Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 4.55
The already competitive market for mobile robots continues to go global. OTTO Motors today announced a series of partnerships to make its autonomous mobile robots available to a global audience. The Kitchener, Ontario-based company also said it has successfully completed third-party assessments to demonstrate that its products meet or exceed all relevant safety standards in Europe and the U.S., including ANSI/RIA R15.08, which it helped to define. “One of the things that sets OTTO Motors apart is our process-first approach to automating material handling,” stated Rick Baker, chief revenue officer of OTTO Motors. “It is how we’re able to achieve…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.30
The drive toward autonomous freight continues, as self-driving software provider Embark Trucks Inc. and special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Northern Genesis Acquisition Corp. II today announced that they have agreed to a merger that will lead to Embark becoming a publicly listed company. For the past five years, San Francisco-based Embark Trucks has been testing purpose-built Class 8 trucks using its autonomous driving software. The startup has partnered with leading carriers in the $700 billion U.S. trucking market such as Anheuser-Busch InBev, HP Inc., Werner Enterprises, Mesilla Valley Transportation, and Bison Transport. They pay a per-mile software-as-a-service subscription cost to deploy…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 4.57
Integrating robotics software and hardware for piece picking can be challenging, so SVT Robotics Inc. has worked with RightHand Robotics Inc. to develop a prebuilt connector between SVT’s SOFTBOT Platform and the RightPick 3 item-handling robot. “By connecting to the prebuilt standard integrations of our SOFTBOT Platform, RightHand Robotics customers who adopt the RightPick 3 system can now deploy without the need for custom integration code,” stated T.J. Fanning, vice president of sales at SVT. “Integrators offering flexible, automated piece picking will be able to connect and integrate this robust solution faster than ever before.” SVT Robotics said SOFTBOT enables…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 18.03
Quanergy Systems Inc., which provides solid-state lidar sensors, and CITIC Capital Acquisition Corp. today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Quanergy being listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Quanergy said it plans to use the $278 million in funding to continue its growth strategy, including accelerating research and development, providing working capital, paying down all debt, and establishing funds for potential acquisitions. Quanergy supplies optical phased array (OPA) technology focused on the automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) markets. The company has over 350 customers and 40 partnerships worldwide.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.40
Quick-service restaurants are facing record labor shortages, cost and hygiene concerns, and competitive pressures to improve the customer experience. Many are looking to emerging automation to meet the demand for speed and efficiency. Miso Robotics Inc. today announced a partnership with manufacturer Lancer Worldwide to build an intelligent beverage dispenser for future commercial kitchens. While 60% to 70% of sales at certain quick-service restaurants (QSRs) came from drive-thru lanes before the COVID-19 pandemic, some chains reportedly experienced a jump to as high as 90%. However, volume increases and staff decreases have slowed total average drive-thru times by 29.8 seconds last…
Found in Robotics White Papers & Archives, with a score of 8.70
Seasonal peaks are something experienced by every sector in some way, and at some time. While the timings can differ from business to business, it is the distribution centers (DCs) that feel it the most when it happens. DCs can expect to double staff levels during peaks, and seasonal employees must hit the ground running at full productivity with minimum training to offset additional labor costs. To tackle this, operations often need to be escalated with additional automation equipment, which, if necessary, can be scaled back during off-peak periods. Innovative tech can be used to meet the many challenges that…
Found in Robotics White Papers & Archives, with a score of 13.78
The exponential growth of ecommerce over the last few years means supply chain logistics need innovative solutions to answer new challenges. To support more drastic peaks, expectations of faster delivery times and increasing SKUs (stock-keeping units), ecommerce fulfillment operations are now prioritizing flexibility and scalability. However, due to increasing labor shortages, resulting in added temporary labor, the traditional approach to scale is no longer enough. Manual operations are too expensive, low in efficiency and always subject to errors. With the recent pandemic adding the extra need for human distancing, a new approach is needed. AMRs can support supply chains by…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.96
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed millimeter-sized robots that can be controlled using magnetic fields to perform highly maneuverable and dexterous manipulations. This could enable applications in biomedicine and manufacturing, they said this week. The team of scientists created the miniature robots by embedding magnetic microparticles into biocompatible polymers—non-toxic materials that are harmless to humans. The robots are “programmed” to execute their desired functionalities when magnetic fields are applied. The robots improve on many existing small-scale robots by optimizing their ability to move in six degrees of freedom (DoF), said Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It defined six…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 16.61
…told Robotics 24/7. “People now expect same-day delivery, and micro-fulfillment centers can help operators maximize real estate.” “The third trend is a shortage of labor, especially in the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Australia,” Yanovsky said. “Warehouse workers walk 10 miles per day and lift heavy boxes. Those [tasks] are better for robots to do, and we want to put people in other tasks.” “All of these trends brought customers to understand that they need robotics, but it's not easy,” she said. “Automation will impact their business format; it's not just realizing what they will or will not implement. Businesses need…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.86
One recent trend in supply chain automation is toward larger and more capable robots. Mobile Industrial Robots ApS today launched the MiR250 Hook, which can tow loaded carts weighing up to 1,100 lb. (500 kg). The Odense, Denmark-based company said the patented MiR250 Hook builds on its fastest and most compact mobile robot to help further optimize industrial workflows. “At workplaces worldwide, humans move thousands of carts and transport cages manually between departments, a highly repetitive and time-consuming task,” stated Søren E. Nielsen, president of Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). “With the highly precise and powerful MiR250 Hook, towing carts and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.86
Drone Express yesterday said that it has partnered with FarEye to provide autonomous drone deliveries for retailers in the U.S. East Hanover, N.J.-based Drone Express is a division of TELEGRID Technologies Inc. and provides commercial drone delivery services. Chicago-based FarEye said it offers “intelligent delivery orchestration solutions.” “The time has come for drone deliveries to become the new reality,” stated Gaurav Srivastava, co-founder of FarEye. “Retailers are facing new pressures due to the delivery boom and consumer demand and are showing interest in innovative delivery solutions like autonomous drones.” “Customers are used to Amazon Prime-like experiences, where they can schedule…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 29.74
Whether it’s computer chips, smartphone components, or camera parts, the hardware in many products is constantly getting smaller. The trend is pushing companies to come up with new ways to make the parts that power our world. Enter Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF). The company was co-founded by Nicholas Fang in 2016 to improve the resolution and precision of 3D printing. Today, BMF is helping customers in the race toward ever smaller parts by offering new kinds of printers that are being used to make electronics, medical devices, microfluidic chips, and more. The company’s machines use a technology co-developed by Fang…