Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.20
January 19, 2022
…in Series B funding. Its customers include Foxconn, Samsung, General Motors, Flex, Harman International, Pivotal Commware, and Kyocera. Powermat eliminates need for direct-contact charging Powermat said its new wireless charging platform for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other commercial devices eliminates the need for direct contact with pogo-pins entirely, providing operators with 90% charging efficiency while enabling flexible charging capabilities. Robots, including those using photovoltaic cells, can charge in proximity to their charging stations without the need for accurate alignment or direct contact, it said. “This innovation will help accelerate the global adoption of robots and AMRs, which provide efficiency,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 28.06
January 14, 2022
…Google parent Alphabet, and Cruise, which spun out of General Motors, have pumped billions of dollars into self-driving car research and development. Cruise acquired Voyage in March 2021. Also this week, Magna International acquired the employees and assets of Boston-based Optimus Ride Inc. Former Local Motors executives expressed optimism, however, about the industry's potential. “As with most adventures, they must come to an end. Local Motors has closed its doors,” wrote Jeff Hollowell, senior vice president of information technology at Local Motors, on LinkedIn. “It has been an exciting, challenging, and educational experience working with Olli and all the team…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 8.53
January 14, 2022
…than 400 facilities globally, including those of Amazon, Walmart, General Motors, the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service, Whirlpool, Jaguar Land Rover, and Caterpillar. Consumer goods are organized into sanitized totes to support a multiple gripper pick module that HDS Global said can achieve a 95% success rate. Source: Business Wire RoboFS taps talent for full automation To build the first fully automated fulfillment system and address fragmented e-commerce, HDS Global said it worked with “several innovative Global Fortune 500 heavyweights and industry veterans with bankable track records in robotics and e-commerce.” “Through the team’s collective insights, HDS Global has…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.26
December 16, 2021
…cases. Powermat said global enterprises such as Foxconn, Flex, General Motors, Harman International, Kyocera, and Samsung are already usng its technology, which can be found in over 800 million smartphones, 40 million embedded accessories, and 8 million cars worldwide. Foxconn, Hudson expect spike in demand for wireless power “Access to power on a wireless basis is an essential element to the new mobility ecosystem, which is a business area of increasing focus for FIT,” said Thomas Fann, special assistant to the chairman at Foxconn Interconnect Technology. “OEMs and technology companies are looking for reliable, high-performing, and cost-efficient wireless power solutions.”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.54
November 29, 2021
…their growth and solve big challenges by using AWS.” The nonprofit has worked with other strategic partners including Festo, General Motors, Panasonic, Analog Devices, and Mitsubishi Electric. MassRobotics is now accepting applications from qualified startups (with less than $10 million in revenue and less than $100 million raised) for the accelerator program, and registration closes on Jan. 16, 2022. An informational webinar will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EST on Jan. 10, 2022.
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 14.13
November 08, 2021
…$55 million in Series B funding in May, and General Motors recently joined its investors. Last month, Ambarella announced that Oculii and Ambarella had signed a definitive merger agreement, pursuant to which Ambarella would acquire all outstanding capital stock of Oculii for $307.5 million. On Nov. 5, 2021, pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Ohio Merger Sub Inc. merged with and into Oculii, and all outstanding capital stock of Oculii was cancelled and converted into the right to receive cash. As a result of the merger’s completion, Oculii has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ambarella. Steven Hong,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.29
November 04, 2021
…included Chinese strategic investor SAIC Motor; global strategic investors General Motors, Toyota, and Bosch, as well as Temasek and Yunfeng Capital. Mercedes-Benz, IDG Capital, GGV Capital, Shunwei Capital, Tencent, and Cathay Capital also participated in the $500 million Series C round. Autonomous vehicle developers and related technology providers have raised more than $26.5 billion in 2021, according to Robotics 24/7. Here are 10 of the biggest totals to date: Company Location Amount (M$) Transaction Date Cruise San Francisco 2,750 Investments 4/15/2021 Waymo Mountain View, Calif. 2,500 Investments 6/16/2021 Xpeng Hong Kong 2,000 IPO 6/24/2021 Momenta Beijing 1,200 Series C, C+…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 20.36
September 23, 2021
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,”…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.25
July 09, 2021
…example, the automotive industry has been using robotics since General Motors installed its first pick-and-place robot on the line in 1961. That’s 60 years of robotics utilization. The materials handling industry is just now piloting, and in some case rolling out, piece-picking robots, typically in small pilots. Anecdotal reasons for the reluctance to embrace automation The cost and availability of labor: Manufacturers grappled with high wages, especially in unionized industries. For them, automation was easier to justify. Meanwhile, labor in distribution facilities was plentiful and comparatively cheap. Throwing more bodies at the problem was a viable solution. Land was available…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 17.35
April 15, 2021
…in 2020. In January 2021, Cruise and parent company General Motors announced that they will work with Microsoft's Azure cloud computing platform as they develop and commercialize self-driving vehicles. Microsoft joined GM, Honda, and other investors in investing $2 billion in Cruise. Last month, Cruise acquired Voyage, which has been working on technology to provide autonomous mobility in senior citizen communities. Autonomous vehicle companies accounted for more than $3.3 billion in transactions in the first quarter of 2021. Last week, TuSimple Holdings announced an IPO of more than $1 billion as it develops autonomous trucks. Dubai's Road and Transport Authority…
Found in Robotics Companies & Businesses, with a score of 44.08
April 10, 2021
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 9.26
April 02, 2021
…named Chuck Stevens III, former chief financial officer at General Motors, and Kurt Lehmann, former chief technology officer at Continental, to its advisory board. “We're bringing on world-class talent for software, mechanical, and electrical engineering from the robotics, software, and automotive sectors,” said Bolat. “At the board level, we're filling our bench with automotive wisdom and have worked really hard to earn the trust of some of the biggest automotive companies in the world.” “It has become very clear that trillions of dollars are at stake with electrification and autonomy, acccelerating efforts and capital commitments across the board,” he said.…
