Design
As the world becomes more and more automated, there will continue to be a need for engineers who understand how those systems work and drive progress. Universities are preparing the next generation of workers through their rigorous academic programs. In the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) world, there is no shortage of well-regarded institutions, but some are better equipped for certain subjects than others. In robotics, students are looking for schools that will give them access to state-of-the-art facilities where they can get their hands on some automated systems. They are also looking for courses that will challenge them…
ASTM International is calling on university students to take part in the standards group’s new competition designed to spur interest in exoskeleton technologies. The Exo Games will take place from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17 at the University of Central Lancashire Engineering & Innovation Centre in the U.K., but the deadline to apply is Friday, March 10, at 11:59 p.m. ET. “The Exo Games is a competition open to university teams of STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] degree students, designed to connect them with exo industry professionals, help them build lifelong relationships, and get hands-on experience with new exo…
Manufacturers looking to invest in automation and other technologies aren’t always aware of the resources available to them locally and on a governmental level. The same could be said of robotics companies looking for capital, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Last week, MassRobotics, a Boston-based nonprofit that offers co-working space, networking events, and educational workshops, hosted a panel discussion centered on that very topic as part of its “Robotics in Manufacturing” event. The event was a part of MassRobotics’ Signature Series and was sponsored by the Consulate General of Canada. Peter Russo, MassRobotics vice president of manufacturing support, moderated the panel,…
On a yearly basis, New Balance makes about 4 million pairs of shoes in the U.S. The Boston-based company produces those shoes here in New England through its MADE program. To help improve its operations, New Balance’s Manufacturing Innovation Team recently started building out a dedicated group focused on robotics and automation. “There have been robotics projects that have existed in other iterations within New Balance, but this initiative is completely new,” Sarah Mendelowitz, a senior manufacturing innovation engineer at New Balance, said Thursday afternoon at MassRobotics' headquarters. She was invited to serve as the keynote speaker for the Boston-based…
Engineer
At its booth at Manifest this week in Las Vegas, Mujin Corp. is showcasing an exhibit that combines Geekplus Co.’s mobile robots with a robotic picking system. The companies said they designed the booth to “demonstrate a total order fulfillment solution featuring pick and place robots seamlessly integrating with mobile robots.” “This solution automates the process of creating mixed orders from single-SKU containers, delivering increased value for end users,” Mujin said in a release yesterday. Manifest runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 at the Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Mujin and Geek+ are among the hundreds of companies attending…
When William Davis was hired to serve as Ally Financial's senior director of physical security, part of his job was to help the digital bank reevaluate how it uses technology as part of its safety systems. “I was brought in to restructure the whole physical security program with a clean slate,” he told Robotics 24/7. That was in 2018, just a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world and forced many companies to reassess the role technology plays in their operations. While Ally was just having initial discussions about bringing in automation at the time, the pandemic accelerated…
Addverb Technologies is at Manifest 2023 this week in Las Vegas, showcasing its range of automated systems designed for warehouses and other industrial settings. The Noida, India-based company's lineup of products include autonomous mobile robots (AMR), automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and picking technologies. The company claimed that its products can help customers improve their overall efficiency by up to 300%. “Addverb's fleet of automated robots, material handling technologies, and software solutions comprising an extensive portfolio of fixed and flexible automation solutions, help improve the performance and accuracy of warehouse and factory operations,” the company said today in a…
Scythe Robotics, a maker of autonomous lawn mowers, this week announced that it had secured $42 million in a Series B round, bringing its total capital raised to about $60 million. The Boulder, Colo.-based company said it will use the funding to help it deliver on the 7,500 preorders for the M.52 autonomous lawnmower. Energy Impact Partners led the funding round, with additional backing from ArcTerm Ventures, Alumni Ventures, and the Amazon Alexa Fund. “It’s a huge vote of confidence from a diverse space of investors,” Jack Morrison, Scythe Robotics CEO, told Robotics 24/7 in an interview. “We’re really proud…
Design
Alphabet's robotic subsidiary Intrinsic Innovation LLC has laid off 40 employees, which makes up about 20% of its workforce. The Information broke the news and was backed up by multiple sources including TechCrunch, which received a statement from the company. “Intrinsic’s leadership has made the difficult decision to let go a number of our team members,” a spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We have communicated the news directly with them. We fully acknowledge how hard this will be and are offering as much proactive support as possible.” Alphabet's X Development LLC innovation unit launched Intrinsic in 2021. The Google Inc. parent company…