Army-funded researchers discovered how to make materials capable of self-propulsion, allowing materials to move without motors or hands. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered how to make materials that snap and reset themselves, only relying upon energy flow from their environment. This research could enable future military robots to move from their own energy. “This…
DARPA announces finals of SubT Challenge
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced the finals of the DARPA Subterranean (SubT) Challenge will be held at the Louisville Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky on September 21-23, 2021. The DARPA SubT Challenge is designed to test the ability of autonomous robots to perceive, navigate, network, and move in a variety of GPS-denied…
How the U.S. Army is developing quieter drones
It’s no secret the U.S. Army wants its small unmanned aerial systems to operate quietly in densely-populated regions, but tests to achieve this can be expensive, time-consuming and labor-intensive according to researchers. Miranda Costenoble, a researcher with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, now known as the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, presented work at…
RE2 Robotics obtains patent for robot joint for dexterous underwater manipulation
RE2 Robotics’ latest patent, for a fluid rotary joint, covers a new gear and actuator combination that it said will make it easier for robots to inspect and manipulate objects underwater.
Airdata offers Autel pilots free trial of fleet management software for drone safety
Airdata UAV and Autel Robotics have partnered to offer a one-month free trial of the AirData Enterprise fleet management software to users of the Autel EVO Series II drones.
Metamaterials could lead to transforming robots, say U.S. Army, MIT researchers
The U.S. Army and MIT are exploring how metamaterials can help form modular robotic building blocks for transforming robots that can be reconfigured into different shapes and functions.
First look: Company Six’s ReadySight situational awareness robot
Remember Company Six (CO6), the Sphero spinoff working on a situation awareness robot? Well, we now have our first look at ReadySight, a one-pound throwable robot that is expected to be available in Q3 2021. It’s designed for first responders and other commercial industries. While ReadySight doesn’t look anything like Sphero’s RVR robot four-wheeler, it…
Coordinated Robotics wins Cave Circuit Virtual Competition in DARPA SubT Challenge
The Cave Circuit, the third stage of the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, was completely virtual, enabling teams to test their software and simulated hardware configurations in difficult environments.
Thales works with North Dakota government on BVLOS drone operations
Thales, a “deep tech” multinational, is working with the state government of North Dakota and other partners to provide the TopSky UAS Traffic Management System to scale safe and secure drone air traffic control.
Delivery drone firm Volansi expands to VTOL development facility in Oregon
VTOL drone delivery developer and service provider Volansi said it is expanding in Bend, Ore., to take advantage of the region’s talent pool and aviation technology expertise and scale its production and operations.
Spot 2.1 from Boston Dynamics includes enhancements for autonomous data collection
Boston Dynamics said its Spot 2.1 release includes enhancements designed for ease of use and stronger integration with sensors and enterprise data systems.
Autonomous Casualty Extraction program awarded to RE2 Robotics by U.S. Army
The U.S. Army has awarded $1.1 million in Phase II Small Business Innovation Research funding to RE2 Robotics to develop an Autonomous Casualty Extraction system.
FBI installs AutoStore records filing and retrieval system for 2B pages of documents
The General Services Administration has implemented the first robotic filing and retrieval warehouse for FBI records using AutoStore’s cube technology.
RTI Connext 6 middleware wrapper bridges gap for robotics developers using ROS 2
Real-Time Innovations said that robotics developers can now use RTI Connext DDS scalability and productivity tools within the ROS 2 ecosystem.
Quaternium, Löweheiser achieve 10 hour, 14 minute flight with HYBRiX drone
Spain-based drone maker Quaternium and fuel-injection system provider Löweheiser said they have set a new endurance record for hybrid-powered aerial drones by combining technologies in the HYBRiX system.
ExynAero, ExynPak expand Exyn’s autonomous drone, sensing offerings
Exyn Technologies said its new ExynAero drone sensor system can map industrial environments in real time without a human pilot.
Researchers building robot with wheels and legs to traverse any terrain
A team of researchers is creating mobile robots for military applications that can determine, with or without human intervention, whether wheels or legs are more suitable to travel across terrains. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has partnered with Dr. Kiju Lee at Texas A&M University to enhance these robots’ ability to self-sufficiently travel…
Guardian DX upper body variant of Sarcos exoskeleton wins U.S. Navy contract
The Sarcos Guardian DX remote-controlled robotic system can be added to a variety of industrial mobility platforms already in use at U.S. shipyards, military bases, and depots.
Autonomy Level 2 in Emesent’s Hovermap designed to ease industrial BVLOS drone flights
Emesent said its new beyond-line-of-sight autonomy technology will increase drone safety and efficiency in mining, construction, and disaster response.
Volansi closes $50M Series B funding for middle-mile, VTOL drone delivery
Volansi said its latest financing, led by Icon Ventures, will enable it to rapidly scale up operations and sales in the U.S. and global emerging markets.
August 2020 Robotics Transactions Continue Strong Summer Pace
Despite the ongoing pandemic, robotics investment and acquisition activity did not slow down in August 2020, with funding flowing to autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and drones.
Robotics investments recap: August 2020
In August 2020, autonomous vehicles, industrial automation for manufacturing and supply chains, and healthcare robotics continued to receive funding.