downtime. [Read more…] about ABB launches new maintenance service for fleets and individual robots

Wrapify, Kiwibot and Gong partner for ‘first’ autonomous bot delivery campaign

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Wrapify, the advertising tech platform for brands powered by out-of-home and the gig economy, has agreed a “first-of-its-kind” autonomous bot delivery campaign alongside partners Kiwibot, the delivery robot company, and Gong, the revenue intelligence platform, kicking off in San Jose and coming soon to Denver and Los Angeles.

Robotic delivery services can promise contactless delivery, a highly sought-after service under mandates of social distancing.

With autonomous bots on the rise, Wrapify’s Boost provides these delivery operators with a brand-new transit media revenue stream with the ability to provide brand and agency clients robust attribution reporting, data visualization and multi-channel retargeting capabilities. [Read more…] about Wrapify, Kiwibot and Gong partner for ‘first’ autonomous bot delivery campaign

Ridecell raises $45 million in latest funding round

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Ridecell, the startup providing fleet management software for autonomous vehicles, has secured $45 million in its Series C financing round.

The round was led by new investor, Fort Ross Ventures, and includes new investor Solasta Ventures.

Existing investors Activate Capital, Denso, LG Technology Ventures, and Initialized Capital also participated in the round. [Read more…] about Ridecell raises $45 million in latest funding round

Omron launches new autonomous mobile robot

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Omron Automation Americas has launched the HD-1500 autonomous mobile robot, which it says can handle bulky objects weighing up to 1500 kg. (See video below.)

This addition to Omron’s robotics portfolio comes after the LD-250 mobile robot launch and further expands manufacturers’ options for autonomous material transport.

Manufacturers are facing a growing need to automate their material handling operations due to an industrial demand for increased productivity and flexibility coinciding with challenges in finding and properly utilizing skilled workers. [Read more…] about Omron launches new autonomous mobile robot

Formant launches cloud platform to manage robot fleets

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Formant, a San Francisco-based startup, has launched its new cloud robotics platform, which enables businesses to automatically collect and analyze robotics data.

By centralizing all application data in a single web user interface, Formant allows business teams, operators, and engineers to improve the efficacy of their robotic workforce.

Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant.io, says: “Robots are leaving the factory and adventuring into our world. They could use some guidance. This release facilitates this journey by enabling robot fleets to thrive through human observability and assistance.” [Read more…] about Formant launches cloud platform to manage robot fleets

Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

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Alstom has launched the latest innovation in its range of ground-based recharging systems – SRS dedicated to electric buses.

The premiere, as part of the “Paloma” pilot project currently under way in the southern Spanish city of Malaga, sees a prototype of SRS for e-buses operating at a bus stop in front of the University of Malaga’s School of Industrial Engineering.

It is equipped with a 200 kW charger and is associated with a 12-metre Linkker e-bus which is running on Bus Line 1, operated by EMT, the local transport operator. [Read more…] about Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses

Electrify America and Stable partner to offer robotic fast-charging for vehicle fleets

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Electrify America has entered an agreement with San Francisco-based electric vehicle fleet charging company Stable Auto to introduce robotic charging solutions for self-driving vehicles in a pilot demonstration site in San Francisco.

Electrify America is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, and Stable is a startup. Both companies develop infrastructure solutions needed to deploy self-driving and electric vehicle fleets.

Electrify America and Stable say they recognize the emergence of both electric and autonomous vehicle fleets, and are jointly working to address the absence of dedicated charging facilities equipped for such vehicles with this demonstration. [Read more…] about Electrify America and Stable partner to offer robotic fast-charging for vehicle fleets

DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US

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NTT DoCoMo and Itochu Logistics are planning to trial an internet-of-things solution for delivery fleet management in the US.

The system uses devices compatible with low-power, wide-area LTE-M technology to enable delivery businesses to visualize the status of outsourced trucks in their fleets.

The trial will begin in the United States on May 1, 2019. [Read more…] about DoCoMo and Itochu to trial IoT solution for delivery fleet management in the US