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Teradyne, Fetch, and BlueBotics named as ‘market leaders’ in ABI Research’s autonomous material handling competitive ranking

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The market for autonomous mobile robots performing material handling tasks has expanded greatly in the last few years, with global revenues of $223 million in 2016 expanding to $800 million in 2020, according to a new report by ABI Research.

To help commentators and end users understand the strongest horses in this race, global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research has completed a detailed profile on ten of the most promising autonomous handling robotics vendors: Teradyne, Fetch, Bluebotics, Seegrid, Gideon Brothers, Agilox, Baylo, IAM Robotics, Vecna Robotics, and Forward X. [Read more…] about Teradyne, Fetch, and BlueBotics named as ‘market leaders’ in ABI Research’s autonomous material handling competitive ranking

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

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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

ForwardX Robotics raises $38 million in new funding, bringing total to $74 million

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ForwardX Robotics, a developer of autonomous mobile robots for warehousing and manufacturing environments, has closed its Series B funding by raising another round of more than $38 million led by CDH Investments’s VGC, Eastern Bell Capital, and Dohold Capital. Other investors include Angel Around and ZGC Group.

This funding brings ForwardX’s total Series B funding to over $63 million after an initial round of $10 million in March 2019 and an extension of $15 million in April 2020. Since its founding in 2016, ForwardX has now raised close to $74 million in venture capital.

Nicolas Chee, founder and CEO of ForwardX Robotics, says: “Our customers in the warehousing and manufacturing industries come to us to transform their operations and help them unlock new levels of efficiency that were previously unattainable. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics raises $38 million in new funding, bringing total to $74 million

Fuzzy Logic Robotics launches platform that enables users to go from CAD to control with one software

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Startup company Fuzzy Logic Robotics has launched a new, “easy-to-use and universal” software platform which it says “reduces robotics programming costs by 10”.

The first release of Fuzzy Studio, during Hannover Messe Industry 2021, is described as a “game changer” for unlocking flexible robotic production.

Fuzzy Logic Robotics highlights some of the features available in Fuzzy Studio as follows:

  • Drag and drop CAD parts into the 3D digital twin, automatically generate complex trajectories and deploy to the production robot in one click – all with one universal software platform.
  • From offline simulation to real-time control, Fuzzy Studio removes the gap between simulation and reality to reduce downtime and streamline the robotics workflow.
  • Designed from the ground up to drastically reduce the need of robotics expertise thanks to no-code real-time digital twin technology.
  • With two clicks, swap between any make and model of robot to find the right one for the application – no need to switch softwares and redo time-intensive design work.
  • Handles even the most complex robotic applications and accessible to any size of company.

[Read more…] about Fuzzy Logic Robotics launches platform that enables users to go from CAD to control with one software

ABB and ETH extend partnership to advance research into the future of robotics

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Building on their long-term relationship across several disciplines, ABB and ETH Zurich, a leading research university in Switzerland, have expanded their partnership into robotics research as part of ETH’s RobotX strategic initiative.

Launched in 2019, RobotX aims to position ETH among the top robotics research institutions worldwide.

As part of RobotX’s industry affiliation program, ABB’s Robotics & Discrete Automation business will support ETH’s ambitious initiative with its leading in-house robotics expertise to combine competence into a platform aimed at training new talent and attracting worldwide experts to advance a range of future technologies, including mobile robotics. [Read more…] about ABB and ETH extend partnership to advance research into the future of robotics

More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

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Today’s industrial robots must fit into smaller spaces, so as much “manufacturing real estate” as possible is dedicated to production. This places pressure on manufacturers to machine smaller, tighter components for these machines. Here, Harish Maniyoor, global product manager for automotive at the machine tooling specialist Sandvik Coromant explains why power skiving is the answer.

The overall number of industrial robots operating in factories worldwide grew to 2.7 million in 2019, according to the 2020 World Robotics Report by the International Federation of Robotics. 

This was a 12 percent increase from 2018 and a historic high. Robots factor into a range of industries, from automotive and aerospace to the food industry and pharmaceuticals – yet all of these sectors have common requirements.

Not only must these robots be smaller, but also lighter with reduced inertia and able to perform more exact movements with optimal speed and efficiency. The challenge is on for manufacturers to machine smaller and more precisely engineered-components – like internal gear reducers – with more flexible designs. [Read more…] about More flexible gear machining for industrial robots

FORT Robotics raises $13 million in funding

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FORT Robotics, a technology company creating safety-and-security solutions for autonomous machines, has closed on $13 million in funding led by Prime Movers Lab, an investor in breakthrough scientific startups.

With the new investment, FORT will more than double the size of its workforce and expand its product offerings in key markets.

Samuel Reeves, founder and CEO, says: “We’re excited to partner with our new investors to help position FORT at the forefront of this rapidly evolving space. [Read more…] about FORT Robotics raises $13 million in funding

Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

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The Chinese robotics sector generated almost half of total global patents in the most recent year available, according to a new report. 

The figure was published in the Annual Report on the Development of the Robot Industry in China, jointly written by HRG International Institute of Research and Innovation as well as the China Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation.

The two organizations produced what they call the 2021 Blue Book of the Robot Industry, based on their research. [Read more…] about Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

Canadian Tire and NuPort Robotics to commercialize Canada’s first automated heavy duty trucks

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Canadian Tire Corporation and Toronto based start-up NuPort Robotics, Canada’s first autonomous trucking company, are partnering with the Ontario government to invest $3 million to undertake an automated heavy duty trucking project to test a “first-of-its-kind-in-the-world” technology. 

The breakthrough technology provides a transportation solution for the middle mile, the short-haul shuttle runs that semi-tractor trailers make between distribution centres, warehouses and terminals each day.

It is designed to enable next-generation automated trucks that are more fuel efficient, safer to operate, and provide an enhanced driver experience. [Read more…] about Canadian Tire and NuPort Robotics to commercialize Canada’s first automated heavy duty trucks

OrionStar showcases Qualcomm-enabled 5G service robots at MWC Shanghai

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OrionStar, the robotics company invested in by telecommunications company Cheetah Mobile, has developed three service robots embedded with Qualcomm’s 5G solutions and processing capabilities.

The company showcased some of its technologies at the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2021.

By adding 5G connectivity, the robots get a powerful boost in AI performance to provide an even higher level of stability, consistency, responsiveness, coordination and remote control capabilities. [Read more…] about OrionStar showcases Qualcomm-enabled 5G service robots at MWC Shanghai