Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

logistics robot

Otto Motors launches new self-driving vehicle for material handling

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Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, has launched “Otto 750”, which it claims to be “the first self-driving vehicle for material handling with a payload of 750 kg”.

Otto 750 is a mid-range self-driving vehicle designed to move pallet-scale loads which would otherwise be manually moved by a pump truck or tugger.

Otto says the 750-kg payload is important because of how factories typically transport materials.  [Read more…] about Otto Motors launches new self-driving vehicle for material handling

Exotec unveils new warehouse automation system with integrated robot

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A French company called Exotec Solutions has unveiled its warehouse robot, which looks similar to the mobile autonomous vehicles from a number of other companies. 

The market for such vehicles has been expanding, at least in terms of the number of companies offering solutions.

It remains to be seen how well they sell, but if Amazon’s heavy utilisation of similar logistics robots is anything to go by, the market is likely to grow fast.  [Read more…] about Exotec unveils new warehouse automation system with integrated robot

Logistics robots: NextShift’s ‘unique workflow’ increases productivity and efficiency

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Exclusive interview with NextShift Robotics CEO

The robotics and automation industry has always held a fascination for many people – for seasoned professionals and even passing observers alike. 

And it’s been particularly interesting in the past couple of years, for several reasons.

One reason is the advancements in computing – both hardware and software, perhaps most importantly in networking.  [Read more…] about Logistics robots: NextShift’s ‘unique workflow’ increases productivity and efficiency

Comau unveils logistics robot

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Comau has launched a new logistics robot which looks similar to the growing number of autonomous platforms currently making their way into warehouses the world over. 

Comau’s machine is called Agile 1500, and the company says it is the first model within the Comau automated guided vehicles platform.

Comau says the Agile 1500 is based on the company’s “open automation” design approach.  [Read more…] about Comau unveils logistics robot

IAM Robotics awarded patent for warehouse robot

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IAM Robotics, a Pittsburgh startup that develops and sells autonomous material handling robots, has been awarded what the company says is a “key patent” relating to its robotics technology for logistics.

The patent will be issued on October 10, 2017 as US Patent No. 9,785,911.

IAM says the patent specifies “a system and method for piece-picking or put-away with a mobile manipulation robot”.  [Read more…] about IAM Robotics awarded patent for warehouse robot

Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics

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Kuka has launched an autonomous logistics robot in the form of a mobile platform which are by now quite familiar in the logistics industry. 

The robot maker says its Kuka KMP 1500 navigates using the SLAM method, which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, utilising laser scanners.

It adds that the robot is highly flexible, and features precise maneuverability and positioning using the omni-directional mecanum wheels and an accurate lifting mechanism.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics

Canvas Technology launches ‘world’s first self-driving carts’ for factories and warehouses

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A company called Canvas Technology has launched what it claims is the world’s first self-driving industrial cart.

The company says the logistics robot brings driverless vehicles to workplaces “long before self-driving vehicles hit street”.

Canvas says its carts are also the first self-driving vehicles to use 3D vision to map and navigate dynamic indoor workplaces.  [Read more…] about Canvas Technology launches ‘world’s first self-driving carts’ for factories and warehouses

DHL uses Effibot logistics robot to deliver Formula E racing cars

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Logistics giant DHL called on the Effibot autonomous vehicle to help with the logistics demands of delivering all 40 fully-electric racing cars which took part in the recent Formula E Championship decider in Montreal, Canada.

Along with the cars, DHL also delivered lithium-ion batteries, charging stations, garage equipment and track infrastructure for the 10 teams that will compete for the title.

With the season finale, DHL also concludes its third season of delivering logistics solutions for the only fully single seater electric car racing series around the globe.  [Read more…] about DHL uses Effibot logistics robot to deliver Formula E racing cars

Amazon has 100,000 robots working at its warehouses worldwide

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Amazon is estimated to have a total of 100,000 robots working at its numerous locations worldwide, according to a report on the Seattle Times website. 

And so far this year, the company has produced 55,000 of the little machines.

The world’s largest online retailer bought logistics robot-maker Kiva Systems in 2012 and has since built a separate business unit – Amazon Robotics – based on the technology it acquired.

The main robot is a small mobile platform for use in warehouses, and it’s manufactured in Amazon Robotics research and production facility in North Reading, Massachusetts, in the US (video below).

Surgere partners with Fetch Robotics to launch cycle-counting logistics robot

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Surgere has partnered with Fetch Robotics to launch what it calls a “Robotically Optimized and Balanced Inventory” system – or, in other words, a logistics robot called Robi.

The companies say Robi is designed to help automate cycle counts and improve overall accuracy of on-hand inventory within automotive manufacturing and warehouse environments.

Automated and autonomous warehouse management systems are becoming an increasingly important differentiator as competition in the logistics sector intensifies as a result of growing online shopping worldwide.

Surgere is a provider of visibility and control systems within a digitized supply chain – radio frequency identification, location and environment sensors, and advanced data analytics, and so on.  [Read more…] about Surgere partners with Fetch Robotics to launch cycle-counting logistics robot