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Baidu Apollo wins approval for commercialized autonomous car service on open roads in Beijing

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Baidu Apollo has received approval for the commercial operation of its autonomous car service in Beijing, as the company’s Apollo Go, known as Luobo Kuaipao in China, was authorized to provide paid service in China’s first-ever demonstration zone for commercial autonomous driving.

With the service’s first-ever commercial deployment on open roads, Apollo Go marks a further step in its accelerating progress towards large-scale commercial operation.

The autonomous vehicle commercial permit granted by the head office of the Beijing High-level Automated Driving Demonstration Area (BJHAD) today allows Baidu to charge fees for autonomous services offered to the public in a designated area. Baidu was among the first service providers to receive such authorization. [Read more…] about Baidu Apollo wins approval for commercialized autonomous car service on open roads in Beijing

Mecademic Robotics expands into huge markets with its tiny robot

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Mecademic Robotics, the Canada-based maker of a tiny industrial robot, is expanding into some of the largest robotics markets in the world.

The company has reached strategic agreements with new “value-added partners” which will enable it to grow into reginal markets in the US, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia.

As the global market continues to see increased demand for small industrial robot arms, Mecademic says it has increased its production capacity and regional presence to better serve its customers.

Mecademic describes its new partners – which are Allied Automation (USA), The Knotts Company (USA), Electromate (Canada), Pagès Group (France), LMZ (Germany), and Andrew Donald Design Engineering (Australia) – as “cutting-edge automation solution providers”. [Read more…] about Mecademic Robotics expands into huge markets with its tiny robot

Winners of the Robotics and Automation News Awards 2021-22

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The votes are counted and decisions made, so… Congratulations to all the winners of the Robotics and Automation News Awards 2021-22, in association with SICK Sensor Intelligence. 

Download a copy of the publication: Robotics and Automation News Awards 2021-22

Watch the video below or on YouTube: Robotics and Automation News Awards 2021-22

The awful coronavirus pandemic has changed many people’s lives forever. Many have lost loved ones and many more have suffered illness and inconvenience to their lives and livelihoods.

For businesses in many sectors, it has been extremely difficult to keep going through lockdowns which reduced their income to zero or thereabouts. And despite previously unimaginable levels of government support, they were forced to wind down, perhaps to fight another day sometime in the future. [Read more…] about Winners of the Robotics and Automation News Awards 2021-22

Locus Robotics opens European headquarters in Amsterdam

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Locus Robotics, a maker of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses and distribution centers, is opening its European headquarters in Amsterdam.

The new facility will support Locus’s existing EU and UK customer base and develop new opportunities within the fast-growing European warehouse fulfillment and distribution segments.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “Our decision to expand our presence in the European market was a logical step in our business growth strategy.

“Choosing Amsterdam gives us a central location that is ideal for serving our customer base, as well as giving us access to a vibrant and diverse talent pool to recruit from.” [Read more…] about Locus Robotics opens European headquarters in Amsterdam

Fabric raises $200 million in new funding, bringing total to $336 million to date

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Fabric, a company specialising in retail supply chain automation, has raised $200 million in Series C funding.

The latest round was led by existing investor Temasek, with participation from Koch Disruptive Technologies, Union Tech Ventures, Harel Insurance & Finance, Pontifax Global Food and Agriculture Technology Fund (Pontifax AgTech), Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), KSH Capital, Princeville Capital, Wharton Equity Ventures, and others.

With a valuation of more than $1 billion, Fabric has established itself as a market leader in the on-demand fulfillment space, leveraging its proprietary robotic micro-fulfillment technology stack designed from the ground up to make on-demand fulfillment profitable and scalable for all retailers. [Read more…] about Fabric raises $200 million in new funding, bringing total to $336 million to date

Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

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The Pittsburgh autonomy sector has reached critical mass and has the potential to become a major player in the global market, according to a new study. It adds, however, that “urgent action is needed” to compete more effectively against other regions and to encourage autonomy companies to locate and remain in Southwestern Pennsylvania as they mature and grow.

The report – Forefront: Securing Pittsburgh’s Break-out Position in Autonomous Mobile Systems – was issued by Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce with research conducted by TEConomy Partners.

The culmination of a nine-month long study, the report finds that the Pittsburgh region is one of the top centers for autonomous mobile systems – a sector predicted to grow to a $1 trillion+ global market by 2026, with an estimated 5,000 jobs and a $10 billion impact for a region that captures 1 percent of that global market growth. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

GreyOrange expands robotics reach to new European markets

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GreyOrange, a warehouse robotics and automation company, has expanded its GreyMatter operating system and Ranger MoveSmart robots in Active Ants’ e-fulfilment centre in Willebroek, Belgium.

GreyOrange says its solution to modern fulfilment has already been providing higher value and higher levels of efficiency to the Active Ants fulfilment centre in The Netherlands and has since scaled its offering to the Belgian market in preparation for surges in eCommerce demand over the end of year holiday period.

The expansion is the start of a programme to improve efficiencies across several warehouses in Europe. [Read more…] about GreyOrange expands robotics reach to new European markets

Retail robots market expected to reach $55.8 billion by 2028

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The global market for retail robots was valued at $7.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to surpass $55.8 billion by 2028, registering an annual growth rate of 30.1 percent during the forecast period (2021-2028), according to Coherent Market Insights.

Retail service robots bring the intelligence of big-data knowledge of consumers to provide useful and smart in-store customer service. Retail robots can handle scenarios from repetitive customer service inquiries to complex product recommendation.

Companies often have an opportunity to convey real-time data about their company and products whichexplains what they do, why their products are the right fit, and others. [Read more…] about Retail robots market expected to reach $55.8 billion by 2028

Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

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Baidu has launched testing of its Apollo Go in Shanghai, marking the fifth city where passengers have the ability to trial the robotaxi mobile platform. Baidu is the only company to offer this service in the three first-tier cities of Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The Shanghai operation will include 150 stations opened in phases throughout the city to provide users convenient access to residential areas, commercial areas, offices and public transportation. Passengers can use the service from 9.30 am to 11.00 pm every day of the week.

This launch comes on the heels of another milestone for Baidu Apollo – the expansion of Apollo Go to Tongzhou District in Beijing, where the service will enable residents and visitors of the suburb to experience travel in an autonomous vehicle. [Read more…] about Baidu launches robotaxi test service in Shanghai with Apollo Go ride-hailing platform

Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has acquired Waypoint Robotics, a builder of omnidirectional mobile robots. Financial details were not disclosed.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “Locus is the proven leader in the development of highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimization.

“As order fulfillment and labor shortages continue to grow around the world, the acquisition of Waypoint Robotics will accelerate our ability to meet these global needs in just months rather than years, helping us drive the digital transformation of the warehouse.” [Read more…] about Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

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