Market trends and business perspectives
AImotive claims it has become “the most-funded automated driving software supplier in Europe” after its latest investment round.
AImotive, an automated driving technology company, says the new funding round has raised $20 million, and comes despite amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
The round was led by Lead Ventures, a Budapest based scale-up investor. [Read more…] about AImotive becomes ‘most-funded’ automated driving software supplier in Europe
RoboBusiness Direct presents From 1 to 1,000: Lessons Learned in Scaling a Robot Fleet
Featured Speaker: Sarjoun Skaff, CTO, Bossa Nova Robotics
June 17, 2020 – 2:00 PM EST
Bossa Nova Robotics is one of the leaders in the retail robotics sector, providing large retailers with inventory-scanning robots that move up and down aisles, tracking inventory supply levels via computer vision and artificial intelligence to keep items available for customers. [Read more…] about Webinar: Lessons Learned in Scaling a Robot Fleet
Entrepreneurs have invested more money in robotics than all other sectors combined, according to a new report by Silicon Valley Bank.
In a report called The Future of Robotics, SVB says: “Investment in robotics has significantly outpaced the rest of venture (financing), making robotics one of the hottest sectors of the decade.”
SVB’s data shows that robotics venture capital funding represented 55 percent of all venture financing (see bar chart below). [Read more…] about Robotics one of the hottest investment sectors of the decade, says Silicon Valley Bank report
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
Semiconductor fabrication companies are expected to log record spending of nearly $68 billion in 2021 after the 2020 lull caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to industry association SEMI.
“2021 is poised to mark a banner year for global fab equipment spending with 24 percent growth to a record $67.7 billion, 10 percent higher than the previously forecast US$65.7 billion,” says SEMI in a statement.
The organisation adds that all product segments look like they will provide “solid growth rates”. [Read more…] about Semiconductor fabricators expected to spend record $68 billion in 2021
IAM Robotics, makers of autonomous mobile manipulation robots, has won a contract with new client A.S. Watson Group, one of the world’s largest international health and beauty retailers with over 15,700 stores in 25 markets.
A.S. Watson will implement a fleet of Swift robots from IAM Robotics at its Benelux e-commerce fulfillment center in the Netherlands to help solve labour and capacity constraints due to a fast-growing, high-volume health and beauty retail business.
Ed van de Weerd, CEO of A.S. Watson health and beauty Benelux, says: “Our business in e-commerce is growing rapidly, and we need a way to keep up with the growth while offering next-day delivery within our existing fulfillment center, which is important for us to deliver the group’s online and offline strategy. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics wins contract with global health and beauty retailer
MSC Industrial Supply is integrating Plus One Robotics systems at its fulfillment centers.
MSC is a distributor of metalworking and maintenance repair and operations products and services for industrial customers throughout North America.
The company says the partnership with Plus One Robotics will “support and enhance the efficiency” of its customer fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about MSC Industrial Supply integrates systems from Plus One Robotics at fulfillment centers
HERE Technologies says Mitsubishi Corporation and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation have completed their joint acquisition of a 30 per cent ownership stake in the company, after receiving regulatory approvals.
HERE welcomes Mitsubishi and NTT as strategic investors. The two companies have co-invested in HERE via their recently established, jointly owned holding company COCO Tech Holding in the Netherlands.
As a result, HERE now has nine direct and indirect shareholders: Audi, Bosch, BMW Group, Continental, Intel Capital, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, NTT and Pioneer. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi and NTT take 30 per cent stake in HERE Technologies
Visteon, the only global Tier 1 automotive supplier solely focused on the digital cockpit market, has contributed its technical expertise and manufacturing capabilities to provide the infotainment platform for Volkswagen’s new Nivus model for the Brazil market.
With its new coupe-style SUV, the automaker debuts VW Play – a pioneering infotainment system for enhanced in-car connectivity, streaming and other services – supported by Visteon.
Developed jointly by VW and Visteon in Brazil, VW Play was created with usability in mind. Delivering a premium user experience, the intuitive interface incorporates customizable control screens, offering a diverse range of connectivity elements, key vehicle information and application notifications. [Read more…] about Visteon debuts new digital dashboard infotainment technology
Kreatize, which claims to be Germany’s largest procurement platform for mechanical engineering, has received a joint investment from Austrian company B&C Innovation Investments (BCII) and the industrialist Martin Ohneberg.
Kreatize says the new investment – which is described as being in the “mid single-digit million” euro range – will enable it to expand its business in Austria.
The procurement of industrial components is often a costly, lengthy and non-transparent process. [Read more…] about Engineering procurement platform Kreatize enters new market with Austrian investors
Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.
Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.
Thank you.
This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.
If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.
We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.
We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
