Robotics & Automation News

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Kinova raises $48 million in new financing

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Kinova, a privately-held Canadian developer of robotic solutions for the medical and industrial markets, has raised investments totaling C$40 million ($32 million), led by Graham Partners with the participation of Export Development Canada.

The robotics company is also pleased to announce the prior closing of an agreement with the Government of Canada under the Strategic Innovation Fund for a total of C$20 million ($16 million).

These investments will accelerate the development and commercialization of Kinova’s solutions. In addition, the Canadian robot maker will use the funds to augment engineering resources to meet the demands of global customers. The new products for the industrial markets will be announced later in 2022. [Read more…] about Kinova raises $48 million in new financing

Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the award of a contract to build a first in the United States public wireless in-road charging system allowing electric vehicles to charge while in motion and stationary.

A company called Electreon has been selected to build an electric road system in Detroit as part of the inductive vehicle charging pilot program.

Governor Whitmer says: “As we aim to lead the future of mobility and electrification by boosting electric vehicle production and lowering consumer costs, a wireless in-road charging system is the next piece to the puzzle for sustainability. [Read more…] about Governor Whitmer launches ‘first’ US wireless electric vehicle charging road system

Construction robotics startup Canvas launches drywall finishing robot

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Construction robotics startup Canvas has unveiled a drywall finishing robot. 

The company also launched its Innovation Partner Program, a collaborative partnership with six industry-leading contractors that share the company’s vision to “build in bold new ways by putting better tools in the hands of skilled workers”.

Drywall finishing tools have remained unchanged for the better part of a century. With Canvas’s new worker-controlled robotic machine, contractors are able to make drywall finishing safer and more attractive to a shrinking pool of skilled labor, while realizing unmatched metrics for schedule, cost, quality and safety. [Read more…] about Construction robotics startup Canvas launches drywall finishing robot

Starship Technologies agrees €50 million funding from European Investment Bank

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Starship Technologies, a maker of autonomous delivery robots, has agreed on a €50 million quasi-equity facility agreement with the European Investment Bank.

The lending arm of the European Union and one of the largest providers of climate finance, the EIB supports projects that promote the priorities and objectives of the EU.

This financing, which is supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments, has been facilitated via a venture loan, and will be used for research and development, including the building of thousands more robots at Starship’s engineering and innovation facility in Tallinn. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies agrees €50 million funding from European Investment Bank

Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of robotic material handling automation, has raised $65 million in its Series C funding round led by Tiger Global Management, along with additional funding from new investors Lineage Logistics, Proficio Capital Partners, and Impulse.

The new financing will help fund the company’s technology roadmap with new autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software, and will accelerate fulfillment of new orders and expanded operations to address the $165 billion market opportunity for pallet-moving autonomy.

Craig Malloy, CEO of Vecna Robotics, says: “There is huge headroom for growth in automated material handling with over 5 billion pallets in the world being moved by more than 5 million forklifts and nearly 5 million manual operators. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

Monarch Tractor showcases ‘world’s first fully electric, driver-optional tractor’

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Monarch Tractor has been showcasing what it says is “the world’s first fully electric, driver-optional tractor” and has been selected for 2022 CES Innovation Award in the process.

The annual CES competition honors outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.

Monarch says it has been named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree and was honored in the Robotics category for its flagship MK-V tractor, which it says is “the first to deliver a convergence of electrification, automation and data analysis that empowers sustainable farming, increases efficiency and safety, and maximizes profitability for farmers”. [Read more…] about Monarch Tractor showcases ‘world’s first fully electric, driver-optional tractor’

Unity and Hyundai partner to build virtual twin of automotive manufacturing facility

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Unity, a platform for developing games and other 3D content, and Hyundai Motor Company have agreed a partnership to jointly design and build what they describe as “a new metaverse roadmap and platform for a meta-factory”.

The partnership will realize Hyundai’s vision of becoming the first mobility innovator to build a meta-factory, a digital-twin of the company’s physical plant, supported by a metaverse platform.

The introduction of Meta-factory, will allow Hyundai to test numerous scenarios virtually, in order to assess, calculate and create optimal operation conditions, without employees needing to be onsite. [Read more…] about Unity and Hyundai partner to build virtual twin of automotive manufacturing facility

Leica Geosystems nominated for robotics award at CES

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Leica Geosystems, a provider of measurement technology, has been named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honoree for the Leica BLK ARC, a four-legged canine type of robot.

This year’s CES Innovation Awards program received a record high number of over 1,800 submissions. The announcement was made ahead of CES 2022, the world’s most influential technology event, happening January 5-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada and digitally.

The Leica BLK ARC is an autonomous laser scanning module for robotics applications. It provides a safe and autonomous way to perform reality capture of images and 3D data of areas that are difficult or dangerous for humans to reach. [Read more…] about Leica Geosystems nominated for robotics award at CES

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

NXP and Foxconn agree strategic partnership to accelerate automotive innovation

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NXP, a semiconductor company with a strong presence in the automotive market, has agreed a strategic partnership with Foxconn Industrial Internet, a subsidy company of the Foxconn group, to “transform the car into the ultimate edge device”.

NXP will provide FII with its comprehensive portfolio of automotive technologies.

The initial phase of the joint project will focus on the development of a full digital cockpit solution, based on the NXP i.MX 8 QuadMax. [Read more…] about NXP and Foxconn agree strategic partnership to accelerate automotive innovation