“What can I do to support the battle against COVID-19? I kept thinking about this question over and over again,” says Yu Qi, Head of Siemens China’s Research Group for Advanced Manufacturing Automation located in Qingdao. As China intensified its efforts to combat the virus during Chinese New Year holidays, he was trying to figure…
iRobot Terra robot lawn mower delayed due to COVID-19
COVID-19 won’t stop lawns from being mowed, but it looks like you’ll be doing it the old-fashioned way for even longer. iRobot delayed the launch of its long-awaited Terra robot lawn mower. And the Bedford, Mass.-based company didn’t specify a future launch date for the product. In its Q1 2020 earnings call, iRobot said it “suspended…
Pandemic proves utility of a wide range of service robots
As part of our ongoing coverage of robotics applications during the COVID-19 pandemic, we look at more uses in healthcare, transportation, and utilities.
Dr. Spot the robot dog now seeing COVID-19 patients
Simplicity doesn’t typically come to mind when thinking about Boston Dynamics and how it engineers its robots. But the newest application for its Spot quadruped could be the simplest, yet most valuable use yet. Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, one of the world’s leading hospital’s, has been using Spot for the last week as…
Nuro R2 driverless vehicles delivering COVID-19 supplies
What a start it’s been for the Nuro R2 driverless vehicles, which were introduced in February 2020. The second-generation vehicles were granted a major exemption by the U.S. Department of Transportation, received permission to test on the streets of California, and now they’re helping COVID-19 relief efforts. Nuro R2 driverless vehicles this week started making contact-free…
8 reasons to remain positive about US economy
I’d like to offer some positive news in the midst of the dire outlook that’s been the regular diet of late on news stations. Last week, we hosted a webinar with renowned economist Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics that examined what the COVID-19 crisis means for the economy over the next few months and years. If…
The Robot Report April 2020 Issue: Healthcare Robotics
We hope you find the latest edition of The Robot Report informative. This month’s issue is devoted to healthcare robotics, in particular how the industry is responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The insert appeared in the April 2020 print issue of Design World, sibling publication to The Robot Report, Collaborative Robotics Trends, and Robotics Business Review. The…
How Vecna Robotics is helping combat ventilator shortage
Vecna Robotics is part of the growing number of companies combating the shortage of ventilators caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Waltham, Mass.-based Vecna Robotics, along with sister companies VecnaCares and Vecna Healthcare, partnered with MIT CSAIL, Toyota Research Institute, 10XBeta and others to develop an automated manual resuscitator called Ventiv. Ventiv can be used in…
Robotics and automation firms join COVID-19 fight
Robotics and automation can help manufacturers, healthcare workers, and consumers get through the novel coronavirus situation, says German association VDMA.
Uchimura Robotics to distribute UVD disinfection robots in U.S. Southeast
Denmark-based UVD Robots has selected Uchimura Robotics to resell its autonomous mobile disinfection robots in the Southeastern U.S.
Chowbotics’ Sally feeds frontline health workers during coronavirus crisis
Chowbotics, whose Sally robotic salad dispenser can make meals to order 24/7, has been helping hospitals feed front-line staffers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Optimus Ride pivots role of autonomous vehicles during COVID-19
Like many autonomous vehicle companies, Boston-based Optimus Ride paused its autonomous operations at customer sites due to COVID-19. The MIT spin-off is doing its part to observe social distancing and help contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. One of the places it paused operations was at Paradise Valley Estates (PVE), a retirement community for…
XDBOT developed at NTU Singapore to disinfect large surfaces
NTU Singapore researchers have developed XDBOT, a semi-autonomous mobile robot with an arm to spray disinfectant and aid humans working overtime to clean public areas.
RE2 Robotics 3D printing face shields during COVID-19 crisis
RE2 Robotics is working with PPE Connect PGH to make face shields for healthcare workers on the front line of the COVID-19 fight
Nuro driverless vehicles approved for delivery tests in California
I have three kids under the age of 7. So my wife and I are being extra careful during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes not going to the grocery store. We haven’t been in about a month. The store offers a delivery service, thankfully, but wait times are already two weeks out. Who knew grocery…
Robotics investments recap: March 2020
Autonomous vehicle Waymo received the biggest investment in March 2020, but other fundings and acquisitions continued as the novel coronavirus pandemic spread.
ARM solicits proposals for projects to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic
The ARM Institute has passed along a NIST call for technology and workforce projects to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 spurs innovations such as Blue Ocean’s UVD Robots
Blue Ocean Robotics’ UVD unit has been providing mobile disinfection robots both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We spoke with its CEO about the global response and post-virus aftermath.
Webinar: ‘Black swans’ and how to manage economic uncertainty – April 15
In this WTWH Media webinar, ITR Economics President Alan Beaulieu will discuss how organizations such as robotics companies can endure and prepare for black swans such as the novel coronavirus.
PTC sponsors Robots to the Rescue global design competition
Although this year’s FIRST educational competitions have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, PTC has offered students an opportunity to participate in its Robots to the Rescue program.
Robotics startups need support now more than ever
For many in the robotics ecosystem, the COVID-19 pandemic is the best of times and the worst of times. On one hand, the robotics industry is seeing huge interest as the world comes to appreciate the power and potential of robotics in overcoming current and emerging challenges. On the other hand, the economic slow-down, the…
maxon launches ‘medical fast track’ in response to COVID-19
maxon, a Swiss developer and manufacturer of drive systems, is a long-time partner of leading medical technology companies worldwide. Its products are used in medical devices such as ventilators, respirators, protection masks and lab automation. During these unprecedented times, maxon is focused on supporting the companies producing these life-saving devices so desperately needed during this…