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Sea Machines Robotics to introduce computer vision to US Coast Guard critical missions

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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

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

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Nvidia researchers show how training in simulation enables the transfer of complex manipulation skills to a robot hand with project DeXtreme

The human hand is one of the most remarkable outcomes of millions of years of evolution. The ability to pick up all sorts of objects and use them as tools is a crucial differentiator allowing us to shape the world around us.

For robots to work in the everyday human world, the ability to deftly interact with our tools and the environment around them is critical. Without that capability, they will continue to be useful only in specialized domains such as factories or warehouses.

While it has been possible to teach robots with legs how to walk for some time, robots with hands have generally proven to be much trickier to control. A hand with fingers has more joints, and they must move in specific coordinated ways to accomplish a given task. [Read more…] about Reinforcing the value of simulation: Teaching dexterity to a real robot hand

Smart actuators help robot valets optimize high-volume automobile storage and retrieval

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Before a newly manufactured car is delivered to a dealership, it typically joins thousands of others in a large storage lot where it can sit for days or even months.

Managing these lots requires many manual, time-intensive tasks: attendants must start each car, park it safely in a designated area, keep track of its location and be able to access it easily for distribution when needed.

Vehicle remarketers, airports, auto rental services and many other businesses that require high-volume auto storage and easy retrieval share these same issues. Ultimately, manual auto parking results in inefficient space and labour utilization, risk of accident and injury to attendants, and burning of fuel. [Read more…] about Smart actuators help robot valets optimize high-volume automobile storage and retrieval

ABB RobotStudio takes to the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration

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ABB has enhanced its RobotStudio robot programming and simulation software with cloud-enabled functionality. The new RobotStudio Cloud enables individuals and teams to collaborate in real-time on robot cell designs from anywhere in the world, on any device. 

New features such as automatic version control increase transparency and productivity across teams. The software’s simplified interfaces and intuitive navigation allow users of all skill levels to work on robotic projects.

Marc Segura, president of ABB Robotics division, says: “At ABB Robotics, we continue to develop innovative and flexible solutions to help businesses overcome challenges, respond to changing customer needs and thrive in an age of increasing digitalization. [Read more…] about ABB RobotStudio takes to the cloud, enabling real-time collaboration

Tormach launches new industrial robotic arm for under $20,000

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Tormach, a supplier of “affordable and compact” CNC machines, has launched its latest product, the ZA6 robot.

The company says the ZA6 robot is built to industrial standards, utilizing EtherCAT servo motors, harmonic gear drives, and aluminum castings. It can carry a 6 kg payload through a reach of 975 mm with impressive speed and repeatability.

Requiring only 20 A of single-phase 220 VAC, it can be installed almost anywhere. At less than $20,000, it represents “one of the best-value robots on the market”, according to Tormach. [Read more…] about Tormach launches new industrial robotic arm for under $20,000