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From The Editor
There May Finally Be a Robot Fit for My Home
For the longest time, I’ve been hesitant about purchasing a robotic vacuum for my home, but not because of any one particular technology reason. Rather, it’s how we treat our floors at our home, which has included multiple pets, carpets, floor tiling, and mainly stuff that ends up on the floor in piles (see the photo at left, which is a pile of things that are near my home office desk). We also have three or four different types of carpeting in the house, as well as different floor types in the bathroom and kitchen, thanks to a number of different additions and renovations made by the previous owner. But I’m intrigued by the latest news from iRobot, which launched a combination robot vacuum and mop that aims to handle multiple floor types. More interestingly is the software that runs the robot, which includes the ability to avoid objects such as toys, clothes, and other “stuff” that ends up on the floor. While I’m sure that our two dogs will not be happy (they both bark at our manual vacuum), there’s a strong possibility that we could see a robot that is worthy enough to tackle our floors (or at least be able to vacuum the one square foot of carpet that doesn’t have something on top of it.
– Keith Shaw, Managing Editor. |
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GelSight Launches AI-Powered 3D Tactile Sensor for Robots
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GelSight, which develops tactile intelligence sensor technologies, has announced the release of its GelSight Mini, an artificial-intelligence powered 3D tactile sensor. The sensor offers “superhuman touch resolution” to the commercial market, with a compact design for human hands, and robust enough for use by robots and cobots. In addition, the GelSight Mini can take just five minutes to deliver shareable results out of the box. The GelSight Mini tactile sensor includes digital 2D and 3D mapping functions, and broadens sensor capabilities compared to similar products on the market. It can also provide researchers with optimized images of material services that are useful in many other industries. |
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Inuitive Expands Edge AI Vision-on-Chip Portfolio
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Israel-based Inuitive Ltd, which develops vision-on-chip processors, has announced the launch of its new NU4100, an expansion of its vision and artificial intelligence IC portfolio. Based on a unique architecture and advanced 12nm process technology, the NU4100 IC supports integrated dual-channel 4K ISP, enhanced AI processing and depth sensing on a single-chip, low-power design. The NU4100 is the second generation of the NU4x00 series of products, Inuitive said. The series is designed for robotics, drones, virtual reality and edge AI applications that require multiple sensor aggregation, processing, packing and streaming. Inuitive said it is specifically designed for robots and other applications that must sense and analyze the environment using three, six or more cameras, as they make real-time actionable decisions based on that input. |
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DENSO Expands Vision Sensor Detection Angle for Subaru Models
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DENSO Corporation has announced it expanded the detection angle of its vision sensor, increasing the sensor’s ability to recognize pedestrians and bicycles around a vehicle to improve road safety. The vision sensor is used on some grades of the Subaru Legacy Outback, announced in April 2022 for the North American market, and the Subaru Crosstrek, announced in September 2022 for the Japanese market. DENSO said it decided to tackle this issue and succeeded in expanding the detection angle of its vision sensor to 128 degrees. This made it possible to detect bicycles crossing the road when driving at low speed. |
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T-Mobile, InDro Robotics Partner on 5G Connectivity for Inspection Robots
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T-Mobile has announced it is working with InDro Robotics, a Canadian air and ground robotics research and development company, to utilize 5G wireless connectivity to operate Indro’s ground-based industrial inspection robots. The companies are currently testing security and inspection capabilities at electrical substations. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) chose Canada-based InDro Robotics’ Sentinel to evaluate ground-roving robotics based on the ability to provide 24-hour substation asset inspection and security monitoring. The robot was able to run constant surveillance while streaming all of the data back to maintenance teams in near real-time through a custom-integrated 5G router connected to the T-Mobile network. |
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6 River Systems Upgrades Warehouse Fulfillment Platform
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6 River Systems, a division of Shopify, has announced new features to its wall-to-wall fulfillment system designed for warehouse operators. Integrated into the company’s software-as-a-service-based Fulfillment Execution System and autonomous mobile robots, the new features aim to provide tools and insights needed to maximize operations as fulfillment speed becomes a competitive differentiator for warehouse operators and the merchants they serve. “Fulfillment can no longer be an afterthought as warehouses adapt to rising demand, labor costs and faster SLAs,” said Rylan Hamilton, co-founder and CEO of 6 River Systems. “Our customers need smart, interconnected solutions that integrate with existing infrastructure. Through both hardware and software, the improvements we made to our system empower warehouse operators to increase efficiency, stabilize labor and support continuous growth.” |
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Product Profile: MiR1350 Mobile Industrial Robot
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Designed to increase logistics operational efficiency, the Mobile Industrial Robots MiR 1350 provides automated pickup, transport and delivery of pallets on the factory floor. This increases workplace safety and frees up employees to turn their attention to more productive tasks. The most powerful AMR from MiR to date, the MiR1350 can transport a payload of up to 1,350 kg (3,000 lbs.). The MiR1350 is equipped with the newest laser-scanner technology and has 360-degree vision. Two 3D cameras in the front enable the robot to see from 30 to 2,000 mm above the floor, and two sensors in each corner contribute to the robot’s ability to see pallets and other obstacles that are so low that they otherwise can be hard for robots to detect. |
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In Case You Missed It
iRobot Launches Vacuum-Mop Combination Robot
Consumer robot vacuum maker iRobot has launched the Roomba Combo j7+, a hands-free 2-in-1 robot that simultaneously vacuums and mops with no wet carpet messes. The system is designed for homes with a mixture of carpets, rugs and hard floors, and those who want a robot vacuum that can also mop. iRobot said the j7+ stands out from other 2-in-1 robots by vacuuming and mopping in a single cleaning job, saving time while keeping floors fresh and clean. This is made possible through a fully retractable mop pad that lifts itself to the top of the robot when it encounters carpet and rugs. The company also announced new features to its iRobot OS 5.0 software, including digital experiences that aim to improve intelligence and personalization across its portfolio of connected robots. Read More
View Video. |
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Sponsored Content
Modular Automation Enables Flexible Production Line Layout
Modular automation is the next phase of factory automation where the same production line is separated into modules and can be quickly reconfigured to adapt to different needs. Modular automation compatible products by Oriental Motor include the compact and lightweight DC-powered products, such as the AZ Series mini driver and the BLV Series R Type.
See Compatible Products, Applications, Case Studies, Videos. |
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Featured Article
Outpost Completes Flight Test of Autonomous Space Paraglider
During a technical session at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Outpost presented a paper on the findings of its two successful flight tests of its autonomous paraglider re-entry system, which enables the return of payloads to Earth from orbit. The tests, conducted in April 2022, mark a milestone for the company in creating a technology aimed to disrupt the future of satellite operations. The autonomous high-altitude paraglider system enables Output to achieve precision landing accuracy of its satellite system and customer payloads. The technology is meaningful because all enterprise-class spacecraft experience a 100km or more error dispersion when entering the atmosphere, making conventional low-altitude deployment of parachutes incapable of a precise and pre-coordinated landing, the company said. Read More |
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Industry News
- U.S. Army Awards $20.6M Contract to AeroVironment for Switchblade 300
AeroVironment, which develops multi-domain robotic systems, has announced it received a $20.6 million firm-fixed-price contract in August from the U.S. Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) project office. The contract is for the procurement of Switchblade 300 tactical missile systems, a back-packable and rapidly deployable-from-ground system designed to engage beyond-line-of-sight targets. The contract will be managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal and is scheduled to be delivered by July 2023.
- Scania, HAVI Partner on European Pilot of Autonomous Trucking on Public Roads
Sweden-based Scania has announced a partnership with HAVI Supply Chain for a new trial project that sees an autonomous truck being used in the transport of commercial goods. The pilot program, carried out under regular traffic conditions, looks to learn about the effectiveness of autonomous truck transport as part of hub-to-hub operations. In what the companies say is a first for Europe, the pilot uses a fully autonomous vehicle to transport commercial goods in regular traffic conditions between logistics hubs. The pilot will have the truck drive between Södertälje and Jönköping, a three-hour journey of about 300 km, and the route forms part of a longer logistics flow for HAVI, with the first and last mile being handled by manually driven vehicles.
- Video: SkyDrop Releases ‘Kitty Hawk Moment’ Documentary Series
SkyDrop, formerly known as Flirtey, has released the first episode of a documentary series telling the historical story of the first FAA-approved drone delivery on U.S. soil. The first episode, titled “The Kitty Hawk Moment”, focuses on the the delivery, conducted by SkyDrop in Wise, Va. The company said this delivery by drone represented a “Kitty Hawk Moment” for the entire drone delivery industry. The delivery drone that made this first delivery will be going on display in the "Thomas W. Haas We All Fly" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in 2022.
- DHL Expands Partnership with Locus Robotics for Warehouse Robots
Locus Robotics, which develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, has announced the expansion of their partnership with DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics group within Deutsche Post DHL Group. The extended partnership includes the deployment of Locus’ AMRs at DHL’s Canal Winchester and Lockbourne, Ohio, fulfillment centers to support high-volume order fulfillment for Carhartt, a global clothing retailer customer. DHL Supply Chain said its ongoing implementation of Locus's innovative AMR technology ensures that DHL fulfillment center operations are optimized to meet rapidly increasing volumes and seasonal peaks, while also helping to control operating and labor costs. Locus said its LocusBots optimize worker productivity in the order fulfillment process by decreasing walking time and improving worker ergonomics and workplace quality.
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Robotics Funding
Avidbots Raises $70M to Accelerate Cleaning Robot Expansion
Canada’s Avidbots has announced it raised $70 million in Series C funding to expand its fleet of commercial cleaning robots and autonomy software. With the new financing, Avidbots said it has raised more than $107 million to date. Avidbots said it will also use the new funding to grow its sales and marketing efforts to bring products to more customers in automation growth markets, such as the U.S., and worldwide. The company’s autonomous floor-scrubbing robot, Neo 2, is experiencing strong demand, and as such Avidbots said it wants to add more than 100 employees in the product, engineering, and sales and marketing space groups within the next 12 months. Read More |
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Artly Raises $8M to Further AI Robot Barista Platform
Artly, which develops robot-enabled coffee barista tasks, has announced closing an $8 million Pre-A Series investment round. The new funding will be used to continue developing its AI barista technology and bring more systems to additional locations. The Artly system uses robotics, computer vision and deep learning, combined with the skills of master baristas, to produce “the perfect cup of coffee every time.” Artly opened its first location in May 2021 in Portland, Ore., and has since opened three more locations in the California Bay Area. It also opened a location in Seattle, near the Pike Place Market. The company said it is ready to expand to more locations in the U.S. later this year. Read More |
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Delivery Robots
Serve Robotics Partners With Pizza Hut Canada for Delivery Services
Pizza Hut Canada has announced the launch of its new robot delivery service, through a partnership with Serve Robotics. The service will host a two-week pilot program in Vancouver, British Columbia, allowing customers who place an order via the Pizza Hut app to have menu items delivered directly to their doorstep via robot. The Pizza Hut located on 1725 Robson Street in Vancouver was chosen as the first location for the pilot. Customers selected for robotic delivery will be able to use the Pizza Hut app to track the robot's location as their order approaches and will receive a unique, one-time PIN to retrieve their order from the robot's secure compartment. Read More |
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Ottonomy Deploys Delivery Robot at Rome Airport
Ottonomy.IO has announced the launch of its Ottobot 2.0 at pier A of Terminal 1 at the Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) in Rome, Italy. The autonomous delivery project is part of ADR’s long-term strategy to maintain the highest levels of service and enhance passengers’ experience through the use of cutting-edge technology and innovation. Rome International Airport has partnered with Plug & Play Tech Center, LVenture Group and PWC in the development of "Runway to the future," a program set in ADR Innovation Hub, which is the first industrial incubator inside an airport. Ottonomy is one of 10 startups selected to take part in the Hub's acceleration program, and has been chosen for the cutting-edge innovation it brings to the market with their proprietary indoor and outdoor autonomous robot. Air passengers can scan a QR code to purchase food, beverages and retail items at the airport and get them delivered right up to the gate in a digital and completely frictionless experience. Read More |
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