Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

institute

Carnegie Mellon awarded $150 million to develop robotics research facility

by

The Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded Carnegie Mellon University $150 million to support science and robotics research through the building of a new facility. 

Farnam Jahanian, CMU president, says: “Pittsburgh’s future – and the future of US innovation and global competitiveness – are inextricably linked to scientific and technological advances, and how well organizations, communities, and industries can stay ahead of the rapid pace of change.

“Carnegie Mellon is positioned at the forefront of science and innovation’s great promise, and this visionary grant will fuel the research and activities that will build this exciting future. [Read more…] about Carnegie Mellon awarded $150 million to develop robotics research facility

Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

by

Darpa has selected eight teams to compete for a prize competition in which the winner will receive $2 million, the runner-up will get $1 million, and third place will earn half a million dollars.

The Darpa Subterranean (SubT) Challenge Systems Competition Final Event will be held on September 21-23, 2021, when the teams’ robots will have to quickly navigate unfamiliar underground environments at the Louisville Mega Cavern in search of common items including backpacks, cell phones, trapped survivors, and even invisible gas.

Those who find and identify the most items will win prizes of $2 million for first place, $1 million for second place, and $500,000 for third place. [Read more…] about Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

by

The Chinese robotics sector generated almost half of total global patents in the most recent year available, according to a new report. 

The figure was published in the Annual Report on the Development of the Robot Industry in China, jointly written by HRG International Institute of Research and Innovation as well as the China Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation.

The two organizations produced what they call the 2021 Blue Book of the Robot Industry, based on their research. [Read more…] about Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

Fujitsu to use ‘world’s fastest supercomputer’ for tsunami prediction

by

Fujitsu, in partnership with other companies and academic institutions, has developed a computing system that will enable the prediction of tsunamis – massive, sudden floods caused by turbulence at sea. 

The International Research Institute of Disaster Science at Tohoku University, the Earthquake Research Institute at the University of Tokyo, and Fujitsu Laboratories have developed an artificial intelligence model that will empower disaster management teams with the ability to predict tsunami flooding in coastal areas in near real-time.

The system harnessed the computational power of what is claimed to be “the world’s fastest supercomputer”, Fugaku, jointly developed by Riken and Fujitsu. [Read more…] about Fujitsu to use ‘world’s fastest supercomputer’ for tsunami prediction

ARM Institute showcases robotic coronavirus testing system developed by Wilder Systems

by

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute says that one of its members, Wilder Systems, has created a robotic cell for testing potential Covid-19 samples that is now in production in Austin, Texas. 

The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), through the CARES Act, provided funding to the ARM Institute to collaborate with Wilder Systems to develop this technology.

The ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to the nation’s greatest challenges and to develop and produce the world’s most desired products. [Read more…] about ARM Institute showcases robotic coronavirus testing system developed by Wilder Systems

China Robot Industry Alliance selects HRG’s disinfection robot

by

The China Robot Industry Alliance, an industry association, has selected HRG’s disinfection robot as a “special case” in its 2020 White Paper on the Development of China’s Robotics Industry.

The recently released 2020 White Paper on the Development of China’s Robotics Industry, compiled by CRIA, has selected HRG anti-pandemic disinfection robot as “a typical case in its special topic on pandemic prevention robots”.

HRG anti-pandemic disinfection robot was independently developed by the Emergency Equipment Research Institute of HRG Hefei Institute. [Read more…] about China Robot Industry Alliance selects HRG’s disinfection robot

HRG unveils ‘Intelligent Patrol Robot’ to fight against pandemic

by

HRG has unveiled what it calls its “Intelligent Patrol Robot”.

Developed by the Intelligent Equipment Research Institute of HRG Hefei Institute, the new product is designed to carry out patrol inspections in multiple scenarios.

It can achieve a 24-hour observation of 360 degrees horizontal and 180 degrees vertical to effectively reduce human contact during the pandemic. [Read more…] about HRG unveils ‘Intelligent Patrol Robot’ to fight against pandemic

Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

by

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute has selected eight new robotics technology projects aligned with the organization’s mission to strengthen US manufacturing and empower workers.

A total of $7.5 million will be contributed across these eight projects. ARM plans to award $2.9 million in project funding, and the participating organizations plan to contribute $4.6 million in cost share. To date, ARM has invested in more than 70 robotics technology and workforce development projects.

The ARM Institute, in partnership with its 270+ member organizations, identifies areas of need in manufacturing, which are used as strategic focus areas in its project calls. [Read more…] about Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute selects projects for multimillion-dollar awards

German citizens to be given €1,200 a month for doing nothing

by

German citizens are to be given €1,200 a month, or about $1,400, for doing nothing in an experiment to evaluate the effects of a concept called “universal basic income”.

Universal Basic Income, or UBI, is an idea that has been around for many years, and has many supporters and advocacy groups around the world, but was never really taken seriously in the past.

The notion of the government giving everyone in society a fixed regular amount of money whether they work or not sounds like a communist plot to take over the world. [Read more…] about German citizens to be given €1,200 a month for doing nothing

NIST awards $3.4 million to support Manufacturing USA’s coronavirus projects

by

The US government has awarded $3.4 million to support Manufacturing USA’s solutions to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded $3.4 million in grants to support “high-impact projects” for Covid-19 pandemic response.

The funding is authorized through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed by President Donald Trump in March 2020. [Read more…] about NIST awards $3.4 million to support Manufacturing USA’s coronavirus projects