Uber began testing self-driving cars in Pittsburgh weeks ago but finally confirmed the tests for the first time. Uber’s self-driving Ford Fusion hybrid, which is in the early testing stages, will be collecting mapping data as well as testing its self-driving capabilities.
Pepper Robot’s US Debut Planned for 2016
Pepper, the humanoid robot from Softbank, is expected to debut in the United States in 2016, focusing initially on businesses and not consumers.
China’s Midea Bids on KUKA for German Industrial Robotics Prowess
KUKA said it would consider Midea’s bid, as the robotics company expands in China and the home appliance maker wants to increase productivity.
Chinese Midea makes $2.5 billion bid for up to 49% of KUKA
In China’s relentless state-stimulated quest to grow their robotics industry, Midea Group, a Chinese appliance manufacturer which already owns 13.5% of KUKA’s shares, has offered to buy up to 49% of the remaining shares at a 59.6% premium. UPDATED 6/13 & 6/16/2016: Adjusted to reflect news from Reuters and the WSJ that Midea is only seeking a 49% stake…
ReWalk, Wyss Institute Partner on Next-Gen Soft Exoskeletons
ReWalk Robotics has partnered with the Wyss Institute to expedite development of Wyss’ lightweight, soft exosuit. Is this the beginning of the end for the bulky, rigid exoskeletons we’ve come to know and love?
2 of 4 — Two robot experts answer 15 questions about new technologies
At the recent A3 Business Forum — held in conjunction with the Robotics Industries Association, or RIA, the Automated Imaging Association, or AIA, and the Motion Control & Motor Association, or MCMA, I got the chance to interview some robotics experts about the current state of technology. Nigel Smith, President and CEO, and Ryan Guthrie, […]
1 of 4 — Two experts answer 15 questions about new robotics
At the recent A3 Business Forum — held in conjunction with the Robotics Industries Association, or RIA, the Automated Imaging Association, or AIA, and the Motion Control & Motor Association, or MCMA, I got the chance to interview some robotics experts about the current state of technology. Nigel Smith, President and CEO, and Ryan Guthrie, […]
Watch: NVIDIA Self-Driving Car Learns How to Become a Better Driver
After just 3,000 miles, NVIDIA’s self-driving car uses its DAVENET deep-learning network to learn the rules of the road and become a better driver.
Podcast: Robots Revolutionizing Autism Therapy
Jared Peters, co-founder of Origami Robotics, has been an autism educator for twelve years and has spent thousands of hours with kids on the spectrum. Peters joined The Robotics Trends Show to discuss how robots are revolutionizing autism therapy and how this area of robotics will continue to improve.
Drone Flies into Model’s Face During Photo Shoot
This was the first time aspiring model Jess Adams worked with a drone, and most likely her last.
Jibo to Re-create Classic Video Games
Jibo has partnered with Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe to create a new gaming experience for the social robot. The first game being built for Jibo will be a reincarnation of Pac-Man called “Rescue PAC-MAN!”
Cognex introduces industry’s first image-based airport baggage handling identification
Cognex now sells an Airport Baggage Handling Identification Solution (ABH-ID), the first image-based automatic tag reader (ATR) system that overcomes the limitations of current laser-based baggage ID systems. Cognex technology provides significantly higher read rates over laser-based systems, reducing the costs associated with manual delivery of lost or late checked luggage. Air travel is growing […]
Robotics Funding Focuses on Industrial Automation
Robotics investments bounce back, as increased pressure for productivity makes industrial automation more valuable.
Fastec Imaging’s IL5 high-speed camera
Fastec Imaging’s IL5 High-Speed 5MP Camera enables you to record production lines moving at high speed for analysis or troubleshooting using slow motion replay, so you can see what you have been missing with normal speed video. With four models to choose from, boasting crisp, clean video from 2560 x 2080 @ 230fps to 800 […]
Can Honeybees Help Improve Drones?
The University of Sheffield thinks bees could be vital in developing drones that are better at avoiding obstacles.
Robot Hand Teaches Itself How to Get a Grip
This University of Washington built a five-fingered robot hand that uses machine learning to teach itself how to grasp and manipulate objects on its own, rather than having humans program its actions.
Mobile robot helps with production floor deliveries at stove manufacturer
Every day, a user-friendly mobile robot automates many miles of production floor deliveries for Danish fireplace and wood stove manufacturer Scan A/S. Employees–who have been relieved of the monotonous chore–have been particularly welcoming of their new flexible “rolling colleague.” Since 1978, Scan has designed and produced exclusive wood stoves that are effective, attractive, and environmentally friendly […]
Pumps and Pumping
Processing water after it has been used into potable water is a complex mix of chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines. The mechanical problems to be solved include things like how we store water, how we deliver water and creating special equipment for each unique process required when treating water. In the US we pay […]
Paradigm shift: from Siri to Viv
Artificial intelligence that programs itself on the fly – from the team that developed Siri at SRI and Apple – was demonstrated this week in New York and it quickly performed complex spoken tasks, live and onstage. At the recent TechCrunch Disrupt event, held in New York City May 9-11, Dag Kittlaus unveiled Viv, the new single-source cross-platform…
Cobot Applications Still Widening, Says UR Exec
Cobots are moving from major automakers to small and midsize enterprises, said Universal Robots’ Scott Mabie at the International Collaborative Robots Workshop.
Google Self-Driving Car Runs Over People in GTA 5 Mod
A Grand Theft Auto V mod shows a Google self-driving car wreaking havoc in Los Santos, running over people on sidewalks and driving the wrong way on the highway.
Podcast: Teaching Kids About Human-Robot Interaction
Dr. Charles Fritz teaches a high school class about human-robot interaction. Dr. Fritz joined The Robotics Trends Show to discuss the keys to human-robot interaction and some of the parameters his students created for how humans and robots can co-exist.