Top 10 Robotics Transactions of May 2021
June 5, 2021
Robotics transactions in May 2021 slowed from the previous month, but companies supplying autonomous trucks, software and sensors, and systems for new applications raised millions of dollars.
Toyota AI Ventures Rebrands as Toyota Ventures, to Invest $300M More in Emerging Tech
June 4, 2021
Toyota AI Ventures, which has invested in robotics, AI, and other emerging technologies, will add carbon neutrality to its portfolio under the Toyota Ventures Climate Fund.
Astro Aerospace Acquires Horizon Aircraft, Appoints Horizon CEO Brandon Robinson as President
June 3, 2021
Astro Aerospace will be developing three electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and drones, including Horizon Aircraft's Cavorite X5, which is designed for five people.
eKentucky Advanced Manufacturing Institute Opens New Training Center, Adds Robotics Coursework
June 3, 2021
eKAMI is opening a new Robotics Center in Eastern Kentucky that will include hands-on experience with a variety of robot arms and mobile robots to retrain workers for rewarding careers.
Realtime Robotics Raises $31.4M Series A for Autonomous Motion Control
June 3, 2021
Realtime Robotics, which has developed processing and motion control to ease programming and enable safe robot and vehicle operations, plans to perfect its collaborative system.
Kodiak Robotics Partners With SK to Bring Autonomous Trucking to $1.5T Asian Freight
June 3, 2021
Kodiak Robotics, which has been operating autonomous trucks in Texas, will use components from South Korea-based SK as it enters the Asian market for freight and fleet management services.
ZongMu Raises $190M Series D for Autonomous Driving and Parking
June 2, 2021
ZongMu Technology, which supplies advanced driver-assist systems and autonomous parking capabilities to Chinese automakers, is valued at $11 billion.
DHL Supply Chain Expands Agreement With Locus Robotics, to Implement 2,000 Robots Globally
June 2, 2021
DHL Supply Chain is expanding its four-year partnership with Locus Robotics by doubling its number of autonomous mobile robots by the end of this year and adding more next year.
6 River Systems Provides Chuck Robots to Enable Crocs to Optimize ‘Popup’ Fulfillment Center
June 2, 2021
Crocs was able to reduce associate walking by as much as 50% by deploying 6 River Systems' Chuck mobile robots at a temporary fulfillment center as the footwear maker scaled up.
Logistics, Manufacturing, and Robots: 5 Big Things to Know and Watch
June 1, 2021
What are some of the key things that are driving the current push for robotics across numerous industries? How will more robotics in our workplaces change the current workforce?
DiDi Autonomous Driving to Raise $300M, Bringing Valuation to $1.1B
June 1, 2021
DiDi Autonomous Driving, a spinoff of ride-hailing firm DiDi Chuxing, has been partnering on the development of electric, autonomous vehicles and been conducting testing in China.
Korean Researchers Develop Hybrid Robotic Hand for Improved Grasping
June 1, 2021
Researchers at DGIST have developed and tested a new type of human-like mechanical hand that combines the benefits of existing robot hands while eliminating their weaknesses.
BALYO and Körber Partner for Integration of Autonomous Materials Handling Trucks
May 29, 2021
BALYO, which provides autonomy technology to turn lift trucks into autonomous robots, will work with integrator Körber Supply Chain to widen adoption of warehouse automation.
MegaRobo Raises $30M Series B for Light Robotics, IoT
May 29, 2021
Robert Bosch Venture Capital and Sinovation participated in MegaRobo's financing, which will enable it to apply its motion-control technology to lab automation, retail, and light manufacturing.
Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas to Offer PowerFleet Telematics System in North American Market
May 28, 2021
The PowerFleet telematics product will be offered as a factory-installed option on all Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Cat lift trucks, and Jungheinrich warehouse vehicles.
A3 Plans Return to In-Person Events With October Autonomous Mobile Robots & Logistics Conference
May 28, 2021
The Association for Advancing Automation named FedEx as title sponsor for its return to live events with the AMR & Logistics Conference in Memphis in October 2021.
Danish 3PL Automation Deployment Marks 600th for AutoStore
May 28, 2021
Element Logic will help third-party logistics provider DSV roll out storage systems to e-commerce fulfillment centers in nine countries in a milestone for AutoStore.
IFR Reviews National Robotics Plans in Updated ‘World Robotics R&D Programs’
May 27, 2021
The International Federation of Robotics has reviewed the strategies of China, Japan, South Korea, the EU, Germany, and the U.S. and their funding for robotics research.
Volocopter and Near Earth Autonomy to Test VoloDrone Autonomous Flight Capabilities
May 27, 2021
Volocopter plans to combine its heavy-duty electric vertical takeoff and landing VoloDrone with Near Earth Autonomy's autonomous flight technology for beyond visual line-of-sight logistics.
Seegrid CTO Discusses Blue Labs R&D Team to Advance Materials Handling
May 26, 2021
Seegrid CTO Todd Graves explains the thinking behind the mobile robot provider's Blue Labs R&D group, as well as its efforts to recruit talent and work with academia and...