Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

sensors

Safety Features of Self-Driving Cars

by

Self-driving cars are one of the most revolutionary technological advancements of our time. As with any new technology, safety is paramount for these vehicles. To ensure the safety of their passengers and those around them, self-driving cars have various features designed to keep everyone safe.

With advances in technology, self-driving cars will be safer than human operated vehicles. In the US, 30,000 lives are lost each year in motor vehicle accidents, often due to fatigue, human error, and drunk driving.

Autonomous vehicles function without these behaviors, potentially saving thousands of lives. Here is a look at some of the advanced safety features of self-driving vehicles. [Read more…] about Safety Features of Self-Driving Cars

Security robots ‘deter crime and minimize risk’, says Knightscope

by

The concept of automated policing began as a science fiction concept years ago, but today it is “real and impactful”, according to security robotics specialist Knightscope.

The sophistication of robot-powered security is even more interesting than sci-fi to Stacy Stephens, the co-founder and chief client officer of Knightscope.

Launched in 2013, the Mountain View, California, public safety technology services company was the first in the world to deploy mobile, fully autonomous security robots (ASRs) in public spaces such as malls, parking lots and neighborhood parks. [Read more…] about Security robots ‘deter crime and minimize risk’, says Knightscope

The evolution of car technology

by

While there is a certain charm when it comes to classic cars, or cars that are a little bit older, they can leave you having a less than comfortable journey.

Winding down the windows with handles as the only form of AC and needing to heat the car up for 15 minutes because of the slow heaters can put a damper on the trip for sure.

And while you can hook your phone up and use that as SatNav, most cars now come with it. Leaving the A to Z map in the past (unless you love a tech-free lifestyle).  [Read more…] about The evolution of car technology

Heraeus and AI Silk unveil ultra-light metaverse glove

by

Heraeus Epurio, a specialist developer of conductive polymer materials, and AI Silk , a Japanese wearable-tech startup that has developed the proprietary and patented conductive fiber “Lead Skin”, have together unveiled the “Haptic Metaverse Glove”.

The “ultra-light” glove has no mechanical parts attached, that doubles as sensors and an AR/VR/XR controller.

Made from AI Silk’s proprietary conductive fiber, Lead Skin, Haptic Metaverse Glove powered by Lead Skin features built-in finger-bending sensors, as well as control buttons on the back of the wearer’s hand, all of which are also made of the same conductive fiber. [Read more…] about Heraeus and AI Silk unveil ultra-light metaverse glove

ASI and SICK optimize and automate logistics truck yard operations

by

ASI Logistics and SICK Sensor Intelligence say they have achieved another milestone in the development of autonomous yard truck operations.

Together, the two companies have “solved the issue of reversing into trailers autonomously”. This is one of the final steps in completing fully autonomous yard operations.

ASI Logistics utilized is robust Vehicle Automation Kit (VAK) and SICK’s industry-leading LiDAR to overcome this challenge. [Read more…] about ASI and SICK optimize and automate logistics truck yard operations

Lumotive and Axibo partner to bring lidar to cinematography automation

by

Lumotive, the developer of Light Control Metasurface (LCM) beam steering chips enabling the next generation of 3D sensors, and Axibo, a cinema robotics company and the developer of autonomous camera motion control systems, have unveiled Axibo’s Precision eJib – a unique, designed-for-cinema, 6-axis robotic arm with 3D sensing capabilities made possible with Lumotive’s LCM beam steering technology.

The jointly-developed solution gives photographers and videographers unparalleled capabilities such as smart object targeting and tracking, enhanced image stabilization, and ground-breaking new autofocus features, to produce far crisper images and films combined with automated scene capture.

Available initially for professional-grade cameras, and under development for consumer-grade cameras, this revolutionary photography and cinematography automation solution takes advantage of Lumotive’s LCM beam steering chips that deliver best-in-class performance, range, and size in the 3D sensing industry. [Read more…] about Lumotive and Axibo partner to bring lidar to cinematography automation

ForwardX Robotics releases new fully autonomous forklift

by

ForwardX Robotics, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and warehouse solutions provider, has added the Apex 1400-L to its list of AMRs available in the United States.

Apex 1400-L is a fully autonomous forklift which further enhances ForwardX’s capabilities in warehousing workflows including receiving, putaway, replenishment, raw material movement, and shipping.

Forklifts have always played an important role in the warehousing industry. With the acceleration of e-commerce in recent years, companies are facing new challenges that come with traditional manual forklift operations. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics releases new fully autonomous forklift

Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

by

Mercedes-Benz says its Drive Pilot automated driver assistance system has become the world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology. The company adds that it backs redundancy for safe conditionally automated driving.

When it comes to conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3), safety and reliability are the top priorities for Mercedes-Benz. Drive Pilot is therefore based on a system architecture that enables safe control of all situations that could potentially arise.

To this end, braking, steering, power supply and some parts of the sensor system are designed with physical and functional redundancy. By adopting this safety‑focused approach to system design, Mercedes-Benz is setting completely new benchmarks in automated driving. [Read more…] about Mercedes-Benz claims its ‘Drive Pilot’ is world’s first internationally certified Level 3 automated car technology

Seoul Robotics demonstrates technology that enables cars to park themselves

by

Imagine driving a car – one without self-driving capabilities – to a mall, airport or parking garage, and using an app to have the car drive off to park itself. Software company Seoul Robotics is using Nvidia technology to make this possible – turning non-autonomous cars into self-driving vehicles.

Headquartered in Korea, the company’s initial focus is on improving first- and last-mile logistics such as parking. Its Level 5 Control Tower is a mesh network of sensors and computers placed on infrastructure around a facility, like buildings or light poles – rather than on individual cars – to capture an unobstructed view of the environment.

The system enables cars to move autonomously by directing their vehicle-to-everything, or so-called V2X, communication systems. These systems pass information from a vehicle to infrastructure, other vehicles, any surrounding entities – and vice versa. V2X technology, which comes standard in many modern cars, is used to improve road safety, traffic efficiency and energy savings. [Read more…] about Seoul Robotics demonstrates technology that enables cars to park themselves

Robotic pets: How to choose and what you should know about them

by

Communication with pets helps reduce stress levels, distracts from troubles and reduces anxiety. There is even a method of treatment – pet therapy. Four-legged pets make a person move more and expand their social circle – after all, pet lovers will always find common topics for conversation.

Communication with animals is especially useful for older people with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, for children with mental disorders and for patients who are in the hospital for a long time. Pets save them from loneliness, help overcome depression, reduce anxiety and irritability.

But sick people can’t always get a cat or a dog – they can’t take care of them, and nursing home residents and hospital patients aren’t allowed to keep animals. It’s for such people that they made companion robots. [Read more…] about Robotic pets: How to choose and what you should know about them