Carnegie Robotics acquires Duro positioning product line from Swift Navigation

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The Duro GNSS ruggedized receiver will be supported by Carnegie Robotics just as it was by Swift Navigation.

Carnegie Robotics plans the same level of support the Duro GNSS ruggedized receiver as Swift Navigation gave. Source: Carnegie Robotics

Carnegie Robotics, which focuses on engineering and commercializing autonomous applications, today announced that it has acquired the Duro product line from Swift Navigation Inc. Initially launched in 2017 as a collaboration between Swift and Carnegie Robotics, the Duro line includes high-precision GNSS receivers and software for accurate positioning in challenging environments.

“We are excited to fully integrate the Duro product line into our product portfolio,” stated Mike Embrescia, chief development officer of Carnegie Robotics. “We look forward to further enhancing the product to deliver even greater value, and to continue supporting our key markets in marine, construction, mining, agriculture, rail, and military.”

Founded in 2010, Carnegie Robotics has worked with the U.S. Army and DARPA, co-created Uber’s Advanced Technology Group (later sold to Aurora Innovation), and developed an autonomous floor-cleaning robot with Nilfisk. The Pittsburgh-based company has also developed several stereo cameras, the QAC-2 rugged computer for mobile indoor robots, the Cardshark military-grade wearable device, and the Stallion autonomous off-road vehicle.

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Carnegie Robotics supports off-road autonomy

“Since 2017, we’ve focused on off-road autonomy,” explained Embrescia. “First, we help autonomize a thing. We also design and build products that power autonomy — cameras, pose filters, and the localization hardware and software stack.”

“We design, test, produce, and calibrate, all on-site,” he told The Robot Report. “We’re an ISO 9001-certified facility, guaranteeing quality.”

Carnegie Robotics said it has surpassed 5 million hours of autonomous robots in use. The Pittsburgh-based company said its acquisition of Duro will expand its intellectual property and advance the safety and efficiency of autonomous and semi-autonomous machinery.

Precise positioning using global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology “is vital for ensuring the accurate operation of heavy equipment, particularly in challenging environments,” said Carnegie Robotics. It added that the integration of Duro’s receivers into its existing product line will enable centimeter-level accuracy.

Carnegie Robotics said it will continue the quality of products, service, and support that customers expect from the Duro product line.

Swift Navigation shifts to software as a service

Carnegie Robotics and Swift Navigation said they have worked together to respond to customers’ needs in developing the Duro product line. They also said the acquisition will support Swift’s shift to a software-only service model with hardware integrations.

Duro integrates with Swift’s Skyark Precise Positioning Service, a cloud-based service that it claimed enhances GNSS accuracy by up to 100x, supporting SAE Level 3 autonomous vehicles.

“Swift is committed to advancing location-based products that improve safety and efficiency across industries,” said Brad Sherrard, executive vice president and general manager, industrial, at Swift Navigation.

“Carnegie Robotics’ acquisition of the Duro line underscores the quality of the products and the success of our collaboration,” he added. “We look forward to continuing our strategic partnership with Carnegie Robotics.”

Founded in 2012, Swift Navigation said its positioning systems enable precise mapping, tracking, and navigation for autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, outdoor robots, drones, logistics applications, and mobile innovations. Last month, the San Francisco-based company said its technology has supported more than 10 million advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) worldwide.