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UBTECH launches portable social robot with ‘loving AI’

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UBTECH has launched a portable social robot with what the company describes as “loving” artificial intelligence.

AlphaMini, a portable humanoid robot, which is is said to be able to chat, read, sing and dance, made its debut today in South Korea.

Built by UBTECH robotics, a manufacturer of intelligent humanoid robotics and AI technologies, the cute-looking creature combines advanced robotics and highly extensible AI platform to give you the most intimate human-robot interactive experiences. [Read more…] about UBTECH launches portable social robot with ‘loving AI’

Gecko Robotics raises $40 million in funding for energy infrastructure inspection robots

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Gecko Robotics has raised $40 million in funding to develop its energy infrastructure inspection robots.

A Y-Combinator alum, Gecko Robotics raised the $40 million in its Series B round, which was led by Drive Capital.

Gecko already partners with the largest brands in power, oil and gas and manufacturing industries. [Read more…] about Gecko Robotics raises $40 million in funding for energy infrastructure inspection robots

First patients treated in robotic arrhythmia treatment at Kansas hospital

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Stereotaxis, a developer of robotic technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, says HCA Midwest Health – the largest healthcare system in the Kansas City region – has launched a new robotic arrhythmia care program based at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Installation of the Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System was recently completed, and the first patients have been successfully treated using the technology at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Stereotaxis’ partnership with HCA Midwest Health brings new, leading-edge treatment options for patients who have a cardiac arrhythmia. [Read more…] about First patients treated in robotic arrhythmia treatment at Kansas hospital

Locus Robotics picks ‘record-breaking’ 13 million units during 2019 holiday period

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Locus Robotics has broken its own record in terms of productivity numbers in November 2019. (See infographic below.)

The warehouse robot maker delivered more than 13 million units picked on behalf of global retail and third party logistics partners during the critical holiday season.

Locus says this is a 400 per cent increase in units picked over last year. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics picks ‘record-breaking’ 13 million units during 2019 holiday period

Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of responsive motion planning software for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, is expanding its partnership with Mitsubishi Electric.

The company is to develop a “custom integrated solution” that pairs Realtime Robotics’ smart motion planning technology with Mitsubishi Electric’s industrial and collaborative robot product lines.

The intelligent robots will be on display at iREX later this month and there will be a series of demonstrations showcasing the motion-planning technology in action. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics extends technology relationship with Mitsubishi Electric

Robotics and automation event ‘automatica’ to occupy record 76,000 square meters

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The next automatica event will occupy a record area of 76,000 square meters. There will be an additional hall, more than 900 exhibitors and new highlights. Munich will be the meeting place for the international automation industry from June 16 to 19, 2020.

Visitors to automatica 2020 will find answers to the questions about how the topics of digital transformation, man and machine as well artificial intelligence will affect the manufacturing world of tomorrow.

Falk Senger, managing director of Messe München, organiser of the event, says: “automatica is aimed at companies from all sectors of industry. The range of topics goes far beyond a traditional exhibition. [Read more…] about Robotics and automation event ‘automatica’ to occupy record 76,000 square meters

Fanuc partners with Soft Robotics to integrate new gripper solutions into its industrial robots

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Fanuc, the world’s largest manufacturer of industrial robots, is partnering with Soft Robotics to develop new gripper solutions. (See video below.)

Soft Robotics, a startup which has produced much-discussed end-effectors that are soft and capable of handling soft products that may be of variable shape, says the strategic partnership with Fanuc will accelerate the adoption of integrated soft robotic solutions into high-growth automation markets worldwide.

Soft Robotics’ “mGrip” modular gripper system and automation solutions have enabled implementation of robotic applications in the highly variable and unstructured environments of consumer goods manufacturing, food processing and packaging, and e-commerce supply chain automation. [Read more…] about Fanuc partners with Soft Robotics to integrate new gripper solutions into its industrial robots

Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

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Boeing has reportedly abandoned the use of some robotic systems that were being used for fuselage work such as drilling and fastening.

According to the Seattle Times, the implementation of the robots “proved painful to set up and (was) error-prone”.

The news website quoted Jason Clark, Boeing vice president of 777/777X operations, who said back in 2015, when the robots were first introduced: “It’s a little tough in the teething. But as we get through it, it will create the rewards necessary for us to compete.” [Read more…] about Boeing ‘abandons’ robots in favour of humans

Clearpath unveils new indoor research robot ‘Dingo’

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Clearpath Robotics has unveiled its Dingo Indoor Research Robot, described as a “compact, lightweight and cost-effective indoor robotic platform” that is extensible and programmable, and designed to accelerate robotics research and education.

Julian Ware, general manager at Clearpath Robotics, says: “Dingo offers the reliability and flexibility our customers expect from a Clearpath robot, at an approachable price point.

“We have seen a gap in the market for a system with these capabilities and believe Dingo is a cost-effective, ROS-ready indoor platform suitable for benchtop and laboratory testing. The lower cost also makes the use of multi-robot systems more accessible than with other robots.” [Read more…] about Clearpath unveils new indoor research robot ‘Dingo’

NextShift Robotics develops interface connection to SVT Robotics software platform

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NextShift Robotics has developed a new interface connection with SVT Robotics, provider of a universal software platform that minimizes the labor and expense involved in integrating robotic solutions with business systems.

For NextShift, SVT Robotics software creates universal connectivity to major warehouse management systems. It provides a pre-built integration bridge between businesses of all sizes and NextShift’s autonomous mobile robots.

SVT is said to be “the fastest, simplest way to connect any company to any robot”, and its technology cuts down barriers to adoption by easily linking NextShift’s advanced autonomous mobile robot workflow software with the existing WMS and other systems installed at distribution, manufacturing and fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about NextShift Robotics develops interface connection to SVT Robotics software platform