Robotics & Automation News

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ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

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Astrocast, a global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and ArrowSpot has signed a multi-million-dollar contract to start mass production of ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack SAT device.

The contract between Astrocast and ArrowSpot includes hardware integration and Satellite IoT (SatIoT) connectivity for an initial three-year period.

For context, ArrowSpot’s technology solutions provide the worldwide supply chain logistics industry with online information for safe & secure sensitive chilled cargo and high value cargo. Clients working with ArrowSpot include ZIM Shipping Line and Oceanex Inc. intermodal transportation services. [Read more…] about ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks

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Pony.ai, an autonomous driving technology company, has formed a strategic joint venture with SANY Heavy Truck, a subsidiary of SANY Heavy Industry, a Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer and the third largest heavy equipment manufacturer globally.

Pony.ai and SANY say they will collaborate to create a “world-leading autonomous truck brand”.

The two companies say they will “deeply integrate” Pony.ai’s “virtual driver” with SANY’s technical accumulation in the field of wire-controlled chassis and vehicle development to jointly develop high-end heavy trucks that are automotive-grade and have L4-class redundancies. These trucks will inaugurate the future of truck logistics transportation.

The joint venture plans to start small-scale deliveries of the robotrucks in 2022 and 2023. Mass production of the L4 truck will commence in 2024 and within a few years will reach an annual production of around 10,000 trucks. [Read more…] about Pony.ai and SANY to mass produce autonomous trucks

Intelligent City raises $30 million to bring robotics and automation to prefabricated construction sector

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With pressure mounting for cities to address affordable housing needs, decarbonize buildings, and meet sustainability goals, housing technology company Intelligent City raised CAD 22 million ($17 million), bringing the total capital invested in the company to CAD 30 million ($23 million).

As one of the first companies in North America to apply automation and robotics to the design and manufacturing of prefabricated mass timber buildings, Intelligent City will use the funding to scale operations, commercialize its Platforms for Life (P4L) building solution, grow factory automation, and expand its footprint across and beyond Canada.

Earlier this year, the company completed testing of its building systems and is now verified to work within the new mass timber high-rise building codes in Canada and the US. [Read more…] about Intelligent City raises $30 million to bring robotics and automation to prefabricated construction sector

Autonomous driving systems developer Pony.ai valued at $8.5 billion after latest funding round

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Pony.ai, a developer of autonomous driving technology, has completed its first close of its Series D financing.

The Series D round, which has a significant valuation uplift from the 2020 C and C+ rounds, is a recognition by investors of Pony.ai’s achieved technical milestones and significant progress toward a commercialized robotaxi and robotruck product.

The proceeds from the funding will be used to further augment Pony.ai’s hiring, investment in research and development, global testing of robotaxi and robotrucking on an ever-growing fleet, enter into important strategic partnerships, and accelerate our development toward mass production and mass commercial deployment. [Read more…] about Autonomous driving systems developer Pony.ai valued at $8.5 billion after latest funding round

Promobot to ‘mass produce’ humanoid robots

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Russian robotics company Promobot says it is launching “mass production of life-like robots that look like humans”.

Promobot is mainly known as a manufacturer of autonomous service robots and the new humanoid “Robo-C” is the first of its kind from the company.

Promobot calls the android “a robot companion”, and says Robo-C is “the world’s first humanoid android, which not only copies the appearance of a person, but is also able to integrate into a business environment”. [Read more…] about Promobot to ‘mass produce’ humanoid robots

B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

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Industrial automation company B&R has been showcasing its technology for mass customisation, or “batch of one”.

The company exhibited its SuperTrak process at the metal industry event EMO, held recently in Germany.

B&R says the metal industry is not immune to the global trend away from bulk annual orders toward small-batch customer orders with short lead times. [Read more…] about B&R showcases technology for mass customisation

New Scale Robotics launches ‘first multi-tool mount system’ for smallest collaborative robots

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New Scale Robotics has launched what it says is “the first multi-tool mounting system for the smallest collaborative robots”.

The new NSR-MTM-3-URe Multi-Tool Mount (NSR-MTM) System allows users to mount and control up to three grippers or other tools on one Universal Robots (UR) e-Series cobot. [Read more…] about New Scale Robotics launches ‘first multi-tool mount system’ for smallest collaborative robots

Mass customization platform KBMax named ‘visual configuration leader’

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KBMax, a company which provides mass customization services to the manufacturing sector, says it has been named “visual configuration leader” by G2 Crowd, a website which collates and presents reviews from users of software.

KBMax mainly offers its services through its website, and primarily categorizes itself as a “CPQ” platform, a well-known term in sales and marketing which stands for configure, price, quote.

Traditionally, CPQ platforms have not included visual configurators, which enable the customization of a product using online 3D computer-aided design software.

[Read more…] about Mass customization platform KBMax named ‘visual configuration leader’

Why automated parts inspection is important in manufacturing

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precision ball actuators

Inspection in manufacturing is a process that involves the testing, gauging, measuring, and examination of a material or specimen, with the express purpose of determining whether or not it is in proper condition.

Typically, specified standards are set, against which the results of the inspection are compared to establish if the material being inspected is able to pass this stage of quality control.

In the past, inspection used to be performed solely by human agents, a special workforce that was commonly equipped with the necessary paraphernalia, and sometimes, simply by their bare senses.  [Read more…] about Why automated parts inspection is important in manufacturing

Physicists design a device inspired by sonic screwdriver

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physics researchers

Physicists have designed a handheld device inspired by the sonic screwdriver in Doctor Who and the tricorder in Star Trek that will use the power of MRI and mass spectrometry to perform a chemical analysis of objects.

The sonic screwdriver is a tool used in Doctor Who to scan and identify matter, among other functions, while the multi-purpose tricorder in Star Trek can provide a detailed analysis of living things.

Lead researcher Dr Marcus Doherty from The Australian National University (ANU) said the team had proven the concept of a diamond-based quantum device to perform similar functions to these science fiction tools and would now develop a prototype. [Read more…] about Physicists design a device inspired by sonic screwdriver