Found in Robotics Companies & Businesses, with a score of 44.08
Founded in 2013, Cruise is developing fully electric, autonomous vehicles such as Origin for ride-sharing and delivery services. In 2016, General Motors acquired the company, which is working with other automakers and technology firms such as Microsoft.
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 33.96
General Motors (GM), like other automakers, is using 3D printing technology to create parts for its new vehicles, and has already leveraged the technology for prototyping and other design-related activities. The company also plans to expand its use of the technology to improve manufacturing processes at its production facilities. According to an article in Automotive News, the company believes the technology could save them millions in annual production costs. During a press tour of GM’s Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, the company’s director of global manufacturing integration, Dan Grieshaber, said that the company has 3D printers in most of its…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 32.20
…Pulse America Inc. is a subsidiary of Nippon Pulse Motor Co. Tokyo-based Nippon Pulse is a global manufacturer and Tier 1 supplier of precision motion-control products for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company provides systems to meet the needs of the automotive and automation industries, including stepper motors, its linear shaft motor, controllers, and drivers. Nippon Pulse updates CMD interface, drivers The biggest improvement to the new CMD box controller is the switch in USB interface from a custom application programming interface (API) to a Windows HID API, said Nippon Pulse America. This enables users to get the device up…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 31.89
Advanced motor technologies are helping improve tasks robots can perform, helping to make them stronger, nimbler, and more sustainable. Empowered with these enhancements, a new class of robots has begun to take on tasks in industries that haven’t typically taken advantage of automation. Market demand for compact and energy-efficient mobile robots continues to grow. At the same time, advances in automation manufacturing have helped improve today’s motors in multiple ways. Motors advancements bring more accuracy Greg Diek, product manager for motion at Omron Adept Technologies, said a critical area of improvement “is better accuracy while winding the coils for motors.”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 30.56
OTTO Motors and Kollmorgen today announced a strategic technical collaboration that they described as “a major milestone for the autonomous material handling industry.” The companies said they share a goal of delvering “exceptional” self-driving vehicle applications to original equipment manufacturers and systems integrators across industries globally. “As the autonomous material handling market matures, customers will expect all vehicles in their fleet to be intelligent machines,” stated Matt Rendall, co-founder and CEO of OTTO Motors. “We’re excited to cooperate with Kollmorgen to bring our AMR [autonomous mobile robot] technology to vehicles of all shapes and sizes.” With more than 15 years…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 30.00
Perrone Robotics Inc. yesterday said that it and Local Motors Inc. have signed an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement. The companies plan to develop next-generation autonomous shuttles that will integrate Perrone's autonomous vehicle technology into Olli, the shuttle designed and manufactured by Local Motors. “This new OEM agreement is an important step in expanding our current customer base while enhancing the vehicle experience for passengers,” stated Vikrant Aggarwal, president of Local Motors. “Our ability to meet evolving customer needs depends on our ability to work with partners with proven track records and the ability to scale.” Perrone and Local Motors…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 28.95
…acquire Clearpath Robotics Inc., the parent company of OTTO Motors. The companies claimed that the transaction demonstrated the strength of demand for robots for materials handling. Earlier this month, Rockwell completed its acquisition of Kitchener, Ontario-based Clearpath, which makes development platforms, and OTTO. The Milwaukee-based company is adding OTTO Motors' autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and navigation and fleet management software to its existing industrial automation offerings. It stated that the brands will give it “end-to-end autonomous production logistics solutions.” Matt Rendall, co-founder of Clearpath and OTTO, replied to the following questions from Robotics 24/7 about the acquisition: OTTO and Clearpath…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 28.93
…venture capital to date, founder Kyle Vogt told Reuters. General Motors (GM) and Cruise did not disclose the value of GM’s acquisition, but Re/code reports that the acquisition cost GM “over $1 billion. “We will be committing considerable resources to recruit and grow the capability of the team,” GM President Dan Ammann told Reuters. GM’s goal is to use Cruise’s technology and its people to accelerate plans to launch autonomous vehicles, potentially as part of ride sharing fleets, “as soon as possible,” Ammann said. He did not offer a specific time frame. GM’s acquisition of Cruise is the latest in…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 28.06
…the road to autonomy isn't smooth for everyone. Local Motors Inc., which was developing the Olli autonomous shuttle, reportedly shut down today. Founded in 2007, Local Motors had originally focused on autonomous vehicles for racing, with the Rally Fighter in 2009. It then pivoted to passenger transportation, with a crowdfunding campaign in 2013. The Chandler, Ariz.-based company said it used a “microfactory” model to manufacture vehicles based on open-source designs. It had claimed to have built the world's first co-created vehicle; the world's first 3D-printed car; and Olli, the world's first co-created, electric autonomous vehicle. Local Motors started scaling Olli…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 26.89
…of the drive systems for FANUC servomotors and spindle motors. “The power of IIoT software is that it detects a failure before it happens, not after,” said Jon Heddleson, general manager of factory automation at FANUC America. “Predictive maintenance is key in preventing unexpected downtime. FANUC’s AI Servo Monitor helps ensure that production keeps running smoothly.” FANUC America is a subsidiary of Japan-based FANUC Corp., which provides computer numerical controls (CNCs), robots, and ROBOMACHINE accessories. The Rochester Hills, Mich.-based company said small shops to large assembly operations rely on its automation to improve productivity, increase quality, maximize profits, and maintain…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 26.13
…market for mobile robots continues to go global. OTTO Motors today announced a series of partnerships to make its autonomous mobile robots available to a global audience. The Kitchener, Ontario-based company also said it has successfully completed third-party assessments to demonstrate that its products meet or exceed all relevant safety standards in Europe and the U.S., including ANSI/RIA R15.08, which it helped to define. “One of the things that sets OTTO Motors apart is our process-first approach to automating material handling,” stated Rick Baker, chief revenue officer of OTTO Motors. “It is how we’re able to achieve facility-scale transformation for…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 25.74
General Motors Co. today said it will invest $300 million in Momenta to accelerate the development of next-generation, self-driving technologies for future GM vehicles in China. “Customers in China are embracing electrification and advanced self-driving technology faster than anywhere else in the world, and the agreement between GM and Momenta will accelerate our deployment of next-generation solutions tailor-made for our consumers in China,” stated Julian Blissett, executive vice president of General Motors and president of GM China. “Momenta is committed to developing breakthrough artificial intelligence solutions to push beyond the frontier of possibilities today and significantly improve personal mobility experiences,”…