Robotics & Automation News

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Exotec seeing ‘rapid growth and strong demand’ for its warehouse robots

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Exotec, a warehouse robotics provider, says it is seeing “continued rapid growth” in North America as the company continues its global expansion, adding that the business momentum is driven by the growing demand for warehouse automation.

Romain Moulin, Exotec CEO and co-founder, says: “We continue to see a strong demand for scalable and proven warehouse robotic solutions.

“Our track record of serving the world’s largest brands positions Exotec to benefit from the explosive growth of the global warehouse robotics market, which is expected to reach $16 billion by 2031.”    [Read more…] about Exotec seeing ‘rapid growth and strong demand’ for its warehouse robots

ABB opens state-of-the-art robotics mega factory in Shanghai

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ABB has officially opened its state-of-the-art, fully automated and flexible robotics factory in Kangqiao, Shanghai, China. (See video below.)

The 67,000 sq m production and research facility represents a $150 million (1.1 billion RMB) investment by ABB and will deploy the company’s digital and automation technologies to manufacture next generation robots – enhancing ABB’s robotics and automation leadership in China.

Sami Atiya, president of ABB Robotics and Discrete Automation, says: “Building on three decades of success in China, the opening of our new mega factory is another milestone in helping our customers grow sustainably, address labor shortages and create high-value jobs in a new era of automation. [Read more…] about ABB opens state-of-the-art robotics mega factory in Shanghai

AGCO taps mobility software experts Apex.AI for its robotic planting concept

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Apex.AI, a company developing safety-certified software for mobility and autonomous applications, says that AGCO, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural machinery and precision agriculture technology, is adding new capabilities to its Fendt Xaver concept vehicle, an autonomous farming robot, by incorporating Apex.OS, a software development kit (SDK).

Apex.AI has enabled AGCO’s engineering team to integrate several autonomous driving components into the Fendt Xaver in a tight timeframe, including lidar object detection, collision checking and planning, using the state-of-the-art framework and developer tools that come with Apex.OS.

This technical partnership expands an existing relationship between the two companies. In December 2021, AGCO announced a strategic investment in Apex.AI. [Read more…] about AGCO taps mobility software experts Apex.AI for its robotic planting concept

Baker-Polito administration awards $4.4 million grant for new Boston University robotics facility

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The Baker-Polito Administration has announced a $4.4 million grant to Boston University for a new research and development center called the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center (RASTIC).

The project will drive the development of new innovations with private sector partners in Massachusetts and increase student research opportunities in the robotics space.

RASTIC will emphasize real-world prototyping projects to integrate new materials, functionality, and artificial intelligence into robotic devices, delivering tools that will allow students to design and launch their own R&D projects. [Read more…] about Baker-Polito administration awards $4.4 million grant for new Boston University robotics facility

Verizon Robotics selects Pendleton Range to advance robotics proofs of concept

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Verizon Robotics is advancing its testing and proof-of-concept capabilities at Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Range, a leading FAA-designated test range that offers diverse testing environments for drones and ground robotics.

Verizon Robotics will expand its operations, and base its advanced air R&D, drone partner and long range robotics at the Pendleton Range.

This includes training Pendleton Range staff to control a rapid-response command mobile unit vehicle, capable of deploying mission-critical communications, applications and advanced computing solutions that can address robotics use-cases in the air and on the ground. [Read more…] about Verizon Robotics selects Pendleton Range to advance robotics proofs of concept

Baker-Polito Administration awards Harvard and Boston universities $3 million for assistive robotics research

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The Baker-Polito Administration, or the Massachusetts state government, has awarded a new grant award of $3,057,320 to Harvard University and Boston University to support the development of next-generation robotics and wearable technologies.

Researchers aim to improve the lives of people with neuro-motor impairments and to help individuals achieve ambitious fitness goals, driving innovation in a new category of rehabilitation, diagnostic, and assistive devices that are more lightweight, affordable, and connected.

Led by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the project involves a collaboration with Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, as well as with industry partners that are poised to bring innovations to market. [Read more…] about Baker-Polito Administration awards Harvard and Boston universities $3 million for assistive robotics research

Geek+ RoboShuttle C200M achieves ETL certification to UL 3100 standard

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Geek+ RoboShuttle C200M has obtained the ETL certification, “setting a new industry milestone as the first ETL certified Bin-to-Person solution to meet the UL3100 standard”, according to the company.

ETL stands for Electrical Testing Laboratories. This is the testing and certification division of Intertek Testing Laboratories, which is based in the UK.

The certification confirms the innovative strength of Geek+’s R&D team and ability to expand globally by developing robotics products that meet the highest standards of quality. [Read more…] about Geek+ RoboShuttle C200M achieves ETL certification to UL 3100 standard

Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

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Gatik, an autonomous technology company developing autonomous vehicles for logistics, has been awarded $997,706 in support through Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network’s (AVIN) R&D Partnership Fund, along with $8 million in industry contribution, to winterize its autonomous driving technology.

To support the work of this project, Gatik has also made use of AVIN’s regional sites across the province to access R&D resources, tools and equipment as well as leveraged AVIN to bring on-board highly skilled Ontario talent.

Since establishing a presence in Toronto in 2019, Gatik has led the way in autonomous middle mile delivery in Canada. The company’s fleet of light and medium duty trucks transports goods on behalf of Fortune 500 retailers, enhancing operational capacity, reducing costs and keeping delivery times short. [Read more…] about Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

Siasun Robotics agrees ‘strategic co-operation’ with Dassault Systèmes

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Siasun Robotics has agreed a “strategic co-operation” with Dassault Systèmes, one of the largest software companies in Europe and the maker of popular engineering design applications such as Solidworks.

On November 23, the 2020 China Robot Industry Development Conference was successfully held in Qingdao High-tech Zone.

Siasun, one of China’s largest industrial robotics companies, and the French company Dassault Systèmes joined forces to hold a signing ceremony and sign a strategic cooperation agreement at the conference. [Read more…] about Siasun Robotics agrees ‘strategic co-operation’ with Dassault Systèmes

JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International

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Acquisition ‘strengthens JTEKT’s global ECU development capabilities’, says company

Koyo Canada, a subsidiary of automotive technology company JTEKT, has acquired the assets of a Halifax, Nova Scotia research and development facility previously owned by KSR International, a Canadian company.

The acquisition strengthens JTEKT global engine control unit (ECU) development for vehicle steering and driveline products, and will set the foundation for further expansion of its global electrification capabilities and plans.

The new KCI Halifax R&D facility allows JTEKT to more efficiently respond to the expanding demands of autonomous driving support, steer-by-wire and high voltage systems. [Read more…] about JTEKT subsidiary Koyo acquires Canadian assets of KSR International