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Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

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Darpa has selected eight teams to compete for a prize competition in which the winner will receive $2 million, the runner-up will get $1 million, and third place will earn half a million dollars.

The Darpa Subterranean (SubT) Challenge Systems Competition Final Event will be held on September 21-23, 2021, when the teams’ robots will have to quickly navigate unfamiliar underground environments at the Louisville Mega Cavern in search of common items including backpacks, cell phones, trapped survivors, and even invisible gas.

Those who find and identify the most items will win prizes of $2 million for first place, $1 million for second place, and $500,000 for third place. [Read more…] about Darpa selects eight teams for $3.5 million prize competition

UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

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When UPS Global Logistics & Distribution in Europe needed to add capacity at a fulfillment center in the Netherlands, the team used an innovation driven approach to think inside the box and find a better way to utilize the existing space rather than build another warehouse.

The solution was implementing a leading automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS).

Automated storage and retrieval systems are revolutionizing traditional warehousing and order fulfillment. Sprawling buildings filled with tall racks, wide rows and loud forklifts are being replaced by grids and bins with robotic arms and workstations. [Read more…] about UPS installs AutoStore system in warehouse and increases capacity by 400 percent

Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

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Fetch Robotics says it has achieved “full conformance” with R15.08, the first safety standard specifically formulated for industrial mobile robots

Fetch Robotics says its full suite of autonomous mobile robots conforms with ANSI / RIA R15.08, the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots.

This latest milestone ensures that Fetch’s AMRs can be safely utilized in all current use cases throughout warehouses, factories, distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

Released on Dec 25th, 2020 by the RIA (Robotics Industry Association), R15.08 is the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

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To better address demand for its popular ActiNav flexible machine loading system, Universal Robots has “handpicked” a number of integrators as ActiNav solutions providers.

Today, solutions for unstructured picking and placing of parts into machines are solely focused on the vision aspect, often requiring additional programming to bridge the gap from “pick” to “place” – especially if the “place” is not just dropping into a box but accurately inserting parts into fixtures for further processing.

Universal says its ActiNav product changes all that, combining real-time autonomous motion control, Universal Robots cobots, vision and sensor systems in one seamless Application Kit that solves the random bin picking challenge in machine tending applications. [Read more…] about Universal Robots handpicks systems integrators to implement ActiNav next-generation machine loading

Plus One Robotics raises $33 million to fuel expansion

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Plus One Robotics, a provider of vision software for logistics robots, has raised $33 million in Series B funding.

McRock Capital and TransLink Ventures co-led the round, with participation from BMWi Ventures, Kensington Capital Partners, and Ironspring Ventures alongside existing investors.

Whitney Rockley of McRock Capital and Toshi Otani of TransLink will join the company’s board of directors. [Read more…] about Plus One Robotics raises $33 million to fuel expansion

Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series

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Nachi-Fujikoshi is expanding its lineup of compact industrial robots with the launch of the new “EC06” and the “MZ12H”. 

The Japanese robot-making giant says that the need for automation by robots is expanding in the field of manufacturing with the aim of eliminating labor shortages and improving productivity.

This need has emerged against the backdrop of the worldwide declining birthrate and aging population, the shrinking working population and soaring labor costs. [Read more…] about Nachi-Fujikoshi expands lineup of compact robot series

Kuka unveils new version of Cybertech nano industrial robot

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Kuka has unveiled the new generation of its KR Cybertech nano series of industrial robot. (See video below.)

Kuka says the robot is specialised for continuous-path applications such as arc welding, adhesive bonding or sealant application, and calls it the KR Cybertech nano Arc family.

The company adds that, in the low payload category, the robots deliver maximum performance at minimal costs. [Read more…] about Kuka unveils new version of Cybertech nano industrial robot

Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

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Kivnon has expanded its range of mobile robots with a new range of automated forklifts and the new rotational lifting platform.

Kivnon has unveiled three new models of autonomous vehicles: the K03 Twister, the K55 Pallet Stacker and the K50 Pallet Truck, capable of moving around the environment using magnetic guidance or mapping navigation, based on SLAM technology.

The new K03 Twister is a rotational mobile platform with dimensions of 700 x 500 x 280 mm, making it the smallest AGV in Kivnon’s portfolio of mobile robots. [Read more…] about Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

Kuka signs major contract with Daimler involving at least 1,000 robots, continuing ‘100-year partnership’

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The Daimler automotive group and the Augsburg-based automation specialist Kuka have signed a new framework contract for the coming years. This marks a continuation of the companies’ long-standing partnership.

Kuka has not released details of the new deal but says the order “encompasses a four-figure number of robots and linear units as well as other Kuka technologies such as software and controllers”.

This includes the KR Fortec heavy-duty robot as well as the next generation of the KR Quantec. Kuka linear units, in turn, add a further axis to the robot, thereby considerably extending the work envelope of the robot. [Read more…] about Kuka signs major contract with Daimler involving at least 1,000 robots, continuing ‘100-year partnership’