What is the state of the robotics and automation sector at 2022’s midpoint? ABI Research’s Lian Jye Su has a few thoughts, five in fact.

The autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors often employ LiDAR as the primary system navigation sensor. But cameras and vision-based perception will increasingly serve as the technological underpinning for mobile robots going forward.

Edge ML and robotics technologies are critical enablers for ongoing digitalization and automation efforts. Also required?… robust development platforms (hardware and software) that speed and simplify robotics development and deployment.

Improving radar resolution has traditionally been based on a hardware advancements which significantly increase the cost, size, and power consumption of the sensors. But radar solutions empowered by (constantly improving) machine learning software, can deliver high resolution and long-range sensing in compact, low power, economical packages.

Voyant’s tiny, high performance, chip-based FMCW LiDAR provides a cost-effective 3D sensing solution for many use cases, including applications in vertical market segments characterized by high production volumes and equally high levels of cost-sensitivity.

Group from Technical University Munich wins the Indy Autonomous Challenge, taking home the $1 million Grand Prize. Mike Oitzman, Editor of the Mobile Robot Guide, reviews the first autonomous motorcar event held at the world-famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

GUSS Automation’s autonomous, precision orchard spraying solution provides growers with a rapid ROI, along with other benefits such as simplified operations, increased efficiency, enhanced safety and reduced labor costs.

With LiDAR-LOC, navigation paths can be altered as needs dictate without the necessity of installing new fixed, physical localization markers.

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.

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.

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from January 1 – 7, 2021 include notices from Oxbotica, Sense Photonics, Geek+, WavEC, AMP Robotics, and Teledyne.

The capabilities spectrum for robotics systems has been expanded from fixed manipulators and teleoperated mobile robots to now include their intersection – mobile manipulation systems. To reach their full potential, however, mobile manipulation robots must be able to move, interact, see, think, and communicate.

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from December 18, 2020 to December 24, 2020 include notices from Nuro, Ike Robotics, Ouster, Colonnade Acquisition Corporation, Unikie, Promotives, Dive Technologies, DJI, ADLINK Technology, EASA, Velodyne Lidar, Motional, PAL Robotics, and PERSEO.

RBR essential announcements for the interval ranging from December 11, 2020 to December 18, 2020 include notices from Flyability, Fellow AI, Berkshire Grey, Locus Robotics, AutoGuide Mobile Robots, German Bionic, LG Electronics, Hyundai Motor Group, Innoviz Technologies and Universal Robots.

In this Robot Report podcast, the Pittsburgh robotics cluster, Aurora’s acquisition of Uber ATG, AutoX’s driverless fleet and the security of robotics vacuums are the subjects of discussion.

The “Automated with Velodyne” cooperative business network will benefit Velodyne and its partners immediately, but exponential growth in LiDAR sensor deployments is a second order benefit for Velodyne and their program participants.

The solid-state LiDAR market remains hot, impelled by innovation, continuing sector investment and value delivery for automotive Tier 1 automotive suppliers and OEMs.

Blickfeld, a Munich-based startup developing LiDAR sensors for a variety of applications, including autonomous vehicles, has closed a Series A financing round. The amount of the Series A has yet to be disclosed, but it was led by the venture capital unit of Continental together with Wachstumsfonds Bayern. Blickfeld’s existing investors, Fluxunit – OSRAM Ventures,…

The Sense One flash camera from Sense Photonics is a 3D, solid-state lidar that promises to help autonomous robots and vehicles see farther and more safely.

Dell Technology Ventures leads funding round, as SiLC develops integrated FMCW lidar for autonomous vehicles, machine vision, and augmented reality.

Cepton Technologies, which said its approach to lidar is unique, has received funding led by Tier 1 automotive supplier Koito Manufacturing.

Latest time-of-flight camera offers up to 40 meters in performance-grade range.

Consulting group says robotaxis will arrive in 2021; private self-driving cars will carry hefty price tag.

Serve autonomous delivery robots set for Los Angeles deployment later this year.