Robotics & Automation News

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Apptronik signs partnership with NASA for humanoid robots

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Apptronik, an Austin, US-based company specializing in the development of versatile, mobile robotic systems, has agreed a partnership with NASA to accelerate commercialization of its new humanoid robot.

The robot, called Apollo (main picture), will be one of the first humanoids available to the commercial markets.

At Apptronik’s headquarters in Austin, Texas, the first prototype of Apollo is now complete, with the expectation of broader commercial availability in 2023. [Read more…] about Apptronik signs partnership with NASA for humanoid robots

PickNik Robotics wins contract with US Space Force

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PickNik Robotics, a provider of robotics software and engineering services, has won a SpaceWERX contract to work on robotics for the US Space Force.

In addition, the company recently won a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract for continued work on supervised autonomy for space robotics, as well as a Colorado Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) grant for space robotics.

Dr Dave Coleman, CEO of PickNik Robotics, says: “These three wins provide additional validation of our work in space robotics, a major focus area for our company. [Read more…] about PickNik Robotics wins contract with US Space Force

Virtual Incision’s robotic surgery device to launch into space

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Virtual Incision, a medical device company which claims to be “pioneering the world’s first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery platform”, says its MIRA Platform will be launched into space to test its skills in a mission aboard the International Space Station.

The opportunity is driven by a recently awarded grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and is a technology demonstration scheduled for 2024.

John Murphy, CEO of Virtual Incision, says: “The Virtual Incision MIRA platform was designed to deliver the power of a mainframe robotic-assisted surgery device in a miniaturized size, with the goal of making RAS accessible in any operating room on the planet. [Read more…] about Virtual Incision’s robotic surgery device to launch into space

100,000 Husqvarna robots prepare to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to NASA’s Mars robot

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More than 100,000 Husqvarna robots are preparing to sing the traditional “Happy Birthday” song to NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover robot in the weirdest birthday party ever.

Husqvarna says its robots will shout at the top of their voices – or whatever it is they use to communicate – from Earth to Mars, which is a distance of more than 174 million km, in an effort to get through to the “loneliest robot in the universe”, according to the company.

It generally takes about 5 to 20 minutes for a radio signal to travel the distance between Mars and Earth, depending on planet positions. [Read more…] about 100,000 Husqvarna robots prepare to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to NASA’s Mars robot

Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

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Motiv Space Systems is has won a key contract with NASA that will continue to power the future of space exploration and innovation, with eyes set on NASA’s Artemis program.

Motiv was recently awarded a $5 million contract to begin development of the Distributed Extreme Environments Drive System (DEEDS) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Sequential Phase II Program.

This revolutionary technology has applications across a broad spectrum of missions, including in-situ resource utilization systems, robotics, payload offloading systems and mobility systems on the Lunar and Martian surfaces. [Read more…] about Motiv Space Systems wins contract to supply NASA with new type of actuation system

Nasa awards Geisel Software grant to develop multi-robot perception

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Geisel Software, a Massachusetts-based custom software development firm, has partnered with Fayetteville State University to perform research funded by NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Artemis Research grant.

The grant will fund Active and On-demand Multi Robot Perception research designed to develop multi-robot perception, a technology that utilizes highly specialized image sensors, to support NASA’s use of autonomous multi-robot systems performing scouting missions on the surface of the Moon or other planets. [Read more…] about Nasa awards Geisel Software grant to develop multi-robot perception

Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

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The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is partnering with NASA Ames Research Center and MassRobotics for the upcoming Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator program in Boston.

Founders working on aerospace/space, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, voice, drones and related technologies can apply to the program here: http://fi.co/join/AIRobotics. [Read more…] about Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter

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AeroVironment, a developer of unmanned aircraft systems, celebrated with its colleagues at NASA/JPL when data confirming the Ingenuity Helicopter’s successful first flight on Mars arrived at approximately 3.50 am PT on April 19.

Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and CEO, says: “AeroVironment is proud to have played a key role in developing the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter and achieving today’s historic first powered flight on another planet.

“We congratulate JPL and NASA on today’s achievement and salute their leadership and vision for deploying unmanned technology to further our understanding of other worlds.” [Read more…] about AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter

NASA awards Geisel Software and Arizona State University swarm robotics contract

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Geisel Software, a Massachusetts-based custom software development firm, and Arizona State University are pleased to announce they have been awarded a Small Business Technology Transfer contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Phase I will focus on identifying and developing intent estimation and intent-expressive motion planning technologies that enable cooperative operation of low-cardinality swarms of space vehicles (for example, planetary rovers and flyers) in lunar and planetary exploration missions.

Brian Geisel, CEO at Geisel Software, says: “Geisel Software is excited to be working with ASU on this ground-breaking swarming research for NASA. [Read more…] about NASA awards Geisel Software and Arizona State University swarm robotics contract

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