Robotics & Automation News

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Formic supplies 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system

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Formic, a supplier of automation technology on a pay-as-you-go basis, has supplied 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system.

Located in St Charles, Illinois, Compact faced challenges of a shrinking labor pool, high worker turnover, and supply and wage inflation; struggled to meet the increasing demands of the Fortune 500 companies it serves.

Formic’s robots-as-a-service model activated a cobot within hours of delivery, cut costs on hiring and re-training temporary workers, and enhanced safety. [Read more…] about Formic supplies 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system

Aerobotix partners with FerRobotics to develop ‘first-of-its-kind’ end-of-arm-tool automated sander for flammable dust

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Aerobotix and FerRobotics, two robotics companies based in the US and Austria respectively, have partnered to create what they say is the first Class II, Division 1 (C2D1) End of Arm Tool (EOAT) automated sander.

Meeting industry demand for a hazardous-environment solution that will achieve time and cost efficiencies, and enable much safer work environments, this special orbital sander – based on the industry-proven Active Orbital Kit (AOK) with patented Active Compliant Technology – lessens human involvement in hazardous tasks.

Each year, according to the International Labour Organization, tens of millions of workers globally are afflicted with silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by crystalline silica dust inhalation, leading to thousands of deaths. [Read more…] about Aerobotix partners with FerRobotics to develop ‘first-of-its-kind’ end-of-arm-tool automated sander for flammable dust

Telexistence to install AI re-stocking robots in 300 convenience stores across Japan

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Telexistence has started the mass production of its originally developed artificial intelligence robot, TX SCARA, to be installed in 300 FamilyMart stores, Japan’s top-tier convenience store chain in major metropolitan areas, starting later this month, validating its AI-based “robot-as-a-service” solution for grocery retailers.

TX SCARA was created to do the specific task of restocking refrigerated shelves with bottles and cans, a repetitive, tedious job generally performed by employees in often uncomfortable settings.

TX SCARA can be in operation 24/7, replenishing shelves at a pace of up to 1,000 bottles and cans per day, relying almost completely on its AI system – known as “GORDON” – to know when and where products need to be placed on the shelves. [Read more…] about Telexistence to install AI re-stocking robots in 300 convenience stores across Japan

Flexiv raises more than $100 million for its general-purpose robots

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Flexiv, which describes itself as a general-purpose robotics company, has closed its Series B funding round, raising more than $100 million.

Major investors which took part in the round include Meituan, Meta Capital, New Hope Group, Longwood, YF Capital, Gaorong Capital, GSR Ventures and Plug and Play, marking the largest single-round fundraising ever in the field of general-purpose robotics.

Shiquan Wang, co-founder and CEO of Flexiv, says: “The strategic funding from leading companies and funds in various industries will mainly be used for mass production and marketing, new market development, and cutting-edge R&D. [Read more…] about Flexiv raises more than $100 million for its general-purpose robots

SoftBank Robotics America partners with Autonomous Solutions Inc

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SoftBank Robotics America (SBRA), the North American arm of the global leader in collaborative robotics (collaborative robotics), has formed a strategic development and equity partnership with Autonomous Solutions Inc (ASI), a leader in industrial ground vehicle automation.

The partnership will expedite the development and deployment of a wide range of autonomous commercial service vehicles. As part of the agreement, SBRA has acquired a minority stake in ASI.

With a focus on outdoor automation, the partnership will accelerate the development of practical landscaping care solutions and logistics solutions (i.e. warehouse terminals and shipping ports). [Read more…] about SoftBank Robotics America partners with Autonomous Solutions Inc

Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots showcase real-time robot fleet management using private 5G wireless

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Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, have showcased the power of private 5G wireless for the digital transformation of industries.

The companies will demonstrate how companies like manufacturers and warehouse operators can leverage 5G to transform tasks, including real-time fleet management of industrial robots.

MiR will leverage the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) end-to-end industrial private wireless solution at its booth at the event in Stuttgart. [Read more…] about Nokia and Mobile Industrial Robots showcase real-time robot fleet management using private 5G wireless

Industrial inspection startup Gecko Robotics raises $73 million

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Gecko Robotics, a leader in robotics and industrial asset management software, has revealed details of its Series C funding round of $73 million, led by XN with participation from Founders Fund, XYZ, Drive Capital, Snowpoint Ventures, Joe Lonsdale, Mark Cuban, Gokul Rajaram, and others.

The company says this latest funding round accelerates Gecko’s stated mission, “To protect today’s critical infrastructure, and give form to tomorrow’s”.

Co-founded by Jake Loosararian, CEO, and Troy Demmer, chief product officer, Gecko focuses on essential industries such as power generation, oil and gas, heavy manufacturing, and defense. [Read more…] about Industrial inspection startup Gecko Robotics raises $73 million

Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

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Marine robotics specialist Vaarst has closed on the first $20 million of its Series B round led by energy transition investor Legal & General Capital, alongside the venture capital arm of the international energy company Equinor.

Existing shareholder Foresight Group also participated alongside In-Q-Tel, the strategic investor for the US intelligence and defence communities and allied nations.

Vaarst is a leading provider of autonomy and cloud managed robotics; supporting the offshore wind, wave & tidal, scientific, maritime security, and civils industries. [Read more…] about Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

The Impact of Automation on the Job Market

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As more and more processes become automated, it can seem like a threat to traditional employment. However, that’s not necessarily the case, and automation can actually improve worker safety, create better jobs, and generally advance society as a whole.

If you are worried that your job is at risk of elimination due to automation, it’s a good idea to create a powerful resume now, that shows how you can still provide value to a company as well as work and grow alongside automation. [Read more…] about The Impact of Automation on the Job Market

How Robotic Process Automation is Impacting Key Industries

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Necessity is considered one of the major reasons for invention. But the IT world does not compromise in coming up with innovations that are revolutionary. It all started with reducing the manpower, cutting off the cost and having reached the sole aim of pacing up.  [Read more…] about How Robotic Process Automation is Impacting Key Industries