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Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

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Matthew Cherewka, director of business development and strategy, Vecna Robotics

Advances in sensor and camera technologies have made robots more intelligent, allowing them to collaborate more with human workers instead of being isolated in cages or separate areas.

Known as co-bots (collaborative robots), this new form of robot can slow down or stop completely to prevent humans from getting injured, but they also enable companies to develop new human-robot workflows that automate previously manual methods.

In essence, they aim to focus on the “collaborative” aspect of the term, rather than the “robot”. [Read more…] about Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

Veo Robotics selects Gray Solutions as integrator partner

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Veo Robotics, the industrial automation company that created FreeMove, a 3D safeguarding system for industrial robots, has agreed a partnership with Gray Solutions, an automation services provider for the food and beverage sector.

This partnership will enable Gray Solutions to include Veo’s safety-certified flagship product as part of collaborative palletizing solutions for the CPG industry.

Ron Ledoux, regional sales manager at Veo Robotics, says: “Gray Solutions understands and has the ability to integrate new technologies like 3D dynamic safety, it is part of their DNA. [Read more…] about Veo Robotics selects Gray Solutions as integrator partner

Schaeffler to unveil ‘eagerly anticipated innovative solution’ for robots

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Schaeffler says it will present at Hannover Messe 2022 an “eagerly anticipated innovative solution package” for collaborative robots and articulated robots.

The manufacturing industry requires lightweight robots that can operate with high dynamics and a high degree of precision.

Ralf Moseberg, head of business field industrial automation at Schaeffler, says the industry is looking for innovation. [Read more…] about Schaeffler to unveil ‘eagerly anticipated innovative solution’ for robots

GXO installs fleet of autonomous robots in Europe

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GXO Logistics, the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, is using fleets of autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, to help customers in the 28 countries where GXO operates make significant leaps in productivity and safety.

After successfully integrating cobots into operations for ecommerce and retail customers, GXO is now deploying them for grocery and large-item customers.

GXO will be introducing a fleet of AMRs in the UK and the Netherlands over the next few months. [Read more…] about GXO installs fleet of autonomous robots in Europe

Geek+ reinforces goods-to-person safety and efficiency with new picking station

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Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, has upgraded its flagship goods-to-person system with a new picking station compatible with P-series robots carrying mobile shelves and racks.

Kai Liu, Geek+ co-founder and head of smart warehouses, says: “We want to make picking operations safer and less strenuous for warehouse employees. Our robots are there to not only increase efficiency, but also to improve the working environment for operators.”

Geek+’s new picking station includes several improved elements: a wrist-worn scanner that eliminates the need for excess walking; a stepladder that locks in place, reducing the danger of falling; and a projector that instantly indicates where goods are to be placed and taken. [Read more…] about Geek+ reinforces goods-to-person safety and efficiency with new picking station

Robotic Resources: How Autonomous Technologies Enhance Human Capabilities

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By Jeff Weiland, LG Business Solutions USA

Ever since the first modern robots were developed in the 1950s, the public’s fascination with autonomous machines has varied from excitement and hope to hesitance and fear, and everything in between.

In the following decades, single-purpose robots began showing up on factory floors and in mailrooms, and average citizens grew more comfortable and familiar with digital technologies forming a central part of home life.

While the dancing, jumping, self-navigating robots of today were still decades away, the controversy then was much the same: workers worried that machines might eliminate their jobs. [Read more…] about Robotic Resources: How Autonomous Technologies Enhance Human Capabilities

Agility Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round

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Agility Robotics, a creator and manufacturer of robots designed to work alongside people in logistics and warehouse environments, has raised $150 million led by DCVC and Playground Global.

The Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund also joined as an investor to help spur innovation in the logistics industry.

Agility’s robots provide unique value to businesses by augmenting the human workforce’s productivity, efficiency, and wellness. This capital raise will accelerate Agility’s R&D and scale its robot production. [Read more…] about Agility Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round

Abundant Robots launches to help farmers streamline harvesting process

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Abundant Robots, a startup automating the apple harvesting process to deliver high-quality produce to consumers, has launched to raise up to $20 million in seed capital via equity crowdfunding site WAX.

The launch comes just weeks after the corporate innovation venture studio and startup incubator Wavemaker Labs Asia (agtech-focused division of Wavemaker Labs’ overall brand) purchased Abundant Robotics’ intellectual property.

This acquisition is part of Wavermaker Labs’ larger strategy to bring intelligent automation solutions to market and help shape a future of food that is more efficient and sustainable, and is filled with prosperity, thoughtful sourcing and improved food quality from seed to fork. [Read more…] about Abundant Robots launches to help farmers streamline harvesting process

Numina and Addverb partner to expand North American warehouse automation solutions

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Automation solutions provider Addverb Technologies has agreed a strategic North American partner agreement with Numina Group, an independent warehouse automation software developer and systems integrator.

The agreement expands the deployment of Addverb’s cutting-edge mobile robots for automation solutions to North American warehouses and provides Numina Group’s customers access to additional innovative technology applications for faster and smarter warehouse order fulfillment automation.

Numina will start with Addverb’s Dynamo series of robots, which work collaboratively with human order pickers to increase efficiency. [Read more…] about Numina and Addverb partner to expand North American warehouse automation solutions

Delivery robots ‘help students feel safer, skip fewer meals and improve mental health’

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Delivery robots are becoming a popular feature on college campuses across the US and are one of the best and sometimes only options for contactless delivery. It turns out the delivery robots have had other positive impacts on campus.

Starship Technologies, a provider of autonomous delivery services, recently conducted an online survey of 7,063 college students on more than 20 campuses across the US where it provides delivery services. [Read more…] about Delivery robots ‘help students feel safer, skip fewer meals and improve mental health’