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Embark Trucks completes autonomous vehicle testing in snowy conditions

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Embark Trucks, a developer of autonomous technology for the trucking industry, says it has successfully completed on-road testing in snowy conditions in Montana, USA.

The testing, which Embark announced earlier this year, was conducted to demonstrate the performance and safety of Embark’s patent-pending Vision Map Fusion (VMF) technology in geographies that experience severe winter weather.

Results from the testing demonstrate that in approximately 90 percent of runs through the snowy conditions under study – which could result in delays for HD map-based autonomous driving systems – VMF should operate successfully, or pause and resume travel within acceptable shipper delivery windows. [Read more…] about Embark Trucks completes autonomous vehicle testing in snowy conditions

Startup uWare Robotics develops ‘first’ complete system to map and monitor coastal ecosystems

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A Belgian-Spanish startup called uWare Robotics says it has developed the “first end-to-end technology to map and monitor coastal ecosystems”.

uWare says its system consists of a number of proprietary hardware and software technologies, including an autonomous underwater vehicle, called the uOne.

Designed for maximum mobility, stability, cost-effectiveness, and autonomy, the uOne allows for data collection at “five times the speed of a diver” and with the precision of a robot, claims uWare. [Read more…] about Startup uWare Robotics develops ‘first’ complete system to map and monitor coastal ecosystems

Autonomous trucking developer Inceptio partners with chipmaker Ambarella

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Inceptio Technology, an autonomous driving truck technology developer, has selected two each of Ambarella’s CV2FS and CV2AQ edge AI systems on chip (SoCs) – a total of four CVflow SoCs – for its automotive-grade central computing platform.

This platform is at the core of Inceptio’s full-stack XuanYuan autonomous driving system for trucks, where Ambarella’s SoCs provide high-performance and low-power processing simultaneously for seven 8MP cameras, including AI compute, for surround camera perception and front ADAS safety features like collision avoidance.

Susan Beardslee, ABI Research’s principal analyst for supply chain management and logistics, says: “Globally, there were over 223 million registered commercial vehicles (light-duty to heavy-duty) by the end of 2021. [Read more…] about Autonomous trucking developer Inceptio partners with chipmaker Ambarella

SLAMcore raises $16 million to give spatial understanding to robots and the metaverse

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SLAMcore, a developer of vision-based location and mapping for robots and autonomous machines, has raised $16 million in Series A capital.

The company says the funding will allow the business to rapidly capitalize on its proven technology which combines AI with consumer-grade cameras, sensors and processors to solve the complex challenges of mapping and navigating for a wide range of autonomous machines and devices.

The funding round was led by ROBO Global Ventures and Presidio Ventures who invested alongside Amadeus Capital, Global Brain, IP Group, MMC and Octopus. Strategic investors Samsung Ventures, Toyota Ventures, and Yamato Holdings also joined the round. [Read more…] about SLAMcore raises $16 million to give spatial understanding to robots and the metaverse

Autonomous Emergency Brake: What is it All About?

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The term “autonomous emergency braking” (AEB) refers to a system that continuously monitors the road ahead and will automatically stop the car if the driver fails to take action. This technology was initially launched in 2009, in an effort to prevent auto accidents and lessen their severity. [Read more…] about Autonomous Emergency Brake: What is it All About?

Medical Microinstruments secures $75 million to advance robotic microsurgery

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Medical Microinstruments, a robotics company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing microsurgery, says it has raised $75 million in Series B financing.

Deerfield Management led the round with participation from new investors, RA Capital Management and Biostar Capital, as well as existing investors, Andera Partners, Fountain Healthcare Partners, Panakès Partners and Sambatech.

The company also announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors. [Read more…] about Medical Microinstruments secures $75 million to advance robotic microsurgery

Danfoss installs 3D scanner robot that can measure components to within a micron

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Danfoss Power Solutions, a supplier of mobile and industrial hydraulics as well as electric powertrain systems, has invested in an advanced 3D scanner robot for its joystick manufacturing lines in Nordborg, Denmark.

The company says the new device is boosting inspection routines by measuring component dimensions to “micron-level precision, providing customers with even higher product quality”.

Danfoss Power Solutions’ Nordborg facility manufactures thousands of joystick variants for off-highway vehicles, such as forestry machines, harvesters, cranes, tractors and more. With the new 3D scanner robot, operators can tell immediately if a joystick component is within specifications. [Read more…] about Danfoss installs 3D scanner robot that can measure components to within a micron

SafeAI and Obayashi demonstrate autonomous vehicle on a construction site in Japan

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SafeAI, a developer of autonomous solutions for heavy equipment, in partnership with Japanese construction giant Obayashi, has hosted nearly 150 visitors to view its retrofitted autonomous Caterpillar 725, operating on a construction site in Japan for the first time ever.

The demos, which took place over a two week period, brought together delegates from nearly 50 organizations across the construction industry ecosystem, including leading OEM, general contractors, technology companies, universities and research groups and Japanese government entities responsible for regulation.

In addition to winning buy-in from key stakeholders, the demos mark a critical first step toward securing approval from the government and industry organizations to bring autonomous construction to Japan. [Read more…] about SafeAI and Obayashi demonstrate autonomous vehicle on a construction site in Japan

Intelligent City raises $30 million to bring robotics and automation to prefabricated construction sector

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With pressure mounting for cities to address affordable housing needs, decarbonize buildings, and meet sustainability goals, housing technology company Intelligent City raised CAD 22 million ($17 million), bringing the total capital invested in the company to CAD 30 million ($23 million).

As one of the first companies in North America to apply automation and robotics to the design and manufacturing of prefabricated mass timber buildings, Intelligent City will use the funding to scale operations, commercialize its Platforms for Life (P4L) building solution, grow factory automation, and expand its footprint across and beyond Canada.

Earlier this year, the company completed testing of its building systems and is now verified to work within the new mass timber high-rise building codes in Canada and the US. [Read more…] about Intelligent City raises $30 million to bring robotics and automation to prefabricated construction sector

GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots

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GXO Logistics, one of the world’s largest contract logistics providers, has reached a multi-year global agreement with 6 River Systems, a robotic fulfillment solutions provider, to meet the demand for collaborative mobile robots – also known as autonomous mobile robots – in its logistics operations across the US and Europe.

Sandeep Sakharkar, chief information officer at GXO, says: “6 River Systems’ Chucks provide a huge boost to the retention of our team members and deliver a substantial sustained increase in operational productivity.

“This agreement fortifies our long-term partnership with 6RS, ensuring rapid deployment of popular productivity-enhancing warehouse collaborative robots that give our customers a competitive advantage.” [Read more…] about GXO partners with 6 River Systems for supply of warehouse robots