Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

robots

Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

by

The loss of pollinators, such as bees, is a huge challenge for global biodiversity and affects humanity by causing problems in food production. At Tampere University, researchers have now developed the first passively flying robot equipped with artificial muscle. Could this artificial fairy be utilised in pollination?

The development of stimuli-responsive polymers has brought about a wealth of material-related opportunities for next-generation small-scale, wirelessly controlled soft-bodied robots.

For some time now, engineers have known how to use these materials to make small robots that can walk, swim and jump. So far, no one has been able to make them fly.

Researchers of the Light Robots group at Tampere University are now researching how to make smart material fly. Hao Zeng, Academy Research Fellow and the group leader, and Jianfeng Yang, a doctoral researcher, have come up with a new design for their project called FAIRY – Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly. They have developed a polymer-assembly robot that flies by wind and is controlled by light. [Read more…] about Robotic pollinator: A fairy-like robot flies by the power of wind and light

4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

by

A robot built by 4Ocean is cleaning up Florida beach as part of the startup company’s mission to clean up the entire world’s oceans.

An ambitious mission for sure, and one for which the company admits “there is no playbook”, but 4Ocean has already collected 28 million pounds of trash from the plastic-polluted salty waters of the world and its program is just getting started.

The robot 4Ocean has supplied to Florida beach is called the BeBot, which collects things like cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and other trash, according to a report on the Fox Weather website. [Read more…] about 4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

by

Apptronik, a maker of general-purpose robots, exoskeletons and humanoids, has received an equity investment from Terex Corporation and has reached an agreement with Terex to co-develop “first-of-a-kind robots” to work alongside workers to support safety, productivity, and efficiency of industries that power the economy and are essential to building infrastructure.

Robots have long held the promise of solving labor shortages and productivity issues, but until recently have been limited to performing repetitive tasks within structured environments such as warehouses or factories.

While robots have proven useful at completing dull and repetitive tasks in controlled environments, they have not been leveraged for more complex tasks in unstructured environments. [Read more…] about Apptronik and Terex to jointly develop robots for commercial use

Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs

by

Hyundai Motor Group has started two pilot delivery service programs using autonomous robots based on its “Plug & Drive” (PnD) modular platform at a hotel and a residential-commercial complex located in the outskirts of Seoul.

The delivery robot consists of a storage unit integrated on top of a PnD driving unit. Alongside the loading box used to deliver items, a connected screen displays information for customers.

First shown at CES 2022, Hyundai’s PnD modular platform is an all-in-one single wheel unit that combines intelligent steering, braking, in-wheel electric drive and suspension hardware, including a steering actuator for 360-degree, holonomic rotation. [Read more…] about Hyundai launches delivery robot pilot programs

Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

by

Performing human-like motions that involve multiple contacts is challenging for robots. In this regard, a researcher from the Tokyo University Science has envisioned an interactive cyber-physical human (iCPH) platform with complementary humanoid (physical twin) and simulation (digital twin) elements.

iCPH combines human measurement data, musculoskeletal analysis, and machine learning for data collection and augmentation. As a result, iCPH can understand, predict, and synthesize whole-body contact motions.

Humans naturally perform numerous complex tasks. These include sitting down, picking something up from a table, and pushing a cart. These activities involve various movements and require multiple contacts, which makes it difficult to program robots to perform them. [Read more…] about Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

Material handling robot market predicted to grow to $13 billion by 2033

by

The global market value for material handling robots will reach $5,542 million in 2023 and grow at a healthy compound annual growth rate of 8.6 percent between 2023 and 2033, according to research by Fact.MR. 

Increasing acceptance of advanced automated material handling robots, increasing need for high efficiency systems, increasing industrialization in emerging markets, constant technological advances, multiple industries such as automotive, manufacturing, e-commerce and many more.

High acceptance of US Investment in digital infrastructure and growing need to reduce labor costs are key factors behind the growth of the automated material handling robots market. [Read more…] about Material handling robot market predicted to grow to $13 billion by 2033

Svaya Robotics launches ‘India’s first collaborative robot’

by

A startup company called Svaya Robotics has launched what it claims is “India’s first collaborative robot” and has debuted its products at the recent IMTEX event in Bengaluru, India.

Writing on his LinkedIn page, Vijay R. Seelam, managing director at Svaya Robotics, says: “We just wrapped up at IMTEX 2023 in Bengaluru.

“Svaya Robotics debuted India’s first collaborative robots – completely designed and made in India. [Read more…] about Svaya Robotics launches ‘India’s first collaborative robot’

Hacking Robots: The 5 Threats You Need to Know About

by

Robots have already flipped manufacturing industries on their heads in the last couple of decades. With the potential to revolutionize everything from the military and law enforcement to education, it’s vital to take stock of the security risks that come with increased automation.

Manufacturing companies are the second biggest target for ransomware gangs. If robots are vulnerable to attack, money-hungry criminals will find a way to disrupt factories and demand payment to restore systems.

Where exactly do the risks to robots and automation systems come from? We’re going to explore who is likely to exploit issues in system confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authentication. [Read more…] about Hacking Robots: The 5 Threats You Need to Know About

Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

by

Geek+ has provided 82 autonomous mobile robots for C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama, in the US.

C-StoreMaster officially opened its 130,000-square-foot automated warehouse recently with a celebration attended by leaders in the convenience store industry and the city of Huntsville.

To honor the warehouse opening and C-StoreMaster’s dedication to advancing technology in Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed December 8 as Technology Innovation Day. [Read more…] about Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

Three strikes and you’re out! Humans give up on robots after multiple mistakes

by

Humans are less forgiving of robots after multiple mistakes – and the trust is difficult to get back, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Similar to human co-workers, robots can make mistakes that violate a human’s trust in them. When mistakes happen, humans often see robots as less trustworthy, which ultimately decreases their trust in them.

The study examines four strategies that might repair and mitigate the negative impacts of these trust violations. These trust strategies were apologies, denials, explanations and promises on trustworthiness. [Read more…] about Three strikes and you’re out! Humans give up on robots after multiple mistakes