Robotics & Automation News

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Motional and Via partner to launch platform for public, on-demand shared robotaxi rides

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Motional, a driverless technology developer, and Via, a public mobility solutions provider, have agreed a partnership that they say will “serve as a blueprint for the future of on-demand, shared robotaxis”.

Motional and Via seek to use learnings from the partnership to inform how driverless vehicles can be integrated into mass transit networks, and optimized for pooled rides.

The partnership’s first service – shared robotaxi rides, available to the public – is expected to launch in one of Motional’s existing US markets in the first half of 2021. The initial launch market will be announced at a later date. [Read more…] about Motional and Via partner to launch platform for public, on-demand shared robotaxi rides

A Brand New Startup Has Managed to Raise $50 Million for Vehicle Holograms

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Envisics might be a little-known company, but what it lacks in recognition, it makes up for in funds that are backing a pioneering sector of the car manufacturing industry.

This small startup has raised $50 million from various investors, including General Motors Ventures and Hyundai Mobis, to use technology that it has developed in future vehicles.

The technology in question is called augmented reality, and it says that it can produce visuals that look like they’re right in front of the car. This technology could be used in future vehicles to see pedestrians, as well as stationary vehicles. It will also help self-driving cars point out specific obstacles and hazards so that a human driver can take control again. [Read more…] about A Brand New Startup Has Managed to Raise $50 Million for Vehicle Holograms

ABB offers augmented reality on a smartphone to simplify robot installations

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ABB has launched its new RobotStudio Augmented Reality viewer to provide a “quick and convenient way of visualizing where and how robotic automation can fit into your process using a smartphone or tablet”.

Discovering whether a robot is right for your application has never been easier following the launch of ABB’s new Augmented Reality viewer, which has been added to ABB’s powerful PC-based RobotStudio offline programming software.

The RobotStudio AR Viewer app can be used to test any model created in RobotStudio, enabling users to get an idea of the size and scale of a robot or robot cell and how it can be deployed on a factory floor to fit around any existing production equipment. [Read more…] about ABB offers augmented reality on a smartphone to simplify robot installations

2 Tools to Help Automate Your Sales Process

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Back in the day, sales representatives used to spend all day in the field, exploring leads, looking for potential clients and, well, selling.

Now, a sales rep spends less time in the field and more time completing tedious tasks and non-sales activities.

Further on, research suggests that now, sales reps only spend one-third of their day actually making sales, while the other two-thirds are spent on manual tasks such as writing emails, scheduling meetings, prospecting leads and entering data into the computer. [Read more…] about 2 Tools to Help Automate Your Sales Process

Buyers don’t all know the potential of robots nor who can supply them, says Lux Research

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Potential buyers are not aware of the potential of robots, nor which companies can supply and integrate them into their business, according to a report by Lux Research.

The research company says businesses are “increasingly using robotics” across a wide variety of industries, but many companies still fail to understand what’s currently possible with today’s technology or which vendors can provide the solutions they need.

In its new report, Building Robotics Solutions, Lux Research attempts to create a framework for selecting robotics vendors based on the key capabilities and level of customization required. [Read more…] about Buyers don’t all know the potential of robots nor who can supply them, says Lux Research

Danish robots assisting lab technicians with Covid-19 testing work

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A Danish pipetting robot is automating Covid testing processes in hospitals around Europe.

The robot, called flowbot ONE, “significantly reduces the time it takes for laboratories to produce results for patients to tell them whether they are infected with Covid-19”, says its manufacturer Flow Robotics.

The company says its machine is a “unique liquid-handling robot” which is now speeding up the enormous task of analysing Covid tests. The flowbot ONE system now conducts thousands of tests for Covid-19 every day. [Read more…] about Danish robots assisting lab technicians with Covid-19 testing work

Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

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Siemens has acquired Swedish service and software company Vizendo, a provider of virtual operator training for automotive manufacturing.

Virtual training enables industrial companies to reduce their training times and launch new products faster and in higher quality.

Karen Florschütz, CEO of the customer services business unit at Siemens, says: “Virtual training has huge growth potential. Vizendo’s service and software range ideally complements our digital services and thus our Digital Enterprise portfolio. [Read more…] about Siemens acquires provider of virtual training for industrial companies Vizendo

ABB and Covariant partner to deploy integrated AI robotic solutions

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ABB, one of the world’s leading supplier of industrial robots, and Silicon Valley AI start-up, Covariant, have formed a partnership to bring AI-enabled robotics solutions to market, starting with a fully autonomous warehouse order fulfilment solution.

ABB says the partnership brings together two companies with a shared vision for robotics enabled by AI, where intelligent robots work alongside humans in dynamic environments, “collectively learning and improving with every task completed”.

Given the accelerated global growth experienced in the e-commerce sector, ABB identified a significant opportunity for AI-enabled robotics solutions across a broad range of applications including logistics, warehousing, and parcels and mail sorting. [Read more…] about ABB and Covariant partner to deploy integrated AI robotic solutions

Severstal invests in robotics to automate advanced composites manufacturing with Airborne

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Severstal, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated steel and mining companies, has invested in Dutch company Airborne, a developer of robotic and digital automation platforms for the production of composite parts and products with integrated composites.

Severstal joins other investors in this investment round, including Pangaea Ventures, the leading advanced materials venture capital fund, and SABIC, the world’s third largest diversified chemical company.

Airborne has developed and brought to market a unique set of digital technologies that increase the efficiency of carbon fiber composite production by automating the production process. [Read more…] about Severstal invests in robotics to automate advanced composites manufacturing with Airborne

Scania teams up with Combient network to tap into ‘huge potential’ of automation and AI

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Scania says its partnership with the Combient Foundry is intended to tap into the “huge potential” of automation and artificial intelligence in the transportation industry.

The Combient network, which Scania is part of, is a cross-Nordic industry collaboration that aims to accelerate transformation in areas like automation, artificial intelligence, analytics and open innovation.

A part of Combient is the Foundry which connects startups with Nordic industry leaders, enabling the co-creation of new services and solutions. [Read more…] about Scania teams up with Combient network to tap into ‘huge potential’ of automation and AI