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BlueBotics unveils new asset tracing and transport flow system

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Autonomous navigation and fleet management software provider BlueBotics – whose ANT navigation technology drives over 6,000 AGVs and AMRs around the world – has launched ANT locator, a new and “highly flexible” vehicle tracking and mixed fleet management solution that will be commercially available from June 2025.

Dr Nicola Tomatis, CEO of BlueBotics, says: “Based on our proven vehicle positioning technology, ANT locator allows companies to understand exactly where their forklifts are, and therefore where their pallets are too, whether inside or outdoors.

“ANT locator also addresses an evolving challenge for internal logistics teams: how to ensure effective interactions between manual forklifts and driverless AGVs and AMRs, by enabling traffic light systems for mixed vehicle types, smart interactions in pre-defined zones, and the integrated monitoring of all vehicles.” [Read more…] about BlueBotics unveils new asset tracing and transport flow system

European Space Agency to test animal brain autonomy for future space missions

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Opteran works with Airbus to show how nature can revolutionize space robotics

Opteran, which describes itself as ‘the natural intelligence company”, says that Airbus Defence and Space, with support from European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency, will test the Opteran Mind, its general purpose neuromorphic software, in Airbus space rovers.

Opteran believes nature offers a more efficient, robust solution for autonomy in space robotics which will enable new mission capabilities for future Mars missions and other space exploration projects.

Based on over a decade of research into animal and insect vision, navigation and decision-making, Opteran is conducting tests with Airbus at its Mars Yard to enable rovers to understand depth perception in the toughest off-world environments.

[Read more…] about European Space Agency to test animal brain autonomy for future space missions

BlueBotics releases new version of its server fleet management software

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Swiss robotic navigation company BlueBotics has released a new version of its ANT server fleet management software, which can now control not only the 100+ ANT driven customer vehicles on the market, but also VDA 5050-compliant AGVs and AMRs.

BlueBotics – whose ANT navigation technology drives over 5,000 AGVs and AMRs around the world – says its new initiative expandS the scope of its ANT server mission and fleet management software by adding compatibility with the German AGV interoperability standard VDA 5050.

As a result, ANT server can now manage not only the 100+ ‘ANT driven’ customer AGVs and AMRs currently on the market, but also VDA 5050-compliant AGVs and AMRs from non-ANT driven brands. [Read more…] about BlueBotics releases new version of its server fleet management software

Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

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Existing ship control systems using Model Predictive Control for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) do not consider the various forces acting on ships in real sea conditions.

Addressing this gap, in a new study, researchers developed a novel time-optimal control method, that accounts for the real wave loads acting on a ship, enabling effective planning and control of MASS at sea.

The study of ship manoeuvring at sea has long been the central focus of the shipping industry. With the rapid advancements in remote control, communication technologies and artificial intelligence, the concept of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has emerged as a promising solution for autonomous marine navigation. [Read more…] about Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

Pramac partners with BlueBotics to launch line of ANT driven mobile robots

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Pramac and BlueBotics have agreed a partnership which sees BlueBotics providing ANT navigation technology and fleet management software for Pramac’s new line of X-ACT mobile logistics robots.

Sold under Pramac’s new business unit, called Lifter Mobile Robotics, three X-ACT mobile robots are available currently, with several more in the pipeline.

Federico Piersimoni, business group director of Pramac’s material handling division, says: “When we created Lifter Mobile Robotics, we wanted to build on our expertise in the field of material handling equipment by integrating the best and latest technologies possible, to ensure these products are plug and play ready and reliable. [Read more…] about Pramac partners with BlueBotics to launch line of ANT driven mobile robots

Reliable Robotics continues momentum towards certification of its autonomous flight system

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Reliable Robotics, a developer of autonomous aircraft automation systems, has announced further certification progress with FAA acceptance of requirements for Reliable’s advanced aircraft navigation and autopilot systems.

These systems provide continuous autopilot engagement throughout all phases of flight including automatic taxi, takeoff, and landing.

In an industry-leading first, Reliable Robotics and the FAA established agreement on the testing and analysis that will be performed to show that these highly automated systems satisfy FAA safety and performance requirements for operations throughout the conterminous United States and Alaska. [Read more…] about Reliable Robotics continues momentum towards certification of its autonomous flight system

FAA approves Reliable Robotics’ autonomous flight certification plan

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Reliable Robotics, a developer of safety-enhancing aircraft automation systems, says its certification plan has been formally accepted by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Reliable autonomous flight system enables continuous autopilot engagement through all phases of aircraft operation including taxi, takeoff and landing.

This landmark achievement marks unrivaled progress towards the certification of fully automated aircraft. [Read more…] about FAA approves Reliable Robotics’ autonomous flight certification plan

Advanced Navigation ‘furthering space exploration’ with NASA and Intuitive Machines

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Advanced Navigation, an AI robotics and navigation technology developer, has been awarded a Moon to Mars Initiative: Demonstrator Mission Grant by the Australian Space Agency, to support NASA’s endeavour to explore the Moon and beyond to Mars.

The grant will accelerate development and production of the company’s breakthrough Light Detection, Altimetry and Velocimetry (LiDAV) technology.

Supported by this award, Advanced Navigation will deliver a space-qualified LiDAV sensor called LUNA (Laser measurement Unit for Navigational Aid) to US-based space systems company, Intuitive Machines, as part of NASA’s ongoing Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme. [Read more…] about Advanced Navigation ‘furthering space exploration’ with NASA and Intuitive Machines

BlueBotics takes indoor robots outside

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Swiss autonomous robot navigation company BlueBotics has launched ANT everywhere, a new product extension for its ANT navigation products that widen the scope of AGV and AMR operations by enabling outdoor operations.

Outdoor use has traditionally been a challenge for producers of automated vehicles. This is because there are typically few permanent “features” visible outdoors, which are required for modern mobile robots to calculate their exact position.

Up to now, vehicle producers have addressed this challenge either by using ad-hoc navigation add-ons, such as patching a GPS system on top of an existing navigation product or by adding additional outdoor infrastructure, such as custom poles featuring reflectors. [Read more…] about BlueBotics takes indoor robots outside

Advanced Navigation to debut its underwater robot’s docking capability at ICRA

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Advanced Navigation, the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technology, will debut the underwater docking capability of its micro autonomous underwater vehicle, Hydrus at ICRA 2023 in London, United Kingdom.

The exclusive preview will see Advanced Navigation bring two revolutionary technologies to the forefront of United Kingdom’s thriving AI and robotics market:

Award-winning micro autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), Hydrus: aimed to revolutionise undersea inspection, detection and classification by making data capture simple and accessible, for research, aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, transportation, surveillance, biotechnology and high-tech services. [Read more…] about Advanced Navigation to debut its underwater robot’s docking capability at ICRA