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From The Editor
The Future of Drones is BVLOS, But Will We Sacrifice Privacy?
An FAA committee recently published its final report about drones that fly beyond visual line of sight, or BVLOS, with recommendations about how the FAA should change some of its regulations to provide more training and establish some right of way rules between unmanned drones and piloted, or crewed aircraft. We will see if the FAA adopts these recommendations, or whether they write some additional rules regarding drone flights that don’t need to have a physical pilot watching the drone at all times. BVLOS flight is critical for commercial drone services that include deliveries, industrial inspection of infrastructure, assisting first responders, and countless other applications. But this also means that we may end up sacrificing some privacy, such as in the case of news gathering organizations allowed to fly over people’s homes, and delivery drones that could possibly be collecting data that infringes on people’s privacy. Several organizations offered letters of dissent around the committee’s recommendations, it’s worth looking at to see where BVLOS flight rules are headed next. There’s a battle that’s coming, and it’s possible that other government groups will get involved. Stay tuned!
– Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
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ABB Adds 2 Large Robots to Support EV Manufacturers
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ABB has announced two new robot families to its portfolio of large robots for complex manufacturing applications. The new IRB 5710 and 5720 robots aim to deliver increased productivity and enhanced performance with higher uptime for applications including electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, foundry, forging, rubber, plastics and metal fabrication. The family includes eight variants with payload options that range from 70 kg up to 180kg, with reaches from 2.3 m to 3 m. ABB said the robot families are suitable for several production tasks, including material handling, machine tending and assembly, as well as specific operations in EV manufacturing such as battery module picking and placing, high precision assembly, and parts handling. |
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Siemens Introduces New Drive System for Horizontal Conveyor Applications
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Siemens has announced a new compact and powerful drive system specifically designed for horizontal conveyor applications. The new Sinamics G115D comprises the motor, drive and gearbox in one unit, and is offered in both wall-mounted and motor-mounted versions. The G115D is characterized by a design with a high IP protection class (up to IP66 / UL Type 4X), and is suitable for use in harsh environments, Siemens said. With compact dimensions, the G115D can be installed in confined areas as well as operate over a wide temperature range – -30 C to 55 C (-22 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes it useful for enabling operation in deep freezing applications. |
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DOBOT Unveils New SCARA Cobot
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China’s DOBOT has announced the new M1 Pro, its second-generation SCARA collaborative robot, or cobot. It showed the cobot at this week’s International Robot Exhibition 2022 (iREX 2022) event in Japan. The M1 Pro is a SCARA collaborative robot with human-machine collaboration and safety features compared to conventional robot arms. The robot is designed for several applications in lightweight industry, communication and consumer electronics, such as pick-and-place, gluing, assembly, higher education and other light industrial tasks. |
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Kassow Robots Launches 7-Axis Cobot With Extended Reach
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Denmark’s Kassow Robots has announced a new 7-axis robot and cobot solution for machine tending, material handling and related applications. The KR1018 is available in North America, with capabilities strong enough to perform machine tending with heavy metal and plastic parts, and to carry out pick-and-place tasks at high payloads. The KR1018 has a payload of 18 kg and a reach of 1,000 mm, making it ideal for precise and repetitive industrial tasks that require great strength, Kassow said. An easy-to-use interface and plug-and-play concept of the cobot is designed for small and midsize enterprises to install without the use of robot engineers. |
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Ouster Launches Chronos, an Automotive Digital Lidar Chip
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Ouster has announced the introduction of the Chronos chip, an automotive-grade, custom digital lidar silicon receiver that will power its DF solid-state sensor suite. The Chronos chip is the foundation of the DF architecture, and allows Ouster to deliver more power efficient, higher performance and compact digital lidar sensors to enable Level 2 through Level 5 automation in high-volume automotive production vehicles. The Chronos chip harnesses digital lidar architecture and the latest advances in semiconductor technology. The chip is ALSO able to deliver improved memory, dynamic range and detection accuracy. |
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Product Profile: THK OMNIedge IoT Service
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As of March 1, THK CO., LTD. has expanded its “OMNIedge” IoT service for the manufacturing industry to include predictive failure detection for rotary components. Used in utility equipment and production machinery critical to manufacturing lines, upkeep and management of rotary components typically requires frequent maintenance. Predictive failure detection for rotary components such as pumps, fans, and motors can prevent losses owing to machine failures between scheduled maintenance checks, and can be installed on rotary components already in use. |
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In Case You Missed It
FAA Committee Publishes Recommendations for Adopting BVLOS
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) within the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently published its final report, with a set of five recommendations for rulemaking changes to allow for the expansion of unmanned aircraft systems and BVLOS operations. The 381-page report discusses how unmanned aircraft can provide public benefits and essential services to the American public, including delivering critical supplies, medicines, and commercial products. Read More |
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Featured Article
MODEX 2022 Set to Explore Robotics, Automation for Supply Chain
In less than two weeks, thousands of people are expected to gather in Atlanta for the MODEX 2022 event, where more than 850 vendors plan to showcase the latest technologies around supply chain innovation, including many in the robotics and automation space. After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 put a halt to many in-person events, this year’s MODEX 2022 event is shaping up to give supply chain executives a look at what is coming next in their industry. Read more for a sampling of the robotics and automation companies that will be at the show, and what they plan on demonstrating. Read More |
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Industry News
- Wilson Logistics to Deploy Locomation’s Autonomous Trucking Solution
Pittsburgh-based Locomation, which develops autonomous trucking technology, has announced that Wilson Logistics has recommitted to deploy 1,120 Autonomous Relay Convoy (ARC) units for its flagship fleet in the mid and south-central U.S. The original plan, announced in March 2020, was for the 1,120 ARC units to be deployed in Wilson’s West Coast trucking operation, but that operation and its assets were sold late last year to Ashley Pacific Northwest. With that divestiture complete, Wilson said it will deploy its autonomous truck service in the midwest from its Springfield, Mo., and Dallas-Fort Worth hubs. The two companies have been engineering six freight lanes, valued at $524 million in annual revenue and an estimated $112 million in operating profit, for the high rates of asset utilization and operational efficiency expected from the Locomation autonomous trucking system.
- Mujin Unveils Mixed-Case Robotic Palletizing Solution
Robotics technology company Mujin has announced it will debut a mixed-case robotic palletizing system that includes intelligent buffer and re-sequencing capabilities. The system will be on display at this month’s MODEX 2022 event, to be held March 28-31 in Atlanta. Mujin said mixed-case palletizing has been difficult, if not impossible, to automate. Traditionally, the labor-intensive operation requires material handlers to store the cases for an order until there are enough cases to build the pallet. While many companies have automated the storage and sequencing of their goods to make human packers more efficient, this equipment is expensive and carries a large footprint.
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Sponsored Content
IDS Intelligent Industrial Cameras for Robotics
IDS’ uEye cameras provide a practical USB and GigE solution, while the IDS NXT cameras autonomously generate results independent of a PC to directly trigger subsequent processes. The Ensenso 3D cameras offer precise 3D image acquisition, completing IDS’ intelligent and industrial camera line aimed to accelerate, control and optimize robotic and autonomous processes. Learn More.
See Our Products. |
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Industry News
- CEVA Logistics, Kodiak Robotics Launch Autonomous Freight Deliveries
Third-party Logistics provider CEVA Logistics has announced it teamed up with self-driving trucking firm Kodiak Robotics to deliver freight autonomously between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, as well as between Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City. Through the partnership, the companies said they are the first-ever companies to deliver freight autonomously in the state of Oklahoma. CEVA delivered its first load with Kodiak in November 2021 and is moving goods weekly on the 200-mile freight lane between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.
- Aeva’s FMCW 4D Lidar Now on NVIDIA DRIVE AV Platform
Aeva, which develops sensing and perception systems, has announced that its Aeries 4D lidar sensors are now supported on the NVIDIA DRIVE autonomous vehicle platform. The company’s Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) 4D lidar sensors detect 3D position and instant velocity for each point at distances up to 500 meters, adding an additional dimension to sensing and perception for autonomous driving platforms. NVIDIA’s DRIVE is an open, end-to-end platform that lets developers train, test and validate safe self-driving technology at scale.
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Robotics Funding
Bear Robotics Raises $81M for Restaurant Service Robots
Bear Robotics, which develops hospitality robots and artificial intelligence solutions, has announced raising $81 million in a Series B funding round. The company said it will use the funding to add new products and expand into new markets around the world. With its roots in the restaurant industry, Bear Robotics has engineered solutions such as its flagship product, Servi, an all-in-one, fully autonomous mobile robot that can perform daily repetitive work encountered by hospitality employees. Read More |
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Zeta Surgical Raises $5.2M to Expand Robotics, Mixed Reality System
Boston-based Zeta Surgical, which is developing a surgical navigation system through robotics and mixed reality, has announced raising $5.2 million in financing. The funds will be used to finalize the development of the company’s neurosurgical navigation platform, Zeta, and its non-invasive focused ultrasound system, ZetaFUS, the company said. In addition, the company aims to complete initial clinical studies, obtain FDA clearance and expand the growing technical and clinical teams. The platform leverages computer vision and artificial intelligence to enable image guidance directly at the point of care, creating new possibilities for fields such as emergency care and interventional medicine. Read More |
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Robotics Funding
Diamond Age Raises $50M to Advance Robotic Home Construction System
Diamond Age, a Phoenix-based robotics startup that is automating new home construction, has announced it raised $50 million in a Series A funding round. The company said it will use the funding to continue scaling its robotics platform and execute on its first commercial contract to build homes. The company is building a suite of 26 end-of-arm robotic tools to offset 55% of the manual labor required to build a new home, reducing the construction cycle time from about 9 months to 30 days. Diamond Age also develops additive manufacturing tools that move along a gantry system to add layers of concrete to “print” the interior and exterior walls of a house. Read More |
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Ambi Robotics Signs $23M Deployment Expansion With Pitney Bowes
Global shipping and mailing company Pitney Bowes and Ambi Robotics have announced a $23 million deployment expansion of AmbiSort systems for Pitney Bowes e-commerce hubs across the U.S. The AI-powered robot systems will help Pitney Bowes speed its parcel sortation to last-mile delivery providers, while also improving productivity, accuracy and worker safety. Pitney Bowes said the company’s shipping and e-commerce business has surpassed 50% of its total revenue. In addition, parcel volume has exceeded 131 billion annually globally, more than a 37% year-over-year growth in the U.S. alone (revealed in the latest Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index). Read More |
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Sponsored Content
Miniature Bearings Support Heavier Robotics Loads and Provide Precise Linear Motion
IKO offers some of the smallest miniature bearings commercially available. The ML miniature bearings can perform under higher loads and provide precise linear motion for medical robotics and automation.
IKO’s C-Lube Linear Way ML lightweight miniature guides feature built-in lubrication. The C-lube unit does not make contact with the track rail, enabling smooth motion without increasing rolling resistance and reduced maintenance.
• Components are made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, making them suitable for clean rooms and applications that don’t use rust-preventive oil
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Robotics News
Raven Unveils Upgraded OmniPower 3200 for Autonomous Agriculture
Raven Industries, which develops driverless agricultural technology, has announced the launch of OMNiPOWER 3200, the latest model of its autonomous power platform. The company is showcasing the vehicle at Commodity Classic, a farmer-led and farmer-focused trade event in the U.S. OMNiPOWER gives agricultural professionals the ability to perform multiple farming operations autonomously, Raven said. The new 3200 model aims to accelerate the adoption of advanced autonomous solutions even further with the addition of mechanical, functional and aesthetic enhancements that improve efficiency and make autonomy more practical for growers. Read More |
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Astrolab Develops FLEX Rover for Lunar, Planetary Mobility
Venturi Astrolab, an aerospace company formed by a team of industry-leading planetary rover and robotics experts, has announced the development of the Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover, built to enhance lunar and planetary mobility. The company said it aims to bring to market a fleet of FLEX rovers to provide the mobility required to support a sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars. NASA and private industry are making broad investments in returning to the Moon, which will usher in an era of unprecedented landed mass capability and mission cadence, the company said. Rather than landing tens or hundreds of kilograms of payload per decade, soon it will be possible to land hundreds of tons on the Moon each month. This burgeoning environment demands a new approach to surface operations. Read More |
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ECA Group, iXblue to Merge for Unmanned Maritime, Space and Photonics Development
ECA Group and iXblue have announced entering exclusive negotiations to bring the two French companies together. Carried out by Group Gorge, the operation aims to create a “European high-tech industrial champion” in the fields of maritime, inertial navigation, space and photonics. The companies were already long-standing partners, benefiting from technological and commercial synergies. WIth the merger, the group aims to provide high performance solutions for critical missions in harsh environments. Read More |
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