global

DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

June 24, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

DHL Supply Chain has launched what it describes as a new “plug and play” robotics platform in collaboration with Microsoft, and artificial intelligence driven digital fulfillment provider Blue Yonder.

The robotics platform significantly reduces integration time and programming efforts to on-board new automation devices into warehouse facilities, while giving DHL customers more flexibility in selecting suitable robotics systems according to their individual business needs.

The solution leverages Microsoft Azure IoT and cloud platform services. [Read more…] about DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

June 18, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Geek+, a global provider of advanced robotics for logistics, has closed its Series C funding round at over $200 million in early 2020.

Geek+ continues to lead the industry with the largest fundraising to date, following a $150 million B series in November 2018, already the largest in the industry.

C1 was led by GGV Capital, D1 Capital Partners along with Warburg Pincus in Summer 2019, while C2, finalized earlier this year, was led by V Fund, along with Redview Capital and Vertex Ventures. [Read more…] about Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

Samsung expands chipmaking capacity

June 17, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Samsung Electronics, the smartphone giant which is also one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers, is expanding its NAND flash production capacity in Pyeongtaek, Korea.

The company says the development will reinforce the company’s ability to meet demands from emerging technologies.

Construction, which began this May, will pave the way for mass production of Samsung’s cutting-edge V-NAND memory in the second half of 2021. [Read more…] about Samsung expands chipmaking capacity

Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

June 16, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Geek+ has won the 2020 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award – the industry’s premier listing of the most successful and innovative robotics companies in the world.

Geek+ makes the list for the second year in a row, a rare feat, and is one of a handful of non-US based companies.

The award recognizes Geek+ as one of the most innovative and transformative robotics companies in the world, having achieved commercial success through a highly successful global expansion and proven ability to enable global fulfillment. [Read more…] about Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

June 15, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

June 12, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Global semiconductor manufacturing industry association SEMI has expressed its backing for the US government’s initiative to support to chipmaking in America.

Facing a staggering “50 percent decline” in the US share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity over the past 20 years, Congress has introduced the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act – also known as CHIPS for America Act.

The measures called for in the Act include a federal investment tax credit, which is “strongly supported” by SEMI, which represents the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. [Read more…] about SEMI backs US government initiative to support to chipmaking in America

Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

June 11, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

By Maya Xiao of Interact Analysis

The coronavirus pandemic which has devastated economies worldwide is expected to reduce revenues in the industrial robot market by more than 8 per cent, according to a study by Interact Analysis.

“After a weak 2019, we originally expected the 2020 robot market to recover strongly, but Covid-19 changed the market revenue growth forecast from 4.8 percent to -3.6 percent,” writes Maya Xiao, automation market expert at Interact Analysis.

Global industrial robot shipments experienced negative growth for four consecutive quarters from mid-2018, she says. At the end of 2019, recovery signs appeared, and the mid-term growth rate turned positive. This turnaround happened in the context of a continued slowdown in general global manufacturing activity, which led to weak spending on machinery and automation equipment. [Read more…] about Coronavirus expected to cut industrial robot revenue by more than 8 per cent this year

JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International

June 5, 2020 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Acquisition ‘strengthens JTEKT’s global ECU development capabilities’, says company

Koyo Canada, a subsidiary of automotive technology company JTEKT, has acquired the assets of a Halifax, Nova Scotia research and development facility previously owned by KSR International, a Canadian company.

The acquisition strengthens JTEKT global engine control unit (ECU) development for vehicle steering and driveline products, and will set the foundation for further expansion of its global electrification capabilities and plans.

The new KCI Halifax R&D facility allows JTEKT to more efficiently respond to the expanding demands of autonomous driving support, steer-by-wire and high voltage systems. [Read more…] about JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International

Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

June 1, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has raised $29 million in Series C funding. The company says the new funds will be used for the continued expansion of its autonomous mobile robot platform.

The investment, which follows years of rapid growth, was led by Kensington Private Equity Fund with participation from BMO Capital Partners, Export Development Canada, and previous investors iNovia Capital and RRE Ventures.

Including this Series C round, Otto Motors has now raised a total of $83 million in funding. [Read more…] about Otto Motors raises $29 million in new funding for its autonomous mobile robots business

DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million

May 26, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

DB Schenker, a global logistics company, has invested in Volocopter, a startup developing a new type of passenger-carrying drone which can also be used for good distribution.

DB Schenker says its investment shows that it is “a pioneer of urban air mobility”. With the new investment, Volocopter has extended its Series C funding to now a total of €87 million.

Besides DB Schenker, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group, MS&AD Ventures, and TransLink Capital (Japan Airlines and Sompo Japan Insurance) join the round as new investors, existing investors Lukasz Gadowski and btov also invested. [Read more…] about DB Schenker invests in Volocopter as drone startup builds funds up to €87 million