Robotics & Automation News

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John Deere reveals fully autonomous tractor at CES

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John Deere has revealed a fully autonomous tractor at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the world’s largest electronics trade show, currently taking place in Las Vegas, USA. 

The agriculture technology giant says its driverless tractor is ready for large-scale production.

The machine combines Deere’s 8R Tractor, TruSet-enabled chisel plow, GPS guidance system, and new advanced technologies. The autonomous tractor will be available to farmers later this year. [Read more…] about John Deere reveals fully autonomous tractor at CES

AutoX builds ‘first’ dedicated robotaxi manufacturing line in China

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AutoX, the autonomous car developer backed by e-commerce colossus Alibaba, has built what is believed to be the first-ever production line specifically designed to build autonomous robotic taxis. (See video below.)

AutoX claims to be “the front-runner in Level 4 fully autonomous robotaxis in China”, but it has relatively strong competition in the form of Apollo, which is backed by another internet giant, Baidu, China’s equivalent of Google.

AutoX has built what it says is “the first dedicated production facility in the country to produce Level 4 fully driverless robotaxis”, as shown in the startling pictures accompanying this article, which AutoX supplied. [Read more…] about AutoX builds ‘first’ dedicated robotaxi manufacturing line in China

Using IDS cameras in fully automated wood parts inspection process

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You always need and see them everywhere: in metalworking, on the construction site, in almost every toolbox… the good old hand brush.

Whether classic all-purpose brushes or brushes for special applications, the German-based company Lessmann GmbH has virtually all of them in its range.

The shape is varied, from straight to ergonomic. But they all have one thing in common: The wooden bodies are made exclusively from untreated red beech. Depending on the model, they also have two hanging holes at the end of the handle.

Production is fully automatic and highly rational. In order to ensure its own claim to the excellent quality of the hand brush woods, Lessmann has been relying on classic image processing for many years. [Read more…] about Using IDS cameras in fully automated wood parts inspection process

Ottonomy provides ‘first’ fully autonomous delivery robots for airport

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A company called Ottonomy is providing a fleet of its fully autonomous delivery robots – called Ottobots – for food and retail at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

This is said to be the first autonomous robotic delivery of food, beverage and lifestyle products in an airport environment.

Officially launched for the holiday travel season, passengers are now able to order contactless delivery directly to their location in Concourse B of the airport, delivered by an autonomous robot. Customers can select grab and go, beverage and travel items sold at select retail stores operated by Paradies Lagardere via orderatcvg.com on mobile devices. [Read more…] about Ottonomy provides ‘first’ fully autonomous delivery robots for airport

Supply chain robotics developer Photoneo raises $21 million in Series B funding

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Photoneo, a developer of robotics for warehouse tasks, has raised $21 million in new funding.

The new funding was from AI Capital, IPM Group, Earlybird, Venture to Future Fund, and Credo Ventures as well as all investors who participated in previous investment rounds.

The newly raised capital will accelerate 3D Sensor business and enable expansion of its fully automated fulfillment solutions for warehouses and dark stores – called BrightPick. [Read more…] about Supply chain robotics developer Photoneo raises $21 million in Series B funding

‘Slopehelper’ robot ready to help out in vineyards and orchards

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A company called PeK Automotive has developed a robot it calls “Slopehelper” and says it is ready to help out in vineyards and orchards.

The autonomous agricultural electric robot Slopehelper is being developed and produced in the European Union.

Its creators say the solar-powered robot promises the “absolutely green future” of agriculture to vineyards and orchards at low cost, having made it possible to perform regular annual operations without a driver in fully autonomous mode. [Read more…] about ‘Slopehelper’ robot ready to help out in vineyards and orchards

AutoX claims it operates ‘China’s largest driverless taxi service area’

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AutoX claims it now operates China’s largest service area for fully driverless RoboTaxis across 65 square miles (168 square kilometers) of Shenzhen, China’s leading tech hub. (See video below.)

AutoX is one of the front runners in Level 4 fully autonomous RoboTaxis in China. Its main competition is Baidu Apollo.

Being able to navigate all the public roads in the Pingshan District in Shenzhen, AutoX has become the first RoboTaxi service to cover an entire district in a Chinese megalopolis. [Read more…] about AutoX claims it operates ‘China’s largest driverless taxi service area’

4 Ways Businesses Can Improve Accessibility

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These days, almost everyone relies on the World Wide Web for information, goods, and services. For this reason, businesses across all industries build online domains that draw in prospective customers quickly.

In other words, websites enable companies to create exposure for their brands and attract a more incredible following, increasing sales and revenue.

But despite the benefits of the Internet on both entrepreneurial ventures and consumers alike, many Web pages remain inaccessible to people who have disabilities. [Read more…] about 4 Ways Businesses Can Improve Accessibility

Estée Lauder invests in robotics from Inther Group

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Inther Group, international system integrator headquartered in Venray, the Netherlands, has signed an agreement with cosmetics giant Estée Lauder to implement the Gantry Robotic Intelligent Piece Picker (GRIPP).

This fully automated, compact, gantry robot picking technology developed by Inther has now made its first entry into the intralogistics market place.

Estée Lauder and Inther Group
Estée Lauder was founded in 1946 and has worldwide sales in the skin care, make-up and fragrance markets. The company has built a reputation for elegance, luxury and superior quality. [Read more…] about Estée Lauder invests in robotics from Inther Group

AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages

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AutoX, a developer of Level 4 fully autonomous RoboTaxis founded by e-commerce giant Alibaba, has released a new video this week showcasing how its fully driverless RoboTaxis handle the challenging rush hour conditions of China’s “urban villages” in what is described as the “ultimate autonomous driving challenge”.

Unique to China, urban villages are ultra high-density residential neighborhoods in major cities, including Shenzhen and Guangzhou, that are typically surrounded by skyscrapers, transportation infrastructure, and other modern urban developments.

The public roads in urban villages are extremely busy, chaotic and overcrowded, especially in the early evening. [Read more…] about AutoX autonomous vehicle navigates through China’s urban villages