In 2023, China surpassed Germany and Japan in robot density, putting it at the third most automated country worldwide.
LOXO expands into Germany with self-driving logistics subsidiary
LOXO, which has already successfully demonstrated autonomous deliveries with its software and vehicles, is opening an office in Munich.
Europe has a key role to play in the development of robots, humanoids
Europe is more fragmented a market than the U.S. or China, but it hosts numerous innovators, from industrial automation to humanoids.
ESA to test insect-inspired autonomy from Opteran for future space missions
Opteran said nature offers a more robust solution for autonomy in space robotics which will enable new capabilities for future Mars missions.
Service robot sales climb by 30% worldwide, reports the IFR
In its annual World Service Robotics report, the IFR said that sales of medical, logistics, and hospitality robots have been growing.
IFR World Robotics report says 4M robots are operating in factories globally
There are no signs that the robotics industry’s long-term growth trend will end in the near future, said the IFR’s World Robotics report.
Planzer and LOXO roll out urban pilot for autonomous vehicles in Switzerland
Planzer and LOXO are developing highly automated and sustainable transport with an interchangeable chassis, starting in Switzerland.
Germany’s robotics centers establish RIG, the Robotics Institute Germany
At the AI-based Robotics 2024 conference in Berlin, professors from TUM and KIT presented the Robotics Institute Germany, or RIG, concept.
Adapta Robotics execs explain development strategies for testing and inventory robots
Adapta Robotics grew out of a university competition team, and the Romanian startup identified electronics and retail as markets.
How Odense became a leading robotics city
Odense, Denmark, has become a leading robotics cluster thanks to its spirit of collaboration and cobot leadership, says serial entrepreneur Thomas Visti.
FlexQube gets Navigator AMR order worth $500k from global commercial vehicle maker
FlexQube has received its first order for the patented FlexQube Navigator AMR, which engages with powered carts, in the Nordic market.
EU says Amazon, iRobot merger ‘may restrict competition’
The EU informed Amazon that its preliminary view is that the acquisition may restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners.
UVD Robots wins contract to deploy 200 disinfection robots in European hospitals
UVD Robots said the European Commission chose it to deploy disinfection robots across the continent to fight the spread of COVID-19 and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Quaternium, Löweheiser achieve 10 hour, 14 minute flight with HYBRiX drone
Spain-based drone maker Quaternium and fuel-injection system provider Löweheiser said they have set a new endurance record for hybrid-powered aerial drones by combining technologies in the HYBRiX system.
Factories worldwide used a total of 2.7M industrial robots in 2019, reports IFR
Although industrial automation did not grow as much worldwide in 2019 as in 2018, it still set records, reported the International Federation of Robotics. The IFR also looked at regional growth.
‘Venture factory’ Blue Ocean Robotics raises funding, closes Suitable Technologies acquisition
Blue Ocean Robotics, whose venture factory develops service robots based on common technologies and then spins off units for commercialization, has raised close to $20 million and acquired the Beam telepresence robot.
Robotics R&D still driven by government initiatives worldwide, says IFR report
Industrial and robotics R&D policies vary by nation, and the International Federation of Robotics has released a report compiling statistics from leaders including Japan, China, South Korea, Germany, and the U.S.
Robotics and automation firms join COVID-19 fight
Robotics and automation can help manufacturers, healthcare workers, and consumers get through the novel coronavirus situation, says German association VDMA.
Barcelona hosts new UR, MiR collaborative robotics hub
Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots said the new collaborative automation hub in Barcelona will promote the development and use of cobot arms and autonomous mobile robots in Southern Europe.
15 European robotics startups to watch
After its second call for projects, RobotUnion awarded 20 projects funding and mentoring for the next phase of the competition.
Robotics cluster in Odense, Denmark, offers metrics for growth
What makes a robotics cluster successful? Proximity to university research and talent, government support of entrepreneurship, and a focus on industry end users are all important. Around the world, regions have proclaimed initiatives to become “the next Silicon Valley.” However, there have been relatively few metrics to describe robotics hubs — until now. This week,…
How a Chinese slowdown could help — or hurt — robotics
China is the most attractive market in the world for robotics suppliers, with a relatively low robot density, lots of manufacturing, and fewer regulations than in other countries. At the same time, there are plenty of things to discourage business, from worries about trade disputes and intellectual property to the recent Chinese slowdown. How should…