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If there is one thing Jenn Apicella values, it's partnerships. “I’m a passionate-partner person,” she said in a recent interview with Robotics 24/7. “You can only grow in this current world with strong business partnerships, and just great partners in your corner, whether those are the vendors you do business with or like-minded businesses that help you grow.” Apicella was…
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A familiar face has been named the new interim executive director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, or PRN. Jenn Apicella, who previously served as vice president at PRN, will lead the organization following Joel Reed's announcement yesterday that he is stepping down to explore other opportunities in robotics. “I am excited to continue this important work of expanding opportunities for…
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PITTSBURGH – Labor shortages continue to be a problem for some of the global economy's most vital industries. It's no secret that's partly why so many companies in warehousing, manufacturing, and logistics are turning to artificial intelligence and robotics. But despite the potential efficiency benefits, cost-savings, and worker retention gains, many companies aren't using robots at all. Take the warehouse…
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PITTSBURGH—A venture capitalist has plenty to consider when investing in a robotics or artificial intelligence startup. Is the company developing a product or service that has a strong product-market fit? Does its leadership team understand the industry it is serving? How does this company's technology stand out among the competition? The past year has undoubtedly been challenging for technology companies…
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Patrick Helfrich of Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works Inc. is seeing much higher numbers of orders from customers these days. Part of that demand is being driven by reshoring efforts. Customers have experienced firsthand the instability from relying too heavily on the global supply chain and are making efforts to bring production closer to home. Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works primarily designs…
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With National Robotics Week soon coming to a close, we at Robotics 24/7 wanted to get some additional academic perspective. We spoke with Brendan Englot, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, to discuss his research in submarine robotics and his role as an educator. “I just think robotics is a great way to get…
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Security robot developer Knightscope has signed a pilot contract with the New York City Police Department, and starting this summer, one Knightscope K5 robot will be used to help police patrol Manhattan. “Technology is here, and we cannot be afraid of it,” said New York City Major Eric Adams at a press conference in Times Square on Tuesday, where he…
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Scythe Robotics has released CANfetti, its first open-source project designed to make integrating new components into autonomous lawn mower easier. CANfetti is an implementation of CANOpen, a communication protocol based on the Controller Area Network, or CAN bus. Scythe Robotics uses an automotive-grade CAN bus as the “backbone” of its autonomous mower, the M.52. The company said it developed CANfentti…
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Covariant announced yesterday that it has raised $75 million in a recent Series C round. The Berkeley, Calif.-based robotic-picking company told Robotics 24/7 that the funding will be used to help it continue to deploy its systems to materials handling customers. “This is a very tough capital market to raise money, so our ability to raise a substantial amount of…
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Last month at ProMat 2023 in Chicago, Big Joe Forklifts, in partnership with Thoro.ai, unveiled its first autonomous offering: The Big Joe Pallet Mover. The Saint Carson, Calif.-based company said the new robot was designed to be set up and in use in less than an hour. The pallet mover can transports payloads up to 4,400 lb. (1,995 kg) and…
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FowardX Robotics is hoping to make a splash next week at ProMat 2023. The Beijing-based AMR maker will showcase a range of its robots designed for the logistics and warehouse markets. The company has already established a presence in Asia, ForwardX Robotics Chief Operating Officer Yaxin Guen told Robotics 24/7. The company said it has served over 100 customers, including…
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6 River Systems LLC announced yesterday its new Mobile Fulfillment app designed to help its customers pick items even when not using a Chuck mobile robot. The app is currently being tested by a select group of customers, and the Waltham, Mass.-based company said it expects it to be commercially available in the third quarter of 2023. The Mobile Fulfillment…
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Embark Trucks, a robotics company developing autonomous systems for long-haul trucks, announced late last week that it is shutting down. Seventy percent of the company has already been laid off. The remaining 30% has been charged with helping the company wind down day-to-day operations. Embark Trucks CEO Alex Rodrigues shared the news in a Medium blog post, noting that the…
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Customers in the materials handling and manufacturing sectors are turning to automation to increase throughputs and to address labor challenges, but robotics vendors and industry analysts have continued to argue that human workers will be key to drive progress. So if that’s true, how are these automated systems being designed with worker interactions in mind? Robotics 24/7 spoke with several…
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Locomation, an autonomous trucking company based out of Pittsburgh, will not be closing after all. In a statement to the publication FreightWaves, CEO Çetin Meriçli said the company had reduced its “non-engineering headcout in the face of economic headwinds.” The Pittsburgh Business Times previously reported that the company was shutting down because it had run out of cash and could…
Ultrasonic sensing enhances robotics perception
World's first omni-modal evaluation including tactile sensing for…
Cybernetix Ventures’ event kicks off Robotics Tech Week 2026 slate of events
Preview the manufacturing and warehouse components that will be on the…
