Robotics and automation in gardening can be quite challenging. For example, it is possible to increase crop yields while decreasing labor costs. But this requires that robotics be built with sustainability in mind. Read this article to learn about some of the challenges robotics face in agriculture. [Read more…] about Robotics and Automation in Gardening
robotics
North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022
North American robot sales in the first nine months of 2022 reached record levels, with all indications pointing to 2022 ending with the highest number of robots sold in a year for the second year in a row.
According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), from January to September 2022, North American companies purchased 35,804 units valued at $1.875 billion, up 24 percent for units ordered and 27 percent for revenue over the same period in 2021.
Jeff Burnstein, president of A3, says: “Ongoing labor shortages, easier-to-use robotic solutions and new industries embracing robotics, such as restaurants, retail, construction and even agriculture, have led to record units sold here in North America this year. [Read more…] about North American robot sales on track for another record year for 2022
Japanese robot manufacturer Sugino Machine partners with Cenit to develop digital twin technology
Cenit and Sugino Machine have agreed on a strategic partnership to further refine Sugino’s robotics and automation solutions. Cenit’s FastSuite E2 software will provide the technology basis for the collaboration.
Sugino Machine is one of Japan’s leading providers of machine tools, industrial robots and automation solutions.
Based in Namekawa City and employing about 1,200 staff, the machine maker boasts a broad portfolio covering development, production and sales of high-pressure jet cleaning equipment, drilling units and equipment for inspection and maintenance of nuclear power plants. [Read more…] about Japanese robot manufacturer Sugino Machine partners with Cenit to develop digital twin technology
Ag-tech startup Saga Robotics delivers ‘excellent results’ in ‘biggest season yet’
Saga Robotics says it has delivered “excellent results” in the company’s “biggest season yet”.
Last year, in what’s described as “a world-first”, the ag-tech company removed the requirement for fungicides to control strawberry powdery mildew. This season’s results consolidate the company’s status as a “stable and serious provider of automated integrated pest management”, according to Saga.
Saga Robotics is pleased to announce that its autonomous robotic platform, Thorvald has had its biggest season to date, operating and treating strawberry plants at Clock House Farm with UV-C light to control powdery mildew.
The ag-tech company says it achieved “complete control” of the pathogen treating all of Clock House Farm’s 30 hectares of tabletop crops. [Read more…] about Ag-tech startup Saga Robotics delivers ‘excellent results’ in ‘biggest season yet’
Sea Machines Robotics to introduce computer vision to US Coast Guard critical missions
Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of pioneering maritime autonomy and perception systems, has installed its new AI-ris computer vision product onboard a United States Coast Guard (USCG) 270’ Famous-class Medium Endurance Cutter ahead of the vessel’s upcoming deployment.
AI-ris uses artificial intelligence to identify and track visual targets of interest.
This installation was made possible under an ongoing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Sea Machines Robotics and the USCG Research and Development Center in an effort to evaluate how computer vision systems can be utilized for autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, and target detection. [Read more…] about Sea Machines Robotics to introduce computer vision to US Coast Guard critical missions
MOV.AI releases Flow ROS robot development environment
MOV.AI, developer of the Robotics Engine Platform announced today the beta release of Flow, a visual Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed especially for ROS-based robot software.
This open IDE speeds up and streamlines robot software development with a visual representation of ROS projects that makes it easy to understand ROS projects and allows simple and intuitive development.
MOV.AI Flow makes it easier to import assets, reduces configuration and integration work, speeds up debugging, and makes it easy to port projects across environments, and share with the community. [Read more…] about MOV.AI releases Flow ROS robot development environment
Fruitcore Robotics raises €23 million to further commercialize Horst robot
Fruitcore Robotics, the startup creator of Horst robots, has raised €23 million to “enable companies of all sizes – from medium-sized businesses to global corporations – to introduce robotics and automation solutions into their manufacturing”.
Three years after its market launch, Fruitcore Robotics is already automating several hundred different applications in 29 different industries in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. The 60+ partner network in the DACH region and Italy is being continuously expanded.
Internationally renowned venture capital firms Capricorn Partners and Kompas, and the high and deep tech investor XAI technologies are investing in Fruitcore Robotics for the first time. [Read more…] about Fruitcore Robotics raises €23 million to further commercialize Horst robot
Amazon introduces industrial robotic arm that ‘handles millions of diverse products’
Amazon has unveiled a new industrial robotic arm that the company says is capable of handling “millions of diverse products”.
The internet retail giant describes the Sparrow robot as a new intelligent robotic system that streamlines the fulfillment process by moving individual products before they get packaged – a major technological advancement to support our employees.
Over the past decade, Amazon has been at the forefront of innovation, making significant investments in robotics and advanced technology within its operations. [Read more…] about Amazon introduces industrial robotic arm that ‘handles millions of diverse products’
US Army awards Kodiak Robotics $50 million contract for autonomous trucks
Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, today announced it has been awarded a $49.9 million, 24-month United States Department of Defense (DoD) agreement to help automate future US Army ground vehicles led by the Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) program.
This effort will be in support of vehicles designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other high-risk missions.
Through this award, which started in October 2022 and was awarded by DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) on behalf of the Army’s RCV program office, Kodiak will leverage its commercial self-driving software to develop, test and deploy autonomous capabilities for driverless vehicles that further strengthen national security. [Read more…] about US Army awards Kodiak Robotics $50 million contract for autonomous trucks
Sarcos Robotics and Changi Airport test outdoor robotic baggage handling system
Sarcos Technology and Robotics, a manufacturer of advanced robotic systems, and Changi Airport has completed a demonstration of a jointly developed outdoor-based autonomous baggage loading system prototype.
In collaboration with CAG, Sarcos is developing an outdoor-based baggage loading system to automate the loading and unloading of loose passenger bags from narrow-bodied aircraft.
The inaugural field demonstrations were conducted during September 2022 at Singapore Changi Airport and validated the opportunity for robotics to reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries from baggage handling and augment the ground handling labor force. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics and Changi Airport test outdoor robotic baggage handling system