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Labor shortages set to propel shipments of outdoor mobile robots to 350,000 by 2030

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Rapid advancements in fundamental techniques, such as navigation, manipulation, and functional safety, have made robots more intelligent, agile, and safer.

Mobile robots are a proven ideal companion for humans performing mission- and business-critical tasks in outdoor environments. According to global intelligence firm ABI Research, shipments of outdoor mobile robots will grow from 40,000 units in 2021 to reach 350,000 by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 27 percent.

With the successful deployment of mobile robots for successful navigation, manipulation, and functional safety in material handling, transporting, and cleaning, companies are now looking to deploy robots for outdoor applications for the same reasons. [Read more…] about Labor shortages set to propel shipments of outdoor mobile robots to 350,000 by 2030

aiMotive and Parkopedia partner to provide automakers with automated parking solutions

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Autonomous technology specialist, aiMotive, and indoor mapping provider and connected vehicle services company, Parkopedia, are now able to offer automakers scalable, autonomous parking solutions which minimise everyday parking hassles for drivers, without relying on the presence of additional infrastructure within parking facilities, thanks to a recent partnership.

The “out-of-the-box”, cost-effective and scalable parking navigation solution is able to provide navigational support for drivers within both indoor and outdoor parking facilities by utilising aiMotive’s perception technology, combined with localisation information provided by Parkopedia’s highly accurate Indoor Mapping service, which is described as “a unique, cost-effective, scalable indoor mapping solution for automakers looking to future-proof their navigation and deliver the driver convenience services expected today”.

Within Indoor parking facilities, such as underground and multistories, the line of sight to satellites is blocked which prevents access to GPS. [Read more…] about aiMotive and Parkopedia partner to provide automakers with automated parking solutions

Clearpath Robotics launches outdoor autonomy software

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Clearpath Robotics, a manufacturer of mobile robotics platforms for research and development, today launched OutdoorNav – an autonomous navigation software platform designed for vehicle developers, OEMs, and robotics researchers.

Compatible with Clearpath’s outdoor mobile platforms as well as third-party industrial vehicles, OutdoorNav provides reliable GPS-based navigation for faster, more efficient autonomous vehicle development.

Bryan Webb, president of Clearpath Robotics, says: “Robotics product development can often be a difficult, sometimes harrowing experience. [Read more…] about Clearpath Robotics launches outdoor autonomy software

Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

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HD Hyundai’s ship autonomous navigation subsidiary, Avikus, participated in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world’s largest boat show, proving its leading capability in autonomous ship technology.

Avikus first introduced “NeuBoat”, the level 2 autonomous navigation solution for recreational boats, at this boat show in Florida, held from October 26 to 30.

NeuBoat is a combination of “neuron” and “boat”, implying Avikus’ AI autonomous navigation solution will play a critical role in self-recognition, decision, and control in various maritime conditions as human nerve cells do. [Read more…] about Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

Swift Navigation raises $100 million to bring its autonomous navigation systems to market

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Swift Navigation, a San Francisco-based tech firm developing GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and precise positioning technology for automotive ADAS (advanced driver-assistance systems) and autonomy, industrial machine control, commercial transportation, mobile and emerging mass-market applications, has completed a $100 million financing round.

The Series D Round was led by SK Inc and Potentum Partners with strong support from Swift’s existing investors, including New Enterprise Associates (NEA), Eclipse Ventures and EPIQ Capital Group.

The Series D Round included new investors: FM Capital, OVN Capital, TELUS Ventures, TWM Venture Co., Buckley Ventures, Schox Venture Capital and additional independent investors. To date, the company has raised over $200 million in funding. [Read more…] about Swift Navigation raises $100 million to bring its autonomous navigation systems to market

Alstef unveils robot for baggage handling at airports

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Alstef has unveiled a mobile robot for handling baggage at airports. The new machine – the BAGXone – was launched by Nicolas Breton, Alstef Group’s CEO, at a recent industry event.

BAGXone is described as a high-speed automated guided vehicle designed to handle individual bags. It can cover short distances, from check-in to screening machines or from the screening machines to an early bag store, reconciliation room, make-up carousel.

It can also cover long distances – for example, link between two terminals. It is also “easily adaptable” to suit scalability and redundancy requirements. If there are increased capacity requirements or expansion of the baggage sorting system, new AGVs can be added to extend the fleet. [Read more…] about Alstef unveils robot for baggage handling at airports

Autonomous delivery vehicle maker Faction selects Point One navigation tech

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Faction, a developer of self-driving micro-logistics and vehicle-on-demand transportation, is partnering with Point One Navigation, a specialist in precise positioning technology, to bring driverless delivery and transportation solutions to the mass market.

Faction’s DriveLink platform deeply integrates Point One’s safe positioning technology with reliable centimeter-level absolute accuracy, enabling trustworthy and efficient autonomous operations across the entire fleet.

Faction is accelerating the commercial deployment of its B2B autonomous delivery service by leveraging three-wheel production electric vehicles which are purpose-built for driverless fleet services and supported by teleoperation. [Read more…] about Autonomous delivery vehicle maker Faction selects Point One navigation tech

Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

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BlueBotics has been around for 20 years. And in that time, it has become one of the leading providers of navigation technology for warehouse robots such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots. In doing so, the company has become something of a fount of knowledge about the subject, and thought it would provide that knowledge as an online resource through its newly created website ANTdriven.com.

In this interview, conducted by Abdul Montaqim, Robotics and Automation News speaks to Matt Wade, head of marketing for BlueBotics, about the ANTdriven.com resource as well as wider issues relating to the entire warehouse automation sector.

This interview is available in video form on our YouTube channel, and is embedded below. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. [Read more…] about Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

BlueBotics launches new resource for warehouse robotics professionals

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BlueBotics, one of the leading providers of software for warehouse robots, has launched a new resource for professionals working with automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots.

The resource, located at BlueBotics’ new website ANTdriven.com, is described as “an educational website for professionals interested in automated vehicle technology”.

The company adds that ANTdriven.com is a website for professionals interested in learning more about automated guided vehicles, automated forklifts and autonomous mobile robots – and the ANT navigation technology that drives them. [Read more…] about BlueBotics launches new resource for warehouse robotics professionals

Avikus conducts ‘world’s first’ transoceanic voyage with autonomous navigation

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Avikus, a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai), has successfully carried out the autonomous navigation of a large ship across the ocean, becoming the first company in the world to accomplish such a feat.

Together with SK Shipping, Avikus, which specializes in autonomous navigation, announced on June 2 that it had successfully completed autonomous navigation of Prism Courage, a 180,000 square-meter-class ultra-large LNG carrier.

The vessel is equipped with HiNAS 2.0, Avikus’ Level 2 autonomous navigation solution. This transoceanic voyage is the world’s first case of a vessel using autonomous navigation technology. [Read more…] about Avikus conducts ‘world’s first’ transoceanic voyage with autonomous navigation