Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robotics

Advanced Intelligent Systems launches UV light disinfection robot

by

Advanced Intelligent Systems (AIS), a Canadian custom robotics engineering firm, has launched an ultraviolet light robot to destroy harmful bacteria and viruses in healthcare facilities and combat the spread of infectious diseases in public spaces.

The development was made possible by a grant from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).

Jayson Myers, CEO, NGen, says: “At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NGen rallied industry leaders from across the country to help build a domestic supply of critical equipment. Support for organizations like AIS enabled the rapid development of viable disinfecting solutions and demonstrates the diverse manufacturing and technology capabilities that exist here in Canada.” [Read more…] about Advanced Intelligent Systems launches UV light disinfection robot

Ranpak makes ‘strategic investment’ in Pickle Robot Company

by

Ranpak, a provider of paper-based packaging solutions for e-commerce and industrial supply chains, has made a “strategic investment” in Pickle Robot Company, a developer of robotic systems for automated sorting, loading and unloading of packaged goods within logistical lines.

Pickle Robot has developed a low cost, collaborative package-handling robot that automates several key tasks along the e-commerce supply chain.

Ranpak Automation’s investment in Pickle is highly strategic, and complements and expands Ranpak’s existing portfolio of automated solutions. [Read more…] about Ranpak makes ‘strategic investment’ in Pickle Robot Company

Ambi Robotics selects DWFritz to manufacture its robotic systems for logistics

by

Ambi Robotics, an artificial intelligence and robotics company that develops advanced supply chain solutions based on simulation-to-reality AI to power highly-dexterous robots, and DWFritz Automation, a provider of high-precision automation and metrology solutions, are partnering to build custom robotic solutions for Ambi Robotics’ supply chain customers.

Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics, says: “We are excited to work with DWFritz as we scale deployments of AI-powered sorting systems.

“DWFritz’s engineer-to-order and build-to-print capabilities complement Ambi’s ability to configure solutions that meet the needs of each customer, which will reduce implementation costs for our customers as we rapidly deploy the AmbiSort solution for ecommerce and parcel sortation.” [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics selects DWFritz to manufacture its robotic systems for logistics

Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser

by

Miso Robotics, a robotics and automation startup specializing in the foodservice industry, is partnering with Lancer Worldwide, a beverage dispenser manufacturer which works with the world’s top food and beverage brands, to build “an intelligence-backed, automated beverage dispenser that will bring enhanced functionality for a future-focused commercial kitchen”, according to the companies.

At a time when the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry is facing record labor shortages, operators are looking for ways to streamline operations, cut costs and implement solutions that drive a better and faster customer service experience. The pandemic drastically shifted the paradigm, creating new models for operator revenue streams that relied on drive-thru, takeout and delivery more so than ever before.

While 60 to 70 percent of certain QSR sales came from the drive-thru lane pre-pandemic, as Covid spread, major QSRs experienced a jump as high as 90 percent.1 Yet, the new delivery and drive-thru model have made the always-critical need of speed and efficiency an even bigger challenge as volume increases and staff decreases have added minutes to the clock for order completion. Because of this, total average drive-thru times slowed down by 29.8 seconds last year. [Read more…] about Miso Robotics partners with Lancer Worldwide to launch automated beverage dispenser

Zebra Technologies to acquire Fetch Robotics

by

Zebra Technologies, a provider of software and hardware systems for supply chains, is to acquire Fetch Robotics, a developer of warehouse robots and related technologies.

Fetch’s Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are used for optimized picking in fulfillment centers and distribution centers, just-in-time material delivery in manufacturing facilities and automating manual material movement in any facility.

Fetch features the largest portfolio of AMRs in the industry and offers seamless integration with warehouse and manufacturing systems without the need for changes to facilities or infrastructure. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies to acquire Fetch Robotics

MassRobotics publishes ‘world’s first’ open source autonomous mobile robot interoperability standards

by

MassRobotics, an independent, non-profit center that serves to educate, inspire and bring robotics initiatives, investments and companies to life, has released the MassRobotics Interoperability Standard.

The new initiative enables Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) from multiple vendors to integrate and work together seamlessly to support safe and efficient operations in global factories, warehouses, distribution and fulfillment centers.

Members of the working group and contributors to the newly introduced standards include Vecna Robotics, 6 River Systems, Waypoint Robotics, Locus Robotics, Seegrid, MiR, Autoguide Mobile Robots, Third Wave Automation, Open Robotics Foundation and others. [Read more…] about MassRobotics publishes ‘world’s first’ open source autonomous mobile robot interoperability standards

Bridgestone invests in autonomous truck developer Kodiak Robotics

by

Bridgestone Americas has made a minority investment in Kodiak Robotics, a US-based self-driving trucking company.

The partnership will allow Bridgestone to integrate its smart-sensing tire technologies and fleet solutions into Kodiak’s level 4 autonomous trucks.

The companies will also pilot future autonomous and smart tire technologies to further enhance vehicle intelligence and advance toward a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable mobility future. [Read more…] about Bridgestone invests in autonomous truck developer Kodiak Robotics

ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

by

ABB’s PixelPaint robotic “non-overspray” technology for the automotive industry has won this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology.

Launched in 2020, PixelPaint uses inkjet head technology to directly apply high resolution two-tone or individualized designs to a car body in a single pass, enabling manufacturers to easily meet the rising demand for customized paint jobs while eliminating wasteful overspray.

Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Auto OEM business line, says: “We are delighted that our PixelPaint solution has been recognized for its innovative, sustainable technology that helps our customers respond to consumer requests for more personalized design. [Read more…] about ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles

by

Perrone Robotics, a provider of autonomous vehicle technology, says it has successfully completed a series of public road demonstrations in the city of Westminster, Maryland, as part of an event hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) Autonomous Corridor Project.

Following the success achieved in Maryland a week before, the company conducted back-to-back public road tests for customers with a GreenPower AV Star zero-emission transit shuttle, and a Low Speed Vehicle neighborhood electric vehicle, both integrated with Perrone Autonomy.

These vehicles are slated for customer deployment later this summer for use in municipal and university transit applications. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics completes series of public road tests of its autonomous vehicles

Gideon Brothers raises $31 million Series A funding for its autonomous mobile robots

by

Gideon Brothers, a robotics and AI solutions company, today announced it has raised a $31 million Series A investment to accelerate the development and commercialization of its AI and 3D vision-based autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

The company will also expand its manufacturing, sales, marketing, and customer success operations across key markets of the European Union and United States by opening offices in Munich, Germany and Boston, Massachusetts, respectively.

The Series A round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture and growth arm of Koch Industries, with participation from DB Schenker, Prologis Ventures, and Rite-Hite. [Read more…] about Gideon Brothers raises $31 million Series A funding for its autonomous mobile robots