Robotics & Automation News

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Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

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Honeywell has agreed a strategic collaboration with Otto Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics, giving warehouses and distribution centers throughout North America an automated option to handle some of the most labor-intensive roles in an increasingly scarce job market.

The collaboration enables Honeywell customers to increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve safety by deploying Otto’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in their facilities.

These AMRs provide significant productivity benefits by automating the movement of carts used to transport picked orders or returns and can travel over any floor surface smooth enough to handle a traditional cart pushed by a worker. [Read more…] about Honeywell partners with Otto Motors to develop robotic solutions for supply chain operations

General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

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General Motors says it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites, creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000, and significantly increasing battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity.

This is the single largest investment announcement in GM history. The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, says: “We are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the US, and our North American EV production capacity. [Read more…] about General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

DHL to invest $15 million on Boston Dynamics robots for supply chain operations

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DHL Supply Chain, the global and North American contract logistics business unit within Deutsche Post DHL Group, is making a $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

Boston dynamics is famous for making scary humanoid and canine robots but it has also become one of the leading developers of mobile robotics, and the robots it will supply DHL – which include an autonomous mobile robot with arm called “Stretch” (main picture) – will “further automate warehousing in North America”.

The companies have signed a multi-year agreement that begins with equipping DHL facilities with Stretch, Boston Dynamics’ newest robot specifically designed to automate the unloading process in distribution centers. [Read more…] about DHL to invest $15 million on Boston Dynamics robots for supply chain operations

Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

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Exotec, a warehouse robotics startup, has raised $335 million in Series D funding, and is now valued at $2 billion.

The Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management led the round with follow-on investments from 83North and Dell Technologies Capital.

Exotec says it will use the funds to continue to launch large-scale deployments in North America, Europe, and Asia for global brands. [Read more…] about Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

ForwardX Robotics raises $31 million in Series C funding round

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ForwardX Robotics, a Beijing-based developer of autonomous mobile robots for warehousing and manufacturing environments, has completed its initial Series C1 funding round, raising $31 million.

The initial round was led by Taikang Life Insurance, with Qualcomm Ventures and Starlight Capital also contributing to the round.

Only seven months after the close of its $63 million Series B round, the latest round of funding brings ForwardX to approximately $100 million in total investment since its founding in 2016. [Read more…] about ForwardX Robotics raises $31 million in Series C funding round

Flytrex expands drone food delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina

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Flytrex, an on-demand drone delivery for food and retail, has expanded its drone delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina.

In partnership with Causey Aviation Unmanned, the Federal Aviation Administration, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, The Town of Holly Springs, and Kite Realty Group Trust, Flytrex has begun delivering food orders via drone in partnership with Brinker International – owner of Chili’s Grill & Bar, It’s Just Wings and Maggiano’s Little Italy – at the Holly Springs Towne Center to front and backyards in the neighborhood of Forest Springs.

Flytrex’s newest service caters to dozens of households in the area who have opted into the service. Flytrex will conduct all flights under Part 107, within visual line of sight, maintaining the highest safety standards. [Read more…] about Flytrex expands drone food delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina

Starship Technologies launches North Carolina’s first robotic delivery service

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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) and its food services provider, Sodexo, have partnered with robot maker Starship Technologies to roll out the university’s food delivery service via autonomous robots.

A&T is the first historically Black college or university to partner with Starship, as well as its first partnership in North Carolina.

Starship’s fleet of 20 autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from three campus eateries: Qdoba, 1891 Bistro and the new Paavo’s Pizza with the goal to expand additional retail locations by next spring. [Read more…] about Starship Technologies launches North Carolina’s first robotic delivery service

Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America

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Flow Robotics, a Denmark-based designer and producer of robots for automated liquid handling and the creator of the flowbot One, has established its North American subsidiary, with operations in Princeton, New Jersey. 

The company’s first product, the flowbot One, is designed to transform how liquid handling responsibilities are performed in the laboratory by automating manual pipetting tasks.

The robot will be showcased for the first time in the US at the SLAS 2021 Americas Sample Management Hybrid Symposium September 9-10 in La Jolla, California. [Read more…] about Flow Robotics brings its automated pipetting robot to North America

Gatik raises $85 million in Series B funding for its autonomous delivery trucks

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Gatik has raised investment of $85 million in Series B funding to “significantly expand North America’s first autonomous middle mile logistics network”.

The company says the round was “heavily oversubscribed” and brings the total amount raised by Gatik to $114.5 million.

The round was led by new investor Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), renowned for supporting high-growth companies that disrupt current market alternatives with demonstrated technology. [Read more…] about Gatik raises $85 million in Series B funding for its autonomous delivery trucks

Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner

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Sarcos Robotics, a developer of exoskeletons and other robotic systems, has signed up Pine Environmental Services as an official distributor.

Pine Environmental is a professional services company providing equipment for environmental monitoring, nondestructive testing, visual inspection, and continuous emissions monitoring.

The agreement will see Pine Environmental become an official distributor of the award-winning Guardian S remote visual inspection and surveillance robot. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics signs up Pine Environmental as distribution partner