Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Humanoids

Apple’s humanoid robot project: What do we know?

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Apple, the 3.7 trillion-dollar iPhone, iPad and Macintosh gigantico, is reportedly working with numerous companies and organisations in an effort to develop a humanoid robot – codenamed “Armor”.

According to Digitimes, Apple’s “entry into the humanoid robotics market is gaining momentum”. Meanwhile, PatentlyApple.com reports that Apple is working with Carnegie Mellon University and that Apple’s “new robot known as ‘ARMOR’, has been reveal” (sic).

Bloomberg, one of the world’s most authoritative financial news sources, says Apple is “in the early stages of figuring out the best way to use robotics”, and is already pushing ahead with a “tabletop robot”, the development of which is being overseen by the same person or people who were in charge of the much-heralded but never-realised Apple car. [Read more…] about Apple’s humanoid robot project: What do we know?

Foxconn and Nvidia agree partnership to develop humanoid robots

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In a significant move that could reshape the entire robotics industry going forward, Taiwanese contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, has agreed a strategic partnership with the world’s largest computer chip maker, Nvidia, to develop advanced humanoid robots.

This is according to a report on a Taiwanese news website, which appears to have got the information from Foxconn’s head honcho, the Hon Hai chairman himself, Young Liu.

This collaboration aims to combine Foxconn’s extensive manufacturing expertise and Nvidia’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create robots capable of performing complex tasks across various industries. [Read more…] about Foxconn and Nvidia agree partnership to develop humanoid robots

Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

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WorkFar Robotics, a developer of humanoid and collaborative robotics, is teaming up with industry magnates to “spark the proliferation of humanoid robotic technology across the world” – in other words, to grow through acquisitions.

To WorkFar, leveraging external growth through mergers and acquisitions is a key step in the realization of this vision.

The goal of most startups is to be acquired by a larger conglomerate. However, WorkFar isn’t your average robotics startup. In fact, the company has been able to put together a market-ready, mass-produceable product even without receiving venture capital which is unheard of in humanoids.

So perhaps it’s expected that WorkFar would avoid following the well-trodden path, instead turning this path on its head so that the startup is the one to acquire other companies, instead of being acquired itself. [Read more…] about Humanoid startup WorkFar Robotics plans to grow through ‘strategic acquisitions’

Humanoid era: List of all the most prominent companies building humanoid robots

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2024 may be remembered as the year humanoid robots proliferated to the point where there can be no question that they will – whether we like it or not – become part of our lives in the not-too-distant future.

While they may still have technical limitations even today, many of the previous obstacles have now been smoothed out.

Such is the interest now in humanoid robots, Honda may even bring Asimo out of its locker or wherever it has been kept past few years. [Read more…] about Humanoid era: List of all the most prominent companies building humanoid robots

Can humanoid robots solve problems in warehousing?

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By Heico Sandee, founder and CEO of Smart Robotics

In the past, automation was perceived primarily as a remedy for labor shortages; today, that’s no longer the case.

Warehouse automation has undergone bouts of evolution, each time becoming more advanced, sophisticated, and integrated into a broader ecosystem of human and machine collaboration.

The humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $2.03 billion in 2024 to $13.25 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate of 45.5 percent, reflecting the increasing demand for intelligent systems capable of transforming industries. [Read more…] about Can humanoid robots solve problems in warehousing?

Engineered Arts raises $10 million to scale humanoid robotics ‘for everyday life’

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Engineered Arts, a global leader in the design and manufacture of humanoid robotics founded in the UK, has restructured as a US entity to expand its footprint and meet US growing demand.

Alongside this move, the company successfully closed its Series A funding round, raising $10 million to accelerate product refinement, manufacturing readiness, scale production, and investment in advanced business systems. [Read more…] about Engineered Arts raises $10 million to scale humanoid robotics ‘for everyday life’

Humanoid robotics set to ‘transform industries with human-like dexterity and intelligence’, says GlobalData

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Humanoid robotics technologies are set to transform industries by offering “advanced dexterity, precision, and human-like capabilities”, according to a new study by GlobalData.

These developments promise to automate complex tasks, address labor shortages, and enhance operational efficiency across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and service industries, says the data and analytics research company.

Saurabh Daga, project manager of disruptive tech at GlobalData, says: “The rapid progress in humanoid robotics signals a turning point in robotics innovation. [Read more…] about Humanoid robotics set to ‘transform industries with human-like dexterity and intelligence’, says GlobalData

Apptronik partners with Google DeepMind to accelerate advancement of humanoid robots

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Apptronik, the AI-powered humanoid robotics company, has entered a strategic partnership agreement with the Google DeepMind robotics team.

The partnership will bring together “best-in-class artificial intelligence with cutting-edge hardware and embodied intelligence, advancing humanoid robots that can be more helpful to people in dynamic environments”, according to the companies.

Jeff Cardenas, CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, says: “We’re building a future where humanoid robots address urgent global challenges. [Read more…] about Apptronik partners with Google DeepMind to accelerate advancement of humanoid robots

Humanoid robots: Stepping out of science fiction, into the real world

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For many decades, science fiction films and books have described and shown us a variety of humanoid robots that range from ones that look clearly mechanical and follow simple orders and have limited functionality to ones that are indistinguishable from human beings in appearance but are far stronger, faster and more capable in many ways.

And over those decades, audiences have been encouraged to imagine such robots as figments of the imagination, something for the future – a future after our own lifetimes.

Now, however, instead of waiting there for us to die and spare us from having to deal with it, that future is hurtling towards us with unsettling speed.

[Read more…] about Humanoid robots: Stepping out of science fiction, into the real world