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Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

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Brain Corp, a developer of artificial intelligence systems for the robotics industry, has raised $36 million in Series D funding to “help meet the growing demand for autonomous mobile robots”.

The company says the growth is being generated by retail, healthcare, airports, education and other industries now on the front lines of the coronavirus health crisis.

The round was led by returning investor SoftBank Vision Fund 1, and includes new investors ClearBridge Investments, and Satwik Ventures, and an additional investment from Qualcomm Ventures. [Read more…] about Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

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Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

Techman Robot opens new office in the Netherlands

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Techman Robot, a global leader of the collaborative robot has opened its first office in Europe, dedicated to providing instant services, training courses, and also as an inventory hub.

The new office is located in the Netherlands, which allows Techman Robot to respond effectively to the growing needs of their partners and customers in Europe, and also supports more local businesses that are interested in implementing robotic solutions.

Judy Chang, global sales director of Techman Robot, says: “From here we are not only close to our partners in the Benelux, but also closer to other European countries, which is an ideal location for us.” [Read more…] about Techman Robot opens new office in the Netherlands

RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe

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RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider autonomous robotic picking solutions, is continuing its global expansion with the establishment of a sales and business development office in Frankfurt, Germany.

With multiple customers and partners based in Europe, RHR’s German operation will strengthen the company’s business and enable them to further expand their presence as the market grows and their customer base deepens in the region.

With broad experience in next-generation fulfillment solutions, Jon Schechter has been named to lead RHR’s German office, serving as head of Europe. Schechter spent 10 years designing robotic fulfillment centers for e-commerce and retail distribution as part of Kiva Systems and Amazon Robotics. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe

HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

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Tech Soft 3D, a provider of software development toolkits to engineering software companies, has released HOOPS Exchange 2020.

The company describes it as “the industry’s fastest and most accurate CAD data access and reuse technology for manufacturing and architecture, engineering and construction workflows”.

Tech Soft adds that HOOPS Exchange 2020 continues to improve support for manufacturing as a service applications. [Read more…] about HOOPS Exchange 2020 ramps up support for manufacturing as a service

Brain Corp achieves ‘record sales growth’ in 2019 amid strong demand for autonomous mobile robots

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based robotics and artificial intelligence company, says it achieved “record sales and revenue growth in 2019” as retailers increasingly turn to robotic solutions to reduce costs and enhance in-store experiences.

Brain Corp achieved more than a 300 percent increase in revenue last year, fueled by a surge in interest for BrainOS-powered floor care machines by major retailers, including Walmart.

The company also saw a 760 percent increase in global deployments. It now provides the intelligent backend for one of the largest fleets of its kind in the world – approximately 10,000 robots deployed or enabled. [Read more…] about Brain Corp achieves ‘record sales growth’ in 2019 amid strong demand for autonomous mobile robots

May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota

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May Mobility, an autonomous transportation-as-a-service provider, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Toyota.

There was also participation from Sparx Group, alongside return investors Millennium Technology Value Partners, Cyrus Capital Partners, BMW iVentures, and Toyota AI Ventures.

The company says the round will help fund strategic hires across the engineering and operations functions, and expansion of the vehicle fleet to meet growing demand. [Read more…] about May Mobility raises $50 million in funding round led by Toyota

Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

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Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s joint project to develop urban automated driving has now entered a new stage.

Their pilot project for an app-based ride-hailing service using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles has now been launched in the Silicon Valley city of San José.

Monitored by a safety driver, the self-driving cars shuttle between West San José and downtown, along the San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard thoroughfares. [Read more…] about Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start automated ride-hailing service in San José

Parrot launches new SDK for its thermal drones

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Parrot has launched a new SDK Partner program to help both enterprise and start-ups create new applications, software and hardware to seamlessly integrate with Parrot ANAFI and ANAFI Thermal drones.

Parrot’s SDK program currently allows developers to create their own iOS and Android applications and service programs for ANAFI and ANAFI Thermal drones.

Now, industry partners will gain access to both hardware and software support, along with go-to-market strategy support to business partners across the globe. [Read more…] about Parrot launches new SDK for its thermal drones

Senseye partners with Fanuc on its ‘Field’ IIoT platform

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Senseye, an industrial software company that specialises in vision systems, says its Senseye PdM technology suite will be made available through Fanuc’s “Field” industrial internet of things platform when it launches in Europe later this year.

FIELD stands for “Fanuc Intelligent Edge Link and Drive” system, and is basically a system for monitoring and managing Fanuc robots and devices through a computer network, enabling artificial intelligence to be applied across an entire operation to find efficiencies and productivity gains.

Senseye provides a range of technologies and methodologies that are used globally by Fortune 500 industrial organisations as part of digital transformation initiatives to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of manufacturing and maintenance operations. [Read more…] about Senseye partners with Fanuc on its ‘Field’ IIoT platform