Robotics & Automation News

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Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

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Kodiak Robotics, a self-driving trucking company, says it has become the first company to publicly demonstrate a “fallback” system, which can autonomously pull a self-driving truck over to the side of the road in the event of a truck or system failure. (See video below.)

The ability to perform a safe, reliable fallback, otherwise known as having the vehicle assume a minimal risk condition, is critical to safely deploying driverless trucks on public roads.

Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak, says: “To launch an autonomous vehicle without a human driver, you must ensure the vehicle will protect motorists in the case of a truck or autonomous system failure. [Read more…] about Kodiak Robotics demonstrates new safety technology for autonomous trucks

Outrider releases ‘fully autonomous’ truck parking system

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Outrider, a developer of autonomous technology for yard operations at logistics hubs, has released “fully autonomous” trailer backing capabilities to its fleet.

This proprietary technology enables autonomous yard trucks to back trailers into tight spaces with precision and without modifications to trailers.

These capabilities are now available as part of the Outrider System, which automates distribution yards for large, logistics-dependent enterprises. [Read more…] about Outrider releases ‘fully autonomous’ truck parking system

DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

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DHL Supply Chain has introduced its largest ever single implementation of autonomous forklifts to date, with 15 embedded in its warehouse operations at Tyrefort, United Kingdom.

The autonomous forklifts form part of DHL’s operation for a major customer in the automotive sector, taking over picking, put-away and replenishment of products and empty media in the warehouse. The vehicles reduce the number of manual pallet transfers without requiring significant changes in warehouse infrastructure.

The indoor robotics transporters work safely up to 11.5 metres high – believed to be a first in the logistics industry – easily reaching the highest warehousing racks to handle a range of pallets, stillages and waste cages. [Read more…] about DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

ANYbotics boosts autonomous mobile robots with Velodyne lidar sensors

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ANYbotics is equipping its autonomous mobile robots with Velodyne’s Puck lidar sensors. ANYbotics robots provide industrial operators with an automated robotic inspection solution to support efforts in monitoring and maintaining plants.

ANYbotics’ four-legged robot ANYmal performs inspection and monitoring tasks in challenging industrial terrains such as mining and minerals, oil and gas, chemicals, energy and construction.

ANYmal’s legs provide unparalleled mobility when moving up and down stairs, climbing over obstacles, steps and gaps, and crawling into tight spaces. ANYmal’s inspection payload provides visual, thermal and acoustic insights for condition monitoring of equipment and infrastructure. [Read more…] about ANYbotics boosts autonomous mobile robots with Velodyne lidar sensors

NuPort Robotics selects Nvidia Drive platform for autonomous trucks

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NuPort Robotics, a Canada-based autonomous trucking company, has selected the Nvidia Drive platform to power its middle-mile semi-truck transportation solutions, which will be capable of safely operating in all weather conditions.

NuPort is defining next-generation transportation solutions for the Canadian trucking industry. Using state-of-the-art technology and a unique approach, NuPort is poised to change the middle-mile logistics.

NuPort will leverage the centralized compute capabilities of the Nvidia Drive platform-which is scalable to Level 4 autonomy-for processing a wide array of deep neural networks (DNNs) necessary for autonomous trucks to operate safely under various weather conditions. [Read more…] about NuPort Robotics selects Nvidia Drive platform for autonomous trucks

Startup company building autonomous trucks on Nvidia platform already has ‘more than 10,000 pre-orders’

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The autonomous trucking industry is about to get what is described by Nvidia as “a major new addition”.

Self-driving truck company Plus announced that its upcoming autonomous vehicle platform will be built on Nvidia Drive Orin.

This software-defined system will “continuously improve upon the safety and efficiency of the delivery and logistics industry with high-performance compute and AI algorithms that can be updated over the air”, says Nvidia. [Read more…] about Startup company building autonomous trucks on Nvidia platform already has ‘more than 10,000 pre-orders’

How driverless shuttle vehicles can get safely from A to B

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Project 3F, a consortium of six partners led by Bosch, has presented its results for automated driving in the low-speed range. (See video below.)

Their main finding is that the vehicle can continue driving despite deviations on the specified route and technical failures in the system.

The transport of people and goods were tested on test tracks in Renningen and Aachen, Germany. [Read more…] about How driverless shuttle vehicles can get safely from A to B

Brain Corp and UniCarriers to develop autonomous mobile robots for material delivery

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Brain Corp and UniCarriers have agreed a technology partnership to develop autonomous material delivery robots for use in retail, warehouses, airports, and other dynamic environments.

Brain Corp is an artificial intelligence company creating core technologies in the robotics industry, and UniCarriers Americas Corporation (UCA) is one of the world’s largest high-performance material handling equipment companies,

Under the partnership, UCA will license BrainOS, a cloud-connected operating system for commercial autonomous robots, to manufacture delivery robots that can navigate safely by themselves in public and commercial spaces. [Read more…] about Brain Corp and UniCarriers to develop autonomous mobile robots for material delivery

Mitsubishi Electric develops tech for controlling mobile robots

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Mitsubishi Electric says it has developed a technology for controlling “in-building” mobile robots used for cleaning, security, delivery and guidance, as well as next-generation electric wheelchairs.

The company says the software uses building dynamic maps to achieve cooperative interaction between the mobile machines and building facilities, such as elevators and access control systems.

Mitsubishi says that by supporting the safe, efficient movement of people and in-building mobilities in buildings, the new technology is expected to reduce the workloads of building-management personnel and help realize smart buildings in which people and robots coexist safely. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric develops tech for controlling mobile robots

Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm

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Festo has presented the latest innovations in its BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm technologies.

Combined with the BionicSoftArm, a pneumatic lightweight robot, the Future Concepts are “suitable for human-robot collaboration”, says Festo.

Whether its grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing – in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. [Read more…] about Festo presents BionicSoftHand and BionicSoftArm