Robotics & Automation News

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Otto Motors reveals North American sales and service expansion with certified dealers

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Otto Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots, has launched the Otto Certified Dealer program to provide “high-quality service and support locally throughout North America”. The program introduces over 215 regional offices and 2,000 technicians to the rapidly-growing AMR industry. 

To meet the rising demand for AMRs, Otto Motors has trained and certified the most reputable material handling equipment organizations to deliver solutions with the same quality that Otto Motors is known for.

John Stikes, director of global strategic alliances and partnerships at Otto Motors, says: “Customers demand exceptional service. We’ve built our Otto Certified Dealer program like we’ve built our products, with unwavering emphasis on quality to ensure that our customers receive the exceptional service they expect. [Read more…] about Otto Motors reveals North American sales and service expansion with certified dealers

Outrider launches automated trailer inventory management platform

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Outrider, a developer of autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, has released its system for trailer inventory management at distribution yards.

Part of the Outrider System, this patent-pending trailer inventory feature provides real-time tracking of the semi-trailers and containers in yards. This constantly updated intelligence about asset and freight locations enables large, logistics-dependent enterprises to increase the efficiency of their yard operations.

Today’s yard operations require employees to patrol the distribution yard – either on foot or by driving a vehicle – to manually update the locations of trailers in dock spots, parking spots, and storage areas. This data collection process is tedious, error-prone, and quickly outdated, causing frequent shipping delays. [Read more…] about Outrider launches automated trailer inventory management platform

Blendid takes its robotic smoothie kiosks into athletic clubs with the Bay Club

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Blendid, a robotic food service solutions leader, is expanding into the athletic club industry. The Bay Club Company, which operates 22 active lifestyle clubs along the West Coast, will open Blendid kiosks at two of its California locations this spring.

Marissa Lucas, senior VP of brand marketing at the Bay Club, says: “Our Bay Club community is dedicated to their health and wellness, and we strive to deliver innovative solutions to support the demands of their full, active lifestyles—all in one place.

“We are designed with amenities that focus on four main quadrants – fitness, sports, family, and hospitality, and this partnership expands our ability to support our members within our hospitality and overall healthy dining offerings. [Read more…] about Blendid takes its robotic smoothie kiosks into athletic clubs with the Bay Club

Blendid and Jamba find new customer for their robot-made smoothies

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Blendid, a maker of a robotic machine that makes food, and Jamba, a provider of fruit and vegetable smoothies, are planning to expand their “Jamba by Blendid” autonomous robotic kiosk locations to Love’s Travel Stops, building on the system’s initial deployments in retail locations and college campuses.

The first Jamba by Blendid kiosk piloted at a Love’s Travel Stop will open this summer in Williams, California, just outside of Sacramento, marking a strategic expansion into rest area locations to meet the increasing demand for nutritious quick-serve options for commuters, travelers and professional truck drivers across the United States.

With more than 590 locations in 41 states, Love’s Travel Stops provides professional drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, compressed natural gas, travel items, electronics, snacks, restaurant offerings, and more from coast to coast. [Read more…] about Blendid and Jamba find new customer for their robot-made smoothies

White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics

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White Castle, an American fast-food restaurant chain specialising in burgers and fries, has ordered 100 “Flippy 2” robotic frying cells from Miso Robotics, a company which has developed a range of robotic systems for the catering industry. (See video below.)

White Castle has almost 400 locations across the US and approximately 10,000 employees. With the installation of the robots – mainly the “Flippy 2” model (main picture) – many of its employees who were on frying duty will be put to different tasks. The company has been testing Miso robots since September 2020, and upgraded to Flippy 2 in November last year. .

Jeff Carper, chief operating officer at White Castle, says: “Our partnership with Miso continues to lead the way on what’s next for back of house restaurant operations looking to empower team members with technology to better satisfy customers. [Read more…] about White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics

Jamba and Blendid expand pilot launch of robotic smoothie kiosks to more locations

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Health food and smoothie specialist Jamba and robotics company Blendid have added two new “Jamba by Blendid” autonomous robotic kiosk locations.

The new locations at Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia and Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia mark the first Jamba by Blendid openings on college campuses, expanding beyond the current pilot locations in a shopping mall and big box retailer.

The company calls this a “significant step” as Jamba and Blendid continue to explore opportunities to open more Jamba by Blendid kiosks in a variety of non-traditional venues, including gyms, hospitals, airports, and more. [Read more…] about Jamba and Blendid expand pilot launch of robotic smoothie kiosks to more locations

BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

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BMW i Ventures took a lead investment in HeyCharge, the German start-up providing electric vehicle charging stations in apartment complexes, office buildings and other infrastructure locations.

HeyCharge was in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 batch of start-ups.

Kasper Sage, managing partner, BMW i Ventures, says: “The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market in coming years will necessitate greater infrastructure build-out of charging solutions around the globe. [Read more…] about BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

NEC unveils autonomous mobile robot control system

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NEC has developed a control technology that the company claims “doubles the efficiency of autonomous mobile robots” in warehouses while maintaining a high level of safety.

NEC plans to put this technology into practical use by March 2024 and to have it installed in NEC’s co-operative AMRs in Japan.

In recent years, the introduction of robots for transporting materials has accelerated due to labor shortages and large warehouses. [Read more…] about NEC unveils autonomous mobile robot control system

Freebirds and Now Cuisine partner to develop robotic kiosks to serve hot meals

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Restaurant technology developer Now Cuisine and the Freebirds burrito company are partnering to build robotic kiosks that serve hot meals.

Now Cuisine and Freebirds World Burrito say the pilot program will be available at new locations throughout the Dallas area using Now Cuisine’s robotic Takeout Stations.

Now Cuisine’s Takeout Stations are compact, fully-automated, AI-enabled kiosks that can be placed nearly anywhere to serve freshly made-to-order hot meals in minutes, 24/7. Freebirds has issued a purchase order to Now Cuisine which will allow its food to be served in multiple Takeout Stations in Texas as part of the pilot. [Read more…] about Freebirds and Now Cuisine partner to develop robotic kiosks to serve hot meals

Kiwibot launches robotic delivery service on Loyola university campus

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Kiwibot has launched its robotic delivery service at Loyola Marymount University campus, in partnership with LMU Dining.

And until November 14, new Sodexo Bite app subscribers can take advantage of free food delivery fee at two on-campus locations.

If you haven’t seen the newest four-wheeled residents on campus at Loyola Marymount University yet, chances are you will soon if you are on the campus. [Read more…] about Kiwibot launches robotic delivery service on Loyola university campus