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Industrial camera manufacturer IDS expands headquarters

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IDS Imaging Development Systems has expanded its headquarters in Obersulm-Willsbach – after a construction period of about one and a half years, the technology centre b39 could be moved into.

Jan Hartmann, managing director says: “Despite Covid 19, the work went almost without a hitch.

“We are very pleased that with the new building we can provide our employees with an ultra-modern and at the same time very attractive place to work.” [Read more…] about Industrial camera manufacturer IDS expands headquarters

Relativity Space raises astronomical amount of $500 million for 3D printed rockets idea

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Relativity Space, which is said to be the first company to 3D print an entire rocket and build the largest metal 3D printers in the world, has raised $500 million Series D equity funding.

The investment round was led by Tiger Global Management with participation from new investors Fidelity Management & Research Company, Baillie Gifford, Iconiq Capital, General Catalyst, XN, Senator Investment Group, and Elad Gil.

Existing investors participating in the round include Bond, Tribe Capital, K5 Global, 3L, Playground Global, Mark Cuban, Spencer Rascoff, and Allen & Company, among others. [Read more…] about Relativity Space raises astronomical amount of $500 million for 3D printed rockets idea

Astrobotic unveils new 47,000 sq ft headquarters in Pittsburgh

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Space robotics startup Astrobotic has officially opened its new headquarters in Pittsburgh in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The 47,000 square foot complex is the largest private facility in the world dedicated to lunar logistics. Astrobotic’s Peregrine and Griffin lunar landers will be built on-site, with Peregrine set to become the first commercial mission to the Moon, and the first American lander on the Moon since the Apollo missions.

John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic, says: “I like to say we’re a 13-year overnight success story. [Read more…] about Astrobotic unveils new 47,000 sq ft headquarters in Pittsburgh

Geek+ launches new virtual booth

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Warehouse robotics company Geek+ has launched its next-gen virtual booth, saying it’s the company’s latest effort to provide customers with knowledge and access to the technologies that will allow them to make added-value decisions in a time of current global change and remote work.

In the new virtual space Geek+ will support visitors with online applications for customized solutions, a great visual experience, and easy access to product materials.

Geek+, the largest manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, says its virtual space allows visitors to experience robotics automation in a dynamic digital environment and provides them with the tools to make informed decisions on automation, in a time of urgency. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches new virtual booth

SICK launches sensor-based people-counting system

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In reaction to new developments to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus, SICK has launched its new PeopleCounter (PeCo) SensorApp. Using 3D LiDAR sensors, the system enables facility managers to maintain recommended occupancy levels in public spaces and in manufacturing settings.

Unlike the use of camera technology, the PeCo LiDAR sensor solution does not process personal information. This ensures companies can maintain any health and safety recommendations, but also respect private individuals’ data privacy concerns.

Operators of institutions of public life as well as those that deal in tourism, cruise ships, restaurants, retail, and various other industries can profit from a simple solution that makes it easy to safely maximize utilization of space and still maintain the required occupancy levels. [Read more…] about SICK launches sensor-based people-counting system

Motiv brings space-grade robotics to industrial sector

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Motiv Space Systems is bringing space-grade robotics to Earth-bound industry. The company has built a number of innovative robots which are being tested at various companies and the robotic arm it supplied to NASA’s Mars project (main illustration) is also available to the market.

In an exclusive interview with Robotics and Automation News, Chris Thayer, CEO of Motiv, says the arm, in particular, has features that are essential in space but would also be applicable on Earth. (See video below.)

“Our robots are lighter weight than say a factory floor robotic arm,” says Thayer. [Read more…] about Motiv brings space-grade robotics to industrial sector

Geisel Software wins NASA contract to develop collaborative mobile robotics for space program

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Geisel Software, a Massachusetts-based custom software development company, and University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) have been awarded a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The award will support the development of a solution that will allow for collaborative mobility and manipulation in a heterogeneous robotic environment.

The research is critically important to solving problems such as mapping, localization, atmospheric transmission spectroscopy, electromagnetic radiation detection of all kinds, seismic and other planetary sensing, and more. [Read more…] about Geisel Software wins NASA contract to develop collaborative mobile robotics for space program

Warehouse automation company Attabotics raises $50 million in new funding

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Attabotics, a warehouse automation company, has raised $50 million in Series C funding.

The investment round was led by Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board through its Teachers’ Innovation Platform, along with existing investor Honeywell, and brings Attabotics’ total funding to $82.7 million,

Attabotics says the new money will be used to “further accelerate its commercialization, invest in new technologies, scale manufacturing operations, and more”. [Read more…] about Warehouse automation company Attabotics raises $50 million in new funding

Airbus adds new satellite to its SpaceDataHighway constellation

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Aerospace company Airbus has added a new satellite to its SpaceDataHighway constellation.

The company says its EDRS-C satellite, the second node of Airbus’ SpaceDataHighway constellation, has completed its commissioning tests and is now ready to start operational services.

Following its successful launch in August 2019 and manoeuvring to its geostationary orbital slot at 31 degrees east, in-orbit testing has been executed and laser communication links have been established to the Copernicus programme’s Sentinel Earth observation satellites. [Read more…] about Airbus adds new satellite to its SpaceDataHighway constellation

NASA about to launch Mars Rover robot

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NASA is today launching the latest version of its mobile robot for Mars.

ATI Industrial Automation worked with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) to develop a custom force/torque sensor for Perseverance, the latest Mars 2020 Rover project.

JPL is the leading US research entity for robotic exploration of our solar system and manages NASA’s Deep Space Network, the hardest-working telecommunications system on the planet. [Read more…] about NASA about to launch Mars Rover robot