Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

software

Zebra Technologies expands Fetch Robotics portfolio with solution to optimize fulfillment workflows

by

Zebra Technologies, which provides automation solutions to the supply chain sector, has introduced what it claims is “the industry’s most comprehensive picking solution to help businesses improve their fulfillment operations”.

The fulfillment solution uses machines from Fetch Robotics, which Zebra recently acquired, and consists of three new autonomous mobile robots – FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide – and a new FetchCore fulfillment software package for order or batch picking.

These new offerings further extend Zebra’s position as a leader in automating and digitizing critical workflows in warehouses, distribution and fulfillment centers as order volumes increase, labor pools get more competitive and customer expectations continue to rise. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies expands Fetch Robotics portfolio with solution to optimize fulfillment workflows

Activ Surgical secures $45 million in Series B funding led by Cota Capital

by

Activ Surgical, a digital surgery pioneer, has raised $45 million in a Series B financing round. The Series B round was led by Cota Capital, a multi-stage investment firm focused on private and public modern enterprise technology companies.

Seven new investors, including BAM Funds, Magnetar Capital, Mint Ventures, Castor Ventures, Dream One Vision and Nvidia, join existing investors DNS Capital,Tao Capital Partners, LRVHealth, Rising Tide VC, GreatPoint Ventures and ARTIS Ventures to close out the Series B round of financing.

To date, Activ Surgical has raised a total of $77 million. [Read more…] about Activ Surgical secures $45 million in Series B funding led by Cota Capital

SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

by

At PackExpo this year, SICK is presenting numerous demonstrations and one educational session that highlight how intelligent sensors can help you create the factory of the future that includes robotics, quality inspection, and digital transformation.

Intelligent sensor solutions from SICK enhance mobile and stationary robotic applications. In its booth (C-2160) at PackExpo 2021, demos about sensor solutions for robotics and quality inspection are available throughout the show.

From 3D vision robot guidance systems for more efficient bin picking to safety and LiDAR solutions for AMRs, SICK prioritizes improving the supply chain with solutions for mobile robot safety, LiDAR localization, and robot vision systems. [Read more…] about SICK presents intelligent sensor solutions for the ‘factory of the future’

Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

by

Vecna Robotics, a developer of pallet-handling autonomous mobile robots and workflow orchestration, announced at Pack Expo its latest innovation designed to deliver the best AMR performance in the industry.

The new Mark 3 software release helps warehouse, distribution and manufacturing organizations double fleet performance to improve efficiency and throughput, while continuing to exceed industry safety standards.

According to a recent Peerless Research Group industry report, 24 percent of organizations plan to implement AGV or AMR technology within the next year. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics’ latest cloud release delivers ‘industry’s fastest and safest’ autonomous mobile robots

Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

by

Software AG has launched an app to automate Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) calculation for its Cumulocity IoT platform.

The new app will enable manufacturers of any size to collect and process key data as it’s created and quickly understand production effectiveness.

By monitoring production line availability, performance and quality, organizations can be more responsive to inefficiencies in their operations, enabling them to avert problems and capitalize on opportunities to be more effective. [Read more…] about Software AG helps automate OEE calculation with new app for Cumulocity IoT

Bright Machines introduces Brightware Studio to ‘liberate factory automation’

by

Bright Machines, a provider of software for intelligent, software-defined manufacturing, has launched its Brightware Studio, a new software offering that the company says “liberates manufacturers from the constraints of traditional factory automation and introduces a new self-service capability that enables flexible automation at greater speed and lower cost”.

Brightware Studio provides additional functionality to the Bright Machines Microfactory – the company’s flagship solution which combines intelligent software and modular building blocks to automate repetitive assembly and inspection tasks.

Based on a modern, low/no code workflow, Brightware Studio is operated using an intuitive user interface, giving production line operators and technicians the ability to easily program, run, analyze and debug the assembly process on the factory floor. [Read more…] about Bright Machines introduces Brightware Studio to ‘liberate factory automation’

Boston Dynamics releases new software for its canine robot Spot

by

Boston Dynamics has released new software for its canine robot, Spot, which has sold in relatively large numbers considering its hefty price tag.

The company says the new software – Spot Release 3.0 – adds functionality to make Spot “the data collection solution you need for safer and more efficient inspection rounds”.

Spot’s famous realistic walking ability – the Autowalk system – has logged thousands of miles in industrial facilities and on construction sites around the world. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics releases new software for its canine robot Spot

ABB launches ‘FlexBuffer’ robotic work cell for e-commerce supply chain operations

by

ABB is responding to the growing consumer demand for choice and fast delivery with the launch of its FlexBuffer application cell.

FlexBuffer brings new levels of flexibility for logistics, food and beverage, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, restaurants and retailers, offering a highly adaptable multi-functional solution for handling a variety of tasks such as sequencing, buffering, storage and order consolidation.

Marc Segura, group senior vice president managing director consumer segments and service robotics at ABB, says: “The constantly changing nature of today’s consumer landscape and the explosion of e-commerce is challenging the conventional systems used for processing and delivering orders. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘FlexBuffer’ robotic work cell for e-commerce supply chain operations

Nasa awards Geisel Software grant to develop multi-robot perception

by

Geisel Software, a Massachusetts-based custom software development firm, has partnered with Fayetteville State University to perform research funded by NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project Space Technology Artemis Research grant.

The grant will fund Active and On-demand Multi Robot Perception research designed to develop multi-robot perception, a technology that utilizes highly specialized image sensors, to support NASA’s use of autonomous multi-robot systems performing scouting missions on the surface of the Moon or other planets. [Read more…] about Nasa awards Geisel Software grant to develop multi-robot perception

Fuzzy Logic Robotics raises €2.5 million to ‘put robots in the hands of operators’

by

The Franco-American start-up Fuzzy Logic Robotics announces a €2.5 million seed round of financing from two European “deeptech” funds: 42CAP, an industry-specialized German fund based in Munich, and Karista (via the Paris Region Venture Fund), an early-stage VC firm based in Paris.

Fuzzy Logic, which originated in the French start-up ecosystem (Agoranov and Wilco), is developing an “all-in-one” software platform that dramatically simplifies every step of robotization, from robotic cell design to daily reprogramming in the factory by operators.

It reproduces a virtual environment in which the robot in the factory can be controlled “on the fly” and as simply as a video game. [Read more…] about Fuzzy Logic Robotics raises €2.5 million to ‘put robots in the hands of operators’