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Spring is a time for rebirth, for agricultural robotics as much as for apple orchards. Abundant Robots, which is developing automation to deliver high-quality produce to consumers, yesterday launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $20 million in seed capital. The Santa Monica, Calif.-based company's launch came two weeks after Wavemaker Labs Asia purchased the intellectual property of Hayward, Calif.-based Abundant…
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Cruise LLC yesterday announced that the SoftBank Vision Fund will invest another $1.35 billion toward commercializing its autonomous vehicles. The General Motors Co. spinoff also said it has opened rides from its staff to the public in San Francisco. “The SoftBank Vision Fund initially invested $900 million in Cruise in 2018,” said Kyle Vogt, co-founder, chief technology officer, and interim…
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Lifts are giving robots additional reach for new applications and industries such as construction and energy. RE2 Robotics Inc., which develops mobile manipulation systems, today announced a partnership with JLG Indstries Inc., which manufacturers mobile elevating work platforms, or MEWPs, and telehandlers. The companies said they intend to advance the integration of robots with access equipment. “The future of work…
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Restaurant robotics startups are hungry for funding as they scale up to meet a large potential market. Miso Robotics Inc. today opened its Series E funding round with a target of $40 million. The Pasadena, Calif.-based company said it plans to use the new capital to meet demand for its commercial kitchen robots and to grow its workforce, which has…
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Aeva Technologies Inc. today introduced its Aeries II sensor. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company described it as a 4D lidar sensor that can detect velocity in addition to 3D position to help make autonomous systems like vehicles and robots smarter and safer. “Aeries II is a leap forward for the industry, and we believe it will play a critical role…
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Supply chain adoption of automation is continuing to accelerate. Berkshire Grey Inc. yesterday announced that it has received $14 million in new orders since November 2021. The company said the orders include $8 million from new customers and $6 million of follow-on orders from its anchor accounts. “We continue to demonstrate strong commercial momentum with these new orders,” stated Tom…
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It’s been dubbed “The Great Resignation.” Workers across the country are leaving their jobs in record numbers to pursue higher pay, better working conditions, and other career opportunities. A whopping 38 million workers called it quits by the end of 2021—some even leaving the workforce altogether due to concerns or constraints around COVID-19. Now it’s up to employers to address…
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KAG Robotics
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Lidar makers are in the midst of a funding growth spurt. Growth Capital Acquisition Corp. last week announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, declared effective its Form S-4 registration statement. The statement includes a definitive proxy statement in connection with a special shareholder meeting to consider a proposed business combination with lidar provider Cepton Technologies Inc.…
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For more tasks to be automated, software is needed to make robots more intuitive to instruct. Wandelbots GmbH, which offers software to make industrial robots more accessible, last week said it has raised more than $84 million in Series C funding. The Dresden, Germany-based company said it will use the funding to scale its flagship teaching solution to support more…
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The global automotive industry is retooling for electric and increasingly autonomous vehicles. JIDU, the intelligent vehicle division of Baidu Inc., last week announced that it had closed a Series A round of almost $400 million (U.S.). The Beijing-based company plans to use the financing to continue research and development of its Robocar concept with the goal of launching a mass-produced…
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While robots are changing materials handling, they have operational constraints because of safety requirements. NEC Corp. last week said it has developed a control technology that doubles the efficiency of autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs, in warehouses while maintaining a high level of safety. The Tokyo-based company plans to put the technology into practical use by March 2024 and to…
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While Boston Dynamics Inc. is best known for videos of its legged robots, the company has continued to pursue commercial applications. DHL Supply Chain last week announced that it is investing $15 million in robots from Boston Dynamics to further automate its North American warehouses. According to their multiyear agreement, the companies will start with Stretch, a robot designed for…
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Starship Technologies Inc. this week announced that it has made a €50 million ($55.7 million U.S.) quasi-equity facility agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB). The San Francisco-based company said it will use the funding for research and development at its innovation facility in Tallinn, Estonia. “We’re proud of our European roots as well as the growing team there that…
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The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing, or ARM, Institute today announced the selection of eight new robotics technology projects for funding. The consortium said it chose projects that respond to urgent needs in U.S. manufacturing and that address modernization priorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. “The ARM Institute is pleased to announce these eight new development projects,” stated Dr. Charles…
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
