Dan Kara

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from March 19 – 26, 2021 include notices from Skycatch, ForwardX, ABI Research, Korber, Libiao Robotics, AVALON SteriTech, SoftBank Robotics, Hesai Technology, Kodiak Robotics, and Pison Technology.

BMW Group’s IDEALworks (IW) subsidiary stated goal is for IW to become a leading supplier of autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs) solutions in the logistics sector. BMW’s new initiative validates the AMR market, but also challenges existing AMR players.

The Robot Report’s Steve Crowe is joined by Kevin Dunlap, Managing Partner at Calibrate Ventures to discuss recent robotics investments including the Berkshire Grey SPAC and Locus Robotics’ $150 million Series E. Calibrate’s portfolio includes Built Robotics, Embodied, Farmwise, Misty Robotics, Soft Robotics, 3D Robotics and more.

Researchers, including Ken Goldberg’s team at UC Berkley, are hard at work developing robotic systems that assist surgeons by automating routine, often tedious subtasks common to all surgical procedures.

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from March 12 – 19, 2021 include notices from FORT Robotics, Piaggio Fast Forward, Trimble, Monarch Tractor, Cruise and AEye.

Retailers and 3PLs are rapidly adopting a wide range of automation technologies – including robotics – to improve the operational efficacy and efficiency in warehouses and distribution centers. The primary demand driver is e-commerce.

In this podcast, Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, discusses $150 million Series E and the company’s unicorn status. Also Wilder Systems’ cobots, NASA JPL’s Mars rovers and Waymo’s robotaxi.

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from March 5 – 12, 2021 include notices from Nimble Robotics, Axon, Skydio, Bedrock Ocean Exploration, Refraction AI, ForSight Robotics, GreyOrange and Vicarious.

TriVision’s machine vision based inspection automation solutions for the food manufacturing sector improve prodcut quality, but they also provide additional business benefits.

In this podcast, Helen Greiner, the CEO of Tertill, discusses the development of the company’s consumer class weeding robots. Also covered is Aurora’s partnership with Toyota to develop robotaxis.

Nominations are now open for companies and groups to apply for the 2021 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards. Categories include 1) Business and Management Innovation, 2) Technology, Services, and Research Innovation, or 3) Application and Market Innovation.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has found great success in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, and robotics solutions are making AEC inroads. The two technologies can be synergistic, and when used together can deliver additional value to AECs.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to innovate, including utilizing workplace robots. From telepresence capabilities to UV disinfection, mobile robots empowered people and provided business value. But even as the infection fades, their use will continue and expand.

Tessella Automation’s PISMO platform and supporting technologies speed and ease the configuration and reconfiguration of collaborative robot production systems. The result? Reduced costs along with increased automation flexibility and business agility.

The next production revolution will be a boon for a global economy that is sputtering and experiencing lagging growth and investment. This new technology wave should lead to a virtuous cycle of increased investment, higher productivity, more spending, and more investment.

In this Robot Report podcast, Motiv Space Systems’ Tom McCarthy discusses the development of the robotic arm on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover and Cold Operable Lunar Deployable Arm. Solutions from Oxbotica and Boston Dynamics also reviewed.

In this RoboBusiness Direct session, a panel of agricultural robotics thought leaders discuss the agricultural robotics sector, including existing solutions, enabling technologies and ongoing opportunities.

Eureka Robotics’ robotics solutions automate tasks that require both high accuracy and high agility, a major challenge for high precision manufacturers.

In this podcast, Association for Advancing Automation’s president Jeff Burnstein comments on 2020 Robotics Sales for North America. Also, Canvas founders discuss their robotic drywall solution.

The US’s National Institute of Standards and Technology is supporting small-to-medium manufacturers (SMMs) by researching ways to make robotics systems easier to program and use, as well as developing novel gripping and manipulation technologies.

Anthony Levandowski, who pleaded guilty to one count of trade secret theft and was pardoned by Donald Trump, simultaneously built and undermined the autonomous vehicle sector. The long term impact is unclear.

A number of companies offer automated, robotic garages, although adoption, especially in the United States, has been limited thus far. That could change as cities become more populated, and greater emphasis is placed on increasing the efficiency and sustainability of transportation systems.

HeroWear’s back-assist Apex exosuit, which reduces back strain when objects are lifted, can be adjusted to fit workers of all sizes — both men and women. Imagine that.

While third-party logistics (3PLs) companies have offered Fulfillment–as–a–Service (FaaS) for years, automation technology vendors are now beginning to provide FaaS solutions along with their more traditional technologies, products and services offerings.

In this podcast, American Robotics CEO Reese Mozer, CEO of American Robotics, the first drone company approved by the FAA to operate automated drones without human operators, discusses BVLOS. Also, Boston Dynamics’ Founder Marc Raibert reflects on dancing humanoids.