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From the Editor
Attacking the Challenges of Robotic Lawn Mowing
I had a summer job in college working on the maintenance crew for an office building. When it rained we painted offices or did inside busywork, but most of the time we were outdoors mowing the lawns in the heat and humidity of upstate New York. Now with my own home, I’m reminded of how dirty, dull, and somewhat dangerous lawn mowing can be. This feels like the perfect opportunity for robots, yet for years robotic lawn mowers have been too expensive, and have relied on guide wires, boundary stakes and other additional technology problems (challenges with uneven lawns, slopes and flower beds come to mind). But now it feels like we’re turning a corner. A couple of new robotic mowers from WORX and Toro aim to address some of the challenges on the consumer end, and Scythe Robotics is looking to disrupt the commercial lawn mowing space with its autonomous, all-electric mower. I recently had a great conversation with Scythe’s CEO, Jack Morrison, about the challenges of robotic mowing (see below). With an expected $2.6 billion market by 2027 (Arizton forecast), the commercial lawn mowing space is ready for automation.
— Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
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IDS uEye XC Closes Gap Between Industrial Camera and Webcam
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Image Developing Systems GmbH (IDS) has launched an industrial camera with autofocus that “is just as easy to operate as a webcam.” The new uEye XC is specially designed for industrial requirements in applications such as kiosk systems, logistics, medical systems and robotics. The 13-megapixel camera features USB3 connections, which only requires a cable connection for setup and commissioning, IDS said. The integrated autofocus module allows the camera to easily manage changing object distances. |
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ThruWave Launches Stand-Alone Inspection Scanner
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Seattle-based ThruWave has announced its INSIGHT system, a quick-start program that can solve operational issues around inspection for several industries, such as manufacturing (bottling, canning, and packing), palletizing, outbound shipping, fulfillment and fraud-related losses during reverse logistics. The INSIGHT system automates 100% of the inspection process for supply chain applications to save companies time and money. INSIGHT scans closed cases and totes as they move along a conveyor through millimeter wave technology, creating a 3D digital render in real-time. |
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Knightscope Launches New K1 Security Robot
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Knightscope, which develops advanced physical security technology through robotics, has announced the new K1 Hemisphere Autonomous Security Robot (ASR), and is now accepting pre-orders at its website. The Hemisphere includes Knightscope’s existing suite of technologies, but in a more compact size and a new subscription price – an introductory price will be $0.75 per hour on an annual contract, with optional Knightscope+ remote monitoring services that can be added for an extra $2 per hour. Shipping on the new K1 Hemisphere is expected to occur later this year. |
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SoftBank, Altaeros Complete Testing of Autonomous Tethered Blimp
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SoftBank’s mobile carrier division has announced completion of the initial testing of Altaeros’ ST-Flex, an autonomous aerostat (tethered blimp). Operational and telecommunications tests were performed at Japan’s Hokkaido Spaceport in Taiki Town. The two companies first launched the ST-Flex on May 2, and performed evaluation tests through May. ST-Flex carried SoftBank’s base station system, which included a proprietary cylindrical antenna that realizes communication area footprint fixation, to a height of 816 feet (249 meters). It was then connected to ground equipment via optical fiber and power conductors embedded in the tethers. |
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Resgreen Reports Positive Results for LilBuddy Mobile Robot Test
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Resgreen Group International, which develops mobile robotics, has announced a partial release of pilot testing for its LilBuddy robot. Extensive testing of two important features has wielded positive results involving maneuverability with the use of four omnidirectional casters and travel over uneven surfaces in both indoor and outdoor environments. The omnidirectional casters use small, free-spinning roller wheels located on the outside diameter, Resgreen said. This lets LilBuddy change direction without the normal restrictions imposed by traditional casters. |
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WORX Launches Landroid S Robotic Mower for Homeowners
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WORX has announced the new Landroid S robotic mower, a compact system that is powered by a 20-volt 2.0Ah MAX lithium battery and the ability to cut lawns up to one eighth of an acre (the equivalent of 5,445 square feet) unsupervised. Homeowners with smaller lots can use the Landroid S to take “the guesswork out of lawn care.” When compared to hiring a lawn care service, a robotic mower can pay for itself in less than 1.5 seasons, WORX added. The smart, streamlined machine can be programmed to cut the lawn in any day or time combinations through a smart phone app, or directly through the mower’s LCD screen interface. |
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In Case You Missed It
Amazon Debuts Proteus, a Fully Autonomous Mobile Robot
Amazon has announced Proteus, a fully autonomous mobile robot for its warehouses that can move through facilities and perform its work around people, which eliminates the need to be confined to restricted areas. The new robot includes advanced safety, perception and navigation technology developed by Amazon. In a blog post announcing the robot, Amazon said its investment in Kiva Robotics “was a big bet in forecasting the role innovation would play in helping us meet our customers’ needs while making work safer, simpler, and more productive for employees.” Now more than 10 years later, the company announced 520,000 robotic drive units, the addition of more than 1 million jobs worldwide, with dozens of other robotic system types in its facilities. Read More |
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Featured Article
Q&A: Scythe Robotics’ Jack Morrison on Commercial Mower Robotics
Lawn mowing is set to become one of the next areas where autonomous mobile robots can disrupt an industry. While robotic lawn mowers for residential homes have slowly emerged over the years, the sector is now seeing commercial mower systems with either full or semi-autonomous navigation. Robotics-World recently spoke with Jack Morrison, CEO of Scythe Robotics, one of the hottest startups in the space. The company recently announced passing 5,000 reservations for its M.52, an all-electric, fully autonomous mower aimed at commercial landscapers. The Boulder, Colo.-based Scythe also raised $13.8 million in Series A funding in June 2021 to help scale the business. Read More
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Robotics News
- Tailos Adds Melonee Wise to Board of Directors
Tailos, which is developing autonomous robots for the hospitality and industrial cleaning industries, has announced the election of Melonee Wise to the company’s board of directors. Wise, the founder of Fetch Robotics and current vice president of Automation at Zebra Technologies (which acquired Fetch in 2021), brings decades of experience in robotics development and building innovative companies.
- Research: Robotic Last-Mile Delivery Revenues to Hit $670M in 2030
Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has announced new research forecasting that worldwide robotic last-mile delivery revenues will grow from $70 million this year to about $670 million in 2030. The value of parcels delivered by autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) could reach $3.3 billion by 2030, the firm added. Driving this forecast growth is the lack of profitability and decreasing time to delivery trends for retailers, restaurants, and last-mile delivery service providers.
- Kaman Invests $10M in Near Earth Autonomy
Kaman Corporation has announced an investment of $10 million in Pittsburgh-based Near Earth Autonomy for a minority interest in the outstanding equity of the company and a seat on its board of directors. The funding will allow Near Earth to accelerate its technology to establish an industry standard in autonomous solutions for the next generation of aviation. Kaman said the partnership also leverages its core competency in precision parts manufacturing as the preferred manufacturer of autonomous parts and components for Near Earth.
- Fibocom, Aetina Partner to add 5G Release 16 Capabilities to AI Edge Computer
China’s Fibocom, which provides Internet of Things (IoT) wireless solutions and communication modules, has announced a collaboration with Taiwan’s Aetina Corporation, which develops high-performance GPGPU and edge AI computing solutions. The new effort aims to bring high-speed, ultra-reliable and low-latency 5G capabilities to empower robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, industrial IoT, and smart healthcare applications.
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Food Delivery Robots
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Test-Drives Hospitality Robots
Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant has announced that its Rogers, Ark., location has deployed a Servi hospitality robot from Bear Robotics in a pilot program designed to give human servers a helping hand and more time to interact with guests. The restaurant chain said it is exploring the Servi’s ability to improve guest satisfaction, increase efficiency and help retain restaurant staff in a tight labor market. Servi performs repetitive tasks in the dining room, such as running food and drinks to guests as soon as those items are ready, and helping servers bus tables and return dishes to the back of the house for washing. Read More |
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SkyDrop, Domino’s to Test Drone Delivery in New Zealand
SkyDrop, which recently changed its name from Flirtey, has announced the second phase of a commercial drone delivery trial with Domino’s in New Zealand. The trial is expected to launch in the coming months to enable the delivery of hot and fresh pizza from a local Domino’s store to customers’ homes. SkyDrop said its drones can carry a variety of Domino’s menu options, including up to three Extra-Large Domino’s pizzas, or two large pizzas with a soda and side dish (including dipping sauce). To prepare for the commercial trial, SkyDrop said it is currently conducting test deliveries at its facilities in Reno, Nev. Read More |
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Partnerships or Deployments
Online Eyewear Retailer Zenni Deploys OSARO Robotic Bagging System
OSARO, which develops and deploys advanced robotics for e-commerce companies, has announced a partnership with Zenni, an online eyewear retailer. The partnership will help Zenni automate the “last meter” of Zenni’s fulfillment center in Novato, Calif., with three OSARO Robotic Bagging Systems readying eyewear orders for shipment to U.S. customers. OSARO said this is the first time a robot will be assigned the responsibility of working with an automated mechanical baggins system to ensure that a customer’s unique order is placed into the correct bag for shipment. Read More |
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Aerobotix Partners with Australian Firm to Deploy Robots for Missile Manufacturing
Aerobotix and Automated Solutions Australia (ASA) have announced a robotic automation international partnership to develop, test and manufacture hypersonic missiles. The partnership follows a 2021 signing of the AUKUS security pact between the U.S., U.K. and Australian governments, which includes provisions for the allies to work together on hypersonic and counter-hypersonic systems. The collaboration with Aerobotix will enable the Australian defense sector and defense contractors to more easily access both companies’ expertise in automation. Read More |
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