Robotics & Automation News

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Helping robots and humans work hand in hand

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As the internet-connected world continues to transform the manufacturing and logistics industry, Technische Universität Dortmund is leading the way in research into human-robot interaction.

With the help of Vicon’s cutting-edge motion capture and VR solutions, the University is developing innovative ways to approach the coexistence of drones and robots with people in warehouse environments.

The manufacturing and logistics sector faces a major challenge: how best to serve the ever-growing e-commerce market – with increasingly small-scale shipments and shorter delivery deadlines – in a cost-effective and sustainable way. [Read more…] about Helping robots and humans work hand in hand

ABB launches new visual control interface for operational control

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ABB has launched a new version of its visual control graphic interface, saying it is the first to display process information in its situational context.

The industrial giant has integrated its “Minerals Process Control Library” into the new system, partnering with the CRH Hoghiz cement plant in Romania to implement the new innovations.

Successfully operating in more than 450 cement and mining sites worldwide, the ABB Ability System 800xA Minerals Process Control Library is a ready-to-use, tailor-made automation software solution for the mining and cement industries. [Read more…] about ABB launches new visual control interface for operational control

Data and RPA – How Robotics is Changing Data Analytics

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There are many things out there that go into helping a business succeed. Great employees, cutting edge technology, good customer service and marketing can all take businesses to the next level.

However, something that might be even more important to companies than any of those is data.

Data plays a very large role in a variety of companies for a variety of reasons. It helps make decisions, identify trends and many other things beneficial to a business. [Read more…] about Data and RPA – How Robotics is Changing Data Analytics

Realtime Robotics raises $18 million Series A funding

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Realtime Robotics, a provider of responsive motion planning for industrial robots and autonomous vehicles, says it has raised $11.7 million in Series A funding.

The round was led by Sparx Asset Management, and included participation from Mitsubishi Electric, Hyundai, and Omron Ventures, alongside existing investors Toyota AI Ventures, Scrum Ventures, and the Duke Angel Network.

The new capital will be used to accelerate the development of more commercial product releases and expand the team to support key customers and partners across the globe. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics raises $18 million Series A funding

New consortium to develop a common computing platform for autonomous vehicles

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A group of leading companies from the automotive and computing industries have formed collaborative effort toward making fully self-driving vehicles a reality.

The new Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC), officially launched recently at Arm TechCon in San Jose, brings together industry leaders from automotive, automotive supply, semiconductor and computing to serve as the leading organization for autonomous computing expertise.

Together with the consortium’s growing membership, the initial AVCC members Arm, Bosch, Continental, Denso, General Motors, Nvidia, NXP Semiconductors and Toyota will collaborate to help solve some of the most significant challenges to deploy self-driving vehicles at scale. [Read more…] about New consortium to develop a common computing platform for autonomous vehicles

Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

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Senseye, the industrial software company, is rolling out its suite of technologies and methodologies in automotive manufacturing facilities in the US.

Senseye’s technology suite, Senseye PdM, is used by global automotive manufacturers to monitor the condition of machinery in real time.

It spots emerging problems with monitored assets and identifies when they are most likely to fail by using machine learning algorithms to analyse data relating to key condition indicators such as vibration, pressure, temperature and torque levels. [Read more…] about Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

CloudMinds opens cloud robotics support centre in Chile

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CloudMinds Technology, a provider of cloud artificial intelligence architecture for robots, has opened a new support centre in Santiago, Chile.

The company says the office will expand support for customers across Mexico and South America. The new operation will report to the company’s global co-headquarters in Santa Clara, California.

said Robert Zhang, company co-founder and president of international business development, says: “Our new operation in Latin America is a reflection of the continued global momentum CloudMinds has been building, driven by our proprietary cloud artificial intelligence architecture and cloud robot solutions that are already helping to transform various industry verticals around the world. [Read more…] about CloudMinds opens cloud robotics support centre in Chile

MIPI Alliance releases specs for advanced and autonomous automotive applications

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The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has announced key advancements and activities designed to enhance advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving systems (ADS) and other automotive applications.

Trends such as the proliferation of camera, display, radar, lidar and other sensors are creating growing demand for high-performance wired interfaces in vehicles.

While drawing on its existing specifications for mobile devices, MIPI is developing and enhancing automotive specifications to meet the stringent requirements of automotive original automotive applications, Tier 1 suppliers, SoC designers and other industry providers in areas such as reliability, functional safety and low electromagnetic interference (EMI). [Read more…] about MIPI Alliance releases specs for advanced and autonomous automotive applications

NXP launches GHz microcontroller

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NXP Semiconductors has launched the i.MX RT1170 range of crossover MCUs that that it says will open the GHz microcontroller era.

The chipmaker says the new chip “combines unprecedented performance, reliability, and high levels of integration to propel industrial, IoT and automotive applications”.

The NXP i.MX RT1170 family reinforces NXP’s commitment to advance edge computing with its EdgeVerse portfolio of solutions and marks a technology breakthrough with MCUs that run up to 1GHz while maintaining low-power efficiency. [Read more…] about NXP launches GHz microcontroller

Formant launches cloud platform to manage robot fleets

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Formant, a San Francisco-based startup, has launched its new cloud robotics platform, which enables businesses to automatically collect and analyze robotics data.

By centralizing all application data in a single web user interface, Formant allows business teams, operators, and engineers to improve the efficacy of their robotic workforce.

Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant.io, says: “Robots are leaving the factory and adventuring into our world. They could use some guidance. This release facilitates this journey by enabling robot fleets to thrive through human observability and assistance.” [Read more…] about Formant launches cloud platform to manage robot fleets