Robotics & Automation News

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634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

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634AI, the developers of Maestro, an artificial intelligence-enabled control tower for indoor mobility management, and Musashi Seimitsu, a global tier-1 auto part manufacturer, have signed an agreement to install 200 autonomous mobile robots, powered by Maestro, across Musashi Seimitsu’s 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

634AI’s Maestro powered AMRs will be used to automate Musashi Seimitsu’s intra logistics operation and increase the safety and efficiency of activity on its manufacturing floors.

Musashi Seimitsu, a global transmission gear manufacturer, is a major shareholder in 634AI. After two years of testing 634AI’s Maestro in live manufacturing facilities in Japan, Musashi Seimitsu will be rolling out 634AI’s AMRs under the management of Maestro over the next four years. [Read more…] about 634AI to install 200 autonomous mobile robots in Musashi manufacturing facilities worldwide

South Korea AutoStore integrator Asetec joins the RightHand Robotics partner integrator network

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of autonomous robotic picking solutions for order fulfillment, and Asetec, a logistics automation ICT company, have partnered for future robotic logistics center integration projects in South Korea.

As an AutoStore integrator, Asetec will combine the world’s leading robotic storage system and other matched technologies with RightHand Robotics’ award-winning RightPick item-handling solution to expand its offerings with a diversified range of automation.

Founded in 1996, Asetec is a turnkey integrator for logistics centers, providing customers with consulting and engineering, automation design and construction, and AI software solutions (WMS/TMS/OMS/WCS). [Read more…] about South Korea AutoStore integrator Asetec joins the RightHand Robotics partner integrator network

Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

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BlueBotics has been around for 20 years. And in that time, it has become one of the leading providers of navigation technology for warehouse robots such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots. In doing so, the company has become something of a fount of knowledge about the subject, and thought it would provide that knowledge as an online resource through its newly created website ANTdriven.com.

In this interview, conducted by Abdul Montaqim, Robotics and Automation News speaks to Matt Wade, head of marketing for BlueBotics, about the ANTdriven.com resource as well as wider issues relating to the entire warehouse automation sector.

This interview is available in video form on our YouTube channel, and is embedded below. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. [Read more…] about Interview: BlueBotics brings warehouse robotics experts to your screen

Switzerland’s largest trade fair celebrates its 20th anniversary with a promising edition

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In September 2021, EPHJ was the first show to reopen in Switzerland after the health crisis. A daring risk welcomed by the high-precision players who attended and by the visitors whose quality and qualification were recognised by 98 percent of the exhibitors according to the satisfaction survey conducted at the end of this 2021 edition.

Only 8 months after the last edition, the 20th edition of the EPHJ is once again promising. The number of exhibiting companies has risen by 26 percent compared to September 2021 to reach 700 exhibitors to date.

The easing of international travel is confirmed with 15 countries represented among the exhibitors, including the United States, and a trend towards the first returns of foreign visitors is expected. [Read more…] about Switzerland’s largest trade fair celebrates its 20th anniversary with a promising edition

Starship Technologies raises $100 million in 30 days as demand for delivery robots skyrockets

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Starship Technologies, a provider of autonomous delivery services, has raised $100 million in the last 30 days, including a new $42 million Series B funding round.

The Series B funding will help Starship further scale its service and meet increasing demand for its autonomous delivery service by launching in tens of new cities and campuses, including Pleasanton in the Bay Area as well as University of Tennessee, Knoxville and University of Idaho.

Some of this funding is immediately going to support people by donating directly to the Red Cross in Ukraine, says Starship. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies raises $100 million in 30 days as demand for delivery robots skyrockets

Verdant Robotics launches multi-action agricultural robot for ‘superhuman farming’

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Verdant Robotics has launched what it says is “the first multi-action autonomous farm robot for specialty crops” which will enable “superhuman farming”.

To meet farmers’ demands for more sustainable and profitable growing practices, Verdant Robotics has expanded its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to ensure access for more specialty crop farmers.

Founded in late 2018 by a leading roboticist, a software engineer, and a California farmer, Verdant has raised $21.5 million to develop the industry’s first multi-action, autonomous farm-robot capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding, and AI-based digital crop modeling. [Read more…] about Verdant Robotics launches multi-action agricultural robot for ‘superhuman farming’

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

Will Car Manufacturing Ever Be Fully Automated?

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The other day, I got an email asking me to participate in a survey regarding robots in hotels. Basically, the people behind the study wanted to gauge how comfortable respondents were about letting robots and AI systems take care of different aspects of their stay.

Would they be happy to check in without ever speaking to a human? What about having a robot clean their rooms?

The reason this survey stuck with me is that it posited the possibility that hotels would be staffed by robots in the near future. I wondered if it would be people coming to stay in hotels who would delay this from happening due to technophobia. This is in spite of the fact that mechanisation itself is not fully automated in many industries. [Read more…] about Will Car Manufacturing Ever Be Fully Automated?

STIHL acquires stake in line-marking robot maker TinyMobileRobots

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German industrial group STIHL, a manufacturer of chainsaw power tools, forestry machinery and robotic lawn mowers, has made a significant investment in the Danish robotics company, TinyMobileRobots.

STIHL says its robotic lawn mowers “share a strong technical kinship” with the advanced and fully autonomous line-marking robots produced by TinyMobileRobots, which are intended for use in sports fields, road construction, agriculture and other sectors.

STIHL Group has been closely following TinyMobileRobots’ rapid international growth in recent years, as the company has doubled in size each year. [Read more…] about STIHL acquires stake in line-marking robot maker TinyMobileRobots

Kuka wins order for 700 robots from Ford Otosan

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Industrial robotics and automation specialist Kuka has won an order from Ford Otosan in Turkey for the delivery and installation of a very large number of robots.

The two companies have signed a new framework contract for supplying more than 700 robots for Ford’s next generation electrical and connected commercial vehicle projects in Ford’s plants in Kocaeli, in the north-east of Turkey, just south of Istanbul.

Kuka says the contract marks a continuation of the companies’ partnership which has been in place for more than 20 years. [Read more…] about Kuka wins order for 700 robots from Ford Otosan