Starsky Robotics is the second self-driving truck startup to come out of the woodwork in less than one week, but it’s approach is unlike any self-driving truck we’ve seen to date.
Should robots be taxed? Bill Gates thinks so, and now IFR weighs in …
Bill Gates’ latest idea to tax robots aims to solve a problem that does not exist: empirical analysis of economic data and forecasts shows that automation and the use of robots create new jobs by increasing productivity. This is in line with the historical experience of technological revolutions, last seen when computers and software automated […]
Boston Scientific gets in on $45m private placement for Corindus Vascular Robotics
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) got in on a $45 million private placement for Corindus Vascular Robotics (NYSE:CVRS) and the CorPath GRX device it’s developing for cardiac and peripheral vascular procedures. New investors BioStar Ventures, Consonance Capital and Hudson Executive Capital also participated, joining existing backers HealthCor Partners Management and Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG). “We are pleased to announce this financing and appreciate…
Boston Dynamics Handle Robot Carries 100 Lbs, Conquers Stairs
Boston Dynamics has officially unveiled Handle, a research robot that combines the efficiency of wheels with the versatility of legs.
Tesla Autopilot 2.0 Fails Epicly on Windy Road
Watch a Tesla Model S with Autopilot 2.0 engaged repeatedly fail to stay in its lane on a windy road. The incident serves as a good remember that Autopilot users always need to keep their hands on the wheel.
Toast-Buttering Robot Might Ruin Breakfast
Watch this DIY toast-buttering robot, which was built from junk motors, laser cut wood, and zip ties, try to finish making breakfast.
High-resolution 3D camera captures scenes and objects in real time
On the basis of the PMD technology the new 3D camera sees various scenes and objects in their spatial dimensions at a glance. The heart of this device from ifm electronic is a new image chip with 23,000 receiving elements. Output is done via a grey-scale value and distance image, evaluation is easily possible using […]
2016 funding and acquisitions updates
Although the original articles (2016 was best year ever for funding robotics startup companies) and (Over $19 billion paid to acquire 50 robotic companies) have been updated to reflect the omissions of 2016 fundings and acquisitions, listed below is a recap of those updated transactions: Fundings: $100 million for China-based RooBo – A China-based service robot maker…
New robotic Neocortex G2R Cell quickly clears and restocks airline beverage trays
The Neocortex® Goods to Robot Cell from Universal Robotics (soon to be Universal Logic — and no relation to Universal Robots) is now working in its fourth real-world application. The Neocortex Goods to Robot Cell (Neocortex G2R for short) now automates the normally manual task of unloading and restocking airline beverage carts after flights are done and the […]
Humid Environment (HE) robots from Stäubli are splashproof
Stäubli Robotics has extended its range of Humid Environment (HE) compatible models. Nearly all six-axis machines (and the FAST picker TP80) are available in HE versions suitable where high humidity, water spray or liquid coolants are prevalent. Whether used for water jet cutting, for machining or for industrial parts cleaning, the Stäubli HE models are suitable. Likewise, […]
Advantech launches short-depth front I/O chassis
Advantech’s IIoT Automation Group is pleased to announce the launch of a 4U front I/O short-depth (350mm) industrial chassis, the IPC-631. Responding to market requests for a rack-mountable, front I/O, high scalability, and power computing solution, Advantech’s IPC-631 is suitable for these needs. With its front I/O design, support of a 500W single or redundant […]
TransEnterix shares dip despite 1st sale in Germany
Shares in TransEnterix (NYSE:TRXC) have dipped today despite the robotic surgical maker announcing yesterday that it landed the 1st sale of the system in Germany. The Research Triangle, N.C.-based company sold the 1st Senhance surgical system in the country to St. Marien-Krankenhaus Siegen. The hospital said it will use the device to establish a robotic surgical program…
Embark Self-Driving Trucks Take on Otto
Embark’s self-driving trucks use deep neural networks to teach themselves how to drive on highways. Once they enter city limits, Embark’s self-driving trucks hand control over the the human driver to drive through the city streets to the final destination.
Universal Robots launches Universal Robots Academy offering free online training in robot programming
Learning how to set up and program a collaborative robot – or cobot – no longer depends on real life access to a robot or a training class. Now everybody with a desire to learn the concepts of cobots can log in to the Universal Robots Academy and get the introduction necessary to master basic […]
ST Robotics offers fast new robot arm
ST Robotics announced today the addition of the new ST R17HS—a high speed version of their five-axis vertically articulated R17 robot arm. The ST R17HS is one of the industry’s fastest robots: standard tool speed is over four times as fast as the nearest competitor, yet it’s less than half the price: Compare the R17HS to […]
MIT creates gentle robot that works using water
Massachusetts Institute of Technology engineers have created a robot that is made of hydrogels and powered by water that has the potential to be used in surgical applications. Tough, rubbery and mostly water, these robots can perform an array of tasks including kicking a ball or grabbing and releasing live fish. The transparent robots move…
Gill Pratt, Daniela Rus Win Engelberger Robotics Awards
Toyota Research Institute’s Gill Pratt won the Engelberger Robotics Awards for Leadership, while MIT CSAIL’s Daniel Rus takes home the Engelberger Robotics Awards for Education.
UPS Delivery Drone Launches from Truck
UPS has completed the first test of its truck-launched HorseFly delivery drones. Conducted in a small suburb of Tampa, Florida, a modified UPS truck launched a drone that delivered a package and then returned to the truck as it continued to drive along its route.
Here’s how exosuits affect your joints
People who wear soft exosuits use 23% less energy when walking while also reducing stress on their ankle joints, according to a recently published study out of Harvard. The researchers previously showed that a soft robotic exosuit could lower energy expenditures in healthy people who need to carry things on their backs, but the new research shows…
Mini 3D-Printed Lens Could Help Robots See Better
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have developed a tiny 3D-printed camera lens that allows for speedier image processing. This lens could help drones, robots and self-driving cars see better.
What AI Can and Can’t Do: DARPA’s Realistic View
Is artificial intelligence a risk to humanity? DARPA weighs in on what it AI can do, what it can’t do, and where it is headed.
EcoTrim workcell with ultrasonic cutting technology reduces operating costs and improves trim quality
EcoTrim™ is an economical pre-engineered solution for high-speed ultrasonic cutting, trimming, deburring and chamfering applications. The workcell’s patented ultrasonic cutting technology replaces waterjet, laser cutting, hard tooling and manual trimming or routing methods. With its slim design and efficient operation, EcoTrim is a lean and sustainable alternative that has minimal requirements such as power, water, […]