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From The Editor
RoboTire Installation Proves How Far Robots are Progressing
Sure, it was pretty big news last week when Amazon announced it is acquiring iRobot in the consumer robotics space, but the more interesting news for me was RoboTire announcing its first deployment in an Arizona Discount Tire location. The robotic tire changing system utilizes industrial robot arms and artificial intelligence to speed up the time it takes for service shops and other locations to change tires. The best part is not the time saved from having to wait for your car to get fixed, but rather that the robots can save technicians from a lot of the heavy lifting and potential injuries that occur when changing or installing new tires onto a vehicle. This also proves that innovations keep continuing in the robotics space – five years ago I would have never imagined that robots would be able to autonomously change tires on a vehicle, but advances in software, hardware and computing process have advanced exponentially to make this possible. Even if the RoboTire solution doesn’t end up at your local service station, the company has a big future in potentially going into fleet management operations that require lots and lots of tire changes (think rental car companies or taxi fleet operations just for starters). Because the idea touches on a lot of the promises of robotics (saving time, preventing injury and performing repetitive tasks), RoboTire seems to have a bright future ahead (at least in my opinion).
– Keith Shaw, Managing Editor |
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Advanced Energy Launches New AC/DC Converter
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Denver-based Advanced Energy Industries, which develops precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions, has announced the launch of the AE Artesyn AIF42 AC/DC converter. The new converter reduces system size, delivers 93% efficiency and enhances reliability by minimizing the need for external components. The company said the new converter will expand its presence in the industrial, robotics and 5G telecom markets. The AIF42 full brick module is rated for 500 W of continuous power, and provides integrated functionality for rapid application design and speedy time to market. |
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LEMO Launches New HY Vacuum-Tight Push-Pull Connectors
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LEMO, which designs and manufactures precision custom connection and cable solutions, has announced expanding its field-proven M series with a new vacuum-tight model, named HY. Available in all sizes and low-voltage configurations, the new fixed socket model has been specifically designed for applications that require vacuum-tight integrations in harsh environments. A new innovative potting material helps enable the HY model to achieve vacuum-tight sealing with ultra-low leak rates over a broad temperature range. It also integrates optimized PCB tails to enable easier PCB routings, even on high-density configurations. |
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Addverb Launches Multi-Level Shuttle System for Fulfillment Tasks
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Addverb Technologies, which provides automation solutions for warehouses and distribution centers, has announced the launch of Medius, a new multi-level shuttle (MLS) system. Medius is an automated and dynamic shuttle system that performs the function of storage and retrieval on multiple levels, and is aimed at companies that want to increase storage density or establish an automation operation that is modular and scalable. The system is based on goods-to-person principles, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and carton shuttles to enable agile and ergonomic order-fulfillment processes. |
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DeTect Introduces Dual-Function Bird and Drone Radar System
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DeTect Inc., which develops fully integrated radar and advanced remote sensing technologies, has announced the introduction of a dual-function bird and drone radar operational system for U.S. military installations – the MERLIN BDR-DDR. Developed in 2003 for real-time, tactical operational birdstrike avoidance, the MERLIN system now has TRUE3D technology for simultaneous bird and drone detecting capabilities. The technology can also be integrated with radar-directed electro-optic, infrared (EOIR) camera systems and DroneWatcher radio frequency drone detection and interdiction. |
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RoboTire Installs Robotic System at Discount Tire in Arizona
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RoboTire, a Detroit-based robotics and automation company, has announced that a Discount Tire store in Fountain Hills, Ariz., is the first Discount Tire location in North America to install and operate a RoboTire tire-changing system. With more than 1,100 stores in the U.S., Discount Tire said it is installing the RoboTire system as one of many enhancements at its stores, designed to deliver safety and satisfaction in the customer experience. Founded in 2018, RoboTire develops a system that enables robots to change tires in a fraction of the time that human operators can – reducing an hour-long experience to under 25 minutes. The system is helping to transform the way fleet operators, dealers, and independent service providers look at tire and wheel services. |
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Product Profile: Vention Flexx Beacon Bluetooth Sensor
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The Vention Flexx Beacon Sensors are Bluetooth devices that you place in strategic locations of your facility or on strategic fixtures in your setup. The sensors communicate with and are managed by the Flexx Beacon Scanner. The Flexx Beacon Scanner uses proximity between a Universal Robot and the Flexx Beacon Sensors to identify proximity and location. Insert the Flexx Beacon Scanner in your Universal Robot teach pendant and the device will automatically start looking for Flexxbotics-specific Bluetooth devices. |
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In Case You Missed It
Amazon to Acquire iRobot in $1.7B Deal
Amazon has announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Amazon will acquire iRobot, maker of consumer robots such as the Roomba vacuum cleaner. Amazon will acquire iRobot for $61 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.7 billion, including iRobot’s net debt. Amazon said upon completion of the merger, Colin Angle will remain as CEO of iRobot. Since the introduction of the Roomba vacuum in 2002, iRobot has continued to provide customers with household cleaning robots, developing several other products in this space. Read More |
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Sponsored Content
BLV Series R Type Brushless DC Motors
The new BLV Series R motors feature high power with reduced size and weight and are designed for battery-powered input type applications, such as automated guided vehicles, autonomous mobile robots and conveyors. Learn More HERE. |
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Featured Article
A2Z Drone Delivery Launches 2nd Generation Delivery Drone
A2Z Drone Delivery, which is developing commercial drone delivery systems, has announced its second generation Rapid Delivery System (RDS). The RDS2 automated delivery winch eliminates the need for specialty cargo boxes, and can deliver any payload up to 22 lbs. (10 kg), which the company said is the highest payload capacity delivery winch on the market. The company said it is also rolling out a new integrated cargo drone, the RDST, offering service providers an off-the-shelf delivery system for last-mile deliveries. While the RDST features an integrated RDS2, the standalone Rapid Delivery System can also be installed on several popular enterprise delivery unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Read More View Video |
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Robotics News
- Cobalt Robotics Integrates Safetrust Sensors into Security Robots
Safetrust, which develops secure and virtual credential solutions, has announced further integration of its sensor ecosystem into Cobalt Robotics’ autonomous mobile security robots. The expanded partnership allows Cobalt robots to connect with the Safetrust ecosystem of security offerings more seamlessly. Cobalt’s robots provide safety and security through corporate office spaces, automating security workflows more reliably than humans. With the deeper integration between Safetrust and Cobalt, businesses can better track where the robots are located, and how robots interact with people based on their credentials, and instantly deploy robots in emergencies. View Video
- Hy-Tek, AHS Partner with Tompkins Robotics for Material Handling Offerings
AHS, a division of Hy-Tek Material Handling Company and a full-service provider of integrated fulfillment and distribution systems, has announced a partnership with Tompkins Robotics, which develops robotic automation and sortation solutions. The partnership aims to expand the automated material handling capabilities of AHS and the entire Hy-Tek organization. By integrating the modular and scalable tSort Sortation system to Hy-Tek’s suite of services, the partnership aims to streamline processes, improve employee productivity, and maximize the return on investment for those in the supply chain space.
- Kassow Robots Deploys 60 Cobots to Help U.S. Textile Company Automate Restocking
Kassow Robots, which develops seven-axis collaborative robot (aka cobot) solutions for machine tending, material handling and other related applications, has announced that its KR1018 cobot is being deployed as part of a solution to automate the textile industry. In partnership with Germany-based Project Group GmbH, the companies developed an automated guided vehicle (AGV) and cobot solution in collaboration with OEM Saurer Technologies GmbH & Co. An order of more than 60 AGV/cobot solutions will be delivered in stages to a U.S. client in the textile industry.
- Foxconn Teams With Monarch Tractor to Build Next-Gen Agriculture Equipment
Hon Hai Technology Group (operating as Foxconn) has announced the signing of a contract manufacturing agreement with Monarch Tractor, which develops an electric, driver-optional smart tractor for agricultural applications. The agreement will have Foxconn building next-generation agricultural equipment and battery packs at the Foxconn Ohio facility. Full-rate production of Monarch’s MK-V Series is scheduled to begin Q1 2023 at the Foxconn Ohio facility, an approximately 6.2 million square foot campus. This will follow production of Monarch’s Founder Series in Q4 2022 at the company’s Livermore, Calif., manufacturing facility.
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Robotics Funding
StradVision Raises $88M to Advance AI Perception System for AVs
South Korea-based StradVision, which develops artificial intelligence-based perception processing for autonomous vehicles (AVs), has announced raising $88 million in a Series C funding round. WIth the latest funding, the company said it has now raised $129 million in total. The company’s SVNet perception software powers the perception technology behind advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and AVs, enabling external vehicle perception via more than 14 platforms to accurately and safely detect and recognize objects. Read More |
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MatrixSpace Launches With $10.1M in Funding to Advance Edge Sensing
Burlington, Mass.-based MatrixSpace, which is developing the next generation of artificial intelligence-enabled sensing solutions, has announced raising $10.1 million in private investor funding, with secured enterprise and government customers in place. The company is developing real-time edge-based sensing with AI, which aims to sense and detect objects, motion, and direction in any situation. MatrixSpace said its ability to combine industry leading sensing, AI edge processing and RF communication in real time is a major technology breakthrough, with multiple vertical market applications. Read More |
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Intel Leads $100M Investment in Geek+ Series E1 Funding
China’s Geek+, which develops autonomous mobile robot technologies, has announced it raised a new $100 million Series E1 funding round, with the company now valued at over $2 billion. Investors in the round include Intel Capital, Vertex Growth, and Qinguye Capital Investment. The company said it will use the latest funding to accelerate its global market expansion and invest in its AMR technology research and development for key product innovation. In early 2021, Geek+ closed a previously undisclosed Series D funding round, led by CPI. In 2021, the company registered annual revenue of $150 million and more than $300 million in orders. During the first half of 2022, the company said its order volume doubled compared to the same period in 2021, and it expects to maintain its 100% year-on-year growth trajectory for the rest of 2022. Read More |
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Ottonomy Raises $3.3M in Seed Funding, Launches New Delivery Robot
Ottonomy.io has announced closing a seed funding round of $3.3 million, bringing its total funding to date to $4.9 million. The company also announced Ottobot 2.0, the newest version of its fully autonomous mobile robot for retail and restaurant deliveries. Earlier this year, the company’s Ottobots began deliveries of food, beverage and travel retail items at airports. The new version evolved from early pilots to include fully customizable modular cabins, increased access for customers and directional mobility, including crab mode. Read More |
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