Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.42
About six years ago, the CEO of Toyota Research Institute published a seminal paper about whether a Cambrian explosion was coming for robotics. The term “Cambrian explosion” refers to an important event approximately half a billion years ago in which there was a rapid expansion of different forms of life on earth. There are parallels with the field of robotics as modern technological advancements are fueling an analogous explosion in the diversification and applicability of robots. Today, we’re seeing this Cambrian explosion of robotics unfolding, and consequently, many distinct patterns are emerging. I’ll outline the top three trends that are…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 14.75
…to do increasingly complex work outdoors,” the company said. Toyota co-leads farming tech funding S2G Ventures and Toyota Ventures led Burro's Series A round. It is Toyota Ventures' first investment in agricultural robotics. F-Prime Capital and the Cibus Enterprise Fund joined the round along with existing investors including Radicle Growth and ffVC. “Charlie and the Burro team have big plans to drive their product roadmap from a growing customer base, harden their technology through real-world use, and offer extended platform services that farmers need every day,” said Jim Adler, founding managing director at Toyota Ventures. “Burro is already gaining traction…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 13.31
…million, led by SAIC Motor, with participation from Bosch, Toyota, and others. It is working with Toyota on technologies for high-definition mapping and with NVIDIA on autonomous parking. GM invests in safer, cleaner transport GM said it “is investing aggressively in a comprehensive and highly-integrated plan to lead the transformation to a more sustainable future, guided by its vision of a world with zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion.” In June, the automaker announced that it is investing $35 billion in electric vehicle (EV) and autonomous vehicle (AV) technology from 2020 to 2025. In China, GM is expanding its…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.69
…trucks. The Pittsburgh-based startup has partnered with companies including Toyota (with which it unveiled an autonomous ride-hailing vehicle), Uber, and Volvo. Aurora is testing its vehicles in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pittsburgh, and Northern Texas. It has agreed to merge with Reinvent Technology Partners Y, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and will be valued at $1 billion. “This new commercial pilot collaboration demonstrates the excellent progress that PACCAR and Aurora are making in our strategic alliance,” added Rich. FedEx loads autonomously hit the road Starting today, PACCAR’s trucks configured with the Aurora autonomous Driver will haul FedEx loads between…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.55
…Papers. In addition to the mutual work done with Tower Semiconductor, this research at USC was partially supported by Toyota Central R&D Corporation (TCRDL), Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), and the USC Pratt and Whitney Institute for Collaborative Engineering (PWICE at USC).
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 8.06
…“For instance, we have engagements with automakers such as Toyota. We're able to reduce the complexity of the wiring harness in a vehicle by powering small devices wirelessly. Ossia's transmitter doesn't have to be flat, allowing for more customization, reliability, and affordability.” By minimizing the need for wiring and batteries, Cota could also help robotics developers and users, Zeine said. “Many robots are in tight spaces and harsh environments,” he observed. “If you lay wire to the tip of a robotic end effector, where it's doing simple actuation or sensing, it may be hard to wire, depending on the degrees…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.55
…said Bret Bruin, vice president of aftermarket operations at Toyota Material Handling. “Telematics can help alter operator behavior for the better and improve overall safety, so it positively impacts both productivity and safety,” he said. “I think it took a while for people to understand the full range of benefits coming out of telematics. Now, I think we’re not too far away from telematics being an expected part of managing a lift truck operation.” The granular, truck-specific data telematics and its related software sets the stage for OEMs to be able to support acquisition or leasing models based on usage,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.02
…“adaptive automation.” Founded in 2018, the company recently partnered Toyota Industries Corp. for human-in-the-loop systems. Third Wave said it is first focusing on the forklift, the workhorse of the $100 billion global supply chain industry. Analysts have predicted that it will experience a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 to 2027, with more than 2 million units annually by 2027, said Third Wave. Because of the complex and dynamic tasks required of lift trucks, innovation in the category has lagged, the company said. Third Wave said its offering includes a proprietary mix of adaptive automation, shared autonomy, and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 8.16
…service, and healthcare robots, such as those provided by Toyota Motor Corp. and Panasonic Corp. around the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games (see slideshow). Sales of personal robots increased by 11% last year, said GlobalData. The analyst firm also predicted that personal and field robotics will grow at double-digit rates over the next decade. “Several companies in these segments are Japanese and will benefit from increased exposure at the games,” it said. But the short term poses challenges. Not only were automotive, electronics, and other manufacturing hampered by supply chain problems during the pandemic, but revenue for field robots was…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.09
…highly accurate order-fulfillment engine such as Bastian Solutions’ Exacta WES was paramount for Crocs,” he added. Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, said it is a trusted supply chain integration partner committed to providing clients a competitive advantage by designing and delivering world-class distribution and production systems.
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.77
…it plans to rapidly scale passenger mobility with partner Toyota, the world's No. 1 OEM supplier, and Uber, the world's largest ride-hailing network by market cap. Late last year, Aurora acquired Uber's Advanced Technologies Group for $400 million, and it acquired lidar startup OURS Technology in February. The company is testing its systems and next-generation approaches to perception and decision-making in the San Francisco Bay area, Pittsburgh, and Dallas. Transaction details “We believe Aurora will be the first to commercialize self-driving technology at scale for the U.S. trucking and passenger transportation markets based on its industry-leading team, technology and partnerships,”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 15.58
Woven Planet Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp., yesterday said it is acquiring CARMERA Inc., which specializes in spatial artificial intelligence for automated mobility. CARMERA will join Woven Planet Group as a wholly-owned subsidiary, expanding the company’s footprint beyond its Tokyo headquarters by adding New York and Seattle offices to its planned offices in Silicon Valley and London. Terms were not disclosed. The predecessor to Woven Planet—Toyota Research institute - Advanced Development Inc. (TRI-AD)—previously collaborated with CARMERA on projects from 2018 to 2020. They demonstrated that the companies could successfully develop and update high-definition (HD) maps from commodity,…