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From The Editor
Use of Robots Expand Beyond Traditional Industries
In looking at this week’s news in the world of automation and robotics, I noticed that we’re now seeing more applications and use cases for robots that were probably not considered before. For example, Seafarer exploring autonomy for its shipwreck-hunting underwater vehicle, and Hyphen using automation to help Chipotle build the perfect burrito or bowl. In each of these cases, we’re seeing technologies advance to help even more companies in their automation journey. And yes, we have a flying car update this week – Japan’s SkyDrive is moving closer towards a new lightweight prototype that uses carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for its eVTOL vehicle. When I predicted last week that we’d have flying cars by 2062, I may have been a bit conservative, since SkyDrive is looking at a 2030 deployment. Maybe I’ll adjust this to mass adoption of flying cars in 2062. Either way, it’s a cool time to be observing the robotics revolution. – Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
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Neugart Launches Right-Angle Variant Gearbox
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Germany’s Neugart has announced the WPHLE, a right-angle variant that combines the advantages of its PLHE, Economy and Precision gearboxes. The new gearbox is axially space saving, economical, IP65-compliant and designed for high radial and axial forces at the output. Specifically, the WPLHE features both the gearing of a proven economy gearbox and a high-performance output bearing with preloaded tapered roller bearings, which are otherwise commonly used in precision gearboxes (such as the PLN and the PSN). This means that the new right-angle gearbox tolerates high radial and axial forces of up to 8,000 N at the output. |
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Toposens Launches 3D Collision Avoidance Sensor for Mobile Robots
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Munich, Germany-based Toposens has announced the market launch of its Toposens 3D Collision Avoidance System for mobile robots, based on its 3D ultrasonic echolocation technology. Based on the principle of echolocation as seen in bats, the Echo One compensates for the drawbacks of optical sensors through the use of sound-based triangulation combined with sophisticated noise-filtering software. |
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Japan Firm Unveils Next-Gen MEMS Mirror IC for Automotive Lidar
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Japan’s YITOA Micro Technology Corporation has announced the development of the MEMS Mirror IC for use in automotive lidar applications. Samples are expected to begin shipping by the end of this month. The solid-state lidar using MEMS Mirror is expected to be one of the best ways to realize the lidar function, YITOA said. The system is aiming for higher reliability, smaller form factor and lower cost than mechanical rotating lidar systems. |
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Seafarer Announces 2nd-Gen SeaSearcher Shipwreck Exploration Vehicle
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Seafarer Exploration Corp. has announced the construction of its second-generation SeaSearcher platform, which will focus on deeper water and multi-mode exploration. The upgraded design is more streamlined and rugged, designed to operate in both autonomous and towfish modes with in-field change out for high-current sites. The new platform integrates sub-bottom imaging, side-scan sonar, precision MEMS differential magnetometer array/direction finder, video recording, and metal discrimination on a single platform. |
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Resgreen Testing New Brushless Motor for PullBuddy AGV
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Mobile robot company Resgreen Group has announced it is testing a new brushless motor for its PullBuddy Automatic Guided Vehicle (AGV), which can move loads up to 3,000 pounds. The brushless motor has a higher torque compared to the currently used brushed motor, which will lead to better performance and increased horsepower, the company said. In addition, the new motor requires less maintenance. The PullBuddy is a magnetic-tape guided AGV that is less than 12 inches high, letting it tunnel under load handling frames (LHFs). The vehicle uses a pop-up pin to automatically connect and disconnect from LHFs for seamless, 24/7 operation. |
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Intuition Robotics Teams Up With Bold to Bring Fitness to ElliQ Community
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Digital health and wellness company Bold has announced a strategic partnership with Intuition Robotics, which develops a robot aimed at older adults. The partnership aims to bring balance training and fitness classes to older adults through Intuition’s ElliQ robot platform. Launched in 2020, Bold’s science-based exercises are designed to meet the needs of older adults, whether they are active athletes or those with mobility limitations, the company said. Its virtual exercise platform also provides clinical balance and joint health programs specifically for an aging population that often lacks condition-appropriate exercise options. |
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In Case You Missed It
Research: Robots Learn Household Tasks by Watching Humans
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new learning methods for robots that lets them learn directly from human-interaction videos and generalize that information to new tasks. The researchers are hoping this will make robots well-suited to learn household chores. Read More |
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Sponsored Content
BLV Series R Type Brushless DC Motors
The BLV Series R Type brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) speed control system offers the design of motor and driver significantly reduced in size and weight, yet high-power, and contributes to the battery driven automation. Read More |
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Featured Article
Operational Alignment: The Link Between Existing Warehouse Technologies and AMRs
Stepping back to one of the most pressing issues driving investment in automation and modernization technologies is the issue of labor. Labor-related challenges such as scarcity, reliability, and turnover have impacted the decision of warehouse operators to make investments in technology. While the cause of this investment is to offset the problem, it is not meant to blindly replace labor. Investments in AMR technology aims to augment and improve human performance in the process. Granted, this effort does reduce reliance on associates in certain aspects of the process, but it does not replace or eliminate them. Rather, it makes them better and allows the operation to “do more with less”. Read More |
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Industry News
- SafeAI Demonstrates Autonomous Construction Vehicle in Japan
SafeAI, which develops autonomous solutions for heavy equipment, has announced a partnership with Obayashi to demonstrate a retrofitted Caterpillar 725 vehicle operating on a construction site in Japan. The demonstrations, which took place over a two-week period earlier this year, brought together delegates from nearly 50 organizations across the construction industry, including OEMs, general contractors, technology companies, universities, and Japanese government regulators.
- Australia’s Blueprint Lab Changes Name to Reach Robotics
Blueprint Lab Pty Ltd., based in Sydney, Australia, has announced it will change its corporate name to Reach Robotics to reflect the company’s mission and technologies. The company creates advanced robotic arm solutions for harsh environments, enabling inspection and intervention in maritime infrastructure management, military and police operations, among other tasks. VIEW VIDEO
- Canada’s Modern Beauty Partners with Attabotics for Fulfillment Center Automation
Canadian beauty retailer Modern Beauty has announced a partnership with Attabotics, which develops a 3D robotics supply chain system, to introduce its automation technology to Modern Beauty’s fulfillment center in Calgary, Alberta. The Attabotics system condenses traditional warehouse aisles into a single, vertical storage structure. Inside the structure, robotic shuttles move in three-dimensional space to store and deliver goods to workers on the perimeter, who pick and ship e-commerce orders.
- ForSight Robotics Raises $55M to Advance Cataract Surgery Robot
Israel-based ForSight Robotics, which is developing ophthalmic robotic surgery, has announced raising $55 million in Series A funding to advance its ORYOM surgical platform for fully robotic cataract surgery. The flagship robotic platform will increase accessibility to ophthalmic surgery procedures worldwide. ORYOM has already been used successfully in multiple cataract procedures on an animal eye model by a number of ophthalmic surgeons.
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Robotics Funding
JAKA Robotics Raises $150M to Expand Industrial Cobots
China’s JAKA Robotics has announced it successfully completed about $150 million in Series D funding in the first half of 2022. The new funds will further support the globalization of the company and the research and development of new generations of its collaborative robots (aka cobots) to have more flexibility and intelligence. The new financing was led by Temasek, TrueLight Capital, Softbank Vision Fund 2 and Prosperity7 Ventures, the diversified growth fund of Aramco Ventures, with participation from one strategic investor. The company’s Series C and C+ funding rounds in 2021 were for $50 million. Read More |
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Chipotle Makes Strategic Investment in Food Robotics Firm Hyphen
Hyphen, a food robotics company that automates meal production through its Makeline and KitchenOS platform, has announced a strategic investment from Chipotle Mexican Grill via its Cultivate Next venture fund. Tiger Global and existing strategic investors also participated in the financing. Terms of the investment were not disclosed, but the company said it will use the funds to fuel research and development, accelerate hiring plans, and expand Hyphen’s support capabilities. Read More |
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Aerial Robots
SkyDrive Teams With Toray Carbon Magic on Flying Car Development
Japan’s SkyDrive, which is developing flying cars and cargo drones, has announced a partnership with Toray Carbon Magic (TCM), which makes carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) products for the automotive and aerospace industries. The partnership aims to develop a composite vehicle structure for SkyDrive’s flying cars, and are now working on material conformity testing. With the mission of “leading the once-in-a-century mobility revolution,” SkyDrive said it is developing flying cars to realize a future that utilizes the sky for daily transportation. In 2025, the company plans to enter into service in the Osaka Bay Area using the SkyDrive Type SD-05, a two-seat vehicle for which SkyDrive is currently pursuing type certification. Read More
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Fortem Counter-Drone Platform Chosen to Protect FIFA World Cup
Fortem Technologies, which develops airspace security systems to detect and defeat dangerous drones, has announced it will provide counter-drone solutions for the Qatari Ministry of Interior and Safety and Security Operations (SSOC) for this year's FIFA World Cup. Working with distribution partner Smart Communication Systems, Fortem said it will help address the growing global threat of rogue UAVs to protect World Cup events in Qatar, scheduled from November 21 through Dec. 18, 2022. Read More
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