Robotics & Automation News

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OTTO Motors releases new software for fleet manage of autonomous mobile robots

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OTTO Motors, a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots, released software giving customers “better visibility and depth” of their fleet’s performance.

Jay Judkowitz, VP of product at OTTO Motors, says: “Over the last few years, we’ve seen facilities test AMRs for automating material handling. Today, they are no longer testing, they are operationalizing.

“As a result, our customers’ needs are evolving and we are with them. This software release is about giving operators better visibility and depth of their fleet’s performance including dashboards, analytics, video playbacks, and troubleshooting capabilities that are unmatched in the market. [Read more…] about OTTO Motors releases new software for fleet manage of autonomous mobile robots

Kollmorgen launches new generation of robot-ready frameless servo motors

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Kollmorgen, a specialist in motion control systems, has launched the new TBM2G series of frameless servo motors, introducing features that simplify the design of collaborative, surgical, aerospace and defense and other robots while delivering optimal performance in a lighter, more compact package.

These new motors will complement Kollmorgen’s existing TBM and KBM series of frameless motors.

Resulting from several years of research, testing and customer feedback, the TBM2G series offers high-performance torque in an extremely compact electromagnetics package. [Read more…] about Kollmorgen launches new generation of robot-ready frameless servo motors

Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

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Honeywell has agreed a strategic collaboration with Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, giving warehouses and distribution centers throughout North America an automated option to handle some of the most labor-intensive roles in an increasingly scarce job market.

The collaboration enables Honeywell customers to increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve safety by deploying Otto’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in their facilities.

These AMRs provide significant productivity benefits by automating the movement of carts used to transport picked orders or returns and can travel over any floor surface smooth enough to handle a traditional cart pushed by a worker. [Read more…] about Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

OTTO Motors launches ‘world’s smartest autonomous forklift’

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OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has launched the OTTO Lifter, describing it as “the smartest autonomous forklift on the market”.

With more than a decade of autonomous material handling expertise, OTTO Motors has built the most productive AMRs with the best driving capabilities for some of the biggest brands in the world.

With the addition of OTTO Lifter and its ability to pick up and drop off pallets autonomously, OTTO Motors now has the most comprehensive offering of material handling robots on the market. [Read more…] about OTTO Motors launches ‘world’s smartest autonomous forklift’

Can You Automate a Diaphragm Liquid Pump?

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A diaphragm liquid pump can still be automated even if it doesn’t use electric motors to produce torque power and rotation to move or pump the fluids. It’s often employed to move flammable fluids that shouldn’t be exposed, such as chemicals, paint, or other substances.

Companies that need to pump flammable fluids often refrain from using electric motors because these motors might cause a spark to fluids, like petroleum fuel, gas, or other combustible chemicals. [Read more…] about Can You Automate a Diaphragm Liquid Pump?

Why Are Servo Motors Used So Widely in Robotics?

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Servo motors will always come up when the topics of robotics and automation are discussed. Servo motors are useful in applications where precise positioning, power, and torque are required.

Almost all industries have some form of automation and robotics used in different processes, with robotics especially having lots of advantages and applications. But why do servo motors fit these applications so well, and why are they so widely used? [Read more…] about Why Are Servo Motors Used So Widely in Robotics?

General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

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General Motors says it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites, creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000, and significantly increasing battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity.

This is the single largest investment announcement in GM history. The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, says: “We are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the US, and our North American EV production capacity. [Read more…] about General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

Beep and Local Motors gives 10,000 passengers shuttle rides at Yellowstone National Park

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Beep, a developer of multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions, has released ridership results following the “highly successful” completion of Yellowstone National Park’s first-ever autonomous shuttle program.

The Electric Driverless Demonstration in Yellowstone (TEDDY), named as an ode to Teddy Roosevelt, gave a total of 10,000 passengers a lift in and around the national park, racking up 4,000 vehicle trips and 2,100 miles.

The shuttle pilot enabled the National Park Service to test the feasibility and sustainability of autonomous mobility in a national park. [Read more…] about Beep and Local Motors gives 10,000 passengers shuttle rides at Yellowstone National Park

Local Motors selects Ouster lidar for its next-generation autonomous shuttles

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Ouster, a provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, has signed a strategic customer agreement with electric autonomous vehicle company, Local Motors.

The agreement includes a binding commitment for over one thousand OS digital lidar sensors through 2023 and a non-binding forecast of over 20,000 sensors through 2025 which will be used to meet production demand for Local Motors’ next-generation shuttles.

Local Motors intends to equip its next-generation 3D printed autonomous shuttles with the full suite of Ouster OS sensors. This includes wide field of view, mid-range, and long-range digital lidar sensors for complete coverage as Local Motors aims to meet demand for Level 3 autonomous vehicles operating on mapped routes within campuses, city centers, and municipalities. [Read more…] about Local Motors selects Ouster lidar for its next-generation autonomous shuttles

Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million

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A startup company called Tau, which specializes in materials science and automotive electrification, says it has delivered a prototype wire that enables electric motors to double their power output without changing their size. 

The technology could mean that electric vehicles and machines of all kinds can keep going for longer on a single charge, and go faster.

Coinciding with the milestone of delivering prototype winding wire to the automotive industry, Tau also concluded its Series A financing round with additional funding from Finindus, a Belgium-based investment company financed by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, and a top-up by German specialty chemicals company Altana. The total raised is said to be €10.25 million. [Read more…] about Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million