Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Space

RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

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RoboForce, the world’s most advanced “Robo-Labor” provider, today announced it has raised $10 million early stage funding with support from investors such as Nobel Laureate Myron Scholes, co-founder of Softbank VC (SBVC) Gary Rieschel, and Carnegie Mellon University.

With this funding, RoboForce is emerging from stealth as it prepares to deploy its Robo-Labor this year for early customers, for whom robots can fulfill labor shortages in harsh outdoor conditions, complete the most hazardous tasks in dangerous work environments, and maximize project efficiency and cost savings.

With 1mm accuracy in performing fine motor skills like picking, placing, pressing, twisting and connecting, the Robo-Labor has all-terrain mobility, precise manipulation, learning, communication, and safety compliance capabilities. RoboForce’s robots are unparalleled in the emerging field of AI robotics. [Read more…] about RoboForce raises $10 million to build robots for solar and space industries

Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton living the dream of… being an astronaut

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One of the most successful Formula 1 racing drivers of all time, Sir Lewis Hamilton has always dreamed of going beyond the racetrack and outside Earth’s atmosphere – into space.

As Hamilton’s partnership with IWC Schaffhausen comes to an end, the luxury watchmaker decided to make his dream a reality by arranging some flight training for astronauts. (See video below.)

Joining Hamilton to watch this incredible journey, children from Dibia Dream social STEM education programs were reminded that if you train hard, stay focused and work with dedication, you can become anything you want in life and achieve great things.

[Read more…] about Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton living the dream of… being an astronaut

European Space Agency to test animal brain autonomy for future space missions

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Opteran works with Airbus to show how nature can revolutionize space robotics

Opteran, which describes itself as ‘the natural intelligence company”, says that Airbus Defence and Space, with support from European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency, will test the Opteran Mind, its general purpose neuromorphic software, in Airbus space rovers.

Opteran believes nature offers a more efficient, robust solution for autonomy in space robotics which will enable new mission capabilities for future Mars missions and other space exploration projects.

Based on over a decade of research into animal and insect vision, navigation and decision-making, Opteran is conducting tests with Airbus at its Mars Yard to enable rovers to understand depth perception in the toughest off-world environments.

[Read more…] about European Space Agency to test animal brain autonomy for future space missions

HEBI Robotics awarded $150,000 grant by NASA

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HEBI Robotics, creator of a robot development platform that makes it possible to quickly design and create robust robots, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant by NASA to develop smart robotic actuation hardware and building blocks that are compatible with the HEBI Platform for robot development, and suitable for use in missions to space.

Bob Raida, CEO of HEBI Robotics, says: “For 10 years, HEBI has been working to streamline the process of developing robots. Customers around the world use our system to create robust robots that would have been infeasible without the HEBI Platform.

“Many of those users are designing systems that will ultimately be deployed in space. This project will make it possible for those users to design and build robots in their lab with the HEBI Platform, knowing that work will carry through to the final production design and system.” [Read more…] about HEBI Robotics awarded $150,000 grant by NASA

NASA boosts GoAERO’s mission with Space Act Agreement and university innovation project funding

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GoAERO says its Space Act Agreement with NASA codifies and expands its partnership and marks a “significant leap forward” in its mission to revolutionize emergency response aviation.

In addition, NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) has committed additional funding through its University Innovation Project, specifically targeting US-based university teams participating in the GoAERO Prize competition.

This collaboration, announced at the recent International Council of Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS) conference, underscores NASA’s dedication to fostering innovation in aviation and emergency response technologies. [Read more…] about NASA boosts GoAERO’s mission with Space Act Agreement and university innovation project funding

Space robotics poised to see ‘explosive growth’, says new report

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Five years ago, NASA launched a mission straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster by deploying its robotic system, Astrobees, on the International Space Station (ISS) to assist astronauts with repair and maintenance.

Fast forward to today, and space robotics has taken a giant leap forward, becoming a hotbed of innovation and investment. This burgeoning field is now at a pivotal moment, poised for explosive growth.

The past three years have seen over 40 pioneering companies enter the space robotics arena, attracting more than $200 million in venture capital, according to Technology Foresights, an innovation intelligence platform by GlobalData, a research, data and analytics company. [Read more…] about Space robotics poised to see ‘explosive growth’, says new report

GMV develops new robotic technologies to remove space debris and refuel spacecraft

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As the space ecosystem continues to grow and diversify, bringing with it a new economic era, it has become essential to address issues related to space sustainability, to ensure that we can use space in a responsible way over the long term.

The multinational technology firm GMV has become prominent in the space industry, with a firm commitment to performing its space-related activities in a socially and environmentally respectful way.

The company is now performing work and testing at its exclusive “platform-art” test bench. This work involves a range of important technologies for removing space debris, and for performing in-orbit maintenance, refueling, and assembly of complex infrastructure and elements.

[Read more…] about GMV develops new robotic technologies to remove space debris and refuel spacecraft

ETH unveils space-hopping robot for asteroid exploration

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As part of the SpaceHopper project, ETH Zurich students are developing a robot that can navigate very low gravity environments using a jumping-​like mode of locomotion.

One day the SpaceHopper will be deployed on space missions to explore relatively small celestial bodies such as asteroids and moons.

These are thought to contain valuable mineral resources that could be of use to humankind in the future. The exploration of these bodies could also give us insights into our universe’s formation. [Read more…] about ETH unveils space-hopping robot for asteroid exploration

CMU scientists contribute to NASA’s autonomous robot snake

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Carnegie Mellon University researchers teamed up with scientists at NASA to develop a robot capable of searching underwater oceans on distant planets for signs of life. (See video below.)

NASA’s Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) is a self-propelled, autonomous, snake-like robot inspired by a desire to one day look for signs of life in the vast ocean beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s Enceladus moon.

The robot can autonomously navigate extreme terrain, enabling it to traverse not only ice but also sand, rocks, cliff walls, deep craters, underground lava tubes and glaciers. [Read more…] about CMU scientists contribute to NASA’s autonomous robot snake

Virtual Incision’s miniaturized surgical robot en route to International Space Station

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Virtual Incision, the developer of the MIRA Surgical System, says that spaceMIRA is currently in transit to the International Space Station.

The device is aboard a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The 2024 technology demonstration mission is driven by a grant awarded from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to the University of Nebraska through the Established Program to Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program. [Read more…] about Virtual Incision’s miniaturized surgical robot en route to International Space Station