Robotics & Automation News

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Logistics

General Motors reveals autonomous electric mobile platform

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General Motors has unveiled a new type of vehicle which the company says is flexible, autonomous and is powered by fuel cell technology – or electric. 

GM says the Silent Utility Rover Universal Superstructure – Surus, for short – delivers highly mobile autonomous capability and agility in unpredictable terrain.

This would make it suitable for military use, which is what GM is aiming at. But it could also find applications in the commercial logistics industry, another market GM has listed where Surus could find work. [Read more…] about General Motors reveals autonomous electric mobile platform

Kinova Robotics launches beta version of Movo mobile robot

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Kinova Robotics is set to offer consumers a new product line with the beta launch of Movo, a mobile manipulation platform designed to aid in the research and experimentation of mobile robotics.

Movo has been fully designed and developed using the Robot Operating System, along with MoveIt! and Gazebo, and offers an application programming interface that will provide researchers the most advanced functionality in all areas of robotics.

The new, feature-rich platform benefits from the low weight, low energy demand and compactness of Kinova’s world-renowned manipulators, combined with a powerful omnidirectional mobile system and fully integrated navigational system.  [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics launches beta version of Movo mobile robot

Comau unveils logistics robot

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Comau has launched a new logistics robot which looks similar to the growing number of autonomous platforms currently making their way into warehouses the world over. 

Comau’s machine is called Agile 1500, and the company says it is the first model within the Comau automated guided vehicles platform.

Comau says the Agile 1500 is based on the company’s “open automation” design approach.  [Read more…] about Comau unveils logistics robot

IAM Robotics awarded patent for warehouse robot

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IAM Robotics, a Pittsburgh startup that develops and sells autonomous material handling robots, has been awarded what the company says is a “key patent” relating to its robotics technology for logistics.

The patent will be issued on October 10, 2017 as US Patent No. 9,785,911.

IAM says the patent specifies “a system and method for piece-picking or put-away with a mobile manipulation robot”.  [Read more…] about IAM Robotics awarded patent for warehouse robot

ThyssenKrupp tests TeleRetail robots for elevator maintenance logistics

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ThyssenKrupp is testing delivery robots as part of a research project.

The company’s huge elevator business division is evaluating TeleRetail delivery robots to make elevator maintenance safer and more efficient.

The robots were displayed from at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, where ThyssenKrupp participated as an application partner of TeleRetail.  [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp tests TeleRetail robots for elevator maintenance logistics

Alibaba to invest $15 billion into robotic logistics infrastructure

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Alibaba is planning to invest $15 billion into developing a robotic logistics infrastructure, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

Alibaba is said to be the world’s largest e-commerce company, mainly concentrating on the business-to-business sector rather than retail, but until now, it has relied on outside companies to provide its logistics.

Now, the company has invested an additional $801 million to buy a controlling stake in Cainiao Smart Logistics.  [Read more…] about Alibaba to invest $15 billion into robotic logistics infrastructure

Yusen Logistics launches robotic, automated warehouse featuring Swisslog technology

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Yusen Logistics Singapore has unveiled a new robotic, automated warehouse featuring Swisslog AutoStore automated storage and order picking system.

The Asian logistics giant has also broken ground to expand the facility to include a new warehouse.  [Read more…] about Yusen Logistics launches robotic, automated warehouse featuring Swisslog technology

Mitsubishi might invest $20 million in GreyOrange Robotics

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Mitsubishi Electric is reportedly planning to invest almost $20 million into GreyOrange Robotics.

GreyOrange is a startup company developing robotics and automation systems for the logistics industry, particularly warehouse automation systems integrating robots, and has been growing fast, according to a story on EconomicTimes.com.

The investment would lead to a valuation for GreyOrange of an amount between $300 million and $500 million.  [Read more…] about Mitsubishi might invest $20 million in GreyOrange Robotics

Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics

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Kuka has launched an autonomous logistics robot in the form of a mobile platform which are by now quite familiar in the logistics industry. 

The robot maker says its Kuka KMP 1500 navigates using the SLAM method, which stands for Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, utilising laser scanners.

It adds that the robot is highly flexible, and features precise maneuverability and positioning using the omni-directional mecanum wheels and an accurate lifting mechanism.  [Read more…] about Kuka launches autonomous mobile robot for logistics

Panasonic develops 3D lidar sensor for autonomous mobile robots

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Panasonic has developed a 3D lidar – light detection and radar – sensor that it says accurately measures the direction of and distance to objects with a wide angle of view, which is critical for autonomous operation of mobile robots.

Employing Panasonic’s propriety laser-scanning technology, the 3D lidar is capable of scanning the laser as wide as up to 60 degrees vertically and 270 degrees horizontally to achieve stable operation of autonomous robots.

Sample shipments will start in January 2018, and Panasonic will exhibit the 3D lidar at Ceatec Japan event, from October 3 to 6, 2017.  [Read more…] about Panasonic develops 3D lidar sensor for autonomous mobile robots