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Qualifying Essential News
Each week the editors of Robotics Business Review (RBR) select those announcements judged to be the most important and impactful to the readers of RBR. Below are the selections for the interval ranging from December 11, 2020 to December 18, 2020.
Flyability Raises EUR €7M (US $8.5M) Series C Round
December 17, 2020
Indoor inspection drone provider Flyability announced that it has raised €7M (US $8.5M) Series C Round led by Future Industry Ventures and Swisscom Ventures. Flyability noted that the funds would be used for product development and global expansion.
Fellow AI Contracts with Datacenter Developer Actapio for Robotic 3D Facilities Mapping
December 17, 2020
Fellow AI has contracted with datacenter provider Actapio, a subsidiary of Yahoo Japan, to deploy FellowAudit, a robotic 3D mapping and precise asset tracking solution. Actapio will use FellowAI systems to continually map and scan assets in their datacenters, and optimize their operations.
Berkshire Grey Launch of New Berkshire Grey Partner Alliance (BGPA)
December 16, 2020
Fulfillment automation technologies provider – including robotics systems – announced the Berkshire Grey Partner Alliance, a partnership and robotics adoption accelerator program. BGPA partners collaborate with Berkshire Grey to develop solutions for their customers and provide software interfaces for connecting to ERP, WMS, WES, and WCS systems.
Locus Robotics Picks 70M Units During 2020 Cyber Week
December 16, 2020
In its annual CyberWeek e-commerce fulfillment productivity report, autonomous mobile robots (AMR) provider Locus Robotics revealed that its retail and third-party logistics (3PPL) customers picked over 70 million units, averaging 1.2 million units picked per day. Moreover, the Locus solution reached the 300 million pick milestone, picking over 200 million units in 2020 alone.
AutoGuide Mobile Robots Opens New European Office
December 15, 2020
AutoGuide Mobile Robots announced the opening of a new European office in Munich The office will support sales, service and support, as well as deployment and training, throughout greater Europe.
German Bionic Receives US $20 Million in Series A Financing Round
December 14, 2020
Industrial exoskeleton provider has announced that it closed a US $20 million in Series A financing round led by Samsung Catalyst Fund, MIG AG, Storm Ventures, Benhamou Global Ventures and IT Farm invest. German Bionic officials said the funds will be used for further product development and further market expansion.
LG Announces Autonomous Disinfection Robot
December 14, 2020
Newest addition to LG Electronics’ CLOi family of robots uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light to disinfect high-touch, high-traffic environments such as hotels, schools, offices, restaurants, and retailers. Customer delivery is expected in early 2021. LG notes that new system is the first in a series of new LG CLOi autonomous robots planned for introduction in the United States during 2021.
Universal Robots Announces Sale of 50,000th UR Collaborative Robot
December 13, 2020
Collaborative robotics maker Universal Robots announced the sale of the 50,000th UR cobot. System 50K was sold to the German company VEMA GmbH.
Hyundai Motor Group to Acquire Controlling Interest in Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group
December 11, 2020
Hyundai Motor Group to acquire controlling interest in Boston Dynamics, which was valued at $1.1 billion. Hyundai Motor Group will hold an approximately 80% stake in Boston Dynamics, with SoftBank, through one of its affiliates, retaining a 20% stake in Boston Dynamics. Hyundai Motor Group’s affiliates – Hyundai Motor Co., Hyundai Mobis Co. and Hyundai Glovis Co. – and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Euisun Chung participated in the acquisition.
Innoviz Technologies to Merge with Collective Growth Corporation and Listed on NASDAQ
December 11, 2020
Solid state LiDAR maker Innoviz Technologies announced it has entered into am agreement to merge with Collective Growth Corporation (NASDAQ: CGRO) in a transaction sponsored by Antara Capital LP and Perception Capital Partners LLC. The combined company will retain the Innoviz Technologies name and is expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “INVZ”.
