Robotics & Automation News

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How Nvidia conquered the digital world and plans to dominate the robotics industry

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There was a time when it was difficult to see beyond Intel. It was indisputably the world’s largest chipmaker for a long time and eclipsed whoever else was around at the time. For some people, no other semiconductor manufacturer even existed.

Intel’s partnership with manufacturers of computers that ran the Windows operating system was largely responsible for the global success of the company whose unofficial motto was “Only the paranoid survive”.

But perhaps the total and utter domination of the market, and the falling away of would-be competitors into niche markets, led Intel to be less paranoid and get more relaxed – perhaps even complacent. [Read more…] about How Nvidia conquered the digital world and plans to dominate the robotics industry

RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

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RoboForce, the world’s most advanced “Robo-Labor” provider, today announced it has raised $10 million early stage funding with support from investors such as Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, co-founder of Softbank VC (SBVC) Gary Rieschel, and Carnegie Mellon University.

With this funding, RoboForce is emerging from stealth as it prepares to deploy its Robo-Labor this year for early customers, for whom robots can fulfill labor shortages in harsh outdoor conditions, complete the most hazardous tasks in dangerous work environments, and maximize project efficiency and cost savings.

With 1mm accuracy in performing fine motor skills like picking, placing, pressing, twisting and connecting, the Robo-Labor has all-terrain mobility, precise manipulation, learning, communication, and safety compliance capabilities. RoboForce’s robots are unparalleled in the emerging field of AI robotics. [Read more…] about RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

Spiro Robotics successfully completes first trial of tracheal intubation device

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Spiro Robotics, a medical device innovator based in the Bay Area, has announced the successful completion of its first-in-human trial for the Spiro-Vista, a groundbreaking image-guided tracheal intubation device designed to “revolutionize difficult airway management”. 

Out of an estimated 30 million tracheal intubations performed annually in the United States, 6 million are difficult. This represents a large unmet medical need and a large market opportunity for Spiro Robotics.

In a trial involving 30 patients with highly complex and challenging airways, all participants were successfully intubated on the first attempt without adverse events or complications. [Read more…] about Spiro Robotics successfully completes first trial of tracheal intubation device

Serve Robotics secures $86 million in new financing

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Serve Robotics, an autonomous delivery company, has raised gross proceeds of $86 million during December 2024, bringing total gross proceeds raised in 2024 to $167 million.

Since its spinout from Uber in 2021, the Company has secured approximately $220 million in total funding. The additional December 2024 funding includes proceeds raised through Serve’s previously filed ATM facility and the exercise of warrants. As of December 31, 2024, Serve had a total of approximately 51.5 million shares of common stock issued and outstanding.

This infusion of capital significantly strengthens Serve’s financial position, extending its expected operational runway approximately through the end of 2026. Serve is now able to self-fund equipment investments, eliminating the near-term need for equipment financing and its associated servicing costs. [Read more…] about Serve Robotics secures $86 million in new financing

Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

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WorkFar Robotics, a developer of humanoid and collaborative robotics, is teaming up with industry magnates to “spark the proliferation of humanoid robotic technology across the world” – in other words, to grow through acquisitions.

To WorkFar, leveraging external growth through mergers and acquisitions is a key step in the realization of this vision.

The goal of most startups is to be acquired by a larger conglomerate. However, WorkFar isn’t your average robotics startup. In fact, the company has been able to put together a market-ready, mass-produceable product even without receiving venture capital which is unheard of in humanoids.

So perhaps it’s expected that WorkFar would avoid following the well-trodden path, instead turning this path on its head so that the startup is the one to acquire other companies, instead of being acquired itself. [Read more…] about Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

Samsung Electronics becomes largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics

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Samsung Electronics has decided to become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics to “accelerate future robot development such as humanoid robots”.

Rainbow Robotics is a startup that is developing and building a variety of robots – including collaborative robotic arms, quadruped or dog-like robots, and dual-armed humanoids – for the industrial sector.

Samsung first acquired a 14.7 per cent stake in the South Korean firm in 2023 with investment of KRW 86.8 billion (approximately $59 million), and is now exercising a call option to increase its stake to 35 per cent. Rainbow Robotics will also be incorporated as a subsidiary under Samsung Electronics’ consolidated financial statements.

Through collaboration with Rainbow Robotics, Samsung will further strengthen its foundation in the development of advanced robot technology. [Read more…] about Samsung Electronics becomes largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics

Scientists develop ‘self-powered tactile sensors for robotics and wearables’

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Scientists at the Chung-Ang University in South Korea say they have developed “self-powered tactile sensors” for robotics and wearables, adding that they have also uncovered “advanced manufacturing strategies” for piezoelectric and triboelectric tactile sensors.

Piezoelectric and triboelectric tactile sensors, crucial for applications in robotics and wearable devices, face challenges in flexibility and environmental resilience.

In a new study, researchers have developed innovative manufacturing strategies to enhance sensor performance by optimizing material properties and fabrication techniques. [Read more…] about Scientists develop ‘self-powered tactile sensors for robotics and wearables’

Can humanoid robots solve problems in warehousing?

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By Heico Sandee, founder and CEO of Smart Robotics

In the past, automation was perceived primarily as a remedy for labor shortages; today, that’s no longer the case.

Warehouse automation has undergone bouts of evolution, each time becoming more advanced, sophisticated, and integrated into a broader ecosystem of human and machine collaboration.

The humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $2.03 billion in 2024 to $13.25 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate of 45.5 percent, reflecting the increasing demand for intelligent systems capable of transforming industries. [Read more…] about Can humanoid robots solve problems in warehousing?

Inside Yoke Industrial’s smart factory: 108 robotic arms and 71 automation systems working to enhance quality and efficiency

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What’s described as a “bifocal modernisation strategy”, implemented in 2011, is ongoing at Yoke Industrial’s pioneering industrial lifting equipment manufacturing facility

Production at Taiwanese company Yoke Industrial Corp started in 1997.

A lot has changed since, as we’ll explore in this article. What hasn’t changed, however, is that there are long-term career opportunities in an ever-evolving manufacturing environment.

Yoke’s approximately 56,000 square-metre facility produces a staggering 20 million pieces per year. The smart factory is built on 71 automation systems with 108 robotic arms; it is an automated fleet of state-of-the-art Fanuc equipment, that represents around $30 million worth of investment. In October 2024, for example, the total time of robotics operation topped 5,176 hours. [Read more…] about Inside Yoke Industrial’s smart factory: 108 robotic arms and 71 automation systems working to enhance quality and efficiency

Interview: Ambi Robotics founder sees ‘huge opportunities’ in new markets

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The founding of Ambi Robotics is somewhat obscured by the mist of history, but it started with some abandoned robots in a basement and the co-founders meeting at University of California Berkeley in 2018. 

Within about a year, the five founders made a breakthrough in simulation-to-reality transfer learning systems for robotics, calling it Sim2Real AI, which, in turn, led to the establishment of Ambidextrous Laboratories Inc, and a year later to the commercialization of the technology in the form of the AmbiSort parcel sorting system.

The lightning quick pace of development led to huge interest from investors, who poured in $21 million into the startup by 2021, and another $32 million the following year. [Read more…] about Interview: Ambi Robotics founder sees ‘huge opportunities’ in new markets