As autonomous vehicles move from proofs of concept to trials on public roads, developers need to demonstrate and protect their innovations in a competitive industry. TuSimple Holdings Inc. in August announced that it had received 72 patents in the first half of 2023. “We have been working on developing practical technologies and intellectual property to improve and to bring autonomous trucking to market, which is demonstrated by our growing collection of patent assets,” claimed the San Diego-based company. TuSimple said in a release that its portfolio includes systems for advanced fueling options, 360-degree perception, and onboard sensor-cleaning systems. It also…
Last month, Rockwell Automation Inc. announced that it planned to 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…
Electric Sheep Robotics, which is combining artificial intelligence and robotics for outdoor maintenance, this week announced that it has acquired Phenix Landscape LLC and Complete Landscape Care Inc. The San Francisco-based company said it is acquiring traditional outdoor service providers and transforming operations with its proprietary technology. “We are aggressively exploring landscaping businesses in the top 50 metro areas with a high rate of growth and plenty of turf to maximize the impact of automating mowing,” said Nag Murty, co-founder and CEO of Electric Sheep, in a release. “This is different from the traditional approach to robotics innovation, which is…
PickNik Robotics today announced that it has raised $2 million in a pre-seed investment round. The Boulder, Colo.-based company said it plans to use the funding to further develop its MoveIt Studio platform, which is designed to enable developers to create robot applications. “This investment marks a pivotal moment in our journey from a bootstrapped company that could only innovate incrementally,” stated Dave Coleman, CEO of PickNik. “We’re now committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with robot arms faster.” PickNik Robotics described itself as “the unstructured robotics company,” solving complex challenges to bring robots out of factories and…
Among the “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks suitable for automation, grinding and finishing are now within reach of robotics, thanks to improvements in sensing and motion control. SUHNER Schweiz AG said its EFC-02 can measure forces and accelerations at high frequency, allowing for control with an advanced algorithm. Unveiled at Automate 2023, the fully electric Active Compliance System can ensure surface quality throughout a robotic grinding process, said Suhner. The Herisau, Switzerland-based company is a leading supplier of critical metal components and provides systems from the design phase to after-sales support. Suhner USA Inc.'s offices are in Rome, Ga. “The…
Mobile robots, data, and artificial intelligence promise to make automation easier than ever for warehouses to adopt. But we're not yet at automation nirvana, and operators should still carefully evaluate their own processes, vendors, and integrators before proceeding. Trimble Autonomy offers positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics technologies linking hardware and software. The Westminster, Colo.-based company said it can add capabilities for automotive, construction, and agricultural applications, among others. Robots and autonomous systems that can generate their own high-definition maps in real time can not only more easily navigate complex environments, but they can also help optimize fleets and provide…
As supply chain operations bring in or add mobile robots, they quickly learn that adding hardware is only part of the process. Integrating and updating software, analyzing data, and building productive partnerships are crucial to ensuring a return on investment, noted industry experts. Robotics 24/7 previously examined how mobile robots can add flexibility to end-user operations. We continued our conversations with the following executives on how companies can get the most out of new or growing deployments: Jane Heffner, vice president of sales at Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) Jim Lawton, vice president and general manager for robotics automation at Zebra…
One of the biggest selling points for mobile robots is that they are not fixed infrastructure like conveyor belts and can thus change routes depending on seasonal volume, shifting workflows, or new products. In addition, increasingly sophisticated software promises to pick the best robots, manual and autonomous forklifts, and human workers as agents for a particular task. But this is easier said than done. As much as 70% of North American warehouses and distribution centers have yet to add any automation, industry experts have told Robotics 24/7. Even businesses that have robotics experience can run into problems growing their fleets…
WORCESTER, Mass.—If all politics is local, so too are opportunities to develop workforces and boost regional economies with robotics. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative last week held its third annual Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up at Polar Park, showcasing collaboration among business, academia, and government to innovate, educate, and grow. About 1,500 people attended the event, 25% growth over 2022, according to the event organizers. This year's Mash-Up included the 8th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony, the announcement of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) grant winner, and exhibits by technology companies, as well as student networking and challenges. “Our organization is proud to…
IAM Robotics this week announced that it has changed its name to Onward Robotics, with a new logo, visual identity, and website. The Pittsburgh-based company said it has evolved from a developer of mobile manipulation systems to a provider of software and hardware for person-to-goods automation. “This transition has been an exciting and transformational process for us,” said CEO Lance VandenBrook in a press release. “Onward Robotics better reflects the organization’s strong forward trajectory, our bold and purposeful team, and most importantly, our commitment to moving our clients and the global supply chain forward.” Founded in 2012, IAM Robotics had…
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. today announced the AMD Kria K24 System-on-Module, or SOM, and the KD240 Drives Starter Kit, the latest additions to its Kria portfolio of adaptive SOMs and developer kits. The AMD Kria K24 SOM offers power-efficient compute in a small size for cost-sensitive industrial and commercial edge applications, said the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company. The KD240 Drives Starter Kit is a motor control-based developer platform designed to be ready to use out of the box, according to AMD. The two new products enable developers to bring motor control and DSP (digital signal processing) applications to market faster…
Markforged today announced Digital Source, an on-demand parts platform. The company said it is designed to enable the licensing and 3D printing of manufacturer-certified parts when and where they are needed, without the cost or hassle of physical inventory management. “Digital Source unlocks a new way of managing supply chains,” said Shai Terem, CEO of Markforged, in a release. “Every day a manufacturing line is down due to broken or worn parts can cost millions of dollars in lost productivity.” “Availability of spare parts is critical to manufacturers’ success — but keeping an extensive physical inventory ties up capital in…