Robotics & Automation News

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Virtual Incision and Sovato Health demonstrate remote robotic surgery system across 40,000 miles

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Virtual Incision, the developer of the miniaturized robotic-assisted MIRA Surgical System, and Sovato Health, a provider of remote surgery systems, say they have successfully completed a preclinical demonstration of nearly 40,000 miles combined distance.

Four surgeons performed a total of 20 procedures on porcine models as part of the remote capabilities test, representing approximately 2,000 miles for each procedure.

Francesco Maria Bianco, MD, from the University of Illinois Chicago, and Yanghee Woo, MD, Yasmin Zerhouni, MD, and Clayton Lau, MD, from City of Hope National Medical Center, leveraged the combined technology of Virtual Incision and Sovato to complete the remote cholecystectomy, colectomy, gastric mobilization/gastrostomy/primary closure, and nephrectomy procedures on porcine models. [Read more…] about Virtual Incision and Sovato Health demonstrate remote robotic surgery system across 40,000 miles

Exotec robots ‘save warehouse workers from walking nearly 30 million kilometres’

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Data published by Exotec says that, since the company’s first delivered site in 2017, its warehouse robots have covered a distance of 28,791,005 kilometres (17,889,901 miles) – equivalent to 37 return trips to the moon.

The company says its Skypod robots have logged over 5 million kilometres (3.1 million miles) at the longest drive site, with an average of 1.75 million kilometres (1.1 million miles) across Exotec’s 10 busiest sites.

To date, Exotec’s Skypod robots have completed almost 230 million cycles globally. The company defines one cycle as the act of a robot retrieving a bin, bringing it to a picking station, and returning the bin to storage. [Read more…] about Exotec robots ‘save warehouse workers from walking nearly 30 million kilometres’

Mattamy Homes to add new routes to Beep autonomous shuttle network at 8,300-acre, master-planned residential development

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Mattamy Homes, one of the largest privately owned homebuilders in North America, and Beep, an autonomous mobility solutions provider, say they are continuing their “commitment to smart and sustainable growth through advanced autonomous services connecting current and future key destinations” within Tradition, a master-planned community with more than 2,500 homes built on 8,300 acres of land on the Florida coast. 

As Mattamy Homes looks to add more than 1,000 new homes in 2023, Tradition’s autonomous shuttle network now connects a 55+ active adult community to the city’s main retail area with a new route.

The program, called TIM (Tradition in Motion), will now feature three routes connecting additional residential communities to the center of Tradition Square and surrounding shops and restaurants. [Read more…] about Mattamy Homes to add new routes to Beep autonomous shuttle network at 8,300-acre, master-planned residential development

Motional to add new features to its robotaxi service

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Ride-hail passengers in Las Vegas can now take an autonomous ride in a Motional IONIQ 5 robotaxi at night

“Las Vegas is a city that really comes alive once the sun goes down, so extending our service to match rider demand is a critical step forward in the evolution of our vehicle,” says Akshay Jaising, Motional’s vice president of commercialization.

“We’re happy we can now spend more hours everyday introducing passengers to our technology, and helping them travel safely and comfortably where they need to go.”

Night driving is one of three passenger-friendly service upgrades making their way to Motional’s fleet of all-electric IONIQ 5 robotaxis, which have been carrying public passengers in Las Vegas since August. [Read more…] about Motional to add new features to its robotaxi service

Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

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Sea Machines Robotics​​​​, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, has completed what is believed to be the world’s first 1,000+ nautical miles autonomous and remotely commanded journey of a commercial vessel at sea.

Under the project name The Machine Odyssey, the autonomous tug Nellie Bly completed its journey in just 129 operational hours over 13 days.

The program was commanded by US Coast Guard-licensed mariners remotely stationed 3,000 miles away in Boston, many of whom are also members of the American Maritime Officers union. [Read more…] about Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

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

Denso buys a stake in US ‘micromobility’ start-up

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Denso has taken a stake in US-based Bond Mobility Inc., the world’s only speed eBike sharing company that delivers high-performance micromobility services.

The close of Bond’s $20 million series A funding round was led by Denso’s New Mobility Group out of its global headquarters in Japan, and Ininvest Global.

Denso will use Bond’s technologies to accelerate the development of its Mobility as a Service (MaaS) model.

[Read more…] about Denso buys a stake in US ‘micromobility’ start-up

UTC begins work on hybrid electric aeroplane

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United Technologies (UTC) has recently launched the advanced projects group within the company, which moves at speed to build and pilot ambitious product and service demonstrators.

The group’s first product demonstrator is a hybrid-electric X-plane under the project name, Project 804.

The number “804” represents the straight-line mileage between the Pratt & Whitney facility in Longueuil, Québec, and the Collins Aerospace facility in Rockford, Illinois.

[Read more…] about UTC begins work on hybrid electric aeroplane