Top 10 Robotics Transactions of June 2021
July 6, 2021
Self-driving vehicle developers continued fueling up for their long march toward full autonomy in June 2021, followed by factory, warehouse, and other automation.
American Robotics Joins FAA Rulemaking Committee on BVLOS Drone Operations
July 5, 2021
American Robotics is joining the FAA's Unmanned Aerial System Beyond Visual Line of Sight Aviation Rulemaking Committee to develop recommendations for regulations for autonomous flights.
Geek+ Celebrates Sale of 20,000 Autonomous Mobile Robots Worldwide
July 2, 2021
China-based Geek+ claimed that it is a leading provider of mobile robots and software for supply chain automation worldwide and plans to continue developing more systems.
Zebra Technologies to Acquire Mobile Robot Vendor Fetch Robotics for $290M
July 1, 2021
Zebra, which provides technology for asset tracking and management, said that Fetch Robotics' mobile robots and cloud software will enable expansion in warehousing and manufacturing.
Zipline to Expand Drone Delivery Services With $250M in New Funding
July 1, 2021
Zipline, which has provided commercial drone delivery services for governments, retail brands, and healthcare systems, will be valued at $2.75 billion as it continues its expansion.
How Amazon Integrates Physical and Emerging Digital Technologies With AWS IoT
June 30, 2021
Amazon's chief technology officer explains how Amazon's robots use AWS IoT for comprehensive device management to scale out and conduct tasks such as induction and palletizing.
Kindred to Integrate SORT Robots With Hy-Tek E-Commerce Systems to Expand Order Fulfillment Capabilities
June 29, 2021
Kindred said the integration of its SORT pick-and-place robots with Hy-Tek's materials handling systems will enable customers to more easily manage polybag e-commerce orders.
Human-Machine Interaction Is Still Evolving, Note Global Robot Cluster Panelists
June 25, 2021
The Global Robot Cluster co-hosted a virtual event with MassRobotics and Silicon Valley Robotics examining progress in human-robot interaction for healthcare and industrial uses.
Pitney Bowes to Deploy AmbiSort AI-Powered Robots in E-Commerce Network
June 24, 2021
Pitney Bowes is responding to increasing e-commerce demand by rolling out the AmbiSort AI-guided sortation robots to more locations, starting with its hub in Bloomington, Calif.
Embark Trucks to Raise $614M, Go Public Through SPAC Merger
June 23, 2021
Embark Trucks, which provides autonomous software to U.S. trucking market, will be valued at $4.55 billion, and former Secretary of Transportation and Labor Elaine Chao is joining its board.
Amazon in Talks to Buy Stake in Autonomous Truck Startup Plus
June 22, 2021
Amazon reportedly has placed an order for 1,000 autonomous driving systems from self-driving truck technology startup Plus and is in talks to buy a stake of as much as 20%.
Boston Dynamics Acquisition by Hyundai Motor Group From SoftBank Is Complete
June 21, 2021
Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of a controlling share in humanoid and legged robot maker Boston Dynamics, and the companies plan to expand their product lines.
Good Machine Sustainability Projects Get Autonomous Lift From Plus Trucks
June 18, 2021
Trucks could help protect the environment, as a project between autonomous vehicle developer Plus and sustainability venture firm Good Machines hauls wildfire detection gear.
Walmart Invests in DroneUp for Nationwide Drone Deliveries
June 18, 2021
After completing hundreds of successful test flights in the past year, Walmart said it is expanding its partnership and investing in drone delivery and services provider DroneUp.
Soft Robotics Names AMP Automation as a Preferred System Integrator
June 17, 2021
Soft Robotics, which makes the mGrip compliant gripper, 3D vision, and AI systems, is working with AMP Automation to expand robotics adoption in the European food and beverage market.
NVIDIA Releases Jetson AGX Xavier Industrial Module for Harsh Environments
June 15, 2021
NVIDIA said its new NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier Industrial module is designed to enable multiple industries to deploy AI at the edge in environments where safety and reliability are critical.
FedEx, Nuro Enter Multi-Year Agreement to Test Autonomous Delivery Vehicles
June 15, 2021
FedEx and Nuro said their multiyear partnership will test Nuro's autonomous delivery vehicle within FedEx operations, as Nuro expands into parcel logistics and FedEx offers new services.
Mobile Industrial Robots Launches MiR250 Hook for Towing Heavy Carts
June 15, 2021
MiR said its patented autonomous mobile robot accessory offers high precision and performance when picking up, transporting, and delivering carts with payloads up to 1,100 lb.
Stratom to Develop Autonomous Pallet Loader for U.S. Marine Corps
June 14, 2021
Stratom has received an SBIR contract to develop an Autonomous Pallet Loader that can move 10,000-lb. pallets on and off aircraft. Robotics 24/7 spoke with Stratom's CEO about the vehicle.
Waymo and J.B. Hunt Collaborate for Autonomous Freight Testing in Texas
June 14, 2021
The Waymo Driver will power a Class 8 autonomous truck to haul freight between facilities in Houston and Fort Worth, Texas, as J.B. Hunt Transport Services evaluates the technology's potential.