Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

pilot

Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

by

Kiwibot, a robotic delivery service that has completed over 150,000 food deliveries with semi-autonomous robots, has expanded its operations to San Jose, Miami-Dade County, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. 

This implementation of sidewalk delivery devices is possible due to a partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds initiatives that ensure that “residents’ voices drive the future of people-centered, smart cities”, says the company.

Each of the four cities will be given up to 10 robots with one human supervisor, making deliveries across these urban zones more efficient and cost-effective through Kiwibot’s last-mile delivery network. [Read more…] about Delivery robot company Kiwibot expands operations to four cities in partnership with Knight Foundation

Rugged Robotics completes first full-scale pilot on Consigli construction site

by

The Consigli Construction Company says that a Houston-based construction technology startup, Rugged Robotics, has completed its first full-scale pilot on a Consigli job site.

Consigli says its collaboration with Rugged Robotics is in line with the construction company’s commitment to support and utilize cutting-edge technologies in an effort to advance efficiencies in the construction process.

Founded by a registered professional engineer and a NASA engineer, Rugged Robotics’ inaugural product tackles the challenge of field layout. Traditionally, field layout is performed using tape measures, chalk-lines, and surveying equipment to manually mark the location of walls and mechanical systems. [Read more…] about Rugged Robotics completes first full-scale pilot on Consigli construction site

Basil Street to launch automated pizza kiosks after raising $10 million

by

Gourmet pizza brand Basil Street says it is all set to completely change the way Americans buy one of the most popular takeaway foods.

Over four billion pizzas are consumed in the United States annually according to IBIS World. Coupled with the rise of the global kiosk market driven by consumer demand for affordable food options on the go, Basil Street is looking to change how Americans enjoy the Italian specialty.

Through a patented, automated, cooked-to-order kiosk, and on the heels of a successful 2020 pilot program, the gourmand-focused brand announced today their official Regulation A+ round filing and commencement of their crowdfunding reservation period. [Read more…] about Basil Street to launch automated pizza kiosks after raising $10 million

US government-funded project tests connected vehicles for lifesaving applications

by

A US Department of Transportation-funded project called THEA Connected Vehicle Pilot has been testing connected vehicles for lifesaving applications at the American Center of Mobility.

The tests were undertaken in collaboration with automotive manufacturers and road operators.

The Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority Connected Vehicle Pilot (THEA CV Pilot) is a $22 million project jointly funded by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and THEA. [Read more…] about US government-funded project tests connected vehicles for lifesaving applications

Honeywell Aerospace equips newly designed Dassault plane

by

Honeywell Aerospace was one of the main technology suppliers for Dassault Aviation on its new, long-range Falcon 10X business jet.

Stevan Slijepcevic, president, electronic solutions, Honeywell Aerospace, says: “Honeywell is proud to equip the new Dassault 10X aircraft with its next-generation Primus Epic technology that brings the safety and situational awareness of the aircraft to an unprecedented level.

“Honeywell and Dassault collaborated since the inception of the 10X development program to create unique Human Factors and Pilot Interface experiences. [Read more…] about Honeywell Aerospace equips newly designed Dassault plane

Baidu Apollo awarded China’s first licenses to test autonomous vehicles at night and in special weather conditions

by

Baidu Apollo has received China’s first batch of qualifications to test autonomous vehicles at night and in special weather conditions on public roads in Beijing.

A total of 53 such test qualification notices along with five general public road test licenses were granted to Baidu Apollo at the Beijing Intelligent Connected Vehicle Policy Pilot Zone launch event on April 13, 2021. The Pilot Zone encompasses 225 square kilometers, six highways, and urban expressways that cover a total length of 143 kilometers.

The ability to transport users during peak rush hours, nighttime, and bad weather scenarios – such as rainstorm conditions – poses an immense challenge in regards to the perception, prediction, planning and control capabilities of autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Baidu Apollo awarded China’s first licenses to test autonomous vehicles at night and in special weather conditions

XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

by

XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, has embarked on a new autonomous forklift truck technology pilot program in collaboration with Balyo, a specialist developer of robotics for goods handling equipment.

XPO is the first logistics company in Europe to test Balyo’s latest robotic “reach truck” – referring to its higher reach – under real-life conditions. The pilot is underway at an XPO distribution center near Blois, France.

Malcolm Wilson, XPO’s chief executive officer – Europe, says: “We’re pleased that our on-site tests will help optimize intelligent reach trucks for the logistics environment. As we pilot the robotics in our operations, we’re also exploring these applications to increase efficiency for customers and to support our employees.” [Read more…] about XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

by

Ahold Delhaize is expanding its micro-fulfillment capabilities as part of its omnichannel supply chain using warehouse automation technology from Swisslog and AutoStore.

Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, is the parent company for Ahold Delhaize’s US companies, including its local brands, which comprise:

  • Food Lion;
  • Giant Food;
  • The Giant Company;
  • Hannaford and Stop & Shop;
  • Retail Business Services, a US support services company providing services to the brands; and
  • Peapod Digital Labs, its digital, e-commerce and commercial engine.

When considered together, the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest grocery retail group in the nation, operating more than 2,000 stores and distribution centers across more than 20 states and serving millions of customers each week through a wide variety of store formats with thousands of food and non-food items. [Read more…] about Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

by

Autonomous driving company AutoX has launched a “fully driverless” RoboTaxi pilot program to the public in Shenzhen, China after its taxis completed final testing last month. (See video below.)

This marks the first time that the general public will be able to book a completely autonomous RoboTaxi without accompanying safety drivers in China.

Members of the public can sign up for the pilot program through AutoX’s RoboTaxi registration page. Selected pilot users can use AutoX membership credits for the RoboTaxi rides. [Read more…] about AutoX launches fully driverless RoboTaxi service to the public in China

Fabulos completes autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece

by

An autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece, led by an Estonian consortium called the Future Automated Bus Urban Level Operation Systems (Fabulos), has now successfully ended. After two months and 1,930 km driven in the streets of the municipality of Lamia, nearly 400 people used autonomous bus “Iseauto”.

The bus has been developed in Estonia and offers a full-scale autonomous public transportation service in Lamia.

The autonomous minibus developed by AuveTech in Estonia is the first Level 4 category autonomous vehicle that has officially been declared “street-legal” in Greece. [Read more…] about Fabulos completes autonomous public transport pilot project in Greece