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From the Editor
The ‘Mighty Convoy’ of the Future May be Driverless
One of the first songs I remember really loving as a kid was C.W. McCall’s “Convoy,” which told the story of a line of trucks that were driving across America. It also launched the CB radio craze and a bunch of movies where good-guy truckers faced off against “Smokeys”, which is a totally ‘70s kind of thing. Fast-forward a few decades, and a lot of those long-haul trucks could soon be self-driving. A recent study by Ryder and Georgia Tech showed a dramatic cost reduction improvement by utilizing autonomous trucks working in an automated hub system. This doesn’t mean truckers are going away – there is still a major truck driver shortage, and most trucks will still need to be driven for the initial “first mile” and “last mile”. But everything in between will likely be handled by autonomous trucks. These cost reductions and 24/7 operation for autonomous trucks could help improve the speed and efficiency of the supply chain, which is still struggling due to increases in e-commerce ordering amidst the pandemic. The big question is whether autonomous trucks will still be able to give other drivers a Smokey report (to be honest, that’s what we have Waze for). 10-4, good buddy! – Keith Shaw, Managing Editor (Thanks to Schwoaze from Pixabay for the photo!) |
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OnRobot Debuts Online Learning Platform to Deploy Cobot Apps
OnRobot, which develops tools for collaborative robot applications, has launched Learn OnRobot, a free online training platform that gives step-by-step directions through the process of designing and deploying cobot applications with tools such as grippers, vision cameras, processing kits, and sensors. The system works with all major cobot and light industrial robot brands and supports nine languages. The platform includes a library of simple and direct “How To” videos and 3D simulations that give detailed information on cobot applications, including machine tending, palletizing, pick and place, and sanding. The platform can be accessed via PCs, smartphones and tablets, which allows users to use the platform while on a shop floor during the deployment process. The company said Learn OnRobot can mitigate labor shortages by enabling faster and more effective cobot automation deployments, empowering companies to quickly respond to challenging labor conditions. |
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WeRide Launches Latest Sensor Suite for Level 4 Vehicles
China’s WeRide has launched its WeRide Sensor Suite 4.0, a small-sized, lightweight model that provides accurate and reliable perception capabilities aimed at Level 4 self-driving passenger vehicles. Through highly integrated sensors, the WeRide Sensor Suite 4.0 achieves a significant reduction in size compared to its predecessor, the Senros Suite 3.0, the company said. The new version is one-sixth the size of the last generation, and occupies less than 0.4 square meters of roof area, allowing passengers to enjoy the vehicle’s sunroof. The Suite 4.0 version has a net weight of 13 kg, which is 20% of the weight of the previous model – WeRide said it is the lightest sensor suite among the industry. The package is also designed with streamlined surfaces to blend in with a vehicle’s aerodynamic shape, “creating a self-driving vehicle that looks more consistent and elegant.” |
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ABB Launches New Machine Tending Cells for Metals Industry
ABB has announced a new family of modular machine tending applications cells for the metals industry, aimed at maximizing flexibility and machine utilization while minimizing lost productivity caused by unforeseen production stoppages. With six different versions, the ABB FlexLoader M family offers several ways to load and unload machines based on the size, shape and amount of workpieces being handled. ABB said the FlexLoader M series would be ideal for applications such as foundries and die casting operations that produce multiple types of products in varying quantities. The series launch begins with the FlexLoader M Tray and FlexLoader M Conveyor variants, with further variants (called Random Feed, Bin, AGV and Zero Point) due for release over the coming months. |
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HAI Robotics Launches 3 New Systems for Vertical Warehousing
HAI Robotics, which develops autonomous case-handling robotic (ACR) systems for warehouse logistics operations, has announced three new products during the CeMAT Asia Expo in Shanghai. The company said the new products aim to unblock the bottleneck in the intralogistics sector for companies looking for higher storage density and flexibility. The company’s HAIPICK A3 fork-lifting and A42-FW flexible-width ACR were announced, as well as a new look for the A42T telescopic ACR, which the company said reaches a new storage height record in the industry at 10 meters. |
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Industry News
IFR Says 943,000 Industrial Robots Operating in China, a 21% Increase
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has released its World Robotics 2021 Industrial Robots report, showing a record 943,000 industrial robots operating in China’s factories today – an increase of 21% compared with the previous year. Sales of new robots grew strongly, with about 168,000 units shipped in 2020, a 20% increase compared to 2019 and the highest value ever recorded for a single country. The IFR said Chinese robot manufacturers mainly catered to the domestic market, where they held a 27% market share in 2020 (45,000 units). This share has been constant (with some volatility) in the past eight years. IN 2020, installations of foreign robots – including units produced in China by non-Chinese suppliers – grew strongly by 24% to 123,000 units in 2020 with a total market share of 73%. Read More |
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Universal Robots Reports Record Q3 Revenue
Universal Robots has released its Q3 2021 results, reporting record revenue of $78 million, up 46% compared to Q3 2020, and 31% up from its pre-pandemic Q3 2019 revenue. The company said it has sold more than 50,000 of its collaborative robots, or cobots, since commercializing the robots in 2008. The cobots are being used across a range of industrial markets, primarily in manufacturing. UR President Kim Povlsen, who took over the reins in March 2021, said the Q3 results are a strong indication of growth to come. Read More |
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Video of the Week
Volvo Shows Prototype of Intelligent Construction Vehicle
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced a fully autonomous, battery-electric prototype vehicle inspired by a concept devised by LEGO Technic and Volvo engineers and designers. The LX03 is a real-world example of a self-learning concept wheel loader with the brains to make decisions, perform tasks, and interact with humans. Volvo added this was the first time that a LEGO Technic model was turned into a real machine. While the prototype is not commercially available, Volvo said engineers expect that valuable insights from the LX03 will feed into applications for the future. The goal of the prototype is to help decarbonize the construction industry. Watch the video HERE. |
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In Case You Missed It
HaptX, Haption Team up to Accelerate Full-Body Haptics Commercialization
HaptX, which makes realistic haptic gloves for VR and robotics applications, has announced a multi-year, exclusive partnership with Haption, a France-based producer of premium force feedback devices. The goal of the partnership is to accelerate the commercial introduction of full-body haptic devices (concept photo at left). HaptX Gloves include true-contact haptics that “physically displace the user’s skin the way a real object would,” the company said. The gloves feature more than 130 points of tactile feedback and 40 lbs. Of force feedback per hand, as well as a proprietary magnetic motion capture system with the industry’s highest level of precision. Read More |
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Featured Article
Data-Driven Study Shows 29% to 40% Cost Reduction With Autonomous Trucks
Fleet management and supply chain company Ryder System has announced a data-driven study on the impact of autonomous trucking. The company worked with researchers in transportation and mobility at the H. Milton School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) at Georgia Tech to understand how to approach autonomy, and the potential return on investment. Ryder said the result is a roadmap to commercialization based on real-world data – and a significant cost savings. “I’ve worked on a lot of different transportation problems in the past, and if you have 1% improvement that’s magic,” said Pascal Van Hentenryck, the A. Russell Chandler III Chair and professor and associate chair for innovation and entrepreneurship at ISyE. “Here we’re talking about 29 to 40%, so it’s massive. It’s really massive.” Read More
View Video |
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News for Robot Makers
- Ambarella to Acquire Oculii to Advance AI Vision for Radar
Ambaralla, which develops AI vision silicon, has announced it will acquire Ohio-based Oculii Corporation. Oculii’s adaptive AI software algorithms are designed to enable radar perception with current production radar chips to achieve significantly higher (up to 100x) resolution, longer range, and greater accuracy. The company said these improvements eliminate the need for specialized high-resolution radar chips, which have significantly higher power consumption and cost more than conventional radar solutions. Oculii’s software can be deployed on Ambarella’s existing CVflow system-on-chips (SOCs), operating in conjunction with leading radar RF solutions to increase safety and reliability.
- Symbio Updates Robotics Middleware for Automakers
Symbio Robotics, which develops a platform that enables AI-powered automation solutions, has launched SymbioDCS 2.0, a major update to the company’s flagship middleware and python programming framework. With a streamlined automation solution development and deployment process, the updated platform contains several features to support accelerated electric vehicle timelines and emissions-reduction goals by automakers through real-time robot-controlled apps such as insertion, fastening, and moving lines.
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Partnerships
Skydio Lets Drones Automatically Upload Footage to Axon Evidence
Skydio, which develops drones and autonomous flight technology, has announced that public safety organizations flying Skydio drones and using Axon’s digital evidence management platform, Axon Evidence, will now have the ability to automatically upload photos and videos captured on the drones to the software platform. Earlier this year, the two companies announced a strategic partnership that included a joint roadmap of product integrations. The first of these integrations is with the Axon Evidence and Skydio drones, which will be available to select agencies through an early access program. Read More |
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Kiwibot Deploys Delivery Robots to Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University and its LMU Dining unit have announced partnering with Kiwibot to provide robot deliveries of hot, fresh meals on the campus. Since launching a trial run in September, the university said more than 500 deliveries have been completed across the Los Angeles campus. Through Sodexo’s Bite U app, LMU students, faculty and visitors can order from two Sodexo-serviced campus locations, including Qdoba and Iggy’s Cafe using their meal plan dollars. The program is expected to expand to additional locations in Spring 2022. Read More |
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Robotics Funding
Precision Location Firm Fixposition Raises $5.95M in Seed Funding
Switzerland-based Fixposition AG, which develops high-precision positioning information in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), has announced raising an additional $5.95 million in an extension of its seed financing round. The new funding will be used to bring the company’s next-generation product into production, execute its market strategy, and expand its portfolio through strategic partnerships in the autonomous navigation space. The company said it will also use funds to develop complementary services to future-proof its solutions and make customer integrations and support a priority. Read More |
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Autobrains Raises $101M for Self-Learning AI for Self-Driving
Autobrains, which develops a first-of-its-kind self-learning artificial intelligence technology for assisted and autonomous driving, has announced it raised $101 million in Series C financing. The financing round was led by Temasek, a global investment company headquartered in Singapore. The company said the funding will help grow its commercial reach into new global markets. The self-learning AI operates in a fundamentally different way from traditional deep learning systems. Based on multi-disciplinary research and development, self-learning AI does not require the massive brute force data and labeling typical of deep learning AI. Instead, the system maps raw, real-world data to compressed signatures to identify concepts and scenarios for optimal decision-making. Read More |
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