Robotics & Automation News

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Simbe launches new store robot that combines mobile and fixed sensors

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Simbe Robotics, a provider of robots for retail stores, has launched a new robotic system – the Tally Spot, which it describes as “a breakthrough fixed sensor data capture solution” that complements Tally, Simbe’s autonomous mobile robot.

Developed as an extension of Tally to support higher-frequency scans in specific sections of the store, Tally Spot provides an added layer of visibility into high-turnover and high-risk sales areas, like fresh/produce, prepared foods, alcohol, and even bottom of basket at checkout. [Read more…] about Simbe launches new store robot that combines mobile and fixed sensors

Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

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Otto Group, one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers, has signed a strategic agreement with Boston Dynamics, a developer of mobile robotics and maker of highly innovative machines, to continue automating its logistics operations.

The plan is to deploy Boston Dynamics’ Spot robots in more than 10 and Stretch robots in more than 20 of the group’s facilities over the next two years, beginning with Hermes Fulfilment.

The deployment supports Otto Group’s efforts to improve safety, increase operational efficiency and address labor shortages for specific types of warehouse work and the agreement marks the first time both of Boston Dynamics’ commercially available robots will be deployed together at enterprise scale. [Read more…] about Otto Group teams up with Boston Dynamics

Universal Robots debuts ‘world’s first’ cobot spot welder

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Universal Robots says it is “not only the most widely used collaborative robot arm in the manufacturing industry, the UR cobots have also become the platform of choice for a fast-growing ecosystem of innovative OEM solutions”.

Nowhere is that more apparent, continues UR, than this year’s Automate Show, where 60+ UR cobots will be exhibited in more than 30 booths at the show, taking place in Detroit, Michigan, May 22-25, 2023.

UR’s Automate booth #3623 showcases the latest innovation in a rapidly expanding application field, including the “world’s first cobot spot welder”, designed and manufactured by Pro Spot International. [Read more…] about Universal Robots debuts ‘world’s first’ cobot spot welder

Safety Features of Self-Driving Cars

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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

Boston Dynamics joins Persistent Systems mobile telecommunications ecosystem

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Persistent Systems, a provider of mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) technology, says that mobile robotics company Boston Dynamics has joined its Relay Ecosystem.

The Ecosystem is an industry alliance of unmanned system and sensor producers all using the Wave Relay MANET as their preferred network for command-and-control and communications.

As part of its agreement with Boston Dynamics, Persistent will supply the MANET devices used on robots sold to defense, public safety, law enforcement and US federal government customers. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics joins Persistent Systems mobile telecommunications ecosystem

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems predicted to grow to $63 billion by 2024

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The global market for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is projected to be valued $63 billion by 2024, according to a report by Accurize Market Research. 

The sector is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 10.7 percent from 2017 to 2025.

Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are systems developed to automate, adapt, and enhance vehicle systems for safety and improved driving to assist the driver in the driving procedure. [Read more…] about Advanced Driver Assistance Systems predicted to grow to $63 billion by 2024

Boston Dynamics and IBM partner to bring mobile edge analytics to industrial operations

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By Skip Snyder, senior partner, IBM Consulting and Mike Pollitt, chief sales officer, Boston Dynamics

The demand for AI-driven robotics is increasing in operations like those in manufacturing and warehouse settings to help organizations with data and analytics that identify problems in real time, improve decision making, and perform tasks more efficiently. But to experience the true benefits, these operations need AI as close to the origin of the data as possible.

According to an IBM Institute for Business Value survey, 56 percent of manufacturers have implemented AI-driven robotics to make autonomous decisions, while 83 percent agree intelligent automation will help their organization meet strategic challenges and improve business results. However, businesses point out that most edge and IoT devices today are stationary, inflexible and often incapable of responding to rapidly changing environments.

To address this challenge, IBM and Boston Dynamics have announced a new alliance focused on delivering data analysis at the edge to help industrial companies improve worker safety, optimize field operations, and boost maintenance productivity in environments like manufacturing facilities, power plants, warehouses and more. Enabled by AI and hybrid cloud innovations from IBM Research, IBM Consulting will develop edge payloads that integrate with Spot, the agile, mobile robot from Boston Dynamics. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics and IBM partner to bring mobile edge analytics to industrial operations

Zepth and Boston Dynamics develop construction robotics solution

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Zepth, a construction industry solution provider, has agreed a new collaboration with Boston Dynamics, a builder of canine and humanoid robots.

As part of an early adopter program, the project management platform now offers users seamless integration with Boston Dynamics’ mobile robot Spot, enabling project teams to automate routine inspection tasks and capture data safely and with greater precision.

The collaboration combines the data collection capabilities of Spot with Zepth’s cutting-edge intelligent technology, allowing users to draw powerful insights from captured data to enhance efficiency, productivity, and collaboration throughout each phase of a project lifecycle. [Read more…] about Zepth and Boston Dynamics develop construction robotics solution

Boston Dynamics releases new software for its canine robot Spot

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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

Otto Motors integrates its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog

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Otto Motors, a maker of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses and part of Clearpath Robotics, has integrated its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog, Spot, as part of a demonstration. (See video below.)

The company says it combined its separate areas of expertise – from Clearpath and Otto – into “a dynamic real-world application using Boston Dynamics’ Spot”.

At the end of last year, Clearpath released a ROS software package for Spot which allows researchers to take full advantage of ROS capabilities out-of-the-box and leverage widely available open-source libraries and tools with Spot. [Read more…] about Otto Motors integrates its warehouse robots with Boston Dynamics’ robot dog