Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

If you’ve ever been to a hockey game, you’re familiar with the large Zambonis that roll onto the rink between periods to resurface the ice. Motorized ice surface cleaners first began making their debut on ice rinks in the 1950s, and now, researchers are looking to make those machines run autonomously.  A team of students at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), in collaboration with Duquesne Light Company, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Zamboni and Locomation , a Pittsburgh-based automation company that creates autonomous systems for semi trucks, has developed an autonomous Zamboni for the Pittsburgh Penguins.  The collaboration started with Locomation, whose founders, Çetin Meriçli, now the CEO, and Tekin Meriçli, now the CTO, were attending a Penguins game when two saw an opportunity for the technology they’ve been developing to be used in a new way.  Locomation creates autonomous systems for semi-trucks, and the company takes a unique approach to autonomous driving. Locomat...

United Robotics Group (URG) has acquired a majority stake in Robotnik Automation , a Valencia, Spain-based provider of technologies in mobile service robotics. Financial details of the acquisition weren’t disclosed. Robotnik has a 20-year track record in developing mobile robots and mobile manipulators. The company has a presence in markets such as Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, the USA, France, Germany and Italy. URG said the acquisition advances its strategy of asserting its position in the European robotics market through organic growth and acquisitions. “We have been working with Robotnik as our strategic partner, and I am delighted to see the company join our group. We will benefit from 70 highly experienced robotics experts, especially in the areas of R&D and Software. This investment will support us in the development of further applications for CobiotX, the third generation of robots for humans”, said Thomas Linkenheil, co-CEO of United Robotics Group. ”We look forward ...

  Boston Dynamics never disappoints when it releases a video showing new capabilities for its robots. And it just released a video, “Atlas Gets a Grip,” in which the humanoid performs a slew of new moves at a simulated construction site. A “construction worker” atop a scaffold conveniently forgot some tools down on the ground. Instead of hopping down to get the tools himself, Atlas brings the tools to him. And this is where the magic happens. Atlas, using a claw gripper, picks up and manipulates a wooden plank to create a bridge for itself onto the scaffold. It then picks up a toolbag, runs onto the scaffold, spins around and throws the toolbag up to the construction worker. Atlas then pushes a wooden box off the scaffold and flips and twists its way to the ground. You can watch the video atop this page. Boston Dynamics said the new capabilities represent a natural progression of the humanoid robot’s skillset, particularly in areas of perception, manipulation and autonomy. A...

What if you could design and build a surgical robot that helps doctors perform less invasive, more precise operations and achieve better patient outcomes? While the results of any surgery depend on the challenges of the specific case and the skill of the surgeon, better tools support better care. Here’s how next-generation motion engineering can help you develop the next generation of surgical robots. Place the arms as close together as possible Conventional surgical robots include large columns with multiple arms holding a tiny camera and various instruments such as scissors, graspers, needle holders, clip applicators and more. Depending on the surgery, the ideal procedure is performed through a single, small incision that must simultaneously accommodate the visualization camera and any needed instruments. If you ask any surgeon, they will tell you the ideal angle of approach for the camera and instruments into the incision site is as parallel and close together as possible—bot...

An ARM Institute project focusing on virtual part repair programming for robotic thermal spray applications. | Source: ARM Institute The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute selected four more training programs to receive ARM endorsement. An ARM Endorsement recognizes the United States’ most effective training programs for robotics careers in manufacturing.  The programs added include: NCUS Tech in Columbus, Ohio, offers a Handling Tool Operations and Programming certification course. The course is an approved FANUC curriculum that aims to help operators, technicians and programmers set up and record programs on a robot.  Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, Tennessee offers a program that concentrates on students who are interested in working as robot technicians in an integrated multidisciplinary industrial environment. This course provides both academic knowledge and practical experience needed to prepare students to be mechatronics technician...

Brightpick’s CEO Jan Zizka with one of the company’s picking robots. | Source: Brightpick Brightpick , the business unit of Photoneo that provides warehouse automation systems, brought in $19 million in funding, bringing Photoneo’s Series B round to a total of $40 million. The company plans to use the latest round of funding to further expand into the US. This round brings Photoneo’s total funding to date to $53 million.  “We are seeing extremely strong interest from existing and new customers for Brightpick’s solution because it helps customers cut operating costs and eliminate labor challenges, two relevant concerns in today’s tough economic environment,” Jan Zizka, CEO and co-founder of Photoneo Brightpick Group, said. “These new funds will help us accelerate the pace of deployment of our solution and scale our US presence.” Brightpick’s current customers include General Motors, Volkswagen and KUKA. Right now, 25% of its revenue comes from US accounts, with over 5,000 tech...

HEBI Robotics , a Pittsburgh-based creator of a modular platform for robotics development, named Bob Raida its CEO and Dave Rollinson CTO. Howie Choset, who has been acting CEO, has been named chairman of the board. HEBI said this change in leadership reflects its transition from providing technology to researchers to providing solutions to end-users. Raida began working with HEBI Robotics in 2015, initially as an external business consultant. He became the first full-time employee of HEBI in 2016 as VP of business development. Since 2017 he has been serving as chief operating officer. Prior to joining HEBI, he had been actively involved in the Pittsburgh entrepreneurial community, including as co-founder of TrueCommerce, a producer of business-to-business e-commerce solutions. Raida received an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. Rollinson is a co-founder of HEBI Robotics and a key...