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Universal Robots’ latest results are ‘a strong indication of growth to come’, says president

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Collaborative industrial robot maker Universal Robots’ latest results are “a strong indication” of future growth, says its president, Kim Poylsen.

Universal Robots, which has just released its Q3 results for 2021, has reported record quarterly revenue of $78 million, up 46 percent on last year’s Q3 revenue and 31 percent up from its pre-pandemic Q3 revenue of 2019.

Since creating the world’s first commercially viable collaborative robot in 2008, the Danish company has gone on to sell over 50,000 of its ‘cobots’ for use across a range of industrial uses, primarily in the manufacturing sector. [Read more…] about Universal Robots’ latest results are ‘a strong indication of growth to come’, says president

Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

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The Pittsburgh autonomy sector has reached critical mass and has the potential to become a major player in the global market, according to a new study. It adds, however, that “urgent action is needed” to compete more effectively against other regions and to encourage autonomy companies to locate and remain in Southwestern Pennsylvania as they mature and grow.

The report – Forefront: Securing Pittsburgh’s Break-out Position in Autonomous Mobile Systems – was issued by Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce with research conducted by TEConomy Partners.

The culmination of a nine-month long study, the report finds that the Pittsburgh region is one of the top centers for autonomous mobile systems – a sector predicted to grow to a $1 trillion+ global market by 2026, with an estimated 5,000 jobs and a $10 billion impact for a region that captures 1 percent of that global market growth. [Read more…] about Pittsburgh set to become ‘major player globally’ in autonomous vehicles sector

GXO pilots customised robotic arm for fashion e-commerce logistics

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GXO Logistics, which claims to be the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, has launched an “industry-first pilot” of intelligent automation at its fashion e-commerce warehouse in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

GXO’s pilot of the Pick-it-Easy Robot station is tailored for one of its key global customers, in collaboration with value chain tech provider Knapp.

The pilot is the first application of Knapp’s Pick-it-Easy Robot technology for automated pocket induction in the sector for apparel logistics. [Read more…] about GXO pilots customised robotic arm for fashion e-commerce logistics

Norway prime minister officially opens AutoStore Innovation Hub

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AutoStore, the leading robotic technology company, has created a pioneering test facility that can allow for faster fitting of automated systems for its clients to keep up with order demand.

Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg (pictured below cutting ribbon), was said to be “deeply impressed” by AutoStore’s success when she officially opened the new test center and had it demonstrated.

As she officially opened the Innovation Hub, Solberg said: “AutoStore is a guiding star showing the way towards growth for the Norwegian private sector.” [Read more…] about Norway prime minister officially opens AutoStore Innovation Hub

Mitsubishi Electric to supply elevators and escalators for ‘One Bangkok’ development

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Mitsubishi Electric says its subsidiary Mitsubishi Elevator in Thailand has secured a major order from “One Bangkok”, an enormous new development in the capital city.

A joint venture between TCC Assets and Frasers Property, One Bangkok is Thailand’s largest private sector property initiative ever undertaken, setting new benchmarks in design, smart-city living and sustainability.

The fully integrated district is poised to become a global landmark, attracting top-level businesses, tourists and locals alike by seamlessly connecting offices, retail, luxury hotels, residences, as well as cultural spaces. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to supply elevators and escalators for ‘One Bangkok’ development

Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

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The Chinese robotics sector generated almost half of total global patents in the most recent year available, according to a new report. 

The figure was published in the Annual Report on the Development of the Robot Industry in China, jointly written by HRG International Institute of Research and Innovation as well as the China Institute of Science and Technology Evaluation.

The two organizations produced what they call the 2021 Blue Book of the Robot Industry, based on their research. [Read more…] about Chinese robotics sector files ‘44 percent of total global patents’

Delivery robot company Refraction AI raises $4.2 million

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Refraction AI, the robotics startup and creator of the REV-1 autonomous delivery robot, has raised $4.2 million in new seed funding led by Pillar VC.

The company says the capital will be used for customer acquisition, geographic expansion and product development.

Founded in July 2019, Refraction AI solves last-mile delivery logistics with a practical, economical and sustainable application of mobile robot technology. [Read more…] about Delivery robot company Refraction AI raises $4.2 million

Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

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Ibeo Automotive Systems and SICK Sensor Intelligence are partnering in what is described as the “largest ever LiDAR co-operation agreement”. The technology partnership between Hamburg-based automotive LiDAR specialist Ibeo and SICK will result in a 3D solid-state LiDAR sensor for industrial applications.

The technology, developed by Ibeo to automotive standards, is based on a new photon laser measurement technology and is entirely free of moving parts. An additional, camera-like reference image adds a “fourth dimension” to the measurement provided by the sensor.

The market for autonomous and semi-autonomous systems in an industrial context is predicted to grow at above-average rates. There is particular demand for durable, small, and cost-efficient sensor solutions. [Read more…] about Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

Pandemic-Driven Automation Adoption Will Forever Change These 3 Sectors

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For quite a while now, experts have predicted that a wave of automation would remake labour markets.

For businesses, it would be the beginning of a new age of efficiency. For workers, it would be a job apocalypse.

But no matter how you viewed it, the automation wave wasn’t expected to crest until sometime around 2030. Then, the Covid-19 pandemic threw decades of business technology planning into a sudden tailspin. [Read more…] about Pandemic-Driven Automation Adoption Will Forever Change These 3 Sectors

Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream

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A startup company aiming to bring digital project management techniques to the construction sector has raised $14.25 million in Series A funding, bring the total raised to $24.7 million, according to Business Insider. 

Mosaic Construction says its fundamental offer or service is to provide a method for analyzing building plans and categorize them according to which contractor will do what task in what time frame and so on.

This could enable traditional property developers and builders to move more of their tasks into the factory for prefabrication, bringing prefabricated construction into the mainstream. [Read more…] about Mosaic raises $14 million to digitalize construction and bring prefabrication into the mainstream