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One of the major themes at Fabtech 2021 in Chicago this week was the need for small-to-midsize companies to add automation to their operations. There is not enough skilled or unskilled labor to fill the demand. Large companies with varied, small-batch production face a similar dilemma of a lack of workers to meet production needs. The COVID-19 pandemic did increase…
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CHICAGO—Fabtech 2021 here this week provided robotics and other automation companies with the first chance to display their latest fabrication technologies and upgrades to an in-person audience, many for the first time in a couple of years. Attendance may have diminished since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, but exhibitors at Fabtech 2021 reported strong engagement with manufacturers. With shortages of…
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Liquid handling can be a tedious and hazardous task for laboratory personnel. Copenhagen, Denmark-based Flow Robotics A/S, which makes the flowbot ONE system to automate pipetting tasks, this month announced the establishment of a North American subsidiary. Princeton, N.J.-based Flow Robotics Inc. will bring flowbot ONE to wider academic, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals markets. “We are excited to expand our operations…
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Stord Inc. this week said it has raised $90 million in Series D funding, bringing its valuation to $1.1 billion. The Atlanta-based “cloud supply chain” company also announced the closing of its acquisition of Fulfillment Works LLC, a direct-to-consumer fulfillment provider. “The supply chain is the new competitive battleground,” said Sean Henry, co-founder and CEO of Stord. “Today's buying expectations…
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Artificial intelligence is a warehouse game-changer, but organizations are struggling to use it optimally, according to Lucas Systems Inc., which released insights from a market study today. “These findings are consistent with what we’re hearing from our customers,” said Ken Ramoutar, chief marketing officer at Lucas Systems. “There’s a belief that AI is a heavy lift—that it’s difficult to use…
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GEODIS SA yesterday said that it has partnered with Advanced Handling Systems LLC, or AHS, to implement the Skypod robotic system from Exotec Solutions SAS at its site in Nashville, Tenn. The companies said the automation will enable GEODIS to optimize its e-commerce fulfillment process for its direct-to-consumer customers. “eLogistics is an important strategic initiative for our company, and collaborating…
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Ford Motor Co., Argo AI, and Walmart Inc. yesterday said they are working together to launch an autonomous vehicle delivery service in Miami, Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Walmart said it will be its first multi-city autonomous delivery collaboration in the U.S. The last-mile service will use Ford self-driving test vehicles equipped with the Argo AI Self-Driving System. “We're excited…
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Soft Robotics Inc. yesterday launched SoftAI, which incorporates proprietary 3D vision, artificial intelligence software, and compliant end effectors. The Bedford, Mass.-based company said the system will address the most pressing challenge for the food industry – the inability to meaningfully automate operations. “The food industry is critically dependent on labor to meet its production goals,” stated Mark Chiappetta, chief operating…
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Following a successful pilot run of the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program, applications for its second cohort are now open through Nov. 1. The Jumpstart program provides opportunities for diverse Massachusetts high school girls to learn about careers in robotics, expose them to technical skills, and develop their professional networks through direct engagement with industry professionals. All female high school juniors…
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Keenon Robotics Co. today announced that it has raised $200 million in Series D funding, which it claimed is the largest fundraising round in service robotics to date. The Shanghai-based company will use the funding to “drive innovation through its in-house R&D to provide new, efficient, and cost-saving applications, while scaling its current robot platform through the expansion in new…
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HAI ROBOTICS, a global provider of autonomous case-handling robotics (ACR) system for warehousing logistics, announced today it is pairing up with France-based global logistics solutions engineering company Savoye to extend the reach of its warehousing technology to a broader community in Europe and beyond. The partnership will open a new chapter in HAI ROBOTICS’s overseas foray by harnessing the unique…
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Fabtech 2021 in Chicago this week was one of the first robot-related trade shows since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The show was had good attendance and thousands of exhibitors, even though the Delta variant is still putting a lid on many other conferences and events, with some returning to virtual formats. However, Fabtech 2021 was scaled back from…
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DeepRoute.ai Ltd. today said it has closed it Series B funding round, with investment totaling more than $300 million (U.S.). The company is developing self-driving technology for robotic taxicabs and medium-duty trucks. It said the funding will further research and development, help scale automaker collaboration and fleet operation, and support the expansion of its team. “We appreciate our forward-looking investors…
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As a record number of warehouse workers is needed to support e-commerce growth, global brands are seeking assistive automation to increase throughput and safety for warehouse associates. Ambi Robotics today said it has closed its $26 million Series A funding round. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company has developed simulation-to-reality artificial intelligence for highly dexterous robots. “Ambi Robotics combines cutting-edge AI technology…
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Mobile robot providers are continuing to scale up to meet supply chain and e-commerce demand. Locus Robotics Corp. today announced that it has secured an additional $50 million in investment from Tiger Global Management LLC. Wilmington, Mass.-based Locus said it will use the funding to facilitate continued expansion into new markets worldwide, as well as to meet the needs of…
GENISOM AI makes ICRA debut at conference in Vienna
World's first omni-modal evaluation including tactile sensing for…
Ultrasonic sensing enhances robotics perception
North America’s largest automation and robotics event takes place June 22-25
