Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.33
October 11, 2023
…as ROS 2, NVIDIA’s Isaac simulator, and Clearpath’s Outdoor Navigation. The Formant dashboard for remotely operating Boston Dynamics' Spot quadruped robot. Click on image to enlarge. Source: Formant BMW i Ventures leads round BMW i Ventures led Formant's investment, with participation from new investors Intel Capital, GS Futures. Previous investors, including SignalFire, Hillsven, Pelion Ventures, Holman, Ericsson, Goodyear Ventures, PICUS Capital, and Thursday Ventures, also participated. “Autonomous robotic systems have broken free from R&D departments and are now being deployed at scale to drive business outcomes and resilient operations,” said Kasper Sage, managing partner at BMW i Ventures. “Their proliferation…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.22
October 08, 2023
…an increasingly significant role in commercial drones. From autonomous navigation to data analysis, AI can enhance drone capabilities, making them smarter and more efficient. Extended flight times: Longer flight times are crucial for industries that require drones to cover vast areas or conduct extended missions, such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring, said JOUAV. JOUAV said it has designed its systems, such as the CW-15 VTOL drone, to use the latest technologies. Source: JOUAV JOUAV adapts to market trends Founded by Ren Bin in 2010, JOUAV said it initially focused on industrial-grade drone autopilot systems and has evolved into…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.15
October 07, 2023
…spent directly controlling the UASes. The autonomy features include navigation, obstacle detection, and manual override systems. Essential components are designed to fail safely and function even if other parts of the system malfunction, said Near Earth. “The HVTOL UAS program partnership with Kaman enables us to broaden our current scope from developing an aerial resupply aircraft for the Marine Corps to creating an autonomous multi-mission aircraft that can autonomously address a wide variety of critical needs.” Bloomfield, Conn.-based Kaman, a division of Kaman Corp., plans to use its existing KARGO unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as the base for Near Earth's…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.46
October 05, 2023
…in these applications is about much more than the navigation of the robot itself through your facility. Mobile robotic equipment (MRE) – including the lifts, carts, and top rollers that interface with conveyors and other surrounding equipment – are critical elements that allow the mobile robot to perform its tasks. And workers who load and unload material may actually have more interaction with those top modules than the AMR itself. How do safety standards apply to top modules? Around the world, standards organizations and regional regulatory bodies have developed guidelines and regulations that provide frameworks for the safety of machinery…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 13.15
October 03, 2023
…becoming autonomous. Kabilan KB is one developer bringing autonomous navigation capabilities to wheelchairs that could help improve mobility for people with disabilities. The undergraduate at the Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences in Coimbatore, India, is powering his autonomous wheelchair project using the NVIDIA Jetson platform for edge AI and robotics. The autonomous motorized wheelchair is connected to depth and lidar sensors—along with USB cameras—which allow it to perceive the environment and plan an obstacle-free path toward a user’s desired destination. “A person using the motorized wheelchair could provide the location they need to move to, which would already be…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 9.07
October 03, 2023
…compatibility of MiR’s AMRs with our production logistics, precise navigation capabilities in dynamic environments, the adaptability to layout changes and workflows, along with enhanced workplace safety, makes them an ideal fit for us.” Interroll looks for multi-floor automation Founded in 1959, the Interroll Group has decades of experience in traditional conveyor systems. The Sant'Antonino, Switzerland-based company supplies systems integrators and plant engineers with conveyor rollers, motors and drives for conveyor systems, conveyors and sorters, and pallet handling and storage systems. Interroll counts leading brands such as Amazon, Bosch, Coca-Cola, DHL, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Walmart, and Zalando are among…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.65
October 02, 2023
…reducing blind spots, claimed ForwardX. It also ensures safe navigation and minimizes the risk of collisions, the company said. Case-picking operations can be made even more efficient and safe when the AMRs are integrated with ForwardX's assisted case-picking system and use a batch picking method, it said. The Flex 300-S mobile robots. Source: ForwardX Robotics Safety before autonomy ForwardX acknowledged that manual lift carts and forklifts are still “indispensable” for warehouses needing to pick cases of small and medium-sized items. “Ensuring safe collaboration between humans and machines is of utmost significance in such settings,” said the company. It also noted…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.73
September 29, 2023
…The roles of AI and human-machine collaboration Beyond autonomous navigation, what role does artificial intelligence play in managing robot fleets? Do you see a place for generative AI? Heffner: Now that we have pretty large install base, MiR Insights allows us to use AI to look at that data and help customers optimize their systems. We can ask, “What would a new environment look like?” Peterson: Our robots have been using AI from the very beginning to evolve tasks like dynamic path planning and object avoidance. Our cloud-based LocusONE platform applies AI to optimize fleet management, workflows, and collaboration with…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 4.85
September 29, 2023
…the development process. The autonomous truck uses natural feature navigation, as well as a newly developed load dimension detection system, which performs laser scans to check that a load's length matches the task sent to the machine. Similarly, when unloading, the Combi-AGT checks that the rack in front has sufficient free space to accept the load, added Combilift. “We have deliberately not rushed into incorporating autonomous products into our portfolio,” said Martin McVicar, co-founder and CEO of Combilift. “As with any new launch, we have carried out extensive field tests to make sure it is fit for purpose by liaising…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 21.70
September 28, 2023
Advanced Navigation this week announced a new high-tech facility for robotics and autonomous systems at the University of Technology Sydney Tech Lab in Botany, New South Wales, Australia. The facility will scale up production of Advanced Manufacturing's artificial intelligence navigation for GPS-denied environments. “Determined to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution, we are commercializing technologies that are key to addressing some of humanity’s biggest challenges” said Chris Shaw, co-founder and CEO of Advanced Navigation, in a release. “We are honored to partner with UTS, who has a reputation for supporting multidisciplinary research and opening access to next-generation technologies.” Shaw…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 5.88
September 27, 2023
…simultaneous localization and mapping) uses artificial intelligence for accurate navigation in dynamic indoor environments. ABB OptiFact is intended to facilitate production decision making. Source: ABB Robotics Different environments increase productivity Several production facilities have deployed OptiFact, reported ABB. At one highly automated automotive factory, it collects and analyzes process cycle times and other KPIs, providing visibility into operations and saving up to 25% of experts’ time, it asserted. As a result, ABB said its customer has deployed more than 580 robots in its operations. OptiFact has also proven its value for small and midsized enterprises (SMEs), said ABB. Another pilot…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 11.70
September 25, 2023
…surfaces can disrupt the functioning of a vehicle’s laser-based navigation sensors, slowing — or even stopping — travel. TriGard ESD Ultra withstands more than twice the wear rating of Cornerstone’s original TriGard ESD finish, giving operations the choice of a more durable finish for robots that have ultra-high repetitive travel patterns and defined travel paths. Optimal coefficient of friction, allowing robotic vehicle wheels to securely grip the floor. A surface that is too slippery prevents the vehicle from accelerating, stopping accurately, and turning as expected. Both TriGard finishes deliver the ideal amount of surface roughness to keep robots moving. Ideal…
