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Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

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Fetch Robotics says it has achieved “full conformance” with R15.08, the first safety standard specifically formulated for industrial mobile robots

Fetch Robotics says its full suite of autonomous mobile robots conforms with ANSI / RIA R15.08, the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots.

This latest milestone ensures that Fetch’s AMRs can be safely utilized in all current use cases throughout warehouses, factories, distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

Released on Dec 25th, 2020 by the RIA (Robotics Industry Association), R15.08 is the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

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European automaker SEAT, which is part of the Volkswagen Group, has introduced two autonomous, collaborative mobile robots that adapt to the needs of employees to help them with tasks such as transporting parts.

The AMRs – called EffiBOTs, originally made by Effidence – have been integrated into the operations at the automaker’s Martorell plant in Spain.

SEAT says the incorporation of the AMRs at the Martorell factory continues the development and implementation of digital tools and solutions to make the facility a smarter, more digitalised and increasingly connected factory. [Read more…] about SEAT introduces Effidence autonomous mobile robots at Martorell, Spain plant

SoftBank to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore

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SoftBank, the telecommunications giant which has huge investments in the robotics sector, is to acquire a large stake in AutoStore, a robotics and software company that specialises in automated storage and retrieval systems for warehouses.

SoftBank has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore from funds affiliated with Thomas H. Lee Partners and EQT Private Equity, among other shareholders.

THL will continue to be AutoStore’s majority shareholder and THL, SoftBank and EQT will each have representatives on AutoStore’s board of directors. [Read more…] about SoftBank to acquire 40 percent of AutoStore

Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

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Kivnon has expanded its range of mobile robots with a new range of automated forklifts and the new rotational lifting platform.

Kivnon has unveiled three new models of autonomous vehicles: the K03 Twister, the K55 Pallet Stacker and the K50 Pallet Truck, capable of moving around the environment using magnetic guidance or mapping navigation, based on SLAM technology.

The new K03 Twister is a rotational mobile platform with dimensions of 700 x 500 x 280 mm, making it the smallest AGV in Kivnon’s portfolio of mobile robots. [Read more…] about Kivnon unveils three new automated vehicles for material handling

Waypoint Robotics partners with Productive Robotics to build mobile manipulation robot

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Waypoint Robotics has teamed up with Productive Robotics to build a new kind of robot that aims to make mobile manipulation accessible for small to mid sized companies. 

The machine – called the Vector AMR – combines Waypoint’s omnidirectional autonomous mobile robot with Productive Robotics’ 7 axis collaborative robot arm, which the companies say makes it easier and more cost effective to implement mobile manipulators for manufacturing and logistics applications.

Workers can use this mobile platform to perform repetitive tasks such as machine tending, quality assurance sampling, material replenishment, packaging, and many others, so they can focus on the high skilled jobs for which they are uniquely qualified. [Read more…] about Waypoint Robotics partners with Productive Robotics to build mobile manipulation robot

IAM Robotics launches new mid-size AMR

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IAM Robotics says it is “breaking boundaries” in the midline autonomous mobile robot market with its new robot, ​Bolt​.

Making its debut April 12, 2021 at ​ProMat DX​, Bolt gives you the power to do more in material handling—faster, longer, and farther.

IAM says Bolt is “packed with high-tech features”, is built to thrive in warehouse and manufacturing environments, and can elevate productivity and efficiency to new heights and stands out as an autonomous mobility solution. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics launches new mid-size AMR

MIT startup unveils robot that unloads trailer ‘blazingly fast’

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MIT startup Pickle has unveiled a new robot that works with people to get online orders delivered sooner by unloading trailers “blazingly fast”. (See video below.)

The secret, says the company, is to “keep people in the picture”.

How has a team of 15 solved one of the biggest challenges in logistics automation in only 18 months and with limited funding? [Read more…] about MIT startup unveils robot that unloads trailer ‘blazingly fast’

Cleveron unveils new unmanned semi-autonomous last mile delivery vehicle

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Cleveron, one of the world’s leading parcel delivery robotics companies, today unveiled its new unmanned semi-autonomous last mile delivery vehicle, the Cleveron 701. (See video below.)

Designed for retailers and logistics companies looking to boost last mile delivery solutions and efficiencies, Cleveron 701 enables businesses to meet the growing demand for same-day delivery driven by the recent acceleration of e-commerce and rapidly changing retail landscape.

As the first company in Europe granted a pilot license to operate unmanned semi-autonomous vehicles in public streets across the country, Cleveron has piloted Cleveron 701 for the last six months in Estonia. The Company is scheduled to begin mass production in 2023. [Read more…] about Cleveron unveils new unmanned semi-autonomous last mile delivery vehicle

DFI brings accurate indoor positioning for e-commerce warehousing

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DFI’s embedded computers have helped the largest e-commerce platform in Taiwan to realize a more accurate indoor positioning in smart warehouse.

Affected by the raging Covid-19, the public avoids going out in fear of infection. Not only has e-commerce orders surged, but significant e-commerce companies must also expand the deployment of more advanced robots, such as shuttles between shelves, to increase the floor area ratio and improve storage efficiency.

Based on the needs of a top e-commerce company in Taiwan, DFI quickly customized the EC700-BT system and added an expansion card to provide a COM port compatible with RS-232/422/485 protocols and with galvanic isolation protection. [Read more…] about DFI brings accurate indoor positioning for e-commerce warehousing

Kiwibot to provide new delivery robots to Chick-fil-A, Segway and Knight Foundation

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Kiwibot, a robotic delivery service that has completed over 150,000 food deliveries with semi-autonomous robots, is launching its next-generation Kiwibot 4.0. 

The robots are already cruising the streets of Santa Monica, and by the beginning of May 2021, for those who order through local Shopify-powered portals, the service will extend across Los Angeles, San Jose, Miami, Pittsburg, and Detroit.  [Read more…] about Kiwibot to provide new delivery robots to Chick-fil-A, Segway and Knight Foundation