Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

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Ronovo Surgical raises $50 million to commercialize robotic laparoscopy system

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One of the fastest growing companies in the global robotic and digital surgery space, Ronovo Surgical, recently raised new financing to accelerate its vision of broad, cross-specialty adoption of robotic-assisted surgery.

The latest round of financing arms Ronovo with more than $50 million raised since 2020. Led by LongRiver Investments (LRI), this round garnered continued support from existing investors – Lilly Asia Ventures, Vivo Capital, Matrix Partners China and GGV Capital – with CEC Capital acting as exclusive financial advisor.

Exiting stealth mode, Ronovo unveils its inaugural robotic platform – Carina, an innovative modular system built on proprietary technology to enable configurable robotic assistance for laparoscopic surgeries across multiple specialties. [Read more…] about Ronovo Surgical raises $50 million to commercialize robotic laparoscopy system

ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

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While the world eagerly awaits the launch of a spacecraft to the Moon, a robot quietly reaches yet another milestone in space. The newest robotic arm outside the International Space Station woke up, stretched and moved a payload effortlessly from one side to the other of the Nauka science module.

The European Robotic Arm (ERA) successfully completed the first transfer following commands from cosmonauts inside the Space Station last week. Teams in Moscow, Russia and at ESA’s control room in the Netherlands monitored the moves, where the image above was taken by the European team on console on 24 August.

This first motion involved unleashing the payload – a single pin latch and its adapter for the cosmonaut support tool – from Nauka, moving it to the other side of the module and then installing it back to the original position. [Read more…] about ESA marks first steps of new robot in space

Bachmann Engineering gains certification from Universal Robots for its robot module solution

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A robot module solution designed and built by Bachmann Engineering has received certification from Universal Robots.

The robotic module solution – called “Bachmann BlastingUnit” – enables the automation of blasting processes.

Certification by Universal Robots through its UR+ marketplace adds the BBU to the global catalog of UR+ products. [Read more…] about Bachmann Engineering gains certification from Universal Robots for its robot module solution

Hikma Ventures leads $15 million Series B extension in Activ Surgical

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ venture capital arm, Hikma Ventures, has led an $15 million round of financing for Activ Surgical, a pioneering digital surgery imaging startup that is developing groundbreaking interoperative surgical intelligence hardware and software.

The investment is an extension of the Series B round that was previously announced by Activ Surgical in September 2021. This most recent financing, which also saw participation from existing investors, brings the total Series B round to $60 million.

Activ Surgical aims to revolutionize access to surgical care, enabling a future of augmented reality-based and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven surgery that is safe, smart, and accessible to all. [Read more…] about Hikma Ventures leads $15 million Series B extension in Activ Surgical

Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

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Activ Surgical, a digital surgery company, has completed its first in-human surgery clinical trial utilizing the company’s technology-as-a-service bundle – the ActivInsights augmented reality-based software suite and the ActivSight imaging module.

Procedures for the study at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) were led by Dr Erik Wilson, professor in the Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a leading bariatric, endoluminal and robotic general surgeon; and Dr Shinil Shah, associate professor at UTHealth Houston and a preeminent general surgeon with expertise in advanced gastrointestinal surgery.

The safety and feasibility study was conducted across bariatric, colorectal and gallbladder procedures – surgeries in which intraoperative assessment of perfusion and anatomic structures are critical to prevent costly and life-threatening complications. [Read more…] about Activ Surgical completes first in-human procedures to demonstrate impact of its surgical intelligence and sensing platform

Sfera Labs unveils ‘first’ industrial programmable I/O module based on new Raspberry Pi microcontroller

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Sfera Labs has introduced the first industrial product based on the new Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller chip – a few months after its release.

The Iono RP is a compact programmable I/O module that combines the ease of use of the Raspberry Pi with a wide choice of digital and analog input and output interfaces.

The result is a rugged, safe, reliable, and easy-to-connect module – fully CE, FCC, and IC compliant – suited for installation in industrial and residential environments. [Read more…] about Sfera Labs unveils ‘first’ industrial programmable I/O module based on new Raspberry Pi microcontroller

Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

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Hino Motors, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, and REE Automotive, an innovator in e-mobility, have signed a strategic business alliance agreement to realize their shared vision of “providing new value to society through next-generation commercial mobility”.

With the backdrop of advancements in CASE – Connected, Autonomous, Shared and Electric – vehicles, the automotive industry is entering a major transformation phase.

Hino and REE envision beyond this transformation a future in which commercial vehicles that support the movement of people and goods will evolve into mobility that provides new value and opportunities for society. [Read more…] about Toyota subsidiary Hino Motors partners with REE Automotive to develop autonomous mobility solutions

Nvidia unveils Jetson AGX Xavier industrial module

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Chipmaker Nvidia has unveiled the Jetson AGX Xavier industrial module. The company says the new ruggedized module is engineered to bring artificial intelligence to harsh, safety-critical environments.

From factories and farms to refineries and construction sites, the world is full of places that are hot, dirty, noisy, potentially dangerous — and critical to keeping industry humming.

These places all need inspection and maintenance alongside their everyday operations, but, given safety concerns and working conditions, it’s not always best to send in humans. [Read more…] about Nvidia unveils Jetson AGX Xavier industrial module

Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA

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Aerospace giant Airbus has been awarded a CLTV (Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle) study for a “Moon Cruiser” by the European Space Agency (ESA).

According to the study concept (two parallel Phase A/B1), the CLTV is a versatile, autonomous logistics vehicle that could, for example, provide timely and efficient support to NASA and ESA in the implementation of the future Artemis Moon missions.

The spacecraft will be based on existing and proven technologies and will complement the multipurpose European Large Logistic Lander (EL3). [Read more…] about Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA

FLIR Systems launches new sensor for drones and robots

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FLIR Systems has launched something called “FLIR Hadron”, which the company describes as the industry’s first dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers.

Designed to help reduce development costs and improve time-to-market, the lightweight, low power, and compact form factor includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the FLIR Boson 320×240 resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-hertz framerate.

Paul Clayton, general manager, components business at FLIR, says: “With the introduction of Hadron, FLIR Systems is leading the way in offering low-cost, dual sensor integration across a variety of industries from commercial drones to industrial imaging systems. [Read more…] about FLIR Systems launches new sensor for drones and robots