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ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

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Industrial power and automation giant ABB is planning to invest $280 million to expand its manufacturing footprint in Europe and build a stunning new state-of-the-art facility in Västerås, Sweden – the ABB Robotics European Campus.

The Campus will serve as the hub for ABB Robotics’ offering in Europe, providing customers with AI-enabled collaborative and industrial robots, as well as digital solutions to support flexible automation as part of the company’s “local for local” production strategy.

Replacing the existing robotics facilities at the site, the new Campus is planned to open in late 2026. [Read more…] about ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe

US politicians move to prevent robots from being given weapons

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State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa and State Senator Michael Moore have filed an Act to ensure the responsible use of advanced robotic technologies, legislation that prohibits the manufacture, sale, and operation of robotic devices or drones that are mounted with a weapon.

If passed, this first-in-the-nation legislation will implement common-sense regulations that will protect the public while bringing stability and predictability to an emerging market and its entrepreneurs.

The bill contains three primary provisions related to robots, drones, and other uncrewed robotic devices in Massachusetts: banning the sale and use of weapons-mounted robotic devices, banning the use of robotic devices to threaten or harass, and banning the usage of robotic devices to physically restrain an individual. [Read more…] about US politicians move to prevent robots from being given weapons

Brain Corp launches ‘Site Maps’ to advance automated robotic operations and fleet management

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Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) company creating transformative core technology in robotics, has released “Site Maps”, the latest feature of its BrainOS software for autonomous robots. The update is available to all its customers.

The Site Maps feature empowers facility managers using BrainOS-powered automated robots to gain advanced insights into their site operations, ensuring efficient operations and providing a complete picture of proof-of-work.

One of the major challenges faced by facilities managers is the difficulty in knowing what work has been completed and what has not. [Read more…] about Brain Corp launches ‘Site Maps’ to advance automated robotic operations and fleet management

North America industrial robot orders drop for second quarter

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A slow US economy and high interest rates have taken a toll on robot orders in North American, resulting in a decline for the second quarter in a row after record purchases in 2021 and 2022.

According to the latest report from the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), companies ordered 7,697 robots valued at $457 million from April to July 2023, a 37 percent decline in robot orders and 20 percent drop in value over the same period in 2022.

When combined with first quarter results, the robotics market in North America is down 29 percent compared to the first half of last year with a total of 16,865 robots ordered. [Read more…] about North America industrial robot orders drop for second quarter

Care robots: Ethical perceptions and acceptance

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Researchers develop a model that can explain the effect of users’ ethical perception on their willingness to use care robots

The global population of people older than 65 years of age is rapidly increasing the need for care. Although care robots are a promising solution to fill in for caregivers, their social implementation has been slow and unsatisfactory.

A team of international researchers has now developed the first universal model that can be employed across cultural contexts to explain how ethical perceptions affect the willingness to use care robots.

Countries like Japan are experiencing declining birth rates and an aging population. The increased burden of care for this aging population may lead to a shortage of caregivers in a decade’s time. [Read more…] about Care robots: Ethical perceptions and acceptance

Robotics market will be worth $218 billion by 2030, forecasts GlobalData

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There are already well over 3 million industrial robots installed worldwide, and the pace of installation is increasing rapidly.

Use cases are proliferating from shelf stacking to cleaning to manufacturing. Robots are increasingly important as many countries struggle with labor shortages and aging populations.

Against this backdrop, the robotics market is forecast to reach $218 billion by 2030, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company. [Read more…] about Robotics market will be worth $218 billion by 2030, forecasts GlobalData

Starship Technologies now offering autonomous robot delivery on 50 US college campuses

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Starship Technologies, which claims to be the world’s leading provider of autonomous delivery services, says it is now offering its service to 50 college campuses across the US.

This includes several new schools launching services, including Wichita State University, Boise State University and The University of New Orleans.

Starship’s fleet of more than 2,000 robots provides deliveries in half of the US states as well as locations around the globe and more than 1.1 million students in the US have access to the service. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies now offering autonomous robot delivery on 50 US college campuses

Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute additional $2.1 million contract extension

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has been awarded an additional $2.1 million under its current contract with Leidos, a science and technology company.

The additional funding augments the earlier award and this program has received $16.6 million in funding from Leidos since 2022. The technology developed is expected to underpin future, economically material opportunities. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute additional $2.1 million contract extension

WPI researcher receives $600,000 grant to develop 3D printable robots for search-and-rescue operations

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher Markus Nemitz is the recipient of a $599,815 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to develop an innovative architecture for low-cost custom robots capable of traversing challenging terrains by swimming, crawling, climbing, and diving through hostile and confined spaces as part of search-and-rescue operations.

Nemitz, an assistant professor in WPI’s Department of Robotics Engineering, will focus on developing small and flexible 3D-printed robots with integrated fluidic circuits that can be rapidly fabricated for specific disasters.

His five-year project will involve testing these robots in a miniaturized model that will be built at WPI and replicate parts of the Tham Luang cave in Thailand where flooding trapped 12 members of a youth soccer team and their coach in 2018. [Read more…] about WPI researcher receives $600,000 grant to develop 3D printable robots for search-and-rescue operations

Olis Robotics secures $4 million funding to meet ‘surging demand’ for remote robot management

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Olis Robotics, specialists in remote monitoring, control, and error recovery technology for industrial robots, has raised $4.1 million funding in a round led by PSL Ventures.

Additional investors include Tectonic Ventures, Ubiquity Ventures, as well as several prominent strategic angel investors, including robotics pioneer Daniel Theobald, the president and co-founder of MassRobotics and founder and chairman of Vecna Robotics.

By safely enabling remote monitoring, control, and troubleshooting of industrial robots, Olis Robotics’ unique “Olis Connect” system significantly improves Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), effectively addressing costly robot downtime. [Read more…] about Olis Robotics secures $4 million funding to meet ‘surging demand’ for remote robot management