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Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

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Nidec Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of drives, has agreed to start discussions on establishing a joint venture with Hon Hai Technology Group and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.

The Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan has been the main manufacturer for Apple products in the past two decades.

Nidec signed a memorandum of understanding with Foxtron regarding its strategic alliance in the development of electric vehicle drive systems. [Read more…] about Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

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Sarcos Robotics, a developer of exoskeletons and other robotic systems, has signed up Pine Environmental Services as an official distributor.

Pine Environmental is a professional services company providing equipment for environmental monitoring, nondestructive testing, visual inspection, and continuous emissions monitoring.

The agreement will see Pine Environmental become an official distributor of the award-winning Guardian S remote visual inspection and surveillance robot. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

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The Timken Company, a maker of engineered bearings and power transmission products, has acquired Intelligent Machine Solutions, a builder of industrial robotics and automation solutions.

The addition of iMS expands and complements Timken’s Rollon linear motion product range with larger and heavy-duty applications, such as seventh-axis robotic transfer units (RTUs) and gantry systems.

iMS, which was founded in 2008, is based in Norton Shores, Michigan, in the United States. The company, which has approximately 20 employees, designs and manufactures floor-mounted, overhead, rotary and extreme seventh-axis RTUs and gantry systems used by manufacturers across industries to automate certain production processes. [Read more…] about Timken acquires automation solutions manufacturer Intelligent Machine Solutions

Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

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The Founder Institute, the world’s largest pre-seed startup accelerator, is partnering with NASA Ames Research Center and MassRobotics for the upcoming Founder Institute AI & Robotics Accelerator program in Boston.

Founders working on aerospace/space, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomous vehicles, augmented/virtual reality, voice, drones and related technologies can apply to the program here: http://fi.co/join/AIRobotics. [Read more…] about Founder Institute, NASA Ames and MassRobotics partner to launch AI and robotics accelerator in Boston

Sole Source Capital portfolio company Supply Chain Services acquires ISG Technologies

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Sole Source Capital, an industrial-focused private equity firm, says its portfolio company Supply Chain Services, a provider of automatic identification and data capture and factory automation solutions to customers across North America, has acquired ISG Technologies.

The acquisition of ISG Technologies adds to Supply Chain Service’s product line and expands its geographic reach into Texas.

This is the fourth add-on transaction supported by Sole Source Capital, following the purchases of Dasco Label, Miles Data and Coridian since Supply Chain Services was acquired in May 2020. Terms of the ISG Technologies transaction were not disclosed. [Read more…] about Sole Source Capital portfolio company Supply Chain Services acquires ISG Technologies

Industry leaders aim to make Pittsburgh the ‘robotics capital of the world’ 

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The Pittsburgh Robotics Network, a group dedicated to the growth of the region’s robotics and artificial intelligence companies, says it has attracted over 100 members – making Pittsburgh home to “one of the world’s most dynamic robotics ecosystems”. 

The network’s success has led its members and partners to commit to making Pittsburgh the “robotics capital of the world”.

The alliance brings together leaders from top robotics companies, research institutions and universities in the Pittsburgh area, including Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Argo AI, Aurora, the University of Pittsburgh, Kaarta, RE2 Robotics, Neya Systems, Carnegie Robotics, HEBI Robotics, Near Earth Autonomy, BirdBrain Technologies, Omnicell and Advanced Construction Robotics.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation commemorated this membership milestone with a grant of $125,000 to support the continued growth of the PRN. [Read more…] about Industry leaders aim to make Pittsburgh the ‘robotics capital of the world’ 

Third Wave Automation raises $40 million in new investment

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Third Wave Automation has closed its Series B financing, a $40 million round led by Norwest Venture Partners with participation from prior investors Innovation Endeavors and Eclipse, along with Toyota Ventures.

Third Wave is a startup company which says it has achieved a “breakthrough in machine learning, computer vision and robotic material manipulation”.

The additional funds will accelerate growth and commercialization efforts. As a part of the changes, Matt Howard, general partner at Norwest Venture Partners, will join Third Wave’s board of directors.

Howard says: “I’ve been tracking Arshan and the team at Third Wave for some time and have been consistently impressed. [Read more…] about Third Wave Automation raises $40 million in new investment

MassRobotics partners with Procter & Gamble to develop automation and manufacturing-related applications

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MassRobotics, a hub for entrepreneurs starting robotics and automation companies, has launched a new partnership with consumer goods multinational Procter & Gamble to collaboratively explore technologies around automation and manufacturing-related applications.

The goal of the partnership is to develop ideas to improve productivity, drive increased value for consumers, accelerate agility from more automation, and allow more flexibility in meeting the manufacturing deadlines of customers.

In addition to exploring and accessing innovations from resident startups, MassRobotics’ overall community will help P&G remain on the cutting-edge of the robotics and automation industry and more closely collaborate with existing P&G robotics partners in Massachusetts. [Read more…] about MassRobotics partners with Procter & Gamble to develop automation and manufacturing-related applications

Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

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By Thomas R. Cutler

Much attention has been paid to the small and mid-sized manufacturer. As local and regional job creators that attention has been well-deserved.

However, the reality is large manufacturers continue to represent a significant portion of jobs within the sector, and new solutions geared to their needs are among the most innovative and dynamic.

Project Business Automation (PBA) is a new category of business systems built specifically to support large project-based manufacturers from end-to-end. [Read more…] about Project Business Automation: Large Manufacturers Learn to Integrate Disparate Systems

5 Things to look for in your next POS

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Whether you are switching, growing, or newly setting up shop, here’s what to look for when choosing your POS.

A POS system in retail is much more than just a means to an end—collecting payments and processing transactions. It can also help you optimize your stock, buying habits and even sell more—all ways to increase your profit. If you choose wisely, that is.

We’ll take a look at what a POS system can do for you, and what to look out for specifically if you want your POS system to be a part of your journey to success, rather than only a tool. [Read more…] about 5 Things to look for in your next POS