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Silicon Valley Robotics awards two honors to SICK

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The Silicon Valley Robotics group awarded SICK two honors as a part of the SVR’s inaugural Good Robot Industry Awards.

This program celebrates robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence that helps to solve global challenges.

SVR is a non-profit industry cluster and coalition of robotics companies and startups, representing the robotics cluster in northern California. The organization works to support the innovation and commercialization of robotics technology. [Read more…] about Silicon Valley Robotics awards two honors to SICK

EasyMile and Kalray expand autonomous mobility partnership

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Autonomous technology provider EasyMile and intelligent processors supplier Kalray have deepened their relationship with the signature of a deal formalizing their relationship to develop intelligent systems.

The partnership follows their work together in the 10-partner-strong ES3CAP collaborative project, led by Kalray and announced in 2019.

The ES3CAP program, with a budget of €22.2 million over three years, aims to build a hardware and software platform intended for manufacturers developing critical applications requiring high computing capacity in the fields of aeronautics (aviation, flying cabs, UAVs), defense and, autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about EasyMile and Kalray expand autonomous mobility partnership

SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

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SICK’s microScan3 family of safety laser scanners is now offering Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) integration.

SICK says this is the world’s first safety laser scanner with this capability.

Originally launching in 2016, the microScan3 is an extremely intelligent and durable safety laser scanner that enhances machine availability and productivity due to its safeHDDM scanning technology. [Read more…] about SICK microScan safety scanners now offer Fail Safe over EtherCAT

SICK launches new Flexi Compact safety controller

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Industrial sensor specialist SICK has launched a new safety controller.

The Flexi Compact from SICK is a new modular safety controller distinguished by its improved usability and safety engineering.

It enables users of automated machines to operate more productively with the scalable performance and intelligent diagnostic functions of the safety controller. [Read more…] about SICK launches new Flexi Compact safety controller

Amazon’s Zoox unveils autonomous robotaxi

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Amazon-owned autonomous mobility company Zoox has unveiled its fully functional, electric, autonomous vehicle that is designed for dense, urban environments.

Zoox claims it is the first in the industry to showcase a driving, purpose-built robotaxi capable of operating up to 75 miles per hour.

Since its inception in 2014, Zoox has combined artificial intelligence, robotics, vehicle design, and sustainable energy to bring its vision of reinventing personal transportation to life, arguing that this will make the future “safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for everyone”. [Read more…] about Amazon’s Zoox unveils autonomous robotaxi

How robotics is helping those with disabilities

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Government statistics show that 14.1 million people reported a disability in the UK in 2018-19 – a figure that equates to 21% of the population. Of course, disabilities can range in severity and further data from the authorities reveals 4.1 million disabled people are in work.

Although that represents almost 30% of all disabled people, Scope’s 2019 disability price tag study found that on average, those with a disability face extra living costs of nearly £600 per month.

The encouraging news is that plenty is being done to improve the quality of life for disabled people, to help them enjoy the sense of freedom and independence that more able members of the population may take for granted. [Read more…] about How robotics is helping those with disabilities

Universal Robots sells 50,000 collaborative robots

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Collaborative robot manufacturer Universal Robots is celebrating “unprecedented sales” with the delivery of its 50,000th unit to German company VEMA.

Collaborative robots – or cobots – remain the fastest growing segment of industrial automation, projected to grow at an annual growth rate of 30.37 percent during 2020–2025.

Cobot market pioneer Universal Robots solidified its frontrunner position today by selling its 50,000th cobot, which was purchased by a German manufacturer to enable higher productivity and better employee safety. [Read more…] about Universal Robots sells 50,000 collaborative robots

Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

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By Steve Richmond, director of logistics systems, Jungheinrich

New use cases for robotics are being identified almost daily. The rapid growth of e-commerce, fuelled in part by necessity from Covid-19 lockdowns, has meant that for many organisations, the requirements for staff and goods is growing at a rate too fast to meet demand – the need for automation is now greater than ever.

With technology advancing rapidly, almost anything can now be automated. And with intelligent navigation and precise picking technology, even items of an odd size, shape or material can be handled by robots.

As this technology becomes increasingly more sophisticated, enabling robots to perform roles with accuracy, consistency and safety front of mind, this has also advanced the ability for robots to communicate with other robots around the facility. [Read more…] about Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics partner with Luminar to develop autonomous trucks

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Luminar Technologies, an autonomous vehicle sensor and software company, and Daimler Trucks have agreed a strategic partnership to enable highly automated – or autonomous – trucking, starting on highways.

Experts at Daimler Trucks, its US subsidiary, Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) and Torc Robotics, part of Daimler Trucks’ Autonomous Technology Group, with the experts at Luminar are collaboratively pursuing a common goal of bringing series-produced highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) to roads globally.

The teams will work closely together in order to enhance lidar sensing, perception, and system-level performance for Daimler trucks moving at highway speeds. To strengthen the partnership, Daimler Trucks has acquired a minority stake in Luminar. [Read more…] about Daimler Trucks and Torc Robotics partner with Luminar to develop autonomous trucks

Daimler Trucks and Waymo partner on the development of autonomous SAE Level 4 trucks

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Daimler Trucks and Waymo have signed a broad, global, strategic partnership to implement autonomous SAE Level 4 technology. Their initial effort will combine Waymo’s industry-leading automated driver technology with a unique version of Daimler’s Freightliner Cascadia, to enable autonomous driving.

Waymo brings over a decade of experience building what it has trademarked as the “World’s Most Experienced Driver”, having driven over 20 million miles on public roads across 25 US cities and 15 billion miles in simulation.

Daimler Trucks North America, Daimler Trucks’ US subsidiary, parent company of the Freightliner brand and the US market leader in commercial vehicle manufacturing, provides their experience in developing “state-of-the art Class 8 vehicles”. [Read more…] about Daimler Trucks and Waymo partner on the development of autonomous SAE Level 4 trucks