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From the Editor
Autonomy is the New Table Stakes in Robotics
Autonomy and robotics leaders are meeting in Orlando this week for the Xponential show (our own Tom Atwood is there covering the show for Robotics World), which covers unmanned systems. Historically this show has focused on drones and unmanned aircraft systems, but in recent years there have been a growing number of autonomous mobile robots, ground vehicles and even water-based vehicles that have exhibited at the show. Based on news announcements around the industry in recent weeks, the term “autonomous” is basically a required component of any new robotic platform. While I believe that teleoperation-based systems and remote controlled robotics still have their place at the table, it’s becoming clear that autonomy, or even “semi-autonomous” is now table stakes for new systems. A few years ago, one of the dirty little secrets in robotics was that autonomous didn’t actually mean that - robot operators would likely need to take over their robots at some point to either get them back on track or take over completely. But improvements in software, processing and connectivity have improved many of these systems dramatically. At some point, it will basically be assumed that any robot will have the ability to offer some kind of autonomy, whether in navigation or the ability to perform a task without the assistance of humans.
– Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
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ModalAI Launches VOXL 2 Autopilot Controller for Drones, Robots
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ModalAI, which manufactures autonomous drone and robot technology under the Blue UAS Framework, has announced availability of its VOXL 2 system, powered by Qualcomm’s Flight RB5 5G platform. The new computing platform aims to accelerate the development of commercial drone and robot solutions to realize the benefits of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G wireless connectivity. Weighing only 16 grams, the VOXL 2 integrates a PX4 real-time flight controller with an 8-core CPU up to 15 TOPS, seven image sensors, TDK IMUs and barometer, and 5G connectivity. |
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Orbbec Launches Persee+ 3D Camera with Built-in Neural Network Processing
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Orbbec, which develops 3D camera technologies, has announced the availability of its new Persee+, a 3D camera computer that brings artificial intelligence capabilities to the camera by adding onboard computing capability. With a specialized hardware accelerator for AI and machine learning applications, the Persee+ aims to provide a new level of advanced users for 3D imaging for researchers, engineers and hobbyists. Leading the upgrades in the Persee+ is an Amlogic A311D processor, which provides significant increased performance. The smart vision system-on-chip (SOC) unit includes four ARM A73 cores and two ARM A53 cores plus a neural processing unit (NPU) capability for AI inference. |
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Cyngn Launches Autonomous Vehicle Hardware Integration Module
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Cyngn, which develops autonomous driving software solutions for industrial and commercial enterprises, has announced the official launch of DriveMod Kit, a turnkey autonomous vehicle (AV) solution. The initial manufacturing run of DriveMod Kit began coming off the assembly line earlier this month. With all of the advanced sensors and hardware components needed for AV technology integration, the DriveMod Kit is designed to streamline retrofitting existing industrial vehicles or simplify integration onto newly manufactured vehicles. |
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EPC Launches Lidar Integrated Circuit for Vehicles, Robots, Drones
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EPC has announced the EPC2221, a common source dual gallium nitride (GaN) FET rated at 100 V, 58 mΩ, and 20 A pulsed current. The integrated circuit is designed to be used in lidar systems for robots, surveillance systems, drones, autonomous cars, and vacuum cleaners. EPC said the low inductance and capacitance of the EPC2221 allows fast switching (100 MHz) and narrow pulse widths (2 ns) for high resolution and high efficiency. In addition, the small size of 1.35 mm by 1.35 mm reduces PCB cost and the total solution size. |
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Gideon Launches Trey, an Autonomous Forklift for Truck Loading/Unloading
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Croatia-based Gideon has announced a new vehicle, Trey, an autonomous forklift for truck trailer loading and unloading operations. Trey can load and unload pallets entirely autonomously, which Gideon said will save more than 80% of a worker’s time. The vehicle operates safely, consistently, and reliably in dynamic environments, working alongside people in a warehouse. The new system combines Gideon’s proprietary autonomy technology that is powered by artificial intelligence and 3D vision, user-friendly software for smart workflow orchestration, and a robust, purpose-made chassis by Infinity Machine & Engineering Corp. |
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Product Profile: LEMO High Power Connectors
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The new connectors from LEMO combine the light and compact M series bodies with new gold-plated high power contacts. Safe, lightweight, rugged and fully waterproof, the connectors offer comprehensive interconnect solutions for robotics, motorsport, defense, aerospace and drone markets. Accommodating cables from 10 square-millimeters (AWG 8) to 50 square-millimeters (AWG 1), the connectors come in various unipole and multi-pole configurations for single- and three-phase requirements. |
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In Case You Missed It
May Mobility to Modify Self-Driving Fleet to Include ADA-Compliant Vehicles
May Mobility, which develops autonomous vehicle (AV) technology and ride-share operations, has announced partnering with BraunAbility, a manufacturer of mobility transportation solutions, to modify the May Mobility Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS (S-AM) fleet to include ADA-compliant vehicles. The company said this is part of its broader vision to improve accessibility and equity in transit through autonomous driving technology. It said it is also integrating assistive technology within the vehicle cabin through speakers and a display to help people with audio and/or visual impairments see and hear when it is safe to enter and exit the vehicle. Read More |
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Featured Article
DARPA Awards Intel-led Group to Advance Off-Road Autonomous Simulation
The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has awarded Intel Federal LLC, with support from Intel Labs and other collaborators, the opportunity to develop advanced simulation solutions for off-road autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs). The program, titled the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environment with Resiliency – Simulation (RACER-Sim), aims to create the next generation of off-road simulation platforms to help developers significantly reduce the cost of development, and bridge the gap between simulation and the real world. Read More |
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Industry News
- Iris Automation Launches Commercial Availability of Casia G
Iris Automation has announced the commercial availability of Casia G, its ground-based version of its detect-and-avoid (DAA) surveillance solution. Using the same patented artificial intelligence and computer vision technology as Iris Automation’s onboard solutions, the Casia G provides a full optical 360-degree field of regard designed to detect, alert and enable operators to avoid both cooperative and non-cooperative aircraft for safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight. The Casia G system provides a perimeter of sanitized, monitored airspace for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to perform their work safely, without additional payload.
- Geek+ Offers New Picking Station for Goods-to-Person Operations
China-based Geek+, which develops autonomous mobile robot (AMR) systems for logistics operations, has announced an upgrade to its goods-to-person system with a new picking station compatible with its P-series robots that carry mobile shelves and racks. The new picking station includes several improvements, including a wrist-worn scanner that eliminates the need for excess walking; a stepladder that locks in place to reduce the danger of falling; and a projector that instantly indicates where goods are placed and taken. The new additions are also linked to an integrated control box that contains all of the systems needed for picking operations and coordination with Geek+ AMRs.
- Lucid Drone Partners With T-Mobile for IoT Connectivity for Drone Sprayers
Wireless carrier T-Mobile has announced that Lucid Drone Technologies will use T-Mobile as the exclusive provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and management for Lucid’s fleet of industrial spraying drones. The two companies are collaborating to put maintenance teams and exterior cleaning companies out of harm’s way by using drones for high-risk facilities maintenance work, such as exterior soft-wash cleaning and high-rise window cleaning. The two companies added that they plan to leverage T-Mobile’s 5G network in the future to fly drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and add more data-intensive capabilities, such as video streaming.
- Sumitomo Drive Technologies Deploys Seegrid’s AMRs for its Warehouses
Seegrid, which develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling tasks, has announced that Sumitomo Drive Technologies has chosen Seegrid’s mobile automation solutions for its expanded manufacturing operations. Sumitomo, which makes power transmission components, will deploy Seegrid’s Palion AMR fleet and the Fleet Central enterprise software to support autonomous hauling of parts and equipment between an existing 250,000-square-foot assembly facility and a new 100,000-square-foot warehouse. Download Case Study
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Robotics Funding
Agility Robotics Raises $150M to Scale Blended Human-Robot Workplaces
Agility Robotics, which manufactures robots designed to work alongside people in logistics and warehouse environments, has announced it raised $150 million in a Series B funding round. The additional capital will be used to accelerate Agility’s research and development and scale its robot production. The Agility approach marries expertise across design, software and hardware to power robots that can manage practically limitless tasks as part of a blended workforce. The humanoid-style Digit robots can walk with two legs and lift with two arms. The company said most robotics technologies are purpose-built for single tasks, which makes them inflexible, expensive and quickly obsolete. Read More View Video |
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Rapyuta Robotics Raises $51M to Accelerate Robots for Logistics
Rapyuta Robotics, a Japan-based developer of collaborative pick-assist robots and other cloud-based warehouse robots, has announced raising $51 million (JPY 6.4 billion) in Series C funding to accelerate the expansion of its robotics and artificial intelligence technologies. The new funding brings the total capital raised for Rapyuta to $81 million. The new funding round aims to further the company’s growth and market presence to an industry shifting to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and cloud-based software solutions. Read More |
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Glacier Emerges from Stealth, Raises $4.5M to Offer Recycling Robots
Glacier, which is developing artificial intelligence-powered robotic waste technology, has announced emerging from stealth and raising $4.5 million in seed funding. The company produces a recycling robot that combines AI and robotics to sort more than 30 different item types. The funding round was led by New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation by Jeff Immelt (former CEO of GE), Serra Peterson (a climate investor), and Maik Gupta (former CPO of Uber). Read More |
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SoftBank Robotics Invests in Avalon SteriTech
SoftBank Robotics Group has announced its strategic equity investment in Avalon SteriTech, which aims to strengthen the companies’ collaboration since the joint venture was established in March 2021. Upon the completion of the transaction, SoftBank Robotics will own approximately 5% of Avalon’s disinfection business. Kenichi Yoshida, the chief business officer of SBRG, will join the board of directors to support the continuous growth of the company. The transaction is expected to close by the end of April 2022. Read More |
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Supernal, Urban-Air Debut Air Mobility Vertiport
Supernal and Urban-Air Port have announced the debut of Air-One - a proprietary deployable operations hub for manned and unmanned vehicles that can handle future electric air travel. The vertiport is open for public visitation in Coventry, U.K., and will be redeployed in additional cities worldwide later this year to continue to highlight future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) passenger journeys and operations. The 17,000-square-foot radial Air-one was constructed in 11 weeks, and is divided into fully outfitted “zones” that include a passenger lounge, cafe, retail pop-up, cargo logistics hub, eclectic and hydrogen air vehicle hangar, security screening, and a command and control center. Read More |
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