igus is launching a new energy supply system for SCARA robots in cleanrooms: the Clean SCARA Cable Solution.

Humatics, a Waltham, Mass.-based startup building microlocation technology for manufacturing, warehousing and other commercial environments, raised $28 Million in Series A1 financing. Humatics said this was the “culmination” of its acquisition of 5D Robotics and Time Domain Corporation in 2018. The Series A1, which was led by Tenfore Holdings, brings Humatics’ total financing to more…

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists have developed a robot that can autonomously assemble an IKEA chair without interruption. Designed by Assistant Professor Pham Quang Cuong and his team from NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the robot comprises an IDS Imaging Ensenso N35 3D camera and two Denso robotic arms equipped with grippers to…

Following its e-Series launch at Automatica 2018, Universal Robots (UR) unveiled its Application Builder tool last week at IMTS 2018 in Chicago. UR says its Application Builder eases robotic cell configuration and deployment while raising robot literacy and capabilities. Application Builder walks users through the entire process of building a UR robot application. The online configuration…

If asked to name an oceanic apex predator, sharks are usually the first to come to people’s minds. But ask a fisherman or conservationist in the Carribean or coastal U.S. and you might get a different answer. There, a much smaller creature is terrorizing the underwater ecosystem. Lionfish, a colorful aquarium fish native to the…

Robotics kit maker Makeblock has closed $44 million (approx. RMB 300 million) in Series C funding. The latest valuation for the Shenzhen-based company is approximately $367 million.  Makeblock raises a $30 million Series B in March of 2017 and has raised nearly $80 million total over seven funding rounds, according to Crunchbase. The latest funding round was led by…

According to a business registration filing, Waymo, Alphabet Inc’s self-driving vehicle unit, is setting up shop in Shanghai. China Money Network was the first to report on the news. Waymo established a company named Huimo Business Consulting on May 22 in Shanghai’s free trade zone. While the company has an office registered on the 28th floor…

Etalex, a Canadian manufacturer of commercial interiors, metal fixtures, shelving, wood furnishings and heavy-duty racking systems, struggled with picking metal parts out of a press brake leading to significant automation problems. Etalex had no room for safety guarding in front of the press and needed a robot that could safely handle pick and place tasks…

Real roads have drunk drivers, downed power lines, potholes and many other obstacles. The streets of simulation software, however, are infinitely more forgiving. In this digital proving ground, engineers can safely replay millions of scenarios designed to help them better program the software that operates a self-driving vehicle. Regarding the simulations used to prepare self-driving…

There’s no shortage of dangers in a power plant. One of the most persistent dangers is the inspection of equipment in the plant. Typically, human inspectors are responsible for checking the boilers, tanks, and other equipment in power plants and industrial facilities. The work is hot, dirty, and dangerous. Pittsburgh-based startup Gecko Robotics offers wall-climbing…

Increasing the level of navigation autonomy in mobile robots creates tangible business benefits to those companies employing them. But designing an autonomous navigation system is no easy task. San Diego-based Brain Corporation seems to have figured it out, however. The company raised $114 million in mid-2017, led by the Softbank Vision Fund, to continue development…

In the past two years, Walmart has embraced dozens of technologies to lower its costs, increase operational efficiency, and better compete with Amazon and other e-commerce competitors. One of the technologies Walmart is turning to is robotics. Amazon is well-known for its use of robots uses in some of its warehouses, in addition to other cutting-edge…

German automotive supplier Schaeffler is acquiring drive-by-wire technology Space Drive from Paravan GmbH. Schaeffler said on this will play a key role in self-driving cars. The Schaeffler Group, in cooperation with Roland Arnold and Paravan GmbH, have agreed on a master agreement for the formation of a joint venture company. The transaction is pending regulatory approval…

MOV.AI has raised $3M in seed funding to develop an industry-grade operating system (O/S) for collaborative robots. The London-based startup is creating an ecosystem where developers, integrators and manufacturers collaborate to produce smarter robots on a large scale for operation and production lines. The round was led by Viola Ventures, Israel’s leading technology investor with…

South African agtech company Aerobotics has closed a $2 million Series A. The data analytics company uses drones and machine learning algorithms to help farmers identify pest and disease early. After receiving $602,000 in seed funding last August, Aerobotics has added new investors to continue its growth. Leading the pack is the VC branch of one of…

rideOS has raised $25 million in Series B funding for its cloud-based fleet-management platform that pulls mapping, traffic and detection data for self-driving vehicles in a given area. The platform, essentially an traffic control system for vehicles, also works with human-driven vehicles and transportation services. Designed to assist in the global roll-out of next-generation transportation fleets, rideOS’…

inVia Robotics, a Los Angeles-based maker of warehouse robots for e-commerce fulfillment centers, raised $20 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Point72 Ventures along with ongoing investments from Upfront and Embark Ventures. inVia Robotics raised a $9 million Series A round in February 2018, bringing its total funding to date to $29 million.…

Clearpath Robotics, a global provider of mobile robots for research and development, is now a Universal Robots Certified System Integrator (CSI). With this new relationship, the UR3, UR5 and UR10 collaborative robot arms will be available from Clearpath Robotics with out-of-the-box ROS functionality and support. This partnership does include UR’s new e-Series that was introduced at…

During his keynote at the Robotics Summit & Showcase, Jabil VP of Global Automation and 3D printing John Dulchinos discussed the challenges robotics companies face while developing commercial class robotics systems. Is your team thinking big picture during early stage planning? Are they looking beyond specific product details to focus on how the product functions…

Universal Logic has announced a new version of its signature Neocortex artificial intelligence product designed for do-it-yourself engineers. Neocortex DIY software allows engineers to configure and deploy AI-based robot cells for variable picking in both manufacturing and consumer products supply chains. Based on the Neocortex platform, Neocortex DIY extends perception, directs grasping, and guides robots,…

Rethink Robotics has announced that it has signed deals with seven new distribution partners throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to increase the availability of its smart, collaborative robots and allow manufacturers to automate more. Rethink’s current global network – including select partners in the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Korea, Japan, and…

Waymo has partnered with Walmart and other businesses in the Phoenix, Ariz. area to expand tests of its self-driving cars. The 400 members of Wamyo’s “early riders” program can now take a self-driving car to and from the Walmart in Chandler, Ariz. when they purchase groceries from Walmart.com. Those who go to Walmart in Waymo’s self-driving…