As companies and factories introduce more robots and robotics systems into their manufacturing processes and the interaction between robots and humans increases, so does the risk of injury to human workers. Although foam covers or lower working speeds could protect robots’ human counterparts, these measures also make the robots more inefficient. Researchers at Germany’s Institute…
Researchers find way to automate measuring brain cell signals
Engineers at the Mass. Institute of Technology are working to automate the process of recording electrical signals from a brain neuron, which could help researchers more precisely study individual brain cells that affect learning and functioning and cause cognitive diseases. “Knowing how neurons communicate is fundamental to basic and clinical neuroscience,” Ed Boyden, senior author…
Beijing ROS-AI developer Roobo raises $53 million
Beijing-based AI solutions developer Roobo raised $53 million in a Series B funding round led by Seven Seas Partners, a Chinese VC. This is in addition to the $100 million raised last year. The managing partner of Seven Seas, Jeff Xiong Minghua, who was Tencent’s CTO for eight years, will become Roobo’s new CEO.
ABB to expand Michigan-based factory
Swiss company ABB plans to expand its industrial robot factory in Auburn Hills, Mich., CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer told Reuters this week. He did not comment on new jobs or investments associated with the expansion. The facility, which was first announced in 2015, produced its first robot in March and currently employs about 1,000 people. ABB…
New technology helps robots see in 3D
A group of researchers recently presented new technology that would help robots, namely those used in a home, to better perceive and process 3D objects. The robot perception algorithm, which was unveiled in July at the 2017 Robotics: Science and Systems Conference in Cambridge, Mass., allows the robot to guess what an object is, how…
OMNIlife science tissue balancing tool receives FDA clearance
The FDA gave 501(k) clearance for a robotic tissue balancing device from OMNIlife science, which works with its OMNIBotics robotic-assisted knee replacement technology to provide a more custom procedure. The tool monitors the soft tissue envelope during an operation and provides feedback to the surgeon in real time. Using it in coordination with the OMNIBotics…
Blue River Technology sells to Deere for $305 million
Blue River Technology has been acquired by John Deere* for $305 million. The acquisition of the Silicon Valley artificial intelligence and farm equipment making startup by farming’s largest equipment manufacturer (Deere), is a great success story with a bit of a twist.
Cambridge Medical Robotics unveils first look at Versius ‘bot
Cambridge Medical Robotics released the first photos today of its surgical robot, Versius, designed to make minimal access surgery more widely available and easier to perform. “We’ve designed Versius with surgeons in mind. By equipping them with a remarkable tool, fit for their demanding job, we can change the way surgery is delivered,” CEO Martin…
United Technologies acquires Rockwell Collins for $30 billion
Aerospace conglomerate United Technologies is paying $30 billion to acquire Rockwell Collins in a deal that creates one of the world’s largest makers of civilian and defense aircraft components. Rockwell Collins and United’s Aerospace Systems segment will combine to create a new business unit named Collins Aerospace Systems.
Asimov’s laws of A.I.
In an OpEd piece in the NY Times, and in a TED Talk late last year, Oren Etzioni, PhD, author, and CEO of the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence, suggested an update for Isaac Asimov’s three laws of Artificial Intelligence. Given the widespread media attention emanating from Elon Musk’s (and others) warnings, these updates might be worth…
6 Most Exciting Robotics Technologies to Watch
RoboBusiness experts discuss the robotics technologies they’re most excited about, including AI, computer vision, IIoT, mobile robots and more.
August 2017 fundings, acquisitions, IPOs and failures
August fundings totaled $369 million but the number of August transactions, seven, was down from previous months, eg: both July and June had 19 fundings each. Acquisitions, on the other hand, remained steady with a big one pending: Snap has been negotiating all month to acquire Chinese drone startup Zero Zero Robotics for around $150M.