Thanks to recent design improvements in hexapod systems, automotive manufacturers requiring extremely high accuracy can reduce set-up and processing time, overall production cycle times, and ultimately the cost of operation.
AutoGuide Mobile Robots opens office in Germany
The autonomous mobile robot (AMR) segment is expected to reach $6.8 billion by 2025, according to Frost & Sullivan. In a sign of that growth to come, AutoGuide Mobile Robots today opened an office in Munich. The German office will handle sales, service and support, deployment and training throughout greater Europe. This is the first…
Universal Robots sells 50k cobots; von Hollen to step down
RBR50 company Universal Robots, the leading developer of collaborative robot arms, has sold its 50,000 cobot. No other cobot company has sold close to that number of units. The cobot was purchased by VEMA technische Kunststoffteile GmbH and VEMA Werkzeug- und Formenbau GmbH, a manufacturer located in Krauchenwies-Göggingen, Germany. This is VEMA’s fourth cobot from…
Surgical robotics innovations the topic of RoboBusiness Direct discussions
Interest in surgical robotics has grown, but developers, healthcare providers, and surgeons should understand how the technology is developing, the role of motors, and what procedures are applicable. Learn more in the final RoboBusiness Direct sessions of autumn 2020.
Pipeline repair robots deployed to reduce danger for human workers
Pipeline repair and inspection is a dangerous task for humans, but automated units are now being deployed, thanks to Wisconsin-based robotics integrators using igus components.
Soft robot inspired by sea creatures can walk, roll, and transport cargo
Northwestern University researchers have developed lifelike soft materials that could be used as microscopic delivery systems for production of fuels and drugs, environmental cleanup, or transformative medical procedures.
It’s official: Boston Dynamics is joining Hyundai
It’s official. Hyundai Motor Corp announced this morning it is acquiring a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics for about $880 million. Hyundai Motor will own 80% of Boston Dynamics, while a Softbank affiliate will retain the other 20%. The final numbers are a bit different than our initial reporting, but the deal values Boston Dynamics…
Autonomous Counterbalanced Fork Truck designed by Vecna to move pallets
Vecna Robotics said its new Autonomous Counterbalanced Fork Truck adds pallet-handling capabilities to its portfolio and can work with other warehouse automation.
Best week ever for robotaxis?
In a normal week, Boston Dynamics being acquired by Hyundai Motors for nearly $1 billion would be the biggest story. But this week has been anything but normal. This has arguably been the best week ever for the development of autonomous vehicles. Robotaxis, in particular, marked new milestones. Waymo has officially opened up its robotaxi…
Immervision works to widen field of view for autonomous vehicles and drones
Canadian machine vision firm Immervision has been working on providing low-light capabilities to aerial drones and a wider field of view for autonomous vehicle lidar.
Velarray M1600 designed by Velodyne Lidar for mobile robots, delivery vehicles
Velodyne Lidar said its new Velarray M1600 is a compact, solid-state lidar sensor designed to provide advanced perception for the growing autonomous mobile robot and last-mile delivery markets.
Why did Aurora buy Uber ATG?; Robotics thriving in Pittsburgh
Welcome to Episode 27 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. Join us each week for discussions with leading roboticists, innovative robotics companies, and other key members of the robotics community. You can subscribe to The Robot Report Podcast on Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, SoundCloud, Spotify and more. Please subscribe…
Hyundai to acquire Boston Dynamics for nearly $1B
Update at 1 PM EST on Dec. 11, 2020: Hyundai Motor Group announced this morning it is acquiring 80% of Boston Dynamics for $880 million. Read Story. Hyundai Motor will acquire Boston Dynamics. The acquisition will be finalized at Hyundai’s December 10 board meeting. News about the deal was first reported by The Korea Economic Daily,…
UVD Robots wins contract to deploy 200 disinfection robots in European hospitals
UVD Robots said the European Commission chose it to deploy disinfection robots across the continent to fight the spread of COVID-19 and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
8 degrees of difficulty for autonomous navigation
PickNik shares eight key areas that can affect the overall difficulty of building robust autonomous navigation.
Akasha Imaging closes Series A to improve robot vision in manufacturing
Sierra Ventures and Orbital Ventures have led the $10.75 million Series A financing round for Akasha Imaging, which is developing deep imaging technology to help robots see fine details.
10 major mergers & acquisitions in autonomous vehicles
Aurora’s acquisition of Uber ATG is the latest in a series of major deals in autonomous vehicles that have yet to pan out.
Dexai designs Alfred 2.0 for safe food service to help restaurants during pandemic
Dexai Robotics has designed its Alfred 2.0 to offer a space-saving, sanitary alternative for dishing out meals.
Monarch Tractor announces fully electric, autonomous tractor using deep learning
Monarch Tractor said its fully electric autonomous tractor is a platform for features to enable sustainable farming with actionable intelligence, clean energy, and numerous safety features.
Mech-Mind Robotics raises Series B+ funding for smarter industrial robots
Mech-Mind Robotics, which combines 3D vision, deep learning, and motion planning to make industrial automation more intelligent, has raised nearly $15 million to accelerate development and marketing.
Uber sells self-driving unit to Aurora, ending a tumultuous era
Uber has abandoned efforts to develop self-driving cars in-house. Uber said today it is selling its self-driving unit, the Pittsburgh-based Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), to Aurora, an autonomous vehicle technology startup backed by Amazon and Sequoia Capital. Uber is investing $400 million into Palo Alto, Calif.-based Aurora to take a 26% stake in the combined…
Motional, MIT roboticists to examine the future of human-robot collaboration in RoboBusiness Direct
In their RoboBusiness Direct session moderated by MassRobotics Executive Director Tom Ryden, Motional CTO Laura Major and MIT Professor Julie Shah will examine the future of human-robot interaction.