Robots / Platforms Archives - The Robot Report

LG introduces door-type CLOi ServeBot for deliveries in healthcare settings

The Robot Report Staff — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:00:07 +0000

The new CLOi ServeBot has four doors and storage space to automate deliveries. | Source: LG Business Solutions

LG Business Solutions USA Inc. unveiled its latest LG CLOi ServeBot yesterday. Model LDLIM31 is an autonomous service robot that can provide safe deliveries in hospitality and healthcare settings, it said.

Introduced at the HITEC 2024 hospitality technology trade show, the latest CLOi ServeBot features a four-door design. LG said that the robot has ample storage space and that it can performs simple and repetitive delivery tasks to reduce the burden on staffers.

“Our newest service robot brings a new level of functionality and flexibility to the hospitality and healthcare channels,” stated Mike Kosla, senior vice president of LG Business Solutions USA.

“Featuring advanced platform technologies that include AI, communications, and control, the new CLOi ServeBot is going to help our hospitality and healthcare customers streamline their operations,” he added. “The introduction of a door-type service robot reinforces our commitment to constantly innovate in ways that bring meaningful new benefits to our customers.”

The CLOi ServeBot is designed for hospitality and healthcare. LG Electronics

LG Electronics widens its portfolio of B2B robots

LG serves commercial customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government, and industrial markets. The Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based company launched its CLOi CarryBot in the U.S. earlier this year. The autonomous mobile robot (AMR) can move up to 1.2 m/sec. (2.6 mph) with 18 hours of runtime and a six-hour charge time.

According to LG Electronics USA Business Solutions, a unit of Seoul-based LG Electronics Inc., this latest offering bolsters its portfolio of AI robots and robot control systems.

The new system also aligns with the company’s plan to accelerate the expansion of its business-to-business (B2B) offerings, particularly in delivery and logistics services.

In March, LG Electronics led the $60 million Series C round for service robot maker Bear Robotics Inc.

CLOi ServeBot LDLIM31 designed for capacity, stability

LG’s new door-type robot has four internal compartments, each capable of holding items weighing up to 30 kg (66.14 lb.). These compartments allow it to make multiple deliveries or collections at a time.

The robot’s cargo space can accommodate as many as 32 standard-size, 12-oz. coffee cups, explained the company. Users can also adjust the shelving according to the item or load size.

Tailored for indoor hospitality and healthcare environments, LG CLOi ServeBot can use elevators, expanding operational coverage. The robot has six wheels with independent suspension to provide stability. This enables the LDLIM31to transport beverages over uneven surfaces without significant spillage, said LG.

For user convenience, ServeBot’s doors can be set to open or close automatically during operation. Using built-in cameras in its internal compartments, the robot can detect when items have been removed and the delivery is completed.

The robot is equipped with algorithms that allow it to safely navigate around obstacles, determine the optimal route to its destinations, and communicate with up to 20 other CLOi ServeBots to maximize task efficiency and avoid potential collisions.

CLOi ServeBot also has a front-facing 10.1-in. (25.6 cm) display that serves as a mobile advertising platform. Users can upload content for display via the LG CLOi Cloud Station for mobile and web use or the CMS mobile app.

The door-type CLOi ServeBot has won the 2024 Red Dot “Best of the Best” design award and the 2024 iF Design Award.

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Waymo ends waitlist, opens robotaxi service to all in San Francisco

The Robot Report Staff — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:49:46 +0000

Waymo is ditching its waitlist and allowing anyone to hail a Waymo robotaxi in San Francisco. | Source: Waymo

Starting today, anyone in San Francisco can hail a robotaxi using Waymo LLC’s app. The company has been operating in the city for years now, slowing scaling its operations. In total, nearly 300,000 people, including those who live, work, and visit San Francisco, have signed up to ride since the company first opened its waitlist.

Before today, Waymo has welcomed new riders incrementally in the city, and now it’s opening its services to everyone. The Mountain View, Calif.-based Alphabet Inc. subsidiary said in a blog post that it is already completing tens of thousands of weekly trips in San Francisco. The company claimed that its Waymo One service provides safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation to locals and visitors to the city.

“I’m thankful to be living in a city that embraces technology when it can improve our lives with convenient and safe modes of transit,” stated Michelle Cusano, Executive Director at The Richmond Neighborhood Center.

Waymo has been hard at work expanding its robotaxi operations in several cities this year. Earlier this month, it expanded its service in Phoenix, its largest service area. The company added 90 square miles (233 sq. km) to what was already its largest service area in metropolitan Phoenix.

Waymo said its riders can now hail Waymo One service across 315 square miles (815.8 sq. km) of the Valley. The expanded service area covers more of Scottsdale’s resorts and expands to downtown Mesa, Ariz. This gives riders access to desert attractions, golf courses, and downtown destinations such as the Mesa Arts Center and Pioneer Park.

How are riders using Waymo One in SF?

Waymo recently conducted a rider survey to learn about where its users are going in its robotaxis. The company reported that about 30% of its rides in San Francisco are to local businesses.

In addition, over half of the riders said they’ve used Waymo in the past couple of months to travel to or from medical appointments. The company asserted that this highlights the value of personal space during these trips.

Interestingly, 36% of riders in San Francisco said they used Waymo to connect to other forms of transit, like BART or Muni.

“I enjoy riding in Waymo cars and appreciate the ease of transportation,” said Charles Renfroe, development manager at Openhouse SF. “Members of our community, especially transgender and gender non-conforming folks, don’t have to worry about being verbally assaulted or discriminated against when riding with Waymo.”

Waymo’s fleet is all-electric and sources 100% renewable energy from the City’s CleanPowerSF program. Since the beginning of its commercial operations in August 2023, the company said its rides have helped curb carbon emissions by an estimated 570,000 kg (628,317 tons).

California Sen. Dave Cortese last week withdrew Senate Bill 915. It would have allowed local governments to restrict and tax autonomous vehicle companies, similar to how conventional taxicab companies are regulated in California.

Robotaxi hits rough roads in Phoenix

Earlier this month, Waymo issued a voluntary software recall for all of its 672 robotaxis after one autonomously drove into a telephone pole in Phoenix last month. This was Waymo’s second-ever recall.

During the incident, which took place on May 21, an empty Waymo vehicle was driving to pick up a passenger. To get there, it drove through an alley lined on both sides by wooden telephone poles that were level with the road, not up on a curb. The road had longitudinal yellow striping on both sides to indicate the path for vehicles.

As the vehicle pulled over, it struck one of the poles at a speed of 8 mph (12.8 kph), sustaining some damage. No passengers or bystanders were hurt, said Waymo.

After completing the software update, the company filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Waymo said this update corrects an error in the software that “assigns a low damage score” to the telephone pole. In addition, it updates the company’s map so its vehicles can better account for the hard road edge in the alleyway that was previously not included.

Waymo’s engineers deployed the recall at its central depot to which its robotaxis regularly return for maintenance and testing. It was not an over-the-air software update.

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Autonomous vehicle legislation withdrawn from California senate

Brianna Wessling — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:37:30 +0000

Several autonomous vehicle companies are based in California, including Cruise and Waymo. | Source: Waymo

California Sen. Dave Cortese last week withdrew Senate Bill (SB) 915 from consideration. SB 915 would have allowed local municipalities to restrict and tax autonomous vehicle (AV) companies, similar to how taxicab companies are regulated in the state.

“It’s good to see California lawmakers going back to the drawing board on autonomous vehicle policy,” said Chamber of Progress director of civic innovation policy Ruth Whittaker. “Autonomous vehicles have the power to save thousands of lives in California by eliminating drunk, distracted, and unsafe human driving. Over the past month, we’ve heard leaders from across the state raise concerns that this bill could derail progress on California’s roads.”

Currently, AVs are legislated by two statewide entities in California, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Once an AV company has received all the proper permits from these two entities, it can run its robotaxi service in the state.

SB 915 would have required AV companies to obtain permits from every city and/or county they run their services in.

Had the bill passed, cities and counties could create a permitting program for the vehicles, establish vehicle caps and hours of service restrictions, and establish interoperability or override systems that first responders could access in emergencies. Each city and/or county would have also been able to levy service charges, fees, or assessments to the companies.

Additionally, SB 915 would have made it unlawful to operate an autonomous vehicle service without a valid permit issued by the local jurisdiction in which the service is substantially located.

Opponents of the bill said it would keep AV companies held up in legislative red tape, throttling their ability to grow and deploy their services. Proponents, on the other hand, say it gives power back to cities and counties, where legislation typically moves more quickly than in state-wide agencies.

Autonomous vehicle companies face additional scrutiny in California

While SB 915 has been dropped, it doesn’t mean the AV industry in California is completely in the clear. Earlier this year, the city of San Francisco filed a lawsuit against the CPUC to drastically reduce the number of robotaxis on the city’s roads

The lawsuit centers around the CPUC’s decision in August 2023 to grant both GM’s Cruise and Alphabet’s Waymo their final permits in the state (Cruise’s permits have since been revoked). These permits allowed the companies to charge for rides, expand the hours of operation and service area, and add as many robotaxis to their fleets as they wanted. The lawsuit is asking the CPUC to reconsider its decision and whether it was compliant with the law.

San Francisco city attorney David Chiu filed an administrative motion after the August decision in an attempt to delay Cruise and Waymo from ramping up operations and get another hearing with the CPUC. In December, the City Attorney’s office filed a lawsuit with the California Appellate Court to request the CPUC review its August decision and revoke Waymo’s permit.

The lawsuit also asks the CPUC to develop reporting requirements, safety benchmarks, and other public safety regulations to address incidents that have involved first responders, created traffic, and disrupted public transportation.

There are several autonomous vehicle companies based in California, including Cruise and Waymo.

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Coval releases redesigned CVGC carbon vacuum grippers

The Robot Report Staff — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:29:09 +0000

The upgraded CVGC carbon vacuum gripper has a variety of customizations, including sizing, configurability, and compatibility. | Source: Coval

Vacuum grippers are a popular option for manufacturers and warehouse operators hoping to get the most payload capacity out of their robots. These grippers can provide between four and 10 times more power than their electromechanical counterparts, making them good at lifting heavy weights, said Coval Inc. The provider of vacuum automation technology has released its redesigned CVGC carbon vacuum gripper.

Coval it designed this upgraded gripper with feedback from its customers, integrators, manufacturers, and operators. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company said it also took into account current and future trends in the collaborative robot market. These trends include greater application diversity, growth in the number of manufacturers, increased co-presence with operators, and handling of heavier loads.

The new CVGC offers a number of advantages, claimed Coval. First, thanks to its carbon design, the gripper is ultra-light and compact. It’s also compatible with a wide range of cobots and has a range of configuration possibilities, making it highly versatile, said the company, whose global headquarters are in France.

Coval offers two standard versions of its grippers: the M2 Version with a vacuum generator, and the CVGC GO Version without a vacuum generator. The M2 version is a plug-and-play system that Coval designed to adapt to all models of cobots. It integrates the necessary gripper functions under a protective cover for optimal use, the company noted.

The CVGC gripper is designed for versatile configurations. Source: Coval

The GO Version can be used with an independent vacuum generator, said Coval. It is equipped with a VRU-series vacuum rotary union, which the company said ensures vacuum supply to the gripper via an external source. From these two versions, customers have different options when it comes to size and configurability.

Coval aims to provide maximum flexibility

On request, Coval said its design team is available to develop customized vacuum grippers. The CVGC is available in three sizes to meet customer’s precise needs — 240 x 120 mm (9.45 x 4.72 in.), 320 x 160 mm (12.6 x 6.3 in.), 350 x 250 mm (13.78 x 9.84 in.).

The gripper is available with a choice of three mounting options and six connection cables. It also has comes with suction cups or foam gripping interfaces.

Coval built its foam Interface for the handling of rigid products and gripping textured or uneven surfaces. It has flow control nozzles and two standard hole diameters, 12 mm (.47 in.) and oblong 27 x 12 mm (1.06 x 0.47 in.).

The CVGC Suction Cup Interface can handle flexible products and comes with a wide range of cup options. It also offers flow-control nozzles in multiple diameters and has two types of standard suction cups measuring 25 mm (0.98 in.) and 33 mm (1.3 in.).

Coval added that its upgraded CVGC vacuum gripper is aimed at a range of industries, including food processing, packaging, plastics processing, and more. The company said it designed the gripper to be a versatile tool for all manufacturers, integrators, and users of cobots for palletizing, gripping boxes, plastic parts, and a wide variety of other applications.

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RTI Connext to deliver real-time data connectivity to NVIDIA Holoscan

The Robot Report Staff — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:00:50 +0000

Medical device developers can now use RTI Connext and NVIDIA Holoscan. Source: Real-Time Innovations

Devices such as surgical robots need access to distributed, reliable, and continuous data streaming across different sensors and devices. Real-Time Innovations, or RTI, today said it is collaborating with NVIDIA Corp. to deliver real-time data connectivity for the NVIDIA Holoscan software development kit with RTI Connext.

“Connectivity is the foundation for cutting-edge technologies, such as AI, that are transforming the medtech industry and beyond,” stated Darren Porras, market development manager for medical at Real-Time Innovations. “We’re proud to work with NVIDIA to harness the transformative power of AI to revolutionize healthcare.”

“By providing competitive, tailored solutions, we are paving the way for sustainable business value across the healthcare, automotive, and industrial sectors, marking an important step toward a future where technology enhances the quality of life and drives innovation,” he added.

Founded in 1991, Real-Time Innovations claimed that it has 2,000 customer designs and that its software runs more than 250 autonomous vehicle programs, controls North America’s largest power plants, and integrates over 400 defense programs. The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company said its systems also support next-generation medical technologies and surgical robots, Canada’s air traffic control, and NASA’s launch-control systems.

RTI Connext designed to reliably distribute data

The RTI Connext software framework enables users to build intelligent distributed systems that combine advanced sensing, fast control, and artificial intelligence algorithms, said Real-Time Innovations. This can help developers bring capable systems to market faster, it said.

“Connext facilitates interoperable and real-time communication for complex, intelligent systems in the healthcare industry and beyond,” according to RTI. It is based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard and has been proven across industries to reliably communicate data, the company said.

Product teams can now efficiently build and deploy AI-enabled applications and distributed systems that require low-latency and reliable data sharing for sensor and video processing. Connext, which is available for free trials, allows applications to work together as one, said RTI.

NVIDIA Holoscan gets advanced data flows

RTI Connext provides a connectivity framework for the NVIDIA Holoscan software development kit (SDK), offering integration across various systems and sensors to complement its AI capabilities.

“Enterprises are looking for advanced software-defined architectures that deliver on low latency, flexibility, reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity,” said David Niewolny, director of business development for healthcare and medical at NVIDIA. “With RTI Connext and NVIDIA Holoscan, medical technology developers can accelerate their software-defined product visions by leveraging infrastructure purpose-built for healthcare applications.”

Connext now integrates with NVIDIA’s AI sensor-processing pipelines and reference workflows, bolstering data flows and real-time AI processing across a system of systems. With capabilities for real-time visualization and data-driven insights, the technologies can help drive more precise and automated minimally invasive procedures, clinical monitoring, and next-generation medical imaging platforms. They can also help developers create smarter, integrated systems across industries, said the partners.

NVIDIA said Holoscan offers the software and hardware needed to build AI applications and deploy sensor-processing capabilities from edge to cloud. This can help companies explore new capabilities, accelerate time to market, and lower costs, said the Santa Clara, Calif.-based company.

NVIDIA Holoscan now supports interoperability with a wide range of legacy systems, such as Windows-based medical devices, real-time operating system nodes in surgical robots, and patient-monitoring systems, through RTI Connext.

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Meet DAL-e Delivery and Parking Robot, Hyundai’s office-friendly systems

The Robot Report Staff — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:05:03 +0000

Hyundai’s DAL-e delivery robot is equipped with face identification AI developed by Robotics LAB. | Source: Hyundai Motor Group

South Korea, which already has the world’s highest robot density, is getting more service robots. Hyundai Motor Group last week announced the deployment of the DAL-e Delivery robot from Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., as well as Hyundai WIA’s Parking Robot.

The partners said the robots will deliver beverages and provide parking services, respectively, at Factorial Seongsu, a smart building owned by IGIS Asset Management.

“With DAL-e’s full-fledged delivery service, we aim to make Factorial Seongsu the first building to apply our Robot Total Solution,” stated Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of the Robotics LAB of Hyundai Motor and Kia. “We plan to expand our robotics services to more buildings, making these technological enhancements a major criterion for space innovation.”

Parking Robot moves cars, Dal-e delivers drinks

At the building, DAL-e Delivery will autonomously navigate to provide quick and efficient delivery services, said Hyundai Motor. It is equipped with AI face-identification technology developed by Robotics LAB that Hyundai claimed is 99.9% accurate.

The autonomous Parking Robot can maneuver into tight spaces, increasing parking space utilization compared with human parking, the company said. Hyundai WIA has also developed a Smart Parking Control System that can manage up to 50 parking robots simultaneously.

Hyundai already has plans to expand this deployment in the coming months. Starting in Q3, the Parking Robot will work alongside Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Automatic Charging Robot (ACR) to serve electric vehicles (EVs).

Hyundai said it is working toward a proposed “Robot Total Solution” development plan. This plan involves using various robots and facial recognition systems in smart buildings, starting with Factorial Seongsu.

The company added that it hopes to develop an integrated control system for managing multiple delivery robots within the Robot Total Solution.

Hyundai invests in other robotic ventures

In addition to its office robot deployment, Hyundai has been investing in other robotics ventures. In 2020, it acquired Boston Dynamics, which has been developing and commercializing the legged Spot and Atlas robots.

Last month, Aptiv PLC and Hyundai Motor Group completed their ownership restructuring transitions for Motional AD LLC. Earlier this year, Aptiv said it would stop funding Motional after incurring millions of dollars in losses.

Aptiv had forecast a non-cash equity loss of about $340 million in 2024. Aptiv has sold an 11% common equity interest in the autonomous vehicle developer to Hyundai for about $448 million of cash consideration.

The mobility software company also exchanged 21% of its common equity in Motional for a like number of Motional preferred shares. This news came just weeks after Hyundai announced a $475 million funding round for Motional. With the funding, these transactions have resulted in the reduction of Aptiv’s common equity interest in Motional from 50% to just 15%.

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Smelt spout robots can improve safety, productivity in North American pulp and paper mills

Dan Morrison, Valmet — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 12:34:43 +0000

North American paper mills are starting to use robotics for smelt spout cleaning. Source: Valmet

Recovery boilers represent a significant capital expenditure in the pulp and paper industry. While a well-maintained boiler can last for decades, routine care of this system can present challenges. Maintenance duties are often messy and risky for the operator, and many tasks are time-consuming and require full or partial boiler shutdown. This can harm overall productivity and mill safety.

One maintenance task that is particularly challenging in the care of recovery boilers is smelt spout cleaning. While cleaning smelt spouts is essential for efficient recovery boiler performance, it can pose serious safety risks to the operator when the spouts are cleaned manually.

These risks include the operator encountering molten smelt, green liquor, and hot gasses, as well as repetitive-motion back and shoulder injuries. Finding operators who are willing to perform these tasks, training them, and retaining them over time have also become part of the challenge.

To improve operator safety during smelt spout cleaning and increase both operator and boiler productivity, pulp and paper facilities now have automated robotic solutions that can take on these more difficult tasks.

Robotic technology for smelt spout cleaning has been available since 2008, but it has only recently entered North American paper mills. Its delayed entry has been largely due to low numbers of new recovery boiler installations, as the robot requires a certain amount of space that is often difficult to allocate within existing operations.

Now, as North American operations are in greater need of the benefits that accompany smelt spout cleaning robots, they can invest in retrofitting existing recovery boilers with robotic solutions.

Smart design removes barriers to robotics retrofits

For pulping operations, one of the biggest barriers to adopting a smelt spout cleaning robot is often the amount of space that’s required for the robot to move around the spout deck during the cleaning cycle. In many facilities, this area around the smelt spout systems is already tight, which is part of what makes manual smelt spout cleaning difficult and risky for operators.

As automation designers have continued to invest in understanding the safety and productivity challenges faced by the pulp and paper industry, new solutions have emerged that remove this common barrier to adding robotics.

For instance, one smelt spout cleaning robot offers the option of a standing mount or a hanging mount. All that’s required to employ the hanging mount and position the robot next to the recovery boiler is a linear rail assembly.

The assembly allows the robot to move side-to-side along the spout deck to clean all spouts. Then, it moves off the spout deck once it completes the cleaning cycle. This configuration maintains sufficient room for the robot to perform its tasks while also ensuring that operators can safely enter the area to perform other duties.

Protective fencing and multiple entry and exit points will also be incorporated for additional operator safety and efficiency. The majority of retrofit work can typically be completed pre-outage, leaving sufficient time during the maintenance outage for robot installation and commissioning.

Robots can relieve worker strain but require careful integration and deployment. Source: Valmet

Smelt spout-cleaning robots proven in the field

In June 2023, Valmet installed its first smelt spout-cleaning robot in North America at the Pixelle Specialty Solutions mill in Spring Grove, Penn. The new robot performs a smelt spout cleaning cycle every 30 minutes — twice as often as operators were previously able to perform the same task manually. Each cycle takes 15 minutes, and when the robot is not actively cleaning, it rests in its home position safely out of the way.

Physical safety barriers around the robot further protect the operators by triggering the robot to freeze if the barrier is broken. Operators can also remotely control the robot’s cleaning frequency and cycles using pre-programmed sequences. Meanwhile, an onboard camera mounted on the robot wrist allows for real-time inspection of the robot’s performance and troubleshooting from the safety of the control room.

By automating smelt spout cleaning with a robot, the manufacturer added another level of safety for its operators and improved productivity by freeing them up to perform other critical tasks. Additionally, the new robot has helped raise the boiler’s liquor quality, green-to-black liquor standard deviation, and smelt standard deviation by double digits.

Collaboration is key

When retrofitting a smelt spout robot to an existing recovery boiler or planning a new installation, it’s important to choose an automation designer that has industry experience and will collaborate on-site during the design phase.

Since every operation and facility is different, the installation of a smelt spout cleaning robot is not a cookie-cutter process. The designer will have to account for existing components around the spouts like piping, flex hoses and evaluate available structural beams for their ability to support the robot carriage and the linear rail.

A skilled designer will also provide an installation plan that avoids significant spout deck alterations, as changes can be costly and time-consuming.

Smelt spout cleaning robots are meant to work with operators, not replace them. Source: Valmet.

Technology works in harmony with humans

Automation often comes with the assumption of replacing human labor, but that is not the case with smelt spout cleaning robots. Instead, this technology works in harmony with boiler operators to increase their safety. It also frees them up to perform other essential recovery boiler tasks.

Helping operators feel safer and engaging them in a wider variety of tasks throughout their workday can make it easier for pulp and paper manufacturers to hire and retain personnel in these positions. With the efficiencies of automation and well-trained, experienced personnel, manufacturers can improve productivity in many areas, making robotics retrofits worth the investment.

About the author

Dan Morrison is Valmet’s product manager for Smelt Spout Systems and the Smelt Spout Cleaning Robot. The Espoo, Finland-based company is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries.

Valmet and Körber recently established a joint venture to connect the FactoryPal platform with machinery expertise to streamline digital optimization across the production lines of tissue shop floors and beyond.

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Ronovo Surgical closes Series B round for Carina modular platform

Sean Whooley — Sat, 22 Jun 2024 12:30:09 +0000

The Carina surgical robot platform. | Source: Ronovo Surgical

Ronovo Surgical this week announced that it has closed a Series B funding round worth $44 million to commercialize its Carina Platform in the Chinese market and prepare for international expansion. The Shanghai-based company has developed technologies for soft-tissue procedures.

Shanghai-based Ronovo aims to use the funds to accelerate the commercialization of the proprietary Carina platform. It hopes to bring the robot to the Chinese market and set the stage for international expansion.

Carina is configurable for multiple procedures

Ronovo Surgical said it built Carina to enable configurable robotic assistance for laparoscopic surgeries across multiple specialties. The company developed the modular system with experienced Chinese laparoscopic surgeons.

Carina addresses numerous pain points in minimally invasive surgeries. Ronovo claimed that it provides surgeons with the flexibility to choose the best instruments and the most ideal anatomical access.

Surgeons can flexibly configure the systems to optimize anatomical reach and access, as well as surgical workflow. Carina has up to five bedside modules, which can be adjusted depending on the needs of the procedure.

“Taking Carina from concept design to completion of human clinical trial in three years is the result of our clinical-driven approach toward engineering, practicality in design decisions and the remarkable dedication of our team,” said Ying Mao, chief technology officer and chief operating officer of Ronovo Surgical. “Along the way, we built out a multi-product portfolio that features surgical robotics, functional vision, and a full suite of surgical instrumentation – backed by more than 100 patent applications.”

Ronovo recently completed a clinical trial that included urology, gynecology, thoracic, and general surgery patients. The company now expects to obtain regulatory approval in China and begin commercialization in early 2025. It also plans to build a 130,000-sq.-ft. (12,077 sq. m) facility to support its launch efforts.

In addition, Ronovo recently launched its first international site — the Ronovo Institute of Surgical Excellence (RISE) in Orlando, Fla. The company said it established RISE to deepen clinical collaboration with top international surgical experts and medical societies.

Investment, innovation focus on Ronovo expansion

Guolian Capital and INCE Capital co-led Ronovo Surgical’s latest round, with participation from King Star Med and existing shareholder LongRiver Investments.

“Securing this round of financing from such an esteemed group of investors, despite challenging capital market conditions, is a significant acknowledgment of our vision, mission, and the execution of the team,” said John Ma, CEO of Ronovo Surgical. “Our innovation efforts for developing Carina have been laser-focused on expanding its application across multiple specialties, reducing the learning curve, and improving cost-effectiveness.”

Last September, the company raised $26 million, adding to a February round that came along with the unveiling of the Carina platform.

Editor’s note: This article is syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.

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Meril says Misso robot can simplify orthopedic surgeries

Danielle Kirsh — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 20:43:11 +0000

The Misso robot will help surgeons with personalized pre-planning and precise cutting for joint replacement. | Source: Meril

Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. this week unveiled its Misso surgical robot for simplifying orthopedic procedures.

The India-based company announced on LinkedIn that it is developing surgical robot for total knee procedures. It said it designed Misso to help surgeons with personalized pre-planning and precise cutting for joint replacements.

Misso has an optical tracking sensor, a six-axis articulated robotic arm, and “superior” safety systems, claimed Meril. The surgical robot can help physicians perform real-time gap checks and modify a surgical plan intraoperatively, it explained.

Various cutting options are available on the Misso, including full and partial cutting based on surgeon preference. Cutting guides are not required, and the system can perform a tibial cut and a fully finished femur with all the cuts, including peg holes, according to the company.

Misso includes safety features

Meril designed Misso with bone-movement monitoring to ensure safety during procedures. If bone movement is observed, the resection process stops.

The resection will continue with automatic recovery of the bone position. If the robotic system’s tools contact the patient or other object, the collaborative robot arm will immediately stop moving.

Misso uses optical tracking-based navigation and robotic assistance to ensure accurate results in shaping and aligning artificial knee joint components. The company aims to improve post-operative outcomes, reduce complications, and promote faster patient recovery.

Meril joins competitive surgical robot market

Founded in 2006, Meril said it is dedicated to the innovation, design, and development of novel, clinically relevant devices. Its product portfolio includes vascular intervention devices, orthopedic implants, robotics, endo-surgery, ENT products, and in-vitro diagnostics.

The company has joined the growing surgical robotics market, where it will compete with orthopedic surgical robot developers such as Stryker and Zimmer Biomet. Stryker launched its its Mako surgical robot in 2017 and introduced a joint-replacement offering in February 2024.

Also in February, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared Zimmer Biomet’s Rosa surgical robotic platform for shoulder and hip replacement procedures. The FDA had cleared it for partial knee replacement for partial knee replacement in April 2021.

Editor’s note: This article is syndicated from The Robot Report sibling site MassDevice.

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Neya Systems, AUVSI to develop cybersecurity certification program for UGVs

The Robot Report Staff — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 13:50:50 +0000

Neya offers autonomy, mission planning, and open architecture for uncrewed ground vehicles. | Source: Neya Systems

Neya Systems yesterday announced that it is partnering with the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, or AUVSI. The partners said they plan to develop a cybersecurity and supply chain framework and certification program for uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs).

AUVSI and Neya Systems said they have observed a growing need for standardized evaluation and certification of UGVs. The goal of the collaboration is to establish comprehensive standards and testing protocols to enhance the security, safety, performance, and reliability of uncrewed and autonomous ground vehicles and robots.

The framework and voluntary certification program will focus on enhancing the protection, mitigation, recovery, and adaptability of AGVs, said the organizations.

“We are excited to announce the development of this cybersecurity certification program for UGVs,” stated Kurt Bruck, vice president at Neya Systems. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to establish an industry standard for protecting UGVs from unauthorized access. Our partnership with AUVSI will enable us to foster innovation and trust within the industry as a whole, ultimately enhancing the safety and reliability of these autonomous systems.”

Neya Systems has cybersecurity, simulation expertise

Warrendale, Pa.-based Neya Systems develops and integrates advanced, vehicle-agnostic, off-road, and airborne autonomy. The subsidiary of Applied Research Associates is a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award winner for its cyber autonomy initiative.

In March, Neya said it is working with the Embodied AI Foundation to update the CARLA open-source simulator for autonomous driving research to Unreal Engine 5.

Neya Systems said will be bringing its expertise in applying the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Zero Trust cybersecurity principles to its autonomy software to the partnership.

Neya has worked with the U.S. Army to turn the Palletized Load System into an optionally crewed, autonomous vehicle. Source: Neya Systems

AUVSI brings complementary experience

Arlington, Va.-based AUVSI plans to share the industry expertise of members in its Cyber Working Group and Ground Advocacy Committee.

The nonprofit organization is dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics. It represents corporate, government, and academic professionals from more than 60 countries. AUVSI said its members work in defense, civil, and commercial markets.

AUVSI’s Cyber Working Group previously advised on the development of AVUSI’s Green UAS Frameworks and certification. It said this is the only verification method besides Blue UAS that the DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit has approved as confirming compliance with National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirements for drones.

“The need for standards and certifications for uncrewed systems continues to grow alongside the development and integration of uncrewed and autonomous vehicles and robotics,” noted Casie Ocaña, director of trusted programs at AUVSI. “In the ground domain, AUVSI is looking to leverage our Trusted Cyber framework so that we can offer a solution to verify and support compliance among ground vehicle and robotics companies – which will further advance the safe and reliable future of these technologies.”

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RBR50 Spotlight: Slip Robotics minimizes trailer loading times with simple approach

The Robot Report Staff — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 10:00:57 +0000

Organization: Slip Robotics
Country: U.S.
Website: www.sliprobotics.com
Year Founded: 2019
Number of Employees: 11-50
Innovation Class: Application & Market

Imagine you’re a truck driver finally arriving at your destination after hours of driving. Once you drop off your cargo, you know you have hours more to go before the end of your workday.

In between all this driving, you spend a significant amount of time simply waiting for your trailer to be unloaded and loaded again. While there are robots that can unload pallets or boxes individually, Slip Robotics has taken a different approach to the problem.

Instead of creating a robotic arm to pick items individually, the Atlanta-based company developed SlipBot, also known as an automated loading robot (ALR).

It’s a large, omnidirectional mobile robot that can carry up to eight full pallets and a total of 6 tons. Once the pallets are on the ALR, it autonomously drives into a trailer for transport to the next destination.

When it gets there, it drives off the truck and into the warehouse. Once the truck has been unloaded, the ALRs waiting in the wings can drive onto the trailer.

This can reduce driver wait time from 1.5 hours down to just five minutes, said Slip Robotics. The company also said it can load 20 pallets per minute without driving a forklift into a trailer.

Besides reducing wait times for divers, Slip claimed that its robots can load eight times as many trailers with the same number of operators. It can also reduce damage by 40% by reducing touches and impacts in material handling.

Finally, the company said its systems can improve worker safety. Twenty-five percent of industrial accidents involve a loading dock, noted Slip Robotics, and ALRs make it so operators never need to enter trailers to unload, load, or secure.

Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.

RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024

Organization	Innovation
ABB Robotics	Modular industrial robot arms offer flexibility
Advanced Construction Robotics	IronBOT makes rebar installation faster, safer
Agility Robotics	Digit humanoid gets feet wet with logistics work
Amazon Robotics	Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV
Ambi Robotics	AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking
Apptronik	Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators
Boston Dynamics	Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid
Brightpick	Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses
Capra Robotics	Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics
Dexterity	Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading
Disney	Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics
Doosan	App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming
Electric Sheep	Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success
Exotec	Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier
FANUC	FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot
Figure	Startup builds working humanoid within one year
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics	evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design
Gardarika Tres	Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine
Geek+	Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system
Glidance	Provides independence to visually impaired individuals
Harvard University	Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease
ifm efector	Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development
igus	ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand
Instock	Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS
Kodama Systems	Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires
Kodiak Robotics	Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations
KUKA	Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics
Locus Robotics	Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks
MassRobotics Accelerator	Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success
Mecademic	MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation
MIT	Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease
Mujin	TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading
Mushiny	Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility
NASA	MOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars
Neya Systems	Development of cybersecurity standards harden AGVs
NVIDIA	Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight
Olive Robotics	EdgeROS eases robotics development process
OpenAI	LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish
Opteran	Applies insect intelligence to mobile robot navigation
Renovate Robotics	Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles
Robel	Automates railway repairs to overcome labor shortage
Robust AI	Carter AMR joins DHL's impressive robotics portfolio
Rockwell Automation	Adds OTTO Motors mobile robots to manufacturing lineup
Sereact	PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics
Simbe Robotics	Scales inventory robotics deal with BJ’s Wholesale Club
Slip Robotics	Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR
Symbotic	Walmart-backed company rides wave of logistics automation demand
Toyota Research Institute	Builds large behavior models for fast robot teaching
ULC Technologies	Cable Splicing Machine improve safety, power grid reliability
Universal Robots	Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30

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Apollo humanoid robot in tests by Apptronik and GXO for warehouse use

The Robot Report Staff — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 16:19:34 +0000

Apollo developer Apptronik is working with third-party logistics provider GXO on a proof of concept. Source: GXO Logistics

Over the past year, humanoid robots have moved from science fiction to early commercial trials. GXO Logistics Inc. today announced that it is conducting an early-stage proof-of-concept program with robot manufacturer Apptronik Inc. GXO said it has partnered with developers to help shape their humanoid prototypes to satisfy the logistics industry’s needs.

“We’re excited to partner with Apptronik to develop their AI-enabled humanoid robot,” stated Adrian Stoch, chief automation officer at GXO Logistics. “Apollo has great potential to add value throughout the distribution center, including the most labor-intensive operational processes.”

“These kinds of robotics reduce repetitive work and improve safety while freeing associates to focus on higher-value-added activities,” he added. “As we progress on our R&D journey with Apptronik, we’ll also be evaluating its capability for other critical use cases along the way.”

Greenwhich, Conn.-based GXO Logistics claimed that it is “the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider,” benefitting from the rapid growth of e-commerce, automation, and outsourcing. The company has more than 130,000 team members across more than 970 facilities totaling approximately 200 million sq. ft.

Stoch participated in a panel on the state of warehouse automation at last month’s Robotics Summit & Expo.

Apptronik designs Apollo to collaborate with humans

Spun out of the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016, Apptronik has built Apollo to work alongside people. It is the culmination of the design and development of more than 10 general-purpose robots, including extensive work on NASA’s Valkyrie.

Apollo is 5 ft. 8 in. (172.7 cm.) tall, can carry 55 lb. (24.9 kg), and uses swappable batteries for extended runtimes, according to Apptronik. The Austin-based company said its system uses linear actuators that mimic the mechanics of human muscles and provide a full range of mobility.

In March, Apptronik said it is integrating Apollo with NVIDIA Corp.‘s foundation model for robot learning as part of Project GR00T. It also announced that automaker Mercedes-Benz is testing the humanoid robot.

Apollo’s force-control architecture and flexible safety-zone perimeter allow it to work safely around and directly with people, said Apptronik and GXO. The companies said they are jointly evaluating the robot‘s performance in a laboratory setting to fine-tune Apptronik’s AI model before deploying the technology to a GXO distribution center somewhere in the U.S.

“Our mission is to build versatile robots that can do work in real-world applications – from large, powerful movements like transporting boxes and totes to small, precise ones like picking individual items or scanning barcodes,” said Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, who spoke at last year’s Robotics Summit & Expo, among other events.

“That’s why we’re committed to helping technology leader GXO optimize its logistics operations and create an even safer, more engaging workplace for its employees with the help of Apollo,” Cardenas said. “The two phases of this R&D program represent essential steps toward the launch of an innovative scalable automation solution for GXO.”

GXO tests multiple humanoid robots

GXO Logistics had been testing the Digit humanoid from Agility Robotics, which won the RBR50 Robot of the Year Award. While humanoids have been a popular topic of discussion at the past year’s conferences and trade shows, Digit and Apollo are among the very few to progress to commercial testing.

Last year, GXO said it has increased its total units of warehouse automation by about 50% year over year. It also trialed a wide range of new hardware and software, including AI-powered robotics and autonomous vehicles.

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GrayMatter raises $45M Series B to ease robot programming for manufacturers

The Robot Report Staff — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:00:15 +0000

GrayMatter automated manually intensive tasks at Lawrence Brothers. Source: GrayMatter Robotics

Like businesses in other industries, U.S. manufacturers face widening labor shortfalls and need automation to help fill those gaps. GrayMatter Robotics today announced that it has raised $45 million in Series B funding. The Carson, Calif.-based company said it plans to use the investment to expand to meet customer demand.

“We founded GrayMatter to enhance productivity while prioritizing workforce well-being,” stated Ariyan Kabir, co-founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics. “With our physics-based AI-powered systems, we are fulfilling our mission while unlocking new levels of efficiency. With our investors’ support, we are making a real difference for shop workers and addressing the critical labor shortages in manufacturing today.”

GrayMatter Robotics said it bundles proprietary artificial intelligence with off-the-shelf robots, sensors, and tools for application-specific, turnkey solutions. The company offers its systems through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model and said they relieve shop floor workers of tedious and ergonomically challenging tasks. They can also enhance production capacity and reduce scrap, repair, and rework costs, it said.

GrayMatter applies AI to production tasks

The $2.5 trillion U.S. manufacturing industry is grappling with a growing backlog of unfilled orders due to a severe labor shortage. Many of these roles are hazardous and demand extensive training, leading to a critical gap of 3.8 million unfilled jobs, according to Deloitte.

SK Gupta, Ariyan Kabir, and Brual Shah founded GrayMatter Robotics in 2020. The company said it holds 10 patents and has processed more than 7.5 million sq. ft. (about 700,000 sq. m) of product surface area.

GrayMatter said its proprietary GMR-AI technology enables robots to self-program and adapt to high-mix, high-variability manufacturing environments, providing consistent quality and reducing cycle times.

Smart workcells with GrayMatter technology can autonomously handle complex tasks such as sanding, polishing, grinding, coating, and finishing, it added. By automating such jobs, businesses can meet global demand while also improving the quality of life for their workers, said the company.

Products including Scan&Sand, Scan&Polish, Scan&Buff, and Scan&Grind can increase quality and consistency while reducing costs, said GrayMatter. Manufacturers can benefit a system availability of 95% to 98%, and most contingencies can be resolved in under five minutes, it said.

GrayMatter claimed that its systems can work two to four times faster than manual operations and that employee training that used to take six months can now be done in less than a day. In addition, the company said its robots can help businesses address sustainability goals by reducing consumption and consumable waste by 30% or more over traditional methods.

GrayMatter combines AI and robotics to improve finishing efficiency and reduce waste. Source: GrayMatter Robotics

Users report increased efficiencies

Over the past two years, GrayMatter Robotics has deployed robots across North America in aerospace, defense, specialty vehicles, marine, recreation, metal fabrication, and consumer products. The company said its RaaS model helps manufacturers enhance production capacity and reduce costs associated with scrap, repair, and rework.

“We are excited to partner with GrayMatter Robotics, as their AI-driven robotic solutions have enabled us to more efficiently address major demand growth in our operations stemming from increased football participation and market-share gains, ensuring consistent quality and throughput despite workforce staffing challenges,” said Drew Dixon, director of distribution and strategy at sports equipment maker Riddell.

“Collaborating with GrayMatter Robotics underscores Riddell’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in both its manufacturing operations as well as the protective equipment it delivers to the field,” he added.

“GrayMatter helps us replace some of our more taxing manual labor,” said Melanie Protti-Lawrence, president of steel fabricator Lawrence Brothers Inc. “We are proud to partner with GrayMatter in an effort to provide longevity in the workforce. We’re constantly working toward a healthier work-life balance, with a focus on working to live rather than living to work.”

“Their robots are not just tools but [also] enablers of growth,” she said. “They allow our workers to engage in more meaningful and less physically taxing tasks, contributing to a healthier and more productive work environment.”

Investors help GrayMatter to grow

With the new capital, GrayMatter is actively hiring for a wide range of roles to meet customer demands, expanding its Los Angeles headquarters, and accelerating the development and deployment of its next-generation AI-powered robots.

Wellington Management led the Series B round, which also included NGP Capital, Euclidean Capital, Advance Venture Partners, and SQN Venture Partners. They joined existing investors 3M Ventures, B Capital, Bow Capital, Calibrate Ventures, OCA Ventures, and Swift Ventures.

“GrayMatter is driving a pivotal transformation in manufacturing with their advanced AI solutions,” said Sean Petersen, sector lead for private climate investing at Wellington Management. “Their ability to enhance productivity, energy efficiency and safety while managing costs, positions them uniquely in the market.”

Wellington Management Co. advises 2,500 clients in more than 60 countries. The Boston-based firm manages more than $1.2 trillion for clients, including pensions, endowments and foundations, insurers, and global wealth managers.

Wellington’s Private Investing Team has raised more than $8.5 billion in global assets, and it invests in multiple sectors and technologies. The team includes more than 1,000 professionals with private market experience with public market expertise, extensive networks, and robust research to benefit both investors and entrepreneurs.

“The combination of AI-driven technology and depth of domain expertise in the GrayMatter solution blew us away,” said Debjit Mukerji, partner at NGP Capital. “It is incredibly challenging to develop high-performance and ultra-reliable robots for such difficult manufacturing conditions.”

“Going to market with GrayMatter Robotics aligns with our mission to foster innovative solutions that drive efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing,” said Adi Leviatan, president of 3M’s Abrasives Division. “This technology addresses critical industry challenges and delivers significant value to our customers.”

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Only 16% of manufacturers has real-time visibility into production, says Zebra

The Robot Report Staff — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 14:21:29 +0000

Zebra’s portfolio includes FlexShelf robots for parts fulfillment. Source: Zebra Technologies

Only 1 in 6 manufacturers has a clear understanding of its own processes, according to a new study from Zebra Technologies Corp. The report also found that 61% of manufacturers expect artificial intelligence to drive growth by 2029, up from 41% in 2024.

Zebra said the surge in AI interest, along with 92% of survey respondents prioritizing digital transformation, demonstrates manufacturers’ intent to improve data management and use new technologies that enhance visibility and quality throughout production.

“Manufacturers struggle with using their data effectively, so they recognize they must adopt AI and other digital technology solutions to create an agile, efficient manufacturing environment,” stated Enrique Herrera, industry principal for manufacturing at Zebra Technologies. “Zebra helps manufacturers work with technology in new ways to automate and augment workflows to achieve a well-connected plant floor where people and technology collaborate at scale.”

Zebra commissioned Azure Knowledge Corp. to conduct 1,200 online surveys among C-suite executives and IT and OT (information and operational technology) leaders within various manufacturing sectors. They included automotive, electronics, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. Respondents were surveyed in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

The fully connected factory is elusive

Although manufacturers said digital transformation is a strategic priority, achieving a fully connected factory remains elusive, noted Zebra Technologies. The company asserted that visibility is key to optimizing efficiency, productivity, and quality on the plant floor.

However, only 16% of manufacturing leaders globally reported they have real-time, work-in-progress (WIP) monitoring across the entire manufacturing process, reported the 2024 Manufacturing Vision Study.

While nearly six in 10 manufacturing leaders said they expect to increase visibility across production and throughout the supply chain by 2029, one-third said getting IT and OT to agree on where to invest is a key barrier to digital transformation.

In addition, 86% of manufacturing leaders acknowledged that they are struggling to keep up with the pace of technological innovation and to securely integrate devices, sensors, and technologies throughout their facilities and supply chain. Zebra claimed that enterprises can use its systems for higher levels of security and manageability, as well as new analytics to elevate business performance.

Technology can augment workforce efficiency

Manufacturers are shifting their growth strategies by integrating and augmenting workers with AI and other technologies over the next five years, found Zebra’s study. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they plan to reskill labor for data and technology usage, and seven in 10 said they expect to augment workers with mobility-enabling technology.

Manufacturers are implementing tools including tablets (51%), mobile computers (55%), and workforce management software (56%). In addition, 61% of manufacturing leaders said they plan to deploy wearable mobile computers.

Across the C-suite, IT, and OT understand how labor initiatives must extend beyond improving worker efficiency and productivity with technology. Six in 10 leaders ranked ongoing development, retraining/upskilling, and career path development to attract future talent as high priorities for their organizations.

Automation advances to optimize quality

The quest for quality has intensified as manufacturers across segments must do more with fewer resources. According to Zebra and Azure’s survey, global manufacturers said today’s most significant quality management issues are real-time visibility (33%), keeping up with new standards and regulations (29%), integrating data (27%), and maintaining traceability (27%).

Technology implementation plans are addressing these challenges. Over the next five years, many executives said they plan to implement robotics (65%), machine vision (66%), radio frequency identification (RFID; 66%), and fixed industrial scanners (57%).

Most survey respondents agreed that these automation decisions are driven by factors including the need to provide the workforce with high-value tasks (70%), meet service-level agreements (SLAs; 69%), and add more flexibility to their plant floors (64%).

Zebra Technologies shares regional findings

Asia-Pacific (APAC): While only 30% of manufacturing leaders said they use machine vision across the plant floor in APAC, 67% are implementing or planning to deploy this technology within the next five years.
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA): In Europe, reskilling labor to enhance data and technology usage skills was the top-ranked workforce strategy for manufacturing leaders to drive growth today (46%) and in five years (71%).
Latin America (LATAM): While only 24% of manufacturing leaders rely on track and trace technology in LATAM, 74% are implementing or plan to implement the technology in the next five years.
North America: In this region, 68% of manufacturing leaders ranked deploying workforce development programs as their most important labor initiative.

The Manufacturing Vision Study provided insights around digitalization and the connected factory. Source: Zebra Technologies

Zebra to discuss digital transformation

While digital transformation is a priority for manufacturers, achieving it is fraught with obstacles, including the cost and availability of labor, scaling technology solutions, and the convergence of IT and OT, according to Zebra Technologies. The Lincolnshire, Ill.-based company said visibility is the first step to such transformation.

Emerging technologies such as robotics and AI enable manufacturers to use data to identify, react, and prioritize problems and projects so they can deliver incremental efficiencies that yield the greatest benefits, Zebra said. The company said it provides systems to enable businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people.

Zebra added that its portfolio, which includes software, mobile robots, machine vision, automation, and digital decisioning, can help boost visibility, optimize quality, and augment workforces. It has more than 50 years of experience in scanning, track-and-trace, and mobile computing systems.

The company has more than 10,000 partners across over 100 countries, as well as 80% of the Fortune 500 as customers. Zebra is hosting a webinar today about how to overcome top challenges to digitalization and automation.

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Vecna Robotics raises more than $100M, hires COO to expand warehouse automation

Eugene Demaitre — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:01:06 +0000

Vecna offers warehouses robotic tuggers, lift trucks, and pallet jacks. Source: Vecna Robotics

WALTHAM, Mass. — Although investment in robotics dipped in the past year, suppliers with proven products and business models have been finding funding. Vecna Robotics today announced the close of its Series C round at $100 million, with $40 million in new funding including equity and debt. The financing nearly doubles the company valuation since its Series B round.

“Finalizing this capital raise, with the help of our existing investors and a new financing partner, is huge validation that we are on the right track,” stated Craig Malloy, CEO of Vecna Robotics. “With fresh capital secured, we have the balance sheet to help us drive growth with our existing customers through improved product performance and the release of new automation technology that will change the game for material handling in warehousing and distribution.”

Vecna Robotics said its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), Pivotal orchestration software, and round-the-clock Command Center can help supply chains automate critical workflows and maximize throughput at scale. The company has tightened its focus to self-driving forklifts, pallet jacks, and tuggers to address widespread labor shortages.

Vecna and GEODIS to automate case picking

Over the past year, Vecna Robotics has combined cloud software updates and investments in its Pivotal Command Center to help customers such as GEODIS, FedEx, Caterpillar, and Shape. They have realized as much as 70% performance improvements in ground-to-ground warehouse workflows including case picking, packaging, and cross-docking, it said.

Vecna said the cash infusion will support the launch of platforms that will enable it to “provide more deployment flexibility and reach into new workflows that are in high demand, while being able to continue delivering operator cost savings from Day 1.”

“GEODIS has been working with Vecna Robotics on the development of a new, groundbreaking case-picking solution that nearly doubles performance,” said Andy Johnston, senior director of innovation at GEODIS. “We are counting on this recent cash infusion at the company to speed up development and launch of a complete, market-ready offering that can be deployed right away.”

Vecna tests in house to ensure reliability

The Robot Report recently visited Vecna Robotics headquarters to see its “bowling alley,” where it tests its AMRs around the clock. The company tests capabilities including the “handshake” between its robots and conveyors.

For instance, during a demonstration, Vecna tested its Co-bot Pallet Jack (CPJ) picking up and dropping off heavy loads beyond what customers typically need. It tracks runtimes and multiple maneuvers, and a staffer stays overnight mainly to swap batteries.

“We’re always pleasantly surprised at our low failure rates,” observed Mark Fox, director of validation at Vecna. “We can replicate the conditions of a typical customer site, including obstacles. We analyze the scene and look at multiple pickups and drop offs so that performance doesn’t drop.”

Vecna has also developed sensing at height, enabled robots to accept some variance from existing maps, and participated in the MassRobotics interoperability standards effort.

“We’re working on applying our technology and data to case picking in addition to pallet movement,” explained test engineer Chinonso Ovuegbe.

What products and sectors are seeing the most demand?

“Self-driving forklifts and tuggers are our most popular products,” replied Fox. “Robotics-as-a-service [RaaS] per month is also popular, but some customers buy our products outright. Third-party logistics providers [3PLs] and automotive are booming.”

Automated forklift with full pallet load at Vecna’s headquarters. Source: Vecna Robotics

Investment and new COO to enable growth

Tiger Global Management, Proficio Capital Partners, and IMPULSE participated in Vecna Robotics’ Series C round. The company said the funding will allow it to deliver rapid returns on investment (ROI) to cost-conscious warehouse operators served by the $165 billion pallet-moving autonomy market.

To support its rapid expansion, Vecna also announced the appointment of Michael Helmbrecht as chief operating officer. He will oversee operations, manufacturing, IT, product, and customer success to ensure that the company continues to meet its customer-defined performance guarantees.

Helmbrecht has nearly 20 years of operations, product, and partnership experience from executive roles at Dell, Lifesize, and Ring Central. He joins Vecna after a year of triple-digit revenue growth, an over 100% increase in deployments, and the announcement of an industry-leading performance guarantee.

Automated pallet truck with full pallet load. Source: Vecna Robotics

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