Robotics & Automation News

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Outrider releases new autonomy kit for scaling distribution yard automation

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Outrider, the developer of autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, has released its next-generation autonomy kit for its yard automation solution.

Supporting over-the-air software updates and field-swappable units, the latest autonomy kit is designed to deliver enterprise-class reliability, enable remote technical support, and efficiently service the system in the field – all at scale.

Andrew Smith, founder and CEO of Outrider, says: “Distribution yards are harsh industrial environments with around-the-clock operations, which means our autonomous system must be rugged, easy to service, and remotely supportable. [Read more…] about Outrider releases new autonomy kit for scaling distribution yard automation

AGCO taps mobility software experts Apex.AI for its robotic planting concept

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Apex.AI, a company developing safety-certified software for mobility and autonomous applications, says that AGCO, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology, is adding new capabilities to its Fendt Xaver concept vehicle, an autonomous farming robot, by incorporating Apex.OS, a software development kit (SDK).

Apex.AI has enabled AGCO’s engineering team to integrate several autonomous driving components into the Fendt Xaver in a tight timeframe, including lidar object detection, collision checking and planning, using the state-of-the-art framework and developer tools that come with Apex.OS.

This technical partnership expands an existing relationship between the two companies. In December 2021, AGCO announced a strategic investment in Apex.AI. [Read more…] about AGCO taps mobility software experts Apex.AI for its robotic planting concept

AMD launches robotics starter kit to ‘kick-start the intelligent factory of the future’

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Semiconductor giant AMD has launched the Kria KR260 Robotics Starter Kit, the latest addition to the Kria portfolio of adaptive system-on-modules (SOMs) and developer kits.

A scalable and out-of-the-box development platform for robotics, the Kria KR260 offers a seamless path to production deployment with the existing Kria K26 adaptive SOMs.

With native ROS 2 support, the standard framework for robotics application development, and pre-built interfaces for robotics and industrial solutions, the new SOM starter kit enables rapid development of hardware-accelerated applications for robotics, machine vision and industrial communication and control. [Read more…] about AMD launches robotics starter kit to ‘kick-start the intelligent factory of the future’

Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users

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Flexiv, which claims to be “the world’s leading general-purpose robotics company”, has released its Robotic Development Kit (RDK).

Describing it as “a leap forward in how robots are programmed and managed”, Flexiv says the RDK provides users with a powerful toolkit that can enhance how their robot works.

The RDK utilises customizable, easy-to-use APIs so users can completely control an adaptive robot and make instant program modifications or integrate external hardware and software effortlessly. [Read more…] about Flexiv unveils ‘powerful’ new development kit for robot users

Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

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Perrone Robotics has selected Ouster as its preferred lidar supplier to scale the company’s autonomous vehicle implementations.

Under the agreement, Ouster is to deliver hundreds of OS digital lidar sensors for Perrone’s autonomous vehicle kit.

Ouster is a specialist provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors describes the partnership as a “strategic customer agreement” with Perrone Robotics. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics selects Ouster as ‘preferred lidar supplier’ for autonomous vehicles

Sea Machines Robotics signs $3 million contract with US DoD to create autonomous supply stations globally

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Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and control and perception systems for the marine industries, has advanced its multi-year agreement with the US Department of Defense.

Phase 2 of the multi-phase contract delegates $3.1 million to the deployment of a full-scale ocean-going replenishment platform.

In October 2020, Sea Machines was enlisted by the DoD to engineer, build and demonstrate ready-to-deploy system kits that transform existing commercial barges to platforms capable of landing and replenishing military aircraft. [Read more…] about Sea Machines Robotics signs $3 million contract with US DoD to create autonomous supply stations globally

New Scale Robotics gains Certified System Integrator status from Universal Robots

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New Scale Robotics is now a Certified System Integrator (CSI) for Universal Robots. This enables New Scale to sell and deploy UR collaborative robots with its Q-Span Workstation Kits for small part measurement.

The Q-Span Workstation Kit is a UR+ Certified Application Kit, designed and manufactured by New Scale Robotics to work with the Universal Robots e-Series collaborative robots (cobots).

It automates the tedious process of manually measuring small parts for quality control and recording the data for statistical analysis. [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics gains Certified System Integrator status from Universal Robots

Robotiq launches new robotic bin picking solution

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Collaborative robot application specialist Robotiq has introduced a “versatile and affordable” bin picking system which will bring additional proficiency and flexibility to a broad spectrum of mid to high volume manufacturing and processing operations.

In line with the company’s core value of democratising automation, the Robotiq Bin Picking Kit provides a complete solution for locating, picking, handling, and placing flat and cylindrical parts – with rapid set-up that ensures optimal return on investment.

Compatible with Universal Robots, the Kit is particularly well-suited to appliance manufacturing, automotive components, general industry, and metal and plastic products, for applications ranging from stamping, bending, engraving, marking and painting, to deburring, grinding, line feeding and assembly. [Read more…] about Robotiq launches new robotic bin picking solution

Nvidia claims its Jetson Nano is the ‘ultimate AI and robotics starter kit’


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Chipmaking giant Nvidia has expanded its Jetson AI at the Edge platform with an entry-level developer kit priced at $59, opening the potential of AI and robotics to a new generation of students, educators and hobbyists.

The Jetson Nano 2GB Developer Kit is designed for teaching and learning AI by creating hands-on projects in such areas as robotics and intelligent IoT.

To support the effort, Nvidia also announced the availability of free online training and AI-certification programs, which will supplement the many open-source projects, how-tos and videos contributed by thousands of developers in the vibrant Jetson community. [Read more…] about Nvidia claims its Jetson Nano is the ‘ultimate AI and robotics starter kit’


Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing

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There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about what’s sometimes called “custom manufacturing”, or the “batch of one” concept.

The idea behind such phrases is to create manufacturing processes that can almost tailor-make products for individual customers.

So let’s say if you wanted a particular brand of bicycle but would like your bike to have higher handle bars or wider foot pedals, the maker should be able to provide that without having to incur significantly greater production costs or add much to your purchase price. [Read more…] about Karlsruhe demonstrates robotic system for custom manufacturing