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FANUC America and the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) last week announced that they will co-market the stackability of their industrial certificiations. The organizations said their alliance will help address the acute shortage of skilled robotics and automation operators in U.S. manufacturing. “The collaboration between FANUC and MSSC will provide a major benefit to employers looking to fill Industry 4.0…
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inVia Robotics Inc. today announced that it has secured $30 million in Series C funding from M12, Microsoft Corp.'s venture fund, as well as Qualcomm Ventures LLC, Hitachi Ventures, and existing investors. The Westlake, Calif.-based company provides artificial intelligence and autonomous mobile robots as a service to improve warehouse throughput and workforce efficiency. “We are proud and honored to have…
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Airbiquity Inc. and Cyngn Inc. last week announced that they are partnering to integrate Cyngn's DriveMod autonomy system with Airbiquity's OTAmatic over-the-air software management platform. The companies said their technologies will enable organizations to invest in autonomous vehicle technology that can generate value immediately and be prepared for future challenges. The global material handling equipment market will reach $200 billion…
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Precise, fast, and flexible robotic manipulation of variable items has been a challenge for automated order fulfillment. Artificial intelligence startups are working to enable more autonomous handling. Embodied Intelligence Inc., which does business as Covariant, yesterday said it has raised $80 million in Series C funding. The Berkeley, Calif.-based company said it will use the money to continue its robotics…
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FLOW 2021: 6 River Systems’ annual supply chain conference
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Cassie, a bipedal robot invented at Oregon State University and produced by OSU spinout Agility Robotics Inc., has made history by traversing 5 km (3.1 mi.) in just over 53 minutes. Cassie was developed under the direction of robotics professor Jonathan Hurst with a 16-month, $1 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). OSU students funded by…
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Outrider Inc., a provider of autonomous yard trucks for logistics hubs, today said it is the first company to offer advanced, automated tractor-trailer hitching capabilities. This patent-pending technology is now available as part of the Outrider System, which automates distribution yards for large enterprises. More than 10 billion tons of freight moves across the U.S. annually, and most of that…
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Ambi Robotics Inc., which has developed simulation-to-reality artificial intelligence for dexterous robots, today announced AmbiKit. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company described AmbiKit as “the industry’s first multi-robot kitting system that leverages AI data collection to expedite e-commerce kitting operations.” AmbiKit can automate product bundling for faster delivery, increasing order accuracy and reducing operating costs, said Ambi Robotics. It added that its…
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Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are working with Apple Inc. to develop new ways to disassemble old technology. Their latest partnership builds on Apple's existing innovations, including recycling robots Daisy and Dave. Apple sought to support research initiatives that reimagine the disassembly of electronic devices and the recovery of valuable or hazardous materials. The company chose to work with CMU's…
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The acceleration of e-commerce demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in groceries, has been well-documented, but the growing use of automation isn't as straightforward, finds a recent study. “E-Grocery Infrastructure 2021” from London-based STIQ Ltd. examines the growing pains around the adoption of micro-fulfillment centers, mobile robots for indoor use, and delivery drones and robots. Legacy, brick-and-mortar retailers faced shutdowns,…
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ACE Controls Inc., a manufacturer of industrial vibration and motion-control technology, has released its MC75 Family of miniature shock absorbers. These small units can provide high-energy damping in tight installation spaces in industrial manufacturing, material handling, packaging, medical, electronics, and robotics applications, said the Farmington Hills, Mich.-based company. Founded in 1963, ACE Controls claimed that it introduced the first adjustable…
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Instacart, a leading online grocery provider, last week unveiled the first phase of an initiative to bring automated fulfillment technology to retailers across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the initiative, the San Francisco-based company announced it has signed a multi-year strategic deal with micro-fulfillment company Fabric. It will integrate robots and software with Instacart's proprietary technology to create…
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Motional Inc. this week announced that it is piloting a new potential application for autonomous vehicles—monitoring energy infrastructure. The Boston-based joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv PLC said it is working with Eversource Energy, which serves more than 4 million natural gas and electricity customers in New England. “Our test vehicles pass potholes, downed trees and power lines,…
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After a year's delay and much uncertainty because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games have begun. Japan has suffered some setbacks in preparing for the event, with the ongoing pandemic and Delta variant precluding spectators, eliminating some athletes and teams, and threatening financial losses. However, the opening ceremonies went smoothly, and Japan hopes to demonstrate its…
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From materials handling to inventory and floor cleaning, autonomous mobile robots are finding more uses beyond factories and warehouses. Brain Corp. has developed the BrainOS software-as-a-service offering to provide autonomy and reporting features to more than 16,000 robots and logged over 4.9 million hours of operation. The San Diego, Calif.-based company was founded in 2009, and its customers include Walmart,…
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
