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Discussions about using robotics for flexible manufacturing invariably begin with the automotive industry. Faced with fewer manufacturing plants, an increasing product mix, and consumer demand for greater customization, automakers have been forced to innovate beyond existing processes. Flexible automation is ideal for vehicle manufacturers' high product mix and high-volume assembly requirements. Yet, as the robotics industry matures, and sensors, software,…
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While robots are quickly spreading beyond automotive manufacturing to other sectors, most systems are still used in factories. The industrial automation industry continues to grow. In 2021, the global market for industrial automation was worth about $43.8 billion, according to Statista. By 2030, it could grow to $116 billion, estimated Allied Market Research. Demand for robots in places such as…
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new attention to the need for laboratories to add automation at scale. Automata, which serves the life science industry with lab automation and the Eva robotic arm, this week said it has raised $50 million in Series B funding. The London-based company said it plans to use the funding to continue development of its offerings…
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At MODEX 2022, ABB Group said it plans to show some of its most advanced robotics technology for omnichannel commerce, including the EBOT 350 from ASTI Mobile Robotics, which it acquired in July 2021. The Zurich, Switzerland-based company said its recent acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics expanded its industrial automation offerings. ABB added that ASTI's autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) join…
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More self-driving cars are hitting the roads as robotic taxicabs. Motional Inc. and Via Transportation Inc. yesterday announced that they have launched a free robotaxi service in downtown Las Vegas. The companies said they first partnered in 2020 with the goal of offering autonomous vehicles at scale to expand public access to transportation options. “Our partnership offers a new channel…
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Logistics providers are turning to automation for efficiency and flexibility. Swisslog Holding AG this week said it has completed 300 integration projects with AutoStore's technology in more than 26 countries, featuring a total of more than 7 million storage bins and using at least 10,000 robots. “We are uniquely placed to help businesses transform their automated warehouse operations with everything…
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Just as collaborative robot arms become useful for different applications depending on end-of-arm tooling, so too can mobile robots gain capabilities with new accessories. ROEQ recently launched a module and cart that will more than double the payload of Mobile Industrial Robots' MiR250. The TMS-C500 Ext module and the S-Cart500 Ext cart work together to increase MiR250’s payload from 250…
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As manufacturers and supply chains grapple with disruptions, smarter and more dexterous robots promise to help handle multiple applications, freeing scarce workers for more value-added tasks. RIOS Intelligent Machines Inc. today announced that it has raised $28 million in Series A equity funding and debt financing. “Bedrock sectors of our economy are crippled by a labor shortage problem that COVID…
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One of the biggest challenges in supply chain automation is fast, accurate, and reliable manipulation of variable objects. RightHand Robotics Inc. has raised $66 million to continue developing its piece-picking technology and expanding its partner network and presence worldwide. “This Series C funding round attracted top-tier investors who know the space and share our vision that piece-picking automation enables predictable…
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Renewable energy technology manufacturer Sumitomo SHI FW is working with Gecko Robotics to help it with inspections and other service tasks. Since July, the Espoo, Finland-based company has been using Gecko’s wall-climbing robots to service and maintain boilers in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania, Brazil, and the Czech Republic. It has now extended the partnership and will use Gecko’s robots…
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Autonomous mobile robots are a key component of next-generation smart factories. Geekplus Technology Co. today announced a strategic cooperation with PANGQI Technology Co., a Chinese logistics provider, and LED display manufacturer Unilumin Energy Saving Technology Co. The three parties said they will jointly “create the LED industry’s first fully automated smart factory.” In it, the whole logistics process, from raw…
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Mobile manipulation and other robotics applications require sophisticated motion-planning software. RE2 Robotics Inc. and PickNik Robotics Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of RE2’s autonomous robots using PickNik’s MoveIt Studio software. “Using our MoveIt Studio software, companies such as RE2 Robotics can speed up development of complex motion planning in their robotic arm applications,” said Dr.…
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Baidu Apollo's ride-hailing service platform, Apollo Go, has launched in Shenzhen's Nanshan District on a trial basis. Beijing-based Baidu Inc. is a software services company that makes the leading Internet search engine in China. It was founded in 2000. Baidu Apollo is the company's autonomous vehicle platform, which it launched in 2017. Last month, JIDU closed $400 million in Series…
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BlueBotics SA today said it plans to demonstrate a fleet of vehicles from multiple brands using its Autonomous Navigation Technology, or ANT, at MODEX 2022 next month. The Saint-Sulpice, Switzerland-based company said its booth will include a small pallet-moving operation controlled by one ANT server software project. “As our fleet demo at MODEX will show, ANT natural-feature navigation is not…
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The farming industry has yet to fully embrace automation, but major agricultural companies are bringing legitimacy to the space and upgrading their technology. Last week, Bowery Farming, a digitally focused vertical farming company based out of New York City, announced it had acquired farming robot startup Traptic Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Traptic has developed fruit-picking robots. The…
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
