Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

technology

GreyOrange and Vicarious launch autonomous vertical pick-and-pack solution for apparel

by

GreyOrange, a provider of AI-enabled software and robotics for fulfillment automation, is partnering with Vicarious, an AI robotic integrator that automates tasks too versatile and complex to be handled by traditional, hard-coded automation systems.

Together Vicarious and GreyOrange have launched what they say is “the industry’s first and only autonomous vertical picking solution for automated pick-n-pack operations in omnichannel fulfillment”.

Autonomous Vertical Picking from Vicarious interfaces smoothly into a global workflow orchestrated by GreyOrange’s GreyMatter Fulfillment Operating System (FOS), which uses advanced science to continuously evaluate order fulfillment performance and prioritize decisions and workflows. [Read more…] about GreyOrange and Vicarious launch autonomous vertical pick-and-pack solution for apparel

Denso and KDDI begin testing 5G networks for autonomous vehicles

by

Denso and KDDI have begun researching 5G’s use in automated driving to achieve “safe and secure mobility, free from traffic accidents and congestion”, say the companies.

In the verification project, Denso and KDDI will build a 5G environment in a test course at Global R&D Tokyo, Haneda, a research and development center for automated driving operated by Denso.

The two companies will verify driver assistance technologies in automated driving vehicles using high-definition in-vehicle cameras and roadside sensors. [Read more…] about Denso and KDDI begin testing 5G networks for autonomous vehicles

Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

by

Omron has released its new FH-SMD Series 3D Vision Sensor, which can be mounted on a robot to recognize randomly placed bulk automotive parts in three dimensions, enabling space-saving assembly, inspection, and pick and place, which are difficult with conventional robots, and improving productivity.

Production workers are hard to come by these days, and labor costs have risen sharply, says Omron. Manufacturers are now facing intense pressure to automate processes that rely on the senses of experienced human workers.

Moreover, production workers now need to work harmoniously with machines to raise productivity amid the Covid-19 crisis. In particular, the automotive industry requires vision sensors as the eyes of robots that are indispensable for automation because it is difficult for machines to recognize positions and postures of various complex shaped parts. [Read more…] about Omron releases new 3D vision sensor for robot arms

Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

by

Gatik, an autonomous technology company developing autonomous vehicles for logistics, has been awarded $997,706 in support through Ontario’s Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network’s (AVIN) R&D Partnership Fund, along with $8 million in industry contribution, to winterize its autonomous driving technology.

To support the work of this project, Gatik has also made use of AVIN’s regional sites across the province to access R&D resources, tools and equipment as well as leveraged AVIN to bring on-board highly skilled Ontario talent.

Since establishing a presence in Toronto in 2019, Gatik has led the way in autonomous middle mile delivery in Canada. The company’s fleet of light and medium duty trucks transports goods on behalf of Fortune 500 retailers, enhancing operational capacity, reducing costs and keeping delivery times short. [Read more…] about Gatik partners with Ontario government to accelerate R&D for autonomous vehicle technology

CapStone invests $10 million in Perrone Robotics

by

CapStone Holdings, a business incubator and investment group, has made a $10 million equity investment in Perrone Robotics, a provider of fully autonomous vehicle systems. 

Perrone delivers autonomous mobility through what it says is “the world’s first and only patented general purpose robotics operating system and autonomous vehicle retrofit kit” (TONY).

TONY embeds inside any vehicle for any job, to provide an “artificial driver” solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework for the right vehicle platform. [Read more…] about CapStone invests $10 million in Perrone Robotics

Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

by

By John Hayes, Balyo USA

Economic policies from Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and connected warehouses point to the imperative to lower costs, increase productivity, and guarantee quality. There are as many forklift truck operator positions to be filled as there are IT developer and R&D engineer jobs combined.

In the United States, 65 percent of the businesses surveyed by Deloitte (as part of its annual Supply Chain report) noted that it is “extremely difficult” to hire qualified warehouse labor.

Moving pallets is expensive. One of the global Fast Moving Customer Goods (FMCG) leaders estimates spending “almost 380 million dollars per year” for tasks that create no additional value for the business. [Read more…] about Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

Stäubli launches three new six-axis industrial robots

by

Stäubli is launching three new six-axis industrial robots for the medium payload range.

The TX2-140, TX2-160 and TX2-160L extend the current TX2 generation and bring the total to nine models.

The company says their “rigid structure and smart design make them the ideal choice for a variety of applications in ambient conditions ranging from harsh to sterile”, adding that they feature the “highest level of safety and connectivity”. [Read more…] about Stäubli launches three new six-axis industrial robots

Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

by

Elementary Robotics, a rapidly-growing AI vision startup, has unveiled what it claims is the first AI camera system for cloud-based inspection.

The new system, which combines software, deep learning AI, and camera systems make it “faster and easier” for manufacturers to use.

The company also appointed Monique Apter as EVP of sales and marketing and Milind Karnik as EVP of engineering. [Read more…] about Elementary Robotics unveils ‘industry’s first’ cloud-based AI camera system

Motional operates driverless vehicles on public roads in Las Vegas

by

Motional is operating driverless vehicles on public roads, becoming one of the world’s first companies to do so. The inaugural testing took place in Las Vegas this month and consisted of multiple driverless vehicles safely navigating intersections, unprotected turns, and interactions with other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

In pursuit of this milestone and a future of safer roads, Motional set a high bar for the industry. The company’s driverless operation follows decades of innovation, 1.5 million miles, and a two-year self-imposed safety evaluation process that took hundreds of employees more than 100,000 hours to complete.

During this process, Motional proactively sought external review. TÜV SÜD, a world-leading independent technical service provider with extensive experience assessing driverless technology, was given access to the company’s proprietary systems, technology, and operations. [Read more…] about Motional operates driverless vehicles on public roads in Las Vegas

Seegrid launches its first autonomous lift truck

by

Seegrid, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, has premiered a new autonomous lift truck, Palion Lift AMR, further expanding the capabilities of the company’s fleet of mobile robotics solutions.

The latest addition follows the unveiling of the company’s feature enhanced pallet truck, the Palion Pallet Truck Series 8, announced just last week.

Jim Rock, Seegrid’s CEO, says: “We’re proud to continue to both expand and strengthen our AMR portfolio and help our customers take their fleet to the next level with our new Palion Lift AMR. [Read more…] about Seegrid launches its first autonomous lift truck