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PAL Robotics delivery robots for hospitals now integrate Accerion positioning sensors

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PAL Robotics is using delivery robots that are now integrate Accerion positioning sensors.

The TIAGo Delivery Robot will part of the fight against coronavirus in hospitals and is scheduled to start operating in hospitals next month.

With the unpredictable health crisis of Covid-19 continuing to place high demands on hospitals, PAL Robotics is building a solution: the TIAGo Delivery robot, which will soon be deployed in hospitals, following a winning proposal submitted to the European DIH-Hero project. [Read more…] about PAL Robotics delivery robots for hospitals now integrate Accerion positioning sensors

DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

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DHL Supply Chain has launched what it describes as a new “plug and play” robotics platform in collaboration with Microsoft, and artificial intelligence driven digital fulfillment provider Blue Yonder.

The robotics platform significantly reduces integration time and programming efforts to on-board new automation devices into warehouse facilities, while giving DHL customers more flexibility in selecting suitable robotics systems according to their individual business needs.

The solution leverages Microsoft Azure IoT and cloud platform services. [Read more…] about DHL partners with Microsoft and Blue Yonder to develop platform for warehouse robots

Caterpillar acquires delivery robot maker Marble

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Caterpillar, the manufacturer of large-scale equipment for sectors such as construction, mining and transportation, has agreed to acquire Marble, a startup company that makes delivery robots.

According to a report on construction news website KHL.com, Caterpillar is looking to build on its work in autonomous mining vehicles, where it’s famous for using gigantic driverless dump trucks (see infographic below).

Innovations and developments gained through the Marble acquisition could help Caterpillar to supply a new generation of technology to its other markets. [Read more…] about Caterpillar acquires delivery robot maker Marble

ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

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ForwardX Robotics, a provider of artificial intelligence and robotics solutions, says it will now offer Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) options for its collaborative mobile robots.

Whilst also offering outright sale and renting options, the RaaS subscription-based model aims to encourage supply chain operations to invest in innovation by allowing them to upgrade their facilities without the large upfront investment usually associated with automation projects.

Paul Qian, VP of sales at ForwardX Robotics, says: “The pressure on supply chains to deliver is growing with every day that passes and we know how much of an impact our solutions can have on facilities and their processes. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics launches robots-as-a-service for its warehouse automation solutions

Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

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Geek+, a global provider of advanced robotics for logistics, has closed its Series C funding round at over $200 million in early 2020.

Geek+ continues to lead the industry with the largest fundraising to date, following a $150 million B series in November 2018, already the largest in the industry.

C1 was led by GGV Capital, D1 Capital Partners along with Warburg Pincus in Summer 2019, while C2, finalized earlier this year, was led by V Fund, along with Redview Capital and Vertex Ventures. [Read more…] about Geek+ raises more than $200 million in latest funding round

Agilox applies artificial swarm intelligence to its warehouse robots and makes ‘substantial’ cost savings

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Agilox says its autonomous mobile robots are “substantially saving costs” by applying artificial swarm intelligence.

Swarm Intelligence and bio-inspired computing have attracted great interest in almost every area of science and engineering, including robotics, over the last two decades.

Being an innovative manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, Agilox directs most of its effort into developing one of the most unique robotic material handling features on the market – completely decentralized autonomy. [Read more…] about Agilox applies artificial swarm intelligence to its warehouse robots and makes ‘substantial’ cost savings

Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

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Geek+ has won the 2020 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award – the industry’s premier listing of the most successful and innovative robotics companies in the world.

Geek+ makes the list for the second year in a row, a rare feat, and is one of a handful of non-US based companies.

The award recognizes Geek+ as one of the most innovative and transformative robotics companies in the world, having achieved commercial success through a highly successful global expansion and proven ability to enable global fulfillment. [Read more…] about Geek+ wins RBR50 innovation award as one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies

Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

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Retail giant Gap says it has improved its supply chain output by implementing robots supplied by Kindred. (See video below.)

The system Kindred has supplied uses industrial robotic arms originally manufactured by Fanuc integrated into a solution called “Sort”.

Gap says that it has been “faced with an unprecedented surge in e-commerce and an extreme workforce disruption” which persuaded it that “now is the time for artificial intelligence and robotics solutions to solve complex fulfillment problems”. [Read more…] about Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

Epiroc orders 77 giant autonomous mining truck systems from ASI

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Autonomous Solutions Inc has signed a subcontract with mining equipment manufacturer Epiroc to supply its autonomous haul truck solution to Roy Hill in Western Australia.

This signing follows the recent award by Roy Hill to Epiroc, a global leader in mining equipment and drill automation, as the prime contractor for the project.

For its part, ASI Mining will supply the technology and systems to convert Roy Hill’s mixed fleet of 77 haul trucks from manned to autonomous operation. The project also includes integration with Fleet and other Mining Management Systems. [Read more…] about Epiroc orders 77 giant autonomous mining truck systems from ASI

inVia Robotics expands into Asia with Kantsu implementation

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Kantsu has selected inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, to supply autonomous mobile robots that automate fulfillment operations in its primary distribution center in Osaka, Japan.

inVia’s modular automation system, which includes a fleet of 200 autonomous mobile robots and AI-driven software, will modernize Kantsu’s e-commerce fulfillment process.

It will automate the picking process and allow warehouse workers to sort at rates of 800-900 units per hour per person, says inVia. [Read more…] about inVia Robotics expands into Asia with Kantsu implementation