Drones

The July 4 holiday week saw funding for companies developing self-driving capabilities for vehicles, robots, and other devices.

The U.S. needs help with inspecting and repairing its aging pipes, power lines, and other utilities. Providers are turning to infrastructure robots and aerial drones.

Medical robots including surgical systems and AI, delivery robots, and commercial drones highlighted the week of robotics and AI investments

While the U.S. military has historically been a leader in the development of swarm robots, universities are also significant. Costs, controls, and applications offer opportunities for business.

Swarm robotics can provide an agile way to gather large amounts of environmental data and coordinate operations of multiple devices. The U.S. military has been a key backer.

FedEx has been pushing the development of robots for multiple aspects of its operations, as e-commerce demands outstrip the available workforce. Ted Dengel gives a preview of his session at the Robotics & AI Summit & LiveWorx '18.

Industry 4.0 is here, so let's survey all the ways industrial automation is evolving with it. The promise of robots that can learn, share information, and adapt to changing demand is finally being realized.

Hoping to develop commercial drone applications, some leading-edge companies plan to provide blueprints for BVLOS operations and new flight software for drone makers.

Scientists have been copying nature to develop pollination drones that can assist real bees and human farmers.

AI funding takes the top seed this week, but self-driving cars and drones stay in the game.