Service

This week saw variations across the robotics funding landscape, artificial intelligence support companies and Internet of Things systems.

High costs, end user difficulties, and poor audio/video have hampered the growth of telepresence robotics. Can new models and applications help grow the market beyond niche uses?

OhmniLabs' open platform aims to create easier and less expensive customized telepresence robots.

Artificial intelligence and related technologies have made great strides where large data sets can be analyzed quickly. But experts say there's still a long way to go before AI applications meet the general intelligence expectations of the public.

Language barriers and culture limitations could be eased through the use of 'robot ambassadors'; construction robots disrupt labor force in some countries while helping others facing shortage of human workers.

Improvements in software and machine vision are helping facial recognition be useful for more than security biometrics. This could help service robots be more responsive and cars be safer.

Teradyne's acquisition of Mobile Industrial Robots could spark further consolidation in the mobile robotics space.

The EU's strict new General Data Protection Regulation will affect companies globally, and service robot users should know its provisions.

The service robots category is broad, including just about all automation that isn't industrial. A closer look reveals how suppliers and users can make the most of new technologies.

Before robots can clear snow from your driveway, developers need to work out autonomous snowplow kinks. They're doing just that at Fagerness Airport.