Robotics & Automation News

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Vallarta Supermarkets test retail robot from Badger Technologies

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Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil and leader in retail automation, has deployed a pilot program with Vallarta Supermarkets, a chain of 53 full-service markets throughout California, to reinforce operational and customer-service excellence.

Badger Technologies multipurpose autonomous robots support the retailer by identifying hazards at five Vallarta Supermarkets in Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties.

Vallarta also is testing the robot’s inventory management capabilities at a sixth location aimed at improving on-shelf product availability. [Read more…] about Vallarta Supermarkets test retail robot from Badger Technologies

ASME updates 3D printing standard to streamline production

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Since the 1940s, engineers have used a common design language – a set of definitions, symbols and practices – to draft engineering drawings that can serve as clear manufacturing blueprints or inspection checklists.

While this system still works well for many traditional manufacturing methods, it has not equipped engineers to produce clear and consistent design documents for additive manufacturing, commonly called 3D printing. And the absence of standard methods of communication leaves room for information about 3D-printing designs to be lost in translation.

This week the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) published an updated standard – based in large part on research by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – that includes language specifically for 3D printing. [Read more…] about ASME updates 3D printing standard to streamline production

Wikifactory secures $2.5 million funding to expand its manufacturing marketplace

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Wikifactory, an online platform for collaboratively creating physical products, has secured $2.5 million in pre-series A funding from existing shareholders and new investors including, Seier Capital, the investment vehicle of Lars Seier Christensen. This brings Wikifactory’s funding to date to a total of nearly $8 million.

Wikifactory enables developers, designers, engineers and startups from across the globe to collaborate, prototype and produce hardware solutions in real-time that solve real world problems.

The company is working to build the Internet of Production, which is an emerging concept of a distributed, interoperable, open standards-based system, linking together product definitions, software services, and manufacturing-as-a-service (MaaS) solutions. [Read more…] about Wikifactory secures $2.5 million funding to expand its manufacturing marketplace

Berkshire Grey launches new mobile robotic platform

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Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions for supply chain processes, has launched its next generation mobile robotic platform, BG Flex.

The platform includes dynamically controlled fleets of Berkshire Grey’s industrial grade mobile robots that work together to induct, transport, sort, sequence, and fulfill items, cases, and containers of merchandise.

The solution is now integrated with new high density buffering capabilities and enhanced goods-to-person and goods-to-robot picking stations in a single, modular package. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches new mobile robotic platform

More businesses using Unity to customize designs for clients

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A wide range of industries are using real-time 3D configurators as more businesses strive to engage their customers with interactive and immersive pre-sales and marketing activities, according to Unity, one of the most popular games development engines in the world.

Unity Forma, part of the rage of Unity marketing solutions, provides “an efficient, cost-effective solution to meet that need”, according to the company.

With innovation, technology and adventure at their core, ship design company Arksen needed a new way to showcase their latest marine exploration vessel that aligned to those core values. [Read more…] about More businesses using Unity to customize designs for clients

Jack in the Box to pilot Miso’s robots in its burger joints

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Miso Robotics has agreed a partnership with Jack in the Box to begin a piloted test that will install its Flippy 2 and Sippy core product lines in one of the national restaurant chain’s standalone locations, with possible plans for further integration in the months ahead.

Built on the Miso Platform, both products leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and data analytics to maximize efficiency in the commercial kitchen.

With continued staffing challenges impacting operating hours and costs, Jack in the Box saw a need to revamp its technology roadmap and establish new systems – particularly in the back-of-house – that improve restaurant-level economics and alleviate the pain points of working in a high-volume commercial kitchen.  [Read more…] about Jack in the Box to pilot Miso’s robots in its burger joints

Robotics-as-a-Service market growing in the logistics industry

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Between 6 percent and 8 percent of total revenue in the mobile robotics for logistics market comes from Robotics-as-a-Service, according to research company IDTechEx.

X-as-a-Service business models are now commonplace in the industry, involving the delivery of a specific service rather than a product to perform the service.

The most significant change in models such as this is the replacement of a proportionally very large up-front product price with a billing structure that is based on the services performed as the product itself. [Read more…] about Robotics-as-a-Service market growing in the logistics industry

Veo Robotics selects Gray Solutions as integrator partner

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Veo Robotics, the industrial automation company that created FreeMove, a 3D safeguarding system for industrial robots, has agreed a partnership with Gray Solutions, an automation services provider for the food and beverage sector.

This partnership will enable Gray Solutions to include Veo’s safety-certified flagship product as part of collaborative palletizing solutions for the CPG industry.

Ron Ledoux, regional sales manager at Veo Robotics, says: “Gray Solutions understands and has the ability to integrate new technologies like 3D dynamic safety, it is part of their DNA. [Read more…] about Veo Robotics selects Gray Solutions as integrator partner

Startup uses ‘industrial origami’ technique to build electric motorbikes

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Swedish technology and design startup STILRIDE is to produce sustainable electric motorcycles and scooters using a groundbreaking manufacturing process dubbed “industrial origami”.

The trailblazing technique involves robots which are able to fold single sheets of recyclable steel into intricate, lightweight and durable new structures – significantly reducing the environmental impact of production.

This process is being used to create the chassis for a fleet of next-generation e-motorcycles which will be made available to consumers in Europe later this year. [Read more…] about Startup uses ‘industrial origami’ technique to build electric motorbikes

Oceaneering chooses BlueBotics navigation technology 
for new product lines

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Oceaneering International has chosen BlueBotics to provide navigation technology for its line of industrial autonomous mobile robots.

Henny Bouwmeester, vice president and general manager of Oceaneering Mobile Robotics, says: “Our goal is to unlock the full potential of mobile robotics and enable widespread adoption in all industries.

“To achieve this, our technology offering needs to be accessible, easy-to-use, and flexible to accommodate our client’s needs. [Read more…] about Oceaneering chooses BlueBotics navigation technology 
for new product lines