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Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

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Sea Machines Robotics​​​​, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, has completed what is believed to be the world’s first 1,000+ nautical miles autonomous and remotely commanded journey of a commercial vessel at sea.

Under the project name The Machine Odyssey, the autonomous tug Nellie Bly completed its journey in just 129 operational hours over 13 days.

The program was commanded by US Coast Guard-licensed mariners remotely stationed 3,000 miles away in Boston, many of whom are also members of the American Maritime Officers union. [Read more…] about Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

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The Pittsburgh autonomy sector has reached critical mass and has the potential to become a major player in the global market, according to a new study. It adds, however, that “urgent action is needed” to compete more effectively against other regions and to encourage autonomy companies to locate and remain in Southwestern Pennsylvania as they mature and grow.

The report – Forefront: Securing Pittsburgh’s Break-out Position in Autonomous Mobile Systems – was issued by Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce with research conducted by TEConomy Partners.

The culmination of a nine-month long study, the report finds that the Pittsburgh region is one of the top centers for autonomous mobile systems – a sector predicted to grow to a $1 trillion+ global market by 2026, with an estimated 5,000 jobs and a $10 billion impact for a region that captures 1 percent of that global market growth. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

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

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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’

Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

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Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics have agreed a collaboration that they say will deliver “comprehensive remote command, autonomous control and intelligent crew support systems to the marine market” and complement Rolls-Royce’s mtu NautIQ marine automation portfolio.

The companies say the plan is to provide customers with “complete automation solutions from a single trusted source”.

As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems and Sea Machines, the leading developer of remote-vessel command and autonomous control systems, will join forces on the development and sale of fully and semi-autonomous vessel control systems. [Read more…] about Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

Fugro partners with Nexxis to operate robots via satellite from SpAARC

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Fugro, in partnership with remote visual inspection, non-destructive testing and robotics company Nexxis, has demonstrated how its remote operations capability can be applied to space through satellite-controlled robots.

The demonstration took place at SpAARC, the Space Automation Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Control Complex, in Western Australia.

The Australian Space Agency commissioned Fugro to design, build and operate the world-class SpAARC complex in 2020. [Read more…] about Fugro partners with Nexxis to operate robots via satellite from SpAARC

Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

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Ambi Robotics, a developer of AI for highly-dexterous robotics, has closed a $26 million Series A funding round. The investment is led by new investor, Tiger Global Management, and builds on participation from existing investors Bow Capital, Vertex Ventures US and The House Fund.

The new funding comes at a time of significant customer growth and expansions just five months after the company emerged from stealth.

The funding round enables Ambi Robotics to scale the team and operations to support rapid deployments of AI-powered robotic systems throughout US supply chain operations. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

Advanced driver assistance systems market projected to reach $60 billion by 2026

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The advanced driver assistance system market is likely to exceed a valuation of $60 billion by the end of 2026, according to a research report by Global Market Insights.

Growing number of research and development activities centered on integrating technologies like AI to enhance passenger safety is stimulating the development of new ADAS systems.

The advanced driver assistance systems form an integral and intelligent cog of the automobile interiors. These systems assist the main driver in ample ways by providing them the vital information about traffic, roadblock, congestion levels, suggested routes, and others. [Read more…] about Advanced driver assistance systems market projected to reach $60 billion by 2026

RE2 Robotics launches new robotic arm for outdoor mobile applications

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RE2 Robotics, a leading developer of intelligent mobile robotic manipulation systems, marks its 20th year in business with the launch of its newest robotic arm, the RE2 Sapien 6M.

The milestone marks two successful decades of innovation and growth for the Company in the robotics industry.

Originally founded on July 20, 2001 as a defense subcontractor to Carnegie Mellon University by alumni Jorgen Pedersen, the Company incubated at the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. [Read more…] about RE2 Robotics launches new robotic arm for outdoor mobile applications

US DoD selects Stratom to migrate robotic systems from ROS-1 to ROS-2

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, has been selected as part of an exclusive team to deliver the US Department of Defense’s Stage II of the Modular Autonomy and Robotic Software program, which involves the collaborative migration of Robotic Technology Kernel software modules from the first version of the Robot Operating System to ROS 2. 

For nearly a decade, the US government has been developing ROS-M (Robotic Operating System-Military), an ecosystem of software architectures, reusable components and supporting infrastructure to enable rapid development and fielding of robotic and autonomous systems.

Built on ROS 1, ROS-M enables the DoD to benefit from open-source development practices while maintaining tight control over the community-developed code. However, ROS 1’s current revision, Noetic, is set to be the last version, with support ending in 2025. [Read more…] about US DoD selects Stratom to migrate robotic systems from ROS-1 to ROS-2

Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

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The Timken Company, a maker of engineered bearings and power transmission products, has acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, a builder of industrial robotics and automation solutions.

The addition of iMS expands and complements Timken’s Rollon linear motion product range with larger and heavy-duty applications, such as seventh-axis robotic transfer units (RTUs) and gantry systems.

iMS, which was founded in 2008, is based in Norton Shores, Michigan, in the United States. The company, which has approximately 20 employees, designs and manufactures floor-mounted, overhead, rotary and extreme seventh-axis RTUs and gantry systems used by manufacturers across industries to automate certain production processes. [Read more…] about Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions