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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

Merck and Volansi launch commercial drone service to deliver cold-chain medicines in rural North Carolina

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Volansi, a drone company specializing in medical logistics, has launched a commercial healthcare drone delivery project in North Carolina.

In collaboration with pharmaceuticals and biotech giant Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, Volansi is piloting the delivery of cold-chain medicines from Merck’s Wilson, North Carolina manufacturing site to Vidant Healthplex-Wilson, a Vidant Health clinic, as the first of three phases in a project to learn about drone technology’s role and ability to improve access to healthcare.

With 1.4 million people across 29 counties, eastern North Carolina’s vast, rural environment can create challenges for accessing care. Initial flights in the project resulted in the first drone delivery of temperature-controlled medicines within the US. [Read more…] about Merck and Volansi launch commercial drone service to deliver cold-chain medicines in rural North Carolina

Brain Corp adds new capabilities to its OS for robots

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based AI for robotics company, has launched its new user experience (UX) design and reporting capabilities for autonomous mobile robots.

The software enhancements are designed to optimize usage of BrainOS-powered robots for different types of users – from a robot operator to management personnel – on a global basis.

They also include powerful new software features for BrainOS-enabled robotic scrubbers that deliver improved cleaning efficiency and flexibility for commercial locations. [Read more…] about Brain Corp adds new capabilities to its OS for robots

Walmart’s doubling of online sales to boost warehouse robotics sector

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Walmart has reported that its e-commerce sales have almost doubled as a result of the coronavirus lockdown forcing everyone to lock themselves up at home as often as possible and shopping online.

The company reported a staggering 97 percent increase in online sales for its second quarter, total revenue of almost $138 billion, which is an increase of $7.4 billion overall across internet and in-store sales.

Additionally, Walmart’s marketplace has also seen a doubling in the number of sellers included, to more than 50,000. [Read more…] about Walmart’s doubling of online sales to boost warehouse robotics sector

UN sends five robots to Rwanda to detect coronavirus

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A new type of robot has been sent to Rwanda by the United Nations in an effort to help detect coronavirus infections.

The hardware for the robot was built by Chinese company UBTech Robotics, and the software was developed by Belgian company ZoraBots.

ZoraBots says the new kind of robot help healthcare professionals, governments and international organizations to limit the spread of the coronavirus. [Read more…] about UN sends five robots to Rwanda to detect coronavirus