Robotics & Automation News

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RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

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RoboForce, the world’s most advanced “Robo-Labor” provider, today announced it has raised $10 million early stage funding with support from investors such as Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, co-founder of Softbank VC (SBVC) Gary Rieschel, and Carnegie Mellon University.

With this funding, RoboForce is emerging from stealth as it prepares to deploy its Robo-Labor this year for early customers, for whom robots can fulfill labor shortages in harsh outdoor conditions, complete the most hazardous tasks in dangerous work environments, and maximize project efficiency and cost savings.

With 1mm accuracy in performing fine motor skills like picking, placing, pressing, twisting and connecting, the Robo-Labor has all-terrain mobility, precise manipulation, learning, communication, and safety compliance capabilities. RoboForce’s robots are unparalleled in the emerging field of AI robotics. [Read more…] about RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

EDP tests construction of its first solar park with Comau automation technology

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This is the first time worldwide that the technological solution, based on robotics and advanced computing, developed by Comau, has been tested in real installation conditions in an EDP solar park.

EDP, a global company in the renewable energy sector, will test the construction of its first photovoltaic solar park under real life installation conditions on a large scale with the automation technology Hyperflex.

The project, named AutoPV, is located in Peñaflor, Valladolid, Spain and will use automated solutions in 3MW of the total 122MW of installed capacity, through a robotic solution. [Read more…] about EDP tests construction of its first solar park with Comau automation technology

AES launches first AI-enabled solar installation robot at Amazon power station

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The AES Corporation, an American utility and power generation company, has introduced “Maximo”, a groundbreaking, AI-powered robot that enhances solar installation speed, efficiency and safety.

Maximo is a first-of-its-kind robotic solution that works alongside construction teams to help meet rapidly growing renewable energy demand.

According to the IEA, by 2035, solar annual additions are expected to triple, and the workforce will need to nearly double.

Maximo can install solar panels in half the time and half the cost, working together with on-the-ground crews to accelerate renewable energy deployment, reducing time-to-power for customers.

[Read more…] about AES launches first AI-enabled solar installation robot at Amazon power station

ABB automates giant solar energy farm in Abu Dhabi

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The Al Dhafra PV2 Solar project in Abu Dhabi – for which ABB supplies automation and optimization power generation solutions – is now exporting 100 percent of its designed capacity onto the grid.

Covering an area of 20 square km in the Al Dhafra region, located around 30 km south of Abu Dhabi City, the 2 GW plant uses four million solar modules to generate enough electricity for 200,000 homes across the UAE per year.

It will also help reduce Abu Dhabi’s annual CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million metric tons, the equivalent of removing approximately 470,000 combustion cars from the roads.

[Read more…] about ABB automates giant solar energy farm in Abu Dhabi

Stäubli invests in company developing robot for solar industry

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Stäubli, one of the world’s largest industrial robot suppliers, says it has become involved in innovative Computer Vision, AI, and robotics solutions development with the California-based OnSight Technology.

Active since the early beginning of the Photovoltaic industry, Stäubli is a pioneer for durable and robust PV DC connectors. The Original MC4 PV connector has set the industry benchmark and is currently the most installed worldwide, connecting more than 50 percent of the global PV capacity.

Based on Stäubli’s longstanding expertise, the company says it is committed to sharing its knowledge and investing in future technology to increase safety in the solar industry. [Read more…] about Stäubli invests in company developing robot for solar industry

Sarcos and Blattner develop autonomous robotic solar construction system

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Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation, a specialist in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced robotic systems, and Blattner Company, a provider and installer of renewable energy, have entered into a collaboration agreement.

The agreement focuses on the development and refinement of Sarcos’ autonomous mobile robotic system designed to optimize employee safety and enhance the efficiency of the installation of photovoltaic (PV) modules for utility-scale solar projects.

Laura Peterson, interim president and CEO, Sarcos, says: “Like many industries, the solar construction industry is experiencing significant worker shortages post-Covid and has not yet recovered. [Read more…] about Sarcos and Blattner develop autonomous robotic solar construction system

Comau unveils robotic system for constructing solar farms

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Comau has launched its patented Hyperflex mobile factory, which it describes as “a new paradigm in solar blade deployment that facilitates faster photovoltaic plant construction for a time to market savings of up to 25 per cent on new installations”.

Designed in-house and featuring proprietary Comau robotics, lifting equipment and other technology enablers, Hyperflex automatically assembles the entire solar blade, which can measure up to 48 sq m, directly in the photovoltaic field.

In doing so, the robotized temporary mobile factory lowers overall operating costs while granting better operator well-being, process quality and overall productivity when expanding an existing plant or installing a new one. [Read more…] about Comau unveils robotic system for constructing solar farms

The Future of Solar Panel Cleaning: Robots vs Humans

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One of the advantages of solar systems is their minimal maintenance.

This is true, there are no moving parts in the panels that can fail due to friction, they do not wear out, so they can serve for a long time without loss of efficiency.

But often users notice that performance has started to drop. Some even call specialists, believing that something is wrong with the batteries. There’s something wrong with them, they are just dirty.

Solar systems need constant care. It is necessary to clean the surface of the panels at least 2 times a year – in spring and autumn, but it is better to do this more often. [Read more…] about The Future of Solar Panel Cleaning: Robots vs Humans

Built Robotics launches fully autonomous solar piling system

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Built Robotics, a maker of autonomous construction machinery, has launched the RPD 35, which the company describes as “the world’s first fully autonomous solar piling system”.

With the RPD 35, utility-scale solar foundations can be constructed up to five times faster than with traditional means and methods, bringing the nation closer to net zero energy, says Built Robotics.

Piling is a complex construction activity at the heart of every utility-scale solar project. Solar piles are generally steel H-beams 12 to 16 feet in length and up to 200 pounds in weight. [Read more…] about Built Robotics launches fully autonomous solar piling system

Sarcos cleared to use robotic technology to build solar field for US Department of Energy

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Sarcos Technology and Robotics, a maker of robotic systems including exoskeletons, has successfully completed final validation of its Outdoor Autonomous Manipulation of Photovoltaic Panels (O-AMPP) project.

During this field trial, Sarcos collaborated with Mortenson, JLG Industries, Array Technologies, and Pratt Miller to achieve this critical project milestone at a Mortenson project site, which validated the Sarcos robotic solar field construction solution.

Kiva Allgood, president and CEO, Sarcos, says: “Achieving this market validation and field test milestone is a mission-critical step on our path to commercializing our robotic solar field construction solution and, ultimately, enhancing safety and productivity in the solar field construction industry. [Read more…] about Sarcos cleared to use robotic technology to build solar field for US Department of Energy