Robotics & Automation News

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US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

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The US Federal Aviation Administration has given Amazon permission to make drone deliveries, certifying the company as an “air carrier” – basically like an airline company.

The world’s largest online retailer has been trying to get permits to operate its Amazon Prime Air drones for several years, making test deliveries by drones while it waits.

One sticking point was that the FAA had originally wanted drone operators to maintain human vision on the drone while in the air. [Read more…] about US gives Amazon permission to make drone deliveries

US launches billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence institutes

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The US government has launched a billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence scientific research institutes.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the US Department of Energy (DOE) will distribute the $1 billion in awards for the establishment of 12 new artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum information science (QIS) research institutes nationwide.

The $1 billion will go towards NSF-led AI Research Institutes and DOE QIS Research Centers over five years, establishing 12 multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional national hubs for research and workforce development in these critical emerging technologies. [Read more…] about US launches billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence institutes

German citizens to be given €1,200 a month for doing nothing

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German citizens are to be given €1,200 a month, or about $1,400, for doing nothing in an experiment to evaluate the effects of a concept called “universal basic income”.

Universal Basic Income, or UBI, is an idea that has been around for many years, and has many supporters and advocacy groups around the world, but was never really taken seriously in the past.

The notion of the government giving everyone in society a fixed regular amount of money whether they work or not sounds like a communist plot to take over the world. [Read more…] about German citizens to be given €1,200 a month for doing nothing

Luxshare buys iPhone assembly factory and becomes bigger than Foxconn

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Chinese hi-tech manufacturer Luxshare Precision Industry has bought an iPhone assembly factory from Wistron and has become bigger than Foxconn in terms of market capitalization.

Although Luxshare is well known in the industry, it’s not as famous as its Taiwanese rival Foxconn, which also goes by the name of Hon Hai Precision and has been Apple’s main contract manufacturer for many years.

Luxshare had previously been supplying individual components for iPhones but the Wistron factory purchase means that it can now provide assembled parts or complete devices. [Read more…] about Luxshare buys iPhone assembly factory and becomes bigger than Foxconn

AImotive becomes ‘most-funded’ automated driving software supplier in Europe

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AImotive claims it has become “the most-funded automated driving software supplier in Europe” after its latest investment round.

AImotive, an automated driving technology company, says the new funding round has raised $20 million, and comes despite amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The round was led by Lead Ventures, a Budapest based scale-up investor. [Read more…] about AImotive becomes ‘most-funded’ automated driving software supplier in Europe

Webinar: A closer look at the EC’s Digital Services Act

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Title: The Digital Evolution – E-Commerce Directive to Digital Services Act and a look at the German Council Presidency
Registration link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7620775972725344270

When the EU passed the E-Commerce Directive (ECD) 20 years ago it built a solid ground for the years to come and it found long lasting balance between regulation and entrepreneurial freedoms.

It was not perfect in the beginning and there are still questions about details nowadays. [Read more…] about Webinar: A closer look at the EC’s Digital Services Act

5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

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Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

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The haulage industry is an essential part of the network that is keeping the economy going, but for the last decade, there have been whispers of big changes that will ultimately change and revolutionise the way that day-to-day haulage works. 

Huge corporations like UPS and Daimler have been investing in automation technology, working closely with robotics companies to create a standard for the haulage industry that will speed up the process of transporting freight across the world.

There have even been estimations made that 1.2 million lorry driver jobs will be eliminated. But will automation really make the lorry driver obsolete? [Read more…] about Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

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The industrial automation sector is “paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger”, according to a report by GlobalData.

The industrial automation sector was not in a great place before Covid-19 struck, having been slowed by flat capital expenditure and declining industrial production, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The virus has since closed factory after factory worldwide with workers sent home. The reality is that despite much hype over the years, advanced factory automation has not been substituted for human workers at scale. [Read more…] about Industrial automation is ‘paying the price for failing to think big and invest bigger’

RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe

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RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider autonomous robotic picking solutions, is continuing its global expansion with the establishment of a sales and business development office in Frankfurt, Germany.

With multiple customers and partners based in Europe, RHR’s German operation will strengthen the company’s business and enable them to further expand their presence as the market grows and their customer base deepens in the region.

With broad experience in next-generation fulfillment solutions, Jon Schechter has been named to lead RHR’s German office, serving as head of Europe. Schechter spent 10 years designing robotic fulfillment centers for e-commerce and retail distribution as part of Kiva Systems and Amazon Robotics. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics continues global expansion with opening of sales office in Europe