Robotics & Automation News

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Bosch acquires Atlatec to boost its autonomous vehicle offerings

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Bosch is expanding its expertise in automated driving and strengthening its market position with the acquisition of Atlatec, a developer of high-definition maps for autonomous driving and simulation.

Atlatec will become part of the Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions division as an independently operated company. Bosch and Atlatec have now signed agreements to this effect.

Bosch says Atlatec is “one of the world’s most innovative providers of high-resolution digital maps for driver assistance and automated driving”. [Read more…] about Bosch acquires Atlatec to boost its autonomous vehicle offerings

Automation Isn’t About to Make Truckers Obsolete

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The rapid development of technology has changed the way businesses work. With robotics, AI, and machine learning gaining immense popularity, many think these will replace employees in completing the work tasks.

The trucking industry is one of the sectors impacted by the latest technologies. Therefore, many worry that truck driving jobs will disappear due to automation.

The innovation of self-driving vehicles might change the work process, and many speculate that advanced machines will replace truck drivers. Some predict that up to 3 million driving jobs might disappear due to automation. [Read more…] about Automation Isn’t About to Make Truckers Obsolete

NTT training robots to become data center workers

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NTT, the national telecommunications provider of Japan and one of the largest such companies in the world, is training industrial robots to become data center workers.

The company has a separate business division for data centers called Global Data Centers and says its global platform is “one of the largest in the world”.

Its data centers tend to be huge facilities and are “expensive to run”, mostly because of the massive amount of electricity necessary and the cooling infrastructure, not to mention the sheer floor space required. [Read more…] about NTT training robots to become data center workers

Kuka owner Midea unveils new household robot

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Midea Group, a massive manufacturing company known mainly for making household appliances like washing machines and for being the parent of industrial robot giant Kuka, has unveiled a new product in the household robotics space.

The Chinese company has released details of its next-generation robot vacuum cleaner, the S8+ auto-dust-collection robot, made by Midea Robozone Technology, a subsidiary of Midea Group. The S8+ joins Midea’s intelligent cleaning product line that provides optimum performance covering all household cleaning solutions.

Alice Shaw, vice president, sales and marketing management at Robozone, says: “As an innovator in smart cleaning technology, I’m proud to say that Midea is reaffirming its leadership in the smart home industry by revolutionizing high-performance robot vacuum cleaners to provide more convenience to our global customers. [Read more…] about Kuka owner Midea unveils new household robot

Aurora Innovation and US Xpress partner to develop driverless truck networks

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Aurora Innovation, a startup developing driverless trucks, is partnering with US Xpress, one of America’s largest asset-based truckload carriers.

The two companies say the collaboration will explore the implementation of the Aurora Driver auonomous truck platform within US Xpress operations.

This strategic collaboration is designed to fine-tune Aurora’s autonomous Driver-as-a-Service product, Aurora Horizon, for efficient installation at commercial scale. [Read more…] about Aurora Innovation and US Xpress partner to develop driverless truck networks

Almost 50,000 robots expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026

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More than 47,000 collaborative robots are expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026, according to ABI Research, which included the estimate in its report, 38 Technology Stats You Need to Know for 2022.

The Covid-19 pandemic quickened the pace of digital transformation, placing technologies at the very center of how people live and work – and that pace shows no signs of slowing down.

In its new white paper, 38 Technology Stats You Need to Know for 2022, global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has identified and highlighted the most impactful forecasts that illuminate the direction in which digital transformation is truly heading. [Read more…] about Almost 50,000 robots expected to be shipped to warehouses by 2026

White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics

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White Castle, an American fast-food restaurant chain specialising in burgers and fries, has ordered 100 “Flippy 2” robotic frying cells from Miso Robotics, a company which has developed a range of robotic systems for the catering industry. (See video below.)

White Castle has almost 400 locations across the US and approximately 10,000 employees. With the installation of the robots – mainly the “Flippy 2” model (main picture) – many of its employees who were on frying duty will be put to different tasks. The company has been testing Miso robots since September 2020, and upgraded to Flippy 2 in November last year. .

Jeff Carper, chief operating officer at White Castle, says: “Our partnership with Miso continues to lead the way on what’s next for back of house restaurant operations looking to empower team members with technology to better satisfy customers. [Read more…] about White Castle orders 100 fast-food robots from Miso Robotics

How Important is Technology in Automation?

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Manufacturers face a variety of challenges in today’s evolving world. With security in mind, it is important to create processes to incorporate security into your operations and productivity.

When everyone is looking for ways to maintain social distance and monitor activity on the operating system, it can be difficult to promote and improve safety while maintaining productivity as well.

Automated systems not only reduce the risk of accidents but also help prevent occupational accidents, resulting in a safer workplace for all. By making your workplace safer, you also improve quality and productivity. [Read more…] about How Important is Technology in Automation?

Mercedes partners with ProLogium to develop next-generation solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles

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Mercedes-Benz and ProLogium, a developer of solid-state batteries, have signed a technology cooperation agreement to develop next-generation battery cells.

The first Mercedes-Benz test vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries co-developed with ProLogium are expected to be introduced in the coming years.

The companies also agreed on milestones that would enable integration of the solid-state battery technology into a range of passenger vehicles in the second half of the decade. [Read more…] about Mercedes partners with ProLogium to develop next-generation solid-state battery cells for electric vehicles

SAIC unveils China’s ‘first’ Level 4 robotic taxi platform

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Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor has officially started the operation of its SAIC Mobility Robotaxi, claiming it to be China’s first Level 4 self-driving platform.

SAIC says its “Robotaxi” employs “superior resources” – from SAIC Motor Passenger Vehicle Company, SAIC Motor AI Lab, autonomous driving technology company Momenta, and its ride-hailing service platform SAIC Mobility – to create a data-driven ecosystem featuring continuing evolution in an effort to explore the application of Level 4 self-driving technology in urban mobility scenarios.

There is a lack of clarity about the term “robotaxi”. So far, most companies have used it as a generic term to mean robotic taxi. None of them has yet trademarked the actual word. SAIC doesn’t seem to have done so either, but has the word on the side of its cars. [Read more…] about SAIC unveils China’s ‘first’ Level 4 robotic taxi platform