Robotics & Automation News

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Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

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Technology is always evolving to improve modern life. The latest in artificial intelligence (AI), technology-based tactics, automation and cybersecurity are essential to master, particularly for those working in these sectors, and there is always something new to discover.

Just last month, South Africa introduced the first formally recognised Robotic Process Automation qualification in the EMEA region, opening new opportunities in education.

Technology shapes so many facets of life and is likely to create an unimaginable and exciting future. What is crucial now however, is to use advancements to solve problems wherever possible. [Read more…] about Africa Automation Technology Fair: Inspiring enterprise for the future

Bowe Group leads $8.2 million investment round in robot software company Mov.ai

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Bowe Group, a provider of integrated automation technology, has led an $8.2 million investment round in Mov.ai, a startup specializing in autonomous mobile robots software.

The investment round includes Mov.ai’s existing investors State of Mind Ventures, NFX, and Viola Ventures.

Automation is playing an increasingly important role in the supply chain, specifically in intralogistics, with robots at the forefront of this trend. [Read more…] about Bowe Group leads $8.2 million investment round in robot software company Mov.ai

Electronic component manufacturer Stego expands headquarters

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Stego, a manufacturer of electronic components, is expanding its capacity at the group’s headquarters in Schwäbisch Hall, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

A doubling of warehouse volume for production is already complete. The construction of an office block is now starting. This should be completed by the end of 2023 and provide space for over 70 employees with 1,500 square metres.

The Stego Group in Schwäbisch Hall is growing. Even during the pandemic. Almost without restraint. Rising product demand has led to a strain on material supply and logistics. [Read more…] about Electronic component manufacturer Stego expands headquarters

Additive manufacturing startups MakerBot and Ultimaker agree to merge

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MakerBot and Ultimaker, two of the best-known startups in desktop 3D printing, have come to a “business combination agreement” – or a merger.

The company says the move will accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing by providing a comprehensive desktop 3D printing ecosystem of hardware, software, and materials.

The new entity will be backed by existing investors, NPM Capital and Stratasys, and will benefit from a planned cash investment of $62.4 million to fuel innovation and expansion into new markets. [Read more…] about Additive manufacturing startups MakerBot and Ultimaker agree to merge

RightHand Robotics raises $66 million in Series C funding

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RightHand Robotics, a startup developing autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, has secured $66 million in a Series C financing.

The funding round was led by investors Safar Partners, a technology venture fund; Thomas H. Lee Partners, an investor in automation and supply chain; and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which is part of the SoftBank Group.

Zebra Technologies, Epson and Global Brain also join this round, along with previous investors GV, F-Prime Capital, Menlo Ventures, Matrix Partners and Tony Fadell’s Future Shape. Previous rounds were led by Menlo Ventures and Playground Global. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics raises $66 million in Series C funding

TotalEnergies and Amada Europe strengthen their partnership

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TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy production and supply company, and Amada Europe, a manufacturer of machine tools for the sheet metal industry, have signed a partnership for the supply of original equipment lubricants to Amada Europe’s plants as well as a range of Amada branded lubricants.

The partnership will last for five years and will cover 14 countries in Europe.

Since 2016, TotalEnergies’ Lubricants Department in France has already been supplying part of the original equipment oils to Amada’s main plant in Europe in Château-du-Loir. [Read more…] about TotalEnergies and Amada Europe strengthen their partnership

On the way to a climate-neutral company: IDS introduces holistic climate protection

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Energy and resource efficiency are the focus of the industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems.

As a globally active technology company, sustainability is an essential part of the corporate strategy.

Jan Hartmann, managing director of the Obersulm-based camera manufacturer, says: “Technological progress and responsible entrepreneurship go hand in hand for us. [Read more…] about On the way to a climate-neutral company: IDS introduces holistic climate protection

Beep secures $20 million Series-A investment from Intel and Blue Lagoon

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Beep, a provider of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions, has closed the company’s Series A investment round with Intel Capital and Blue Lagoon Capital, raising $20 million.

The funding will enable Beep to continue the expansion of its autonomous fleet deployments across North America and leverage its learnings to advance passenger mobility service for cities, business districts and campuses at scale.

Beep utilizes a combination of machine learning, contextual traffic data and the company’s existing centralized command center data to provide vital oversight in managing high-risk scenarios for autonomous vehicles in complex geo-fenced environments. [Read more…] about Beep secures $20 million Series-A investment from Intel and Blue Lagoon

Automation 2020: Manufacturers Adopt Overall Pricing Effectiveness

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By Gabriel Smith, chief evangelist at Pricefx

Eliminating pricing waste: Overall Pricing Effectiveness (OPE)

There is an even more effective means to improve profitability than variable cost reduction.

In fact, according to many studies, improving variable cost typically results in a <8 per cent improvement in profitability whereas improving price results in an >11 per cent improvement in operating profit.  [Read more…] about Automation 2020: Manufacturers Adopt Overall Pricing Effectiveness

Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city

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Groupe PSA is testing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) technology for the first time in the Spanish city of Vigo.

The company has been partnering with the Automotive Technology Centre of Galicia on the testing, and the results are intended to help the development of automated vehicle functions.

The aim is to see how well vehicles can communicate with the surrounding infrastructure in a complex urban environment. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA tests vehicle-to-infrastructure tech in Spanish city