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Delivery robot startup Serve Robotics raises $13 million in seed funding round

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Serve Robotics, an autonomous sidewalk delivery robot company, has closed a $13 million expanded seed funding round.

The companies participating were strategic investors Uber Technologies; Delivery Hero backed DX Ventures; 7-Eleven’s corporate venture arm, 7-Ventures; and Wavemaker Partners’ food automation focused venture studio Wavemaker Labs.

The new round extends Serve’s previous seed funding and includes participation by existing seed investors Neo, Western Technology Investment, and Scott Banister among others. [Read more…] about Delivery robot startup Serve Robotics raises $13 million in seed funding round

Cleveron takes first steps towards autonomous delivery in the Netherlands

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The Estonian-based technology company Cleveron‘s unmanned autonomous vehicle took on the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, to be part of a five-day pilot project carried out by logistics giant DPD Netherlands in partnership with Cleveron.

This marks the start of bringing autonomous delivery services to the public streets of the Netherlands, says Cleveron.

The rapid growth of e-commerce has changed the playing field for companies operating in the retail and logistics sector. [Read more…] about Cleveron takes first steps towards autonomous delivery in the Netherlands

ABB and Zume to accelerate transition away from single use plastics

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ABB Robotics has signed an agreement to collaborate with California-based Zume, a global provider of innovative, compostable packaging.

ABB will supply robotic cells that will enable Zume’s production of sustainable packaging on a global scale, helping to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

ABB will integrate and install more than 1,000 molded fiber manufacturing cells (MFC) – including up to 2,000 robots at Zume customer’s sites worldwide over the next five years. [Read more…] about ABB and Zume to accelerate transition away from single use plastics

Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million

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A startup company called Tau, which specializes in materials science and automotive electrification, says it has delivered a prototype wire that enables electric motors to double their power output without changing their size. 

The technology could mean that electric vehicles and machines of all kinds can keep going for longer on a single charge, and go faster.

Coinciding with the milestone of delivering prototype winding wire to the automotive industry, Tau also concluded its Series A financing round with additional funding from Finindus, a Belgium-based investment company financed by ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region, and a top-up by German specialty chemicals company Altana. The total raised is said to be €10.25 million. [Read more…] about Tau invents wire that doubles the power of electric motors and raises €10.25 million

Einride partners with Bridgestone to develop electric and autonomous trucks

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Einride and Bridgestone have agreed a partnership aimed at co-creating innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for electrified and autonomous Class 8 vehicles – trucks.

The collaboration will allow Einride to collect new layers of safety and efficiency-related data from Bridgestone’s smart-sensing tires, while enabling Bridgestone to integrate its advanced mobility technologies into Einride’s onboard vehicle platforms.

Together, the companies will work to create safer and more efficient mobility solutions to drive a more sustainable future for large commercial truck fleets. [Read more…] about Einride partners with Bridgestone to develop electric and autonomous trucks

Scythe Robotics launches with $18.6 million funding to ‘transform commercial landscaping with autonomous mower’

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Scythe Robotics, a builder of commercial-grade autonomous robotic solutions for the landscaping industry, has emerged from stealth with its first offering: an all-electric, fully autonomous mower, designed completely in-house to be “the most advanced, reliable, and sustainable commercial-grade mower in the industry”.

Scythe has also completed its $13.8 million in Series A funding led by Inspired Capital with participation from existing investors True Ventures, Zigg Capital, and Lemnos, bringing the company’s total funding to $18.6 million.

The new investment will be used to grow the company’s existing operations in Texas, Florida and Colorado, expand with new customers, and accelerate development of further products to revolutionize how commercial landscape contractors care for outdoor environments. [Read more…] about Scythe Robotics launches with $18.6 million funding to ‘transform commercial landscaping with autonomous mower’

ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

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ABB’s PixelPaint robotic “non-overspray” technology for the automotive industry has won this year’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation (IERA) Award for Outstanding Achievements in Commercializing Innovative Robot and Automation Technology.

Launched in 2020, PixelPaint uses inkjet head technology to directly apply high resolution two-tone or individualized designs to a car body in a single pass, enabling manufacturers to easily meet the rising demand for customized paint jobs while eliminating wasteful overspray.

Joerg Reger, managing director of ABB Robotics Auto OEM business line, says: “We are delighted that our PixelPaint solution has been recognized for its innovative, sustainable technology that helps our customers respond to consumer requests for more personalized design. [Read more…] about ABB wins prestigious IERA Award for its PixelPaint robotic painting system

Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, says report

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Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, according to a new report by Lux Research. 

Future projections of a circular economy emphasize that a combination of recycled and bio-based resources will serve as a feedstock for plastic needs, says the market analyst.

However, it adds that in order for the “idealistic future” to be realized, there must be a major investment in new technologies, including advanced recycling tech and bio-based plastic capacity. [Read more…] about Sustainable plastics will make up more than 15 percent of production by 2030, says report

7 Supply Chain Technology Trends Shaping a Sustainable Future

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In almost all industries, companies are confronted with the sustainability challenges induced by climate change, scarcity of natural resources, and ever-shifting customer demands.

In general, a sustainable supply chain is one that ensures to balance the economic, social, and environmental performances – such as better assurance of human rights, ethical work practices, carbon footprint reduction, waste management, and resource efficiency. [Read more…] about 7 Supply Chain Technology Trends Shaping a Sustainable Future

Gatik and Isuzu partner to develop fully autonomous trucks

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Gatik and Isuzu North America have agreed to collaborate on a project to develop and evaluate fully autonomous medium-duty trucks.

Gatik claims to be the “industry leader” in automating on-road transportation networks for business-to-business middle-mile logistics.

Isuzu has consistently been at the forefront of truck evolution, introducing iconic models of superlative quality and reliability in the US and Canadian markets. [Read more…] about Gatik and Isuzu partner to develop fully autonomous trucks