Mike Oitzman, Author at The Robot Report

Funding the next wave of robotics

Mike Oitzman — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 23:31:17 +0000

The Robot Report Podcast · Funding the next wave of robotics

The Robot Report Podcast · Nuro navigates to fully autonomous driving

In Episode 176 of The Robot Report Podcast, we feature an interview with venture capitalists Juliette Chevallier, Principle at Scale Ventures, and Jasmeet Singh founder of JMOON Ventures.

It’s VC week here at the podcast.

This episode features interviews with Juliette Chevallier from Scale Ventures and Jasmine Singh from Jay Moon Ventures and covers investment trends in robotics, emphasizing the importance of execution risk over technical risk.

Juliette Chevallier, Principal, Investments, Scale Venture Partners

Juliette Chevallier has a background in autonomous vehicles and robotics, having previously worked at companies like Google Chauffeur (now Waymo) and MIT spinoff Optimus Ride. She joined Scale Venture Partners about 2 years ago to lead their investment thesis on robotics, AI applications, and cybersecurity. Scale Venture Partners’ approach focuses on investing at the point of execution risk rather than technical risk, looking for companies with a working product and proven product-market fit. Juliette emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer ROI and business model as key criteria.

In her role as a VC, Juliette prefers to have a deep, hands-on involvement with portfolio companies, acting as a strategic sounding board and collaborating closely with founders to work through tough problems. She sees her role as helping founders navigate the operational and go-to-market challenges. Juliette notes a renewed interest in robotics from VCs, though she is cautious about some “wild” valuations and funding rounds, preferring bottoms-up market analysis over top-down figures.

Juliette is bullish on the potential of robotics foundation models (RFMs) to drive transformation, emphasizing the need for more multi-modal AI models that integrate vision, action, and communication. She is excited about the possibilities of AI to enhance robotics, but cautions about the risks of AI development burning through funding. Overall, Juliette’s approach focuses on de-risking execution and operational challenges for robotics startups, leveraging her deep technical and business expertise to support founders.

Learn more at: www.scalevp.com/

Jasmeet Singh, Founder, JMOON Ventures

Jasmeet Singh has a diverse background spanning robotics engineering, founding startups, and investing since 2012. As an investor at J Moon Ventures, he focuses on “physical AI” startups – those combining hardware, electronics, and AI in areas like robotics, IoT, and 3D printing.

Jasmeet emphasizes the importance of solving real problems, not just building cool technology. He looks for startups with a strong understanding of the user and business model, noting operational challenges like scaling manufacturing and finding the right business model.
Compared to the more risk-averse Canadian market, Jasmeet sees the US as a better environment for robotics fundraising. He advises founders to target large, underserved problems and focus on customer service and support.

Some of Jasmeet’s investments include Orange Wood Labs, Brisk AI, and Rural Hologram. As he launches J Moon Ventures, he is particularly interested in opportunities in agriculture, construction, medical, and sustainability.

Overall, Jasmeet brings a unique perspective as an investor with deep technical expertise and operational experience in robotics. He is focused on backing founders solving real-world problems with innovative hardware-software solutions.

Learn more at: jmoon.ventures/

Show timeline

8:40 – News of the week
26:38 – Interview with Juliette Chevallier
1:03:00 – Interview with Jasmeet Singh, AKA The Bearded Maker

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News of the week

Humanoid video of the week

@plugfc7

Kai’s 1X Robot didn’t last long after getting rebooted #kaicenat #1x #1xrobot #fyp @Kai Cenat

♬ silence – moartea regelui.

Recent videos featuring internet influencer Kai Cenat and his 1X EVE robot have sparked a significant discussion about the readiness of humanoid robots for domestic use. In one particular incident (seen in the TiKTok video above), the robot abruptly powered down and fell over, raising concerns about potential safety hazards and the current limitations of humanoid technology. This event highlights the need for rigorous testing and development before deploying such robots in homes, as opposed to the more controlled industrial environments where they are currently being trialed.

ASTM developing testing standards for mobile manipulators

The ASTM F45 subcommittee is developing a new standard to evaluate the agility of mobile manipulators. This standard aims to provide a standardized testing procedure similar to automotive evaluations, allowing manufacturers to benchmark their solutions and identify areas for improvement. The proposed tests involve tracking a specific path on a table surface and inserting pegs, assessing the robot’s precision and coordination between arm and base movements. This initiative and other ASTM F45 efforts in mobile robot testing underscore the growing importance of standardized evaluation methods for advancing robotics technology.

GEODIS reaches 10M picks with Locus mobile robots

Locus Robotics and GEODIS have reached a major milestone with over 10 million units picked using autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at a GEODIS distribution center in Pennsylvania. Locus’s AI-powered platform, LocusONE, optimizes worker productivity by directing them to the next pick location, reducing wasted time and boosting efficiency. This partnership highlights the increasing adoption of warehouse automation to meet growing e-commerce demands and improve operational efficiency.

2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards open for nominations

You can now submit nominations for the 2025 RBR50 innovation awards. They will recognize technology and business innovations in the calendar year 2024, and the awards are open to any company worldwide that produces robotics or automation.

The categories include:

Technologies, products, and services: This category includes primary or applied research focusing on robotics and supporting technologies such as motion control, vision, or machine learning. It also includes new products and business, engineering, or technology services.
Business and management: This category covers initiatives positioning a company as a market leader or an organization as an important thought leader in the robotics ecosystem. Significant mergers and acquisitions are relevant, as are supplier, partner, and integrator relationships.
Applications and markets: The RBR50 will also recognize innovations that improve productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness, as well as those that automate new tasks.

In addition, the 2025 RBR50 awards will celebrate the following:

Startup of the Year
Application of the Year
Robot of the Year
Robots for Good Award

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Podcast sponsored by FlexQube

The show this week is sponsored by FlexQube. Move material with any size, shape, and weight with the FlexQube Navigator AMR, the world’s first multi-purpose and non-load carrying robot.

The FlexQube Navigator AMR features a standardized coupling interface to connect with an ecosystem of different load carriers depending on the customer’s needs.

The system also features a safety-rated identification of load carrier footprint to secure a safe and efficient scale-up of different use cases in a factory or warehouse.

FlexQube Navigator – robotics that delivers!

To learn more about FlexQube’s solutions goto: https://www.flexqube.com

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Hello Robot’s Stretch AI toolkit explores embodied intelligence

Mike Oitzman — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 21:26:46 +0000

Hello Robot released an open-source collection of tools, tutorials, and reference code called Stretch AI that empowers developers to explore the future of embodied AI on the Stretch 3 mobile manipulator. Stretch 3, released in February 2024, is gaining traction with university labs as a both a platform for research about AI research and real-world deployments.

This comes on the heels of the advancement of robot utility models as a precursor for embodied AI capabilities. Available policies include ACT, VQ-BeT, and Diffusion Policy.

Stretch AI is a powerful toolkit designed to empower researchers and developers to create intelligent behaviors for the Stretch 3 mobile manipulator. This platform offers a range of capabilities, including:

Code for precise grasping and manipulation
Advanced mapping and navigation techniques
Integration with LLM agents for sophisticated decision-making, seamless text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionality
Robust visualization and debugging tools to streamline development and testing processes.

Stretch AI integrates open-source AI models, allowing it to accomplish home tasks with natural verbal requests such as “Stretch, pick up the toy, and put it in the bin.” There is a dedicated GitHub repo for Stretch AI.

“With Stretch AI, we wanted to open up access to the latest Embodied AI techniques and make them available to the fast-growing community of Stretch developers,” said Chris Paxton, senior embodied AI lead at Hello Robot. “We’re moving towards a world where robots can perform complex, multi-step tasks in homes. Stretch AI advances the ability to simply develop autonomous systems such as these using AI.”

Register now

Taking AI from labs to living rooms

“Thanks to advances in AI, general-purpose home robots like Stretch are developing faster than expected,” said Hello Robot CEO Aaron Edsinger. “However, it is uncommon to see these robots actually working in real homes with real people. With Stretch AI, roboticists can take their work from the lab and begin developing real applications for realistic home settings.”

Stretch AI offers a distinct vision of the future in which AI-powered robots benefit everyone, including older adults, children, and people with disabilities. “Homes are an inclusive place. To truly succeed in homes, robots, and the AI that powers them, should be made for everyone,” said Edsinger.

Hello Robot said its Stretch mobile manipulator is used by developers in 20 countries, from leading universities to innovative companies. With Stretch AI, Hello Robot invites the research community to collaborate on shaping the future of embodied intelligence.

The Stretch 3 is priced at $24,950 and is available on Hello Robot’s website.

Stretch 3 is portable, lightweight, and designed from the ground up to work around people. | Credit: Hello Robot

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The Wild Robot author Peter Brown on robots, nature, storytelling

Mike Oitzman — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:54:20 +0000

The Robot Report Podcast · The Wild Robot: Where Nature Meets Technology with Peter Brown

In this special episode of The Robot Report Podcast, Steve Crowe and I talk to author and illustrator Peter Brown to discuss his children’s books series The Wild Robot.

Peter takes us through his creative writing process, the background research he did about robotics, and how he pulled the plot together for a robot named Roz that finds itself shipwrecked on an island filled with wild animals. He describes why he chose the specific characteristics of the robot in the story.

Peter also describes the experience of seeing his story adapted into an animated movie by DreamWorks. The Wild Robot movie, which is based on the first book in the series, has seen tremendous box office success. It earned more than $320 million worldwide and is on the top 100 list of the high-grossing animated films of all time.

Peter describes the process of working with movie director Chris Sanders to bring Roz to life on the big screen.

To learn more about Peter go to: https://www.peterbrownstudio.com/

Below is a sample of our conversation with Peter Brown. To hear the conversation in its entirety, please listen to the podcast audio.

The Robot Report: For those who may not have seen the movie or not read the first book, the first book in the series deals with the adventures of a shipwrecked robot named ROZZUM 7134, Roz for short. And I know there are some tie-ins to a very famous play about 100 years ago that we can get into. The story starts when the robot is shipwrecked on a deserted island and then builds relationships with the local animals on this island while helping them navigate all sorts of different ordeals.

What has this whole experience been like for you? Is it true that DreamWorks, the studio behind the movie, optioned the film rights to The Wild Robot before the first book was even published in 2016? You’ve been living with this story for quite some time. What’s that been like for you?

Peter Brown is the author and illustrator of The Wild Robot series of children’s books. | Credit: Peter Brown Studio

Peter Brown: Well, it’s pretty surreal. I started tinkering with this idea about a robot learning to survive in the wilderness by studying and mimicking the animals that she comes across. The idea came to me in like 2008 or 2007. I drew a robot in a tree, which is what got the whole thing started.

I just love the idea of a robot climbing a tree. And I just started thinking, why would a robot be in a tree and how would a real robot react to the wilderness? What would wild animals think about a robot?

I’d been writing and illustrating picture books for years this was my first novel for kids which is a very different type of book so I had to kind of learn how to write a novel and you know, it was this long process and the book finally got published in 2016. DreamWorks has a team of people who are in the business of keeping an eye on the publishing industry to see what ideas, and books are out there that might be interesting for adaptation to film. And, somebody there got wind of this Wild Robot book, which I was still working on. So I got contacted out of the blue by a rep from DreamWorks who was very eager to see whatever I had.

I was pretty excited and I didn’t want to send them something unfinished. I told them, “Sorry, but you have to wait until I feel like this is up to my standard and up to the level of what I want it to be”. So they had to wait until I finished writing and illustrating the book. And then as soon as I was done, I sent it to them and they immediately made me an offer to get the film rights before the book was in stores.

The first book was an instant bestseller and the sequels have all been bestsellers and the series is just selling like crazy around the world, translated into 30 languages or something, maybe more by now. It’s a pretty phenomenally successful book, which has been amazing in its own right. But then you add on top of that all the movie stuff. Eventually, they (Dreamworks) found a director. They went into production, and just a couple of months ago, the finished The Wild Robot movie came out. So it’s been a long journey and every step of the way, it’s just kind of gotten more exciting.

How did you come up with this initial design for Roz? How did you determine what she should look like, and what capabilities she should have?

Peter Brown: One of the very first things I had to do was figure out what she looks like because obviously her design will tell us what her capabilities are. And I was thinking about real science and engineering. I was reading a lot of books about the future of robotics and AI. I was watching documentaries and also reading and watching documentaries about the natural world, too, because that was what was fascinating to me was the sort of combination of what seemed like almost opposites.

Take a robot, put it in the most natural place you could imagine, like this sort of rugged Pacific Northwest wilderness, and see what happens. It’s like a thought experiment. But one of the key components was Roz’s design.

I thought Roz should not look exactly like a person. There’s no point. That’s a lot of wasted effort if all her purpose is to do manual labor, more or less. There’s no need for all the extra bells and whistles, right? So let’s just streamline this robot. And I was thinking about that in terms of robotics and how in a lot of sci-fi movies and books, the robots look just like people.

It’s fascinating, but you must’ve been a robotics engineer in another lifetime? Because so many of these things that you just talked about, intentional design and how the robot moves and battery life, there are so many synergies to real-life robotics. And those are some of the fundamental challenges that real-life roboticists are trying to solve. Did you talk to any actual engineers for feedback on the design?

Peter Brown: It was mostly from reading and my own research. However, I read all sorts of stuff. I spent a lot of time reading science fiction, authors like Isaac Asimov do a really great job of delving into the kind of nuts and bolts of robotics. He has a book called “The Complete Robot“, which is a collection of short stories, which I’ve read repeatedly over and over again because each short story explores a different type of robot.

And so I got a lot of inspiration from him and he really helped. Those stories helped me figure out the right questions to ask. But I did meet with some engineers, my dad is an engineer. He worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He just retired. However, he introduced me to the robotics department at JPL.

And I got to tour that department, long before I was working on the wild robot. He had me in and gave me a tour of the Mars Rover program. And so I got to see the Rover prototypes up close. I got to see Rovers and the terrain that they mock-up to be like the lunar or Martian surface.

The story is full of heartwarming moments as well as humor. As a children’s book author, I’m curious about your approach to incorporating humor into your stories that don’t involve bodily functions?

Peter Brown: Well, there’s a little bit of that too, but a lot of the humor bubbled up naturally from the story. It’s a fish-out-of-water story. Roz is a robot who’s where she doesn’t belong and she’s time and again encountering stuff that she doesn’t know how to handle. It is as simple as walking away from the waves.

The story begins with her in a crate that washes onto the shore of the island. And she eventually pries herself out of this crate and she sees these waves coming and she doesn’t know she’s booting up. She started powering on for the very first time, looking at the world for the very first time. And these waves are tumbling towards her. And, you know, she sort of takes a step back, but doesn’t judge things properly. And all of a sudden, this wave crashes over her and slams her to the ground. And that’s sort of her introduction to the world. Then she has to climb the sea cliffs up, and climbing sea cliffs is a pretty tough thing to do for rock climbers, let alone for a robot who’s just waking up for the first time. And these moments end up being funny.

It’s hard to care about her because she seems an all-knowing, omnipotent, know, invincible character. And so I started thinking, well, what would she come pre-programmed with? She’s a factory-issued robot, like a laptop that you get, you know, delivered to your house. You have to install software for it to reach its full potential. I sort of thought, well, this robot probably needs software installed to reach her full potential. So what is the basic programming that she comes with? What if it doesn’t have all the information on the eating habits of geese? Maybe that’s believable. And so I had to sort of justify the gaps in Roz’s knowledge to make those scenes work for me.

What was it like to see Roz come to life on the big screen? What influence did you have working with the team at DreamWorks to make that happen?

Peter Brown: Yes, well, I met regularly with the director, whose name is Chris Sanders, and the producer, who is Jeff Herman. And so we would meet on Zoom every couple of months. It takes like four years to make an animated film. So we had quite several meetings.

In the beginning, they were picking my brain, trying to understand why I made certain decisions, and asking questions about certain moments in the book and details. And then as the months went by. And their story started coming together. They would start running things by me and asking what I thought about this character design or this moment in the story.

I was never in the studio working on the movie but we had these Zoom calls pretty regularly so I got to see the evolution of the project over time which was pretty exciting. Yeah, they made some changes. I knew they were gonna make changes. The story needs to be streamlined. A movie seems like a big story but it’s a pretty short story you know.

It’s hard to cram a whole lot into an hour and a half. Compare that to a series on Netflix where maybe there are 10 one-hour episodes. You’ve got 10 hours to tell a story versus an hour and a half. And so I knew they were gonna be making lots of cuts and tweaking things. And so none of that surprised me. But they managed to keep the spirit of the story. The relationship between Roz and her son, Bright Bill, is the main component that drives the story. There’s a lot of emotional depth in the movie.

The post The Wild Robot author Peter Brown on robots, nature, storytelling appeared first on The Robot Report.

Nuro navigates to fully autonomous driving

Mike Oitzman — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:30:36 +0000

The Robot Report Podcast · Nuro navigates to fully autonomous driving

In Episode 174 of The Robot Report Podcast, we feature an interview with Andrew Clare, chief technology officer of Nuro Inc. It’s a short workweek in the U.S. with the Thanksgiving holiday, so we skipped the news this week and went straight into the interview with Clare.

He discusses the company‘s evolution in the autonomous vehicle space, focusing on its Nuro Driver technology. Clare elaborates on Nuro’s expansion of its business model to include partnerships with automotive OEMs and the potential market for AI-based driving.

Clare also highlights the challenges of urban versus highway driving, the importance of safety culture, and the technology stack required for autonomous vehicles. We also touch on the differences between SAE Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy, as well as the future direction of Nuro in integrating hardware and software.

Show timeline

8:12 – Interview with Andrew Clare

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News of the week

We’ll discuss the latest news after the Thanksgiving holiday.

2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards open for nominations

The categories include:

Technologies, products, and services: This category includes primary or applied research focusing on robotics and supporting technologies such as motion control, vision, or machine learning. It also includes new products and business, engineering, or technology services.
Business and management: This category covers initiatives positioning a company as a market leader or an organization as an important thought leader in the robotics ecosystem. Significant mergers and acquisitions are relevant, as are supplier, partner, and integrator relationships.
Applications and markets: The RBR50 will also recognize innovations that improve productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness, as well as those that automate new tasks.

In addition, the 2025 RBR50 awards will celebrate the following:

Startup of the Year
Application of the Year
Robot of the Year
Robots for Good Award

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Podcast sponsored by RGo Robotics

The show this week is sponsored by RGo Robotics Inc.

Is your autonomous mobile robot (AMR) struggling in dynamic environments? Is your business stuck because it takes months to commission a new site?

RGo Robotics’ Perception Engine is revolutionizing the AMR business through advanced Vision AI perception technology. Unlike traditional solutions, The company’s software enables AMRs to adapt to changing environments and navigate complex spaces with unprecedented accuracy and the commissioning process is shorter and simpler.

Leading AMR companies are enhancing their fleets with RGo’s AI-powered perception, enabling their teams to accelerate use of advanced AI capabilities like foundation models and digital twins.

Don’t let outdated navigation hold your business back.

To learn more about RGo’s solutions, go to: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/

The post Nuro navigates to fully autonomous driving appeared first on The Robot Report.

Muddy Machines acquires key assets and IP from Fox Robotics

Mike Oitzman — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:03:02 +0000

Muddy Machines Ltd. this week said it has acquired the majority of key assets and intellectual property from Fox Robotics Ltd. Farnham, U.K.-based Fox Robotics was a startup focused on the challenges and operations of soft fruit farms.

Fox Robotics is not to be confused with Fox Robotics Inc., an Austin, Texas-based provider of autonomous fork trucks that’s still in operation.

“We are thrilled to integrate Fox Robotics’ innovative vehicle into our lineup,” said Chris Chavasse, CEO of Muddy Machines. “Their technology aligns perfectly with our mission to solve labor challenges in horticulture with electric robots that carry out labor-intensive fieldwork and increase worker productivity.”

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Fox’s Hugo RT is now Squirrel

With its acquisition of Fox, Muddy Machines said it now offers growers a wider selection of autonomous systems. The company will change the name of Fox Robotics’ Hugo RT platform to Squirrel.

Squirrel is a competitor to the field robot of Burro Robotics. This class of mobile robots autonomously transports material from one point to another on the farm.

The newly renamed Squirrel robot has a payload of 200 kg (441 lb.) and a top speed of 3 m/s (6.7 mph). It measures 107 x 63 cm (42.1 x 24.8 in.) and includes an integrated weighing table.

Muddy Machines said it plans to offer more products to meet growers‘ needs for more efficient operations.

The Hugo RT has been renamed Squirrel following the acquisition of Fox Robotics Ltd. | Credit: Muddy Machines

Muddy Machines builds on Sprout

Muddy Machine’s existing robot, Sprout, is a precision agriculture platform for specialty crops grown in open fields. Its initial tool, a selective green asparagus harvester, was successfully trialed earlier this year.

With partners, the Chiswick, U.K.-based company is developing additional tools for precision weeding, planting, and spraying. “This versatility unlocks true precision agriculture and the cultivation of high-value field vegetables,” it said.

It added that Sprout will extend its reach into the berry and fruit sector. Capable of operating both outdoors and in polytunnels, the robot is initially serving as an autonomous carrier for heavy loads. Muddy Machines said Sprout can increase worker productivity and address labor shortages.

“By combining the strengths of Sprout and Squirrel, we’re offering a comprehensive suite of electric robotic solutions that directly tackle the labor challenges faced by the horticulture industry,” added Chavasse. “Our robots are designed to assist farm workers by carrying out labor-intensive tasks, making their jobs easier and more efficient.”

Muddy Machines is currently raising funds to accelerate the delivery of its products to the market.

The Sprout is an autonomous, precision agriculture platform. | Credit: Muddy Machines

The post Muddy Machines acquires key assets and IP from Fox Robotics appeared first on The Robot Report.

How AI, perception are shaping mobile robotics

Mike Oitzman — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 22:28:39 +0000

The Robot Report Podcast · AI at the Edge: How perception and AI are shaping mobile robotics

In Episode 173 of The Robot Report Podcast, co-host Steve Crowe and I catch up on the news of the week, including several recent stories about mobile manipulators.

Featured interview with RGO Robotics and Wheel.Me

In the featured interview this week, I talk to Amir Bousani, CEO of RGO Robotics, and Jacob Petersen, chief commercial officer of Wheel.Me. We discuss the importance of perception for autonomous mobile robots, and discuss Wheel.Me’s decision to leverage RGO Robotics perception engine in its platform.

Show timeline

7:44 – News of the week
11:02 – Update on Proxie from Brad Porter, founder and CEO of Collaborative Robotics
24:15 – Interview with Amir Bousani, CEO of RGO Robotics, and Jacob Petersen, Chief Commercial Officer from Wheel.Me.

Register now

News of the week

Collaborative Robotics unveils Proxie mobile manipulator

Collaborative Robotics Inc. this week unveiled its Proxie mobile manipulator publicly for the first time. The startup has been secretive about the design of the robot since Porter founded the company in 2022. In April 2024, Collaborative Robotics closed a $100 million Series B round toward commercializing its autonomous mobile robot (AMR).

The company’s been closed-lipped about the design of the robot, but on Wednesday it released images and video of the Proxie AMR, along with a newly redesigned website. The AMR features a swerve drive, a hot-swappable battery, and a fixed linear actuator in its “spine.” The robot is designed to be fitted with a variety of onboard actuators, and the first one to be productized is a simple cart acquisition.

Pickle Robot gets orders for over 30 unloading systems, plus $50M in funding

Pickle Robot Co. raised $50 million in Series B funding this week. It also announced that six customers placed orders during the third quarter for more than 30 robots to deploy in the first half of 2025. Founded in 2018, Pickle Robot said its robots are designed to autonomously unload trucks, trailers, and import containers at human-scale or better performance.

The company said its Series B funding included participation from a strategic customer. Teradyne Robotics Ventures, Toyota Ventures, Ranpak, Third Kind Venture Capital, One Madison Group, Hyperplane, Catapult Ventures, and others also participated. The company said it plans to use its latest funding to accelerate the development of new feature sets. It also plans to build out its commercial teams to unlock new markets and geographies worldwide.

MC600 mobile manipulator combines UR cobot with MiR base

The new MC600 combines the MiR600 AMR with the UR20 and UR30 collaborative robot arms from Universal Robots A/S, which is also owned by Teradyne. Mobile Industrial Robots said it can handle payloads up to 600 kg (1,322 lb.) and automate complex workflows in industrial environments. A unified software platform by MiR Go partner Enabled Robotics controls the MC600. MiR said this coordinates its mobile base and robotic arms, simplifying integration into existing workflows and ensuring smooth operations.

ASTM proposes mobile manipulation standard

In other mobile manipulation news, ASTM International’s F45 committee for robotics, automation, and autonomous systems has proposed a new standard, WK92144. It provides guidelines for documenting disturbances of robot arms, such as by heavy equipment, in unstructured manufacturing environments. The proposed standard describes an example apparatus for testing.

2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards open for nominations

The categories include:

Technologies, products, and services: This category includes primary or applied research focusing on robotics and supporting technologies such as motion control, vision, or machine learning. It also includes new products and business, engineering, or technology services.
Business and management: This category covers initiatives positioning a company as a market leader or an organization as an important thought leader in the robotics ecosystem. Significant mergers and acquisitions are relevant, as are supplier, partner, and integrator relationships.
Applications and markets: The RBR50 will also recognize innovations that improve productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness, as well as those that automate new tasks.

In addition, the 2025 RBR50 awards will celebrate the following:

Startup of the Year
Application of the Year
Robot of the Year
Robots for Good Award

The deadline for submissions is Friday, Dec. 20, 2024.

Podcast sponsored by RGO Robotics

The show this week is sponsored by RGO Robotics

Is your autonomous mobile robot (AMR) struggling in dynamic environments? Is your business stuck because it takes months to commission a new site?

Leading AMR companies are enhancing their fleets with RGo’s AI-powered perception, enabling their teams to accelerate use of advanced AI capabilities like foundation models and digital twins.

Don’t let outdated navigation hold your business back.

To learn more about RGO’s solutions, go to: https://www.rgorobotics.ai/

The post How AI, perception are shaping mobile robotics appeared first on The Robot Report.

Teleo raises $16.2M to scale supervised autonomy for heavy equipment

Mike Oitzman — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 20:54:53 +0000

Teleo revealed this week it raised $16.2 million in Series A extension funds. The new funding will be used to scale customer deployments of semi- autonomous heavy equipment, continue expanding into new industries beyond construction, and enhance its AI capabilities.

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Teleo announced new orders for 34 machines from 9 new customers across pulp and paper, logging, port logistics, munition clearing, and agriculture industries. The company aims to expand into airports, waste and recycling, logistics, warehousing, and more.

The Series A extension came in two parts. It closed a $9.2 million extension in April 2024 that was led by UP.Partners and included Trousdale Ventures and F-Prime Capital. The second, $7 million extension closed this week and was also led by UP.Partners. It included Triatomic Capital and returning investors. Teleo has raised $29.8 million to date since it was founded in 2019, including its Series A funding round in June 2022.

“Our strong conviction in Teleo’s solution comes from the incredible impact their technology for remote and autonomous operations of heavy machinery is having for some of the largest operators in the world. In addition to significant productivity gains, Teleo creates a positive effect on the workforce, where skilled labor shortages are endemic to the industry,” said Adam Grosser, Chairman and Managing Partner at UP.Partners. “Teleo’s retrofit technology helps to make equipment operator jobs more accessible and safer, in addition to improving customer profitability by reviving machines that were otherwise sitting idle.”

Teleo delivers supervised autonomy

Teleo’s autonomy retrofit kit transforms various types of heavy equipment, including bulldozers, wheel loaders, and excavators, into semi-autonomous and remotely-operated robots. This approach, known as supervised autonomy, allows one operator to oversee several machines working together. The operator can remotely manage complex tasks from a central command center, whether situated nearby or thousands of miles away.

Many industries rely on heavy machinery for repetitive and predictable tasks. Teleo’s technology offers a solution, especially during significant labor shortages. For instance, the Associated General Contractors of America reports that 91% of construction firms struggle to find workers, leading to increased costs and project delays.

“There is a strong value proposition of our technology across many industries that leverage heavy machinery and our focus is to fulfill and scale our solid pipeline of orders,” said Vinay Shet, co-founder and CEO, Teleo. “There’s a wider, untapped range of industries where Teleo Supervised Autonomy can provide instant value. We will use these funds to further deploy and scale our technology so we can continue to address historic labor shortages and deliver a positive impact.”

I had the opportunity to visit the Teleo headquarters in Palo Alto earlier in 2024 and witness a live demo of the driver station from Shet. He was remotely operating an articulated loader located 20 miles away, across the bay in Fremont CA. We successfully maneuvered the vehicle around the site and operated the lift bucket to transfer dirt.

Remote operators have a first-person view from the cab of the remote equipment and control the operations with foot pedals and dual joysticks. | Credit: Teleo

The Teleo operator station includes multiple large screens with multiple camera feeds, and vehicle stats, along with dual stick controllers and foot pedals. The perception engine onboard the remote vehicle monitors a 360-degree envelope around the vehicle and alerts the teleoperator to the presence of any obstacles (including humans) that might be in the proximity of the vehicle.

Teleo equips the remote vehicle with a control box and a suite of cameras and sensors that provide the operator with a 360 view around the vehicle. | Credit: Teleo

Humans can manually operate the features of the remote equipment, including loading/unloading and digging. However, for long drives around the remote site, the operator can switch the vehicle to autonomous mode to haul or reposition it. Meanwhile, the teleoperator stays at the station, monitoring the vehicle’s progress.

The operator can teleport into another vehicle on the site and monitor or control its missions. This allows a single operator to manage a fleet of autonomous vehicles. Operators can perform this function from a trailer at the work site, or remotely, from a secure cloud connection.

Teleo’s global dealer partner network, which was launched in 2023, includes dealer partners in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, North Africa, and the Middle East. The company also demonstrated the world’s longest supervised autonomous operation in history, when operators in Dallas controlled machines at a worksite in Finland, over 5,000 miles away.

Competitive market

There are a growing number of competitors to Teleo in the construction market, including Built Robotics, Safe AI, and the OEM equipment manufacturers. The pace of innovation is accelerating, the technology is maturing and the networking infrastructure to support access to the remote vehicles and operators is growing. Teleo is now positioned to accelerate its growth and market share.

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Collaborative Robotics unveils Proxie mobile manipulator

Mike Oitzman — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:00:20 +0000

Collaborative Robotics Inc. today unveiled its Proxie mobile manipulator publicly for the first time. The startup has been secretive about the design of the robot since Brad Porter founded the company in 2022.

Porter has hinted at the design of the robot by alluding to the importance of a mobile manipulator for applications within the warehouse, with a kinematic better suited for warehouse workflows than a humanoid.

Porter brings robotics experience, vision

Porter has been a frequent contributor to The Robot Report and a guest on The Robot Report Podcast. He most recently shared his thoughts about Amazon’s acquihire of the Covariant leadership.

At Amazon, Porter led the deployment of more than 500,000 robots as vice president of robotics and distinguished engineer. After Amazon, Porter saw an opportunity to accelerate more ubiquitous autonomy through better data and tooling, leading him to join Scale AI as chief technology officer.

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Proxie already in trials

In April 2024, Collaborative Robotics closed a $100 million Series B round toward commercializing its autonomous mobile robot (AMR). The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company said Proxie can safely and affordably work alongside people in varied manufacturing, supply chain, and healthcare workflows.

In many cases, this is the same work humanoids are jockeying for. In June 2024, Collaborative Robots opened an office in Seattle and began adding to its AI team.

The base of Proxie includes four “swerve drive” motors that provide holonomic motion. | Credit: Collaborative Robotics

Porter told The Robot Report that Proxie is already in trials with several pilot customers, including a global logistics company. Featured clients include Moderna, Mayo Clinic, Owens & Minor, and Tampa General Hospital. He said Proxie has roughly the stature of a human.

We asked Porter about the design intentions of going with the swerve drive versus other AMR base designs. Proxie has a base with four drive wheels in a “swerve drive” configuration. The AMR attaches to a cart and then pulls the cart to its next destination, navigating safely through the facility.

“The swerve drive gives you pseudo holonomic motion, enabling you to slide sideways into a set of shelving units. The swerve drive also enables you to snap the casters before you start to move. With a differential drive base, the AMR doesn’t have the degrees of freedom, so it’s more clumsy. Finally, mecanum wheels have other problems that are difficult to manage in production.”

On top of the base is a vertical linear axis that carries a dual arm cart interfacing gripper for cart-moving implementations. A six-degree-of-freedom collaborative robot arm will be an optional configuration for Proxie in the future.

Porter said the company has a dual-arm manipulator in its lab, equipped with the ALOHA grippers, for manipulation tasks.

Proxie can be equipped with a rolling cart gripper that attaches to the cart on the normal handle, and then guides the cart throughout the facility. | Credit: Collaborative Robotics

Mobile manipulation gaining momentum?

Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) also today unveiled a mobile manipulator, the MC600. The mobile manipulator combines a MiR600 AMR with the UR20 and UR30 collaborative robot arms from Universal Robots A/S. Both companies are owned by Teradyne. The MC600 can handle payloads up to 600 kg (1,322 lb.) and automate complex workflows in industrial environments.

“I believe that mobile manipulators are a better solution than humanoids. This comes from having looked at how to put humanoids into environments like Amazon, where we looked at a lot of the process paths, and at what type of work was being done and then we looked at the complexity of trying to put a humanoid robot in there. Including the cost, the complexity, the safety, the battery life, and the AI that was going to be required,” Porter said, “and we just became concerned that the robots weren’t going to be strong enough. We don’t talk enough about the fact that humanoids look cool, but they’re not very strong. They’re not going to be able to move a 1500-pound cart, like Proxie can.”

Kassow Robots is targeting mobile manipulation with its new Edge Edition cobot arms. The new cobots feature a direct DC connection from battery power, enabling them to operate while mounted to a mobile robot. They offer remote power on/off control, allowing for control from the mobile robot controllers or a PLC.

ASTM proposes mobile manipulator standards

ASTM International’s F45 committee on robotics is proposing a new standard practice (WK92144) to measure how well mobile manipulators handle disturbances in unstructured environments. This standard includes guidelines for documenting how these automated arms react to disruptions, using a sample testing apparatus. According to Omar Aboul-Enein from ASTM, factors like heavy machinery can negatively impact these robots, especially in critical sectors like aerospace and energy that deal with complex parts.

This standard will benefit manufacturers, integrators, and end-users by providing a way to measure reliability and improve mobile manipulator performance. If you’re interested in participating in developing ASTM standards, you can join at www.astm.org/JOIN.

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Kassow Robots’ new cobots designed for mobile manipulation

Mike Oitzman — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 18:13:37 +0000

Kassow Robots has introduced a new line of compact collaborative robot arms (cobots) designed to integrate with mobile robots. The new Edge Edition cobots are smaller, fully integrated manipulators designed for mobile manipulation applications.

The new cobots feature a direct DC connection from battery power, enabling them to operate while mounted to a mobile robot. They offer remote power on/off control, allowing for control from the mobile robot controllers or a PLC. The cobots can run in automatic mode without a teach pendant, streamlining operations. The cobots have a standard footprint of 160x200mm (6.2″x7.9″) ensuring compatibility with various applications.

Kassow Robots’ cobots are equipped with sensors that detect overload, ensuring safe operation in shared workspaces. This eliminates the need for special safety measures, expanding the range of applications to include repetitive, dangerous, and dirty tasks. However, a thorough risk assessment must be conducted before deploying the cobots in any environment.

The cobots are also modular, leveraging Kassow Robots’ existing partner ecosystem that enables integration of various peripherals, grippers, vision systems, or function extensions.

Bosch Rexroth acquired a majority stake in Kassow Robots in March 2022 for an undisclosed amount. Kassow Robots exited stealth mode at Automatica 2018. It was co-founded in 2014 by Kristian Kassow, former co-founder of Universal Robots, which is the leading developer of cobots. Founded in 2005 by Kassow, Esben Østergaard and Kasper Støy, Universal Robots was acquired in 2015 by Teradyne for $285 million.

Kristian Kassow provides more insights about the Edge Edition cobots in the Q&A below.

Why did you develop the Edge Edition?

Kristian Kassow: Our goal has always been to make it as easy as possible for our customers to integrate cobots into their production, with an explicit focus on SMEs. Our Edge Edition offers multiple advantages here: it’s designed for industrial use, offers a high level of maneuverability thanks to its 7 axes, and delivers unique compactness. It also has a small footprint of just 160 x 200 millimeters. That is because we have miniaturized the controller to just 10 percent of the original size and integrated it into the robot base. Another benefit worth mentioning is that the Edge Edition can be easily connected to any DC power supply, such as the battery of a mobile robot.

Kassow Robots’ new Edge Edition collaborative robot arm lineup. | Credit: Kassow Robots

What customer groups are you targeting with the Edge Edition?

Kassow: Lots of them, all industries with intralogistics tasks at their production sites can benefit from our Edge Edition. The Edge Edition offers the additional benefit of being a multifunctional cobot, allowing users to switch between tasks seamlessly. This includes the ability to use it for the production of Product A, followed by a quality check, and then for palletizing.

The Edge Edition comes into play and shows off its advantages when a cobot becomes an efficient assistant to mobile robots. We believe that mobile applications will be the primary use for the Edge Edition. This means using cobots in combination with an AMR or AGV.

Can you tell us more about using a cobot as a mobile manipulator?

Kassow: One way in which the cobot can be made mobile is by moving the lightweight cobot installation to a new location and programming it for a new application. The programming of a cobot is much easier than in the case of a traditional industrial robot. Another way to make the most of mobility is to use it for the same tasks that come up at various locations during the production process. Let me give you an example. A combination of an AGV/ AMR and a cobot can take over the task to take care of the loading of boxes that will be used for packaging.

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Why does the Edge Edition contribute to an easy integration of AGV/AMR-cobot solutions?

Kassow: The Edge Edition saves space because the robot arm and controller form a compact unit that can be installed quickly. In addition, as mentioned earlier, the direct current (DC) connection on all Edge Edition cobots satisfies all the requirements for connecting a cobot directly to the battery of an AGV or AMR. At the end of the day, we want to make it easier for our customers to integrate cobots into mobile solutions. A look at today’s AGVs and AMRs quickly reveals just how little space they offer. Robot controllers are mostly bulky, making it harder to automate tasks. Our Edge Edition cobots feature a slim base. We help system integrators and end customers simplify the implementation of these AGV/AMR & cobot solutions.

The controller has been integrated into the base of the 7-axis cobots. | Credit: Kassow Robots

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Humanoid study group launches survey on human-robot interaction

Mike Oitzman — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:55:27 +0000

Product teams need to consider how to safely shut down humanoids in the case of an error or emergency. | Credit: This image was created by Adobe Firefly AI and modified by The Robot Report

The IEEE Humanoids Study Group was formed in June 2024 and initiated the process of evaluating the current safety standards that might impact the safe design and deployment of humanoid robots. The group’s goal is not to develop any standards, but rather to do the homework that will tee up the development of new standards, or the revision of existing standards, to cover the needs of humanoids.

Many companies are currently developing humanoids for commercial use, including Agility Robotics, Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, Figure, and many others. Agility Robotics’ Digit is widely seen as the leader in the clubhouse at the moment because actually deployed commercially with Spanx in a tote-moving application.

The group aims to complete its market research and final report within a year. Subsequently, Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) will require an additional 1-2 years to develop and ratify any new standards. Consequently, it will take a minimum of 18 to 30 months before humanoid robots can adhere to the necessary safety standards, a crucial step towards mitigating risks in their deployment. This report is planned for release in May 2025.

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The Study Group is split into two subgroups: one subgroup is actively reviewing all existing robot safety standards, while the second human-robot interaction (HRI) subgroup is evaluating all of the various use cases for humanoids.

The HRI subgroup has been tasked with determining what aspects of HRI might impact the development and application of standards when it comes to humanoids. To help the team achieve this goal, they have put together a 12-question survey, divided into three thematic sections. If you would like to contribute to the initiative, please answer as many of the questions below as possible to help determine what aspects of HRI will impact the development of robotic standards with respect to the real-world applications of humanoid robots.

Take the survey below or here.

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Ascento Guard 2.0 is ready for security duty at large facilities

Mike Oitzman — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:20:52 +0000

Ascento AG launched the latest generation of its two-wheeled autonomous security robot called Ascento Guard 2.0. Enhancements in this new platform include integrated cameras and spotlights three times brighter than its predecessor.

The new cameras provide better nighttime visibility than in the mobile robot’s the first generation. They can detect people at twice the distance in front and five times further on the sides and rear.

A new thermal camera with 160% higher resolution ensures precise monitoring, said Ascento Robotics. The Zurich-based startup has raised a total of $4.8 million (U.S.) since its founding, according to Crunchbase.

Early customers approve of Ascento

Ascento said it is on a mission to secure assets with robotics and artificial intelligence. The company launched the first generation of Ascento Guard in September 2023.

The robot is designed for on- and off-road operations and can traverse a wide range of terrain. Guard self-balances, and it can self-right and recover if it is tripped up by an obstacle.

Alexander Grêt is a group manager at Swiss Securitas Group, a top security company in Switzerland and an early Ascento customer. He stated: “We’ve been using Ascento Guard for over a year to manage parking and night security at our site. We’ve also rolled out several Ascento Guard 2.0 units for our customers in manufacturing and logistics.”

“In 2024, we tripled the number of Ascento Guards installed, and they’re now fully integrated into our security operations after moving forward from initial pilots,” Grêt added. “This is an exciting step forward, as it helps us deliver better solutions to our customers and tackle the growing demand for security solutions. The speed at which the Ascento team improves is incredible, and we’re proud to be part of this game-changing technology.”

Severin Debrunner, head of safety and security at Mettler Toledo, also expressed approval of the robot.

“We initially deployed Ascento Guard to help with outdoor night patrols, but we’re keeping it for the full transparency it provides,” he said. “Every morning, I can see which cars were parked illegally overnight, which lights were left on, and if there were people wandering within the fence line. The upgraded side cameras significantly improve monitoring, especially for perimeter control.”

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Ascento Guard 2.0 can take longer shifts

Ascento Guard 2.0 monitors perimeters, detecting anomalies such as holes in fences, intruders, ladder intrusions, and open gates. Using AI and camera technology, the updated robot can efficiently surveil large areas, said the company.

It added that Guard 2.0 has a larger battery and can operate for up to eight hours, enabling the robot to operate for a full security shift without interruption. Charging can be accomplished at a 4:1 charging ratio, allowing it to recharge fast and get back outside to patrol again.

In addition, Ascento Guard 2.0 can automate visual inspections of equipment, identifying potential malfunctions or irregularities. Its integrated thermal camera can detect overheating, allowing for early maintenance and preventing equipment failures, said Ascento. The system can also detect flood and storm damage, minimizing potential losses, it said.

“We call our Ascento Guard ‘Loomi.’ Everyone around the Bildung Campus likes it and feels we are living in the future,” stated Nikolaus Schlüter, team lead of SchwarzCampusService, “We are now moving to the next stage. We want to integrate it with our facility management platform, and expand to more robots in other locations of the Schwarz Group.”

Guard 2.0 can be deployed on demand for various tasks, such as escorting visitors or monitoring specific areas during planned or unplanned events. These deployments can be remotely controlled and monitored.

The system can operate independently through the Ascento Web app or integrate with existing video management systems and facility management software.

Although Ascento is a young company, it has gotten some market traction. Over the past three months, Ascento has doubled its robot fleet, with projections to achieve 5x growth year over year by the end of 2024. The company said its robots are on track to patrol over 6,500 km (4,038.9 mi.) every month by the end of 2024.

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DeepRoute.ai closes $100M Series C1 led by Great Wall Motor

Mike Oitzman — Sat, 09 Nov 2024 15:30:20 +0000

DeepRoute.ai announced a strategic Series C1 funding round raising $100 million, led by Chinese automotive manufacturer Great Wall Motor. The company said it plans to use the funding will enhance research and development in its DeepRoute IO “end-to-end” model.

It also plans to scale collaborations with global automakers, explore future robotaxi business, and support the recruitment of more AI-native talent.

“The strategic investment from the automaker is a significant recognition of our technology maturity and mass-production capabilities” stated Maxwell Zhou, CEO of DeepRoute.ai. “We are eager to leverage this momentum to expand our reach in global markets.”

“I firmly believe autonomous driving is the most promising pathway to achieving physical AI, and we will be a major player in the next AI era,” he added. “We look forward to cooperating with more partners on this journey.”

DeepRoute.ai applies tech to more vehicles

DeepRoute.ai has raised about $450 million to date, according to data reported this week by Crunchbase. It closed its Series B round of $300 million in September 2021.

The Shenzhen, China-based company claimed that it has made significant strides, with approximately 20,000 vehicles delivered since August. That momentum continues, as DeepRoute.ai plans to release over 10 new vehicle models in partnership with select OEM clients next year.

Furthermore, the next-generation DeepRoute, powered by a cutting-edge visual language action model, is set to debut next year.

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Complete OEM self-driving stack

Unlike traditional robotaxis, which rely on pre-mapped data and are restricted to specific areas, DeepRoute.ai asserted that its autonomous vehicles will be more scalable and more cost-effective to deploy thanks to its end-to-end technology. This will allow people in various countries to enjoy the convenience of the latest smart driving technology, the company said.

The DeepRoute-Driver portfolio includes software, hardware, and a cloud monitoring system. DeepRoute.ai’s sensor-fusion technology can accurately detect various objects over 200 meters away. The company claimed it can safe driving, even in inclement weather, at night, or in other scenarios.

DeepRoute-Tite is the computing layer and “brain” of the system.
DeepRoute-Syntric fuses data from all of the various sensors around the vehicle, providing input for the compute layer. DeepRoute.ai can integrate new sensors depending on the needs of the vehicle OEM.
DeepRoute-Vision is the vision camera for the system, and the company has developed this camera for the specific needs of vehicle guidance.
Cloud monitoring system, using 5G connectivity, enables remote operators to monitor vehicle operations and with human-in-the-loop interactions, rescue the vehicle when required.

The DeepRoute-Driver system is now available for $1,000 to $2,000 per vehicle, based on OEM quantities. The company has mentioned OEM clients that include Lincoln, Geely, Ford, and Dongfeng.

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ROAMEO specs revealed by AITX RAD as company marks 1,000 security systems

Mike Oitzman — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:50:10 +0000

The ROAMEO Gen 4 autonomous security robot is equipped with an array of sensors that enable it to patrol remote areas of a facility. | Credit AITX RAD

Robotic Assistance Devices Inc., or RAD, this month announced the specifications of the fourth generation of its ROAMEO wheeled security robot. The Ferndale, Mich.-based company also today celebrated the deployment of 1,000 devices.

RAD said that ROAMEO Gen 4 will provide security and concierge services with enhanced capabilities and artificial intelligence integration. The vehicle can autonomously patrol large corporate, college, and university campuses, stated the subsidiary of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions Inc. (AITX).

“The market for a robot like ROAMEO remains untapped, and based on our years serving this space, we are certain that it is a significantly large market,” said Steve Reinharz, chief technology officer and CEO of AITX and RAD.

“Having solved a myriad of technical challenges and deployed many earlier versions of ROAMEO, we are perfectly positioned to define and capture this market,” he added. “This is the cumulation of years of creation, testing, and perseverance. We are beyond thrilled with today’s big reveal and excited for what this robot will do for the industry and AITX.”

ROAMEO builds on previous models for faster ROI

RAD said it gained insights from deployments of ROAMEO 1.x and 2.x, as well as from work on the unreleased Version 3.x. The latest design includes fully autonomous recharging, as well as a software architecture built around AITX’s proprietary Autonomous Intelligent Response (AIR) technology.

Patrolling outdoor spaces can be tedious, expensive, and dangerous work, noted the company. It said the robot enables campus security teams to extend their presence and mission scope without expending additional resources.

“From an industry perspective, demand for ROAMEO is so strong because it addresses a significant pain point for these end users,” said Reinharz. “That’s why we’re seeing so much interest and unsolicited outreach to us.”

“ROAMEO can make a positive financial impact even with as few as 25 deployments,” he said. “We’ll be working to hit 100 deployments as soon as possible, forecasted by the end of 2026, and that will be quite remarkable. Looking ahead, we’re anticipating hundreds of units being deployed in the coming years, marking a major step forward in our growth, path to profitability, and continued innovation.”

RAD acknowledged delays in bringing ROAMEO to market, citing the need to shift priorities from other systems including stationary sensors. It has completed work on ROSA and RIO Gen 4, as well as AVA Gen 4. The company will initially integrate its AIR technology into RADCam, set to begin shipping in December. RAD will then roll it into all of its other systems and ROSS software.

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New vehicle is taller to see over traffic

ROAMEO Gen 4 is the largest autonomous security device RAD said it has produced to date, and it is designed for high-visibility outdoor applications.

ROAMEO stands at a height of 6 ft., 9 in. (205.7 cm), width of 5 ft., 5 in. (165 cm), and length of 8 ft. 4 in. (254 cm). This is smaller than a midsize automobile but larger than the typical security golf cart. The taller robot has a clear line of sight over vehicles and people in high-traffic areas for both advanced detection and person/vehicle engagement, said RAD.

The vehicle weighs 1,609 lb. (729.8 kg) and delivers up to 16 hours of continuous run time, offering two-shift coverage on a single charge. With a ground clearance of up to 9.4 in. (23.8 cm) and four-wheel drive, ROAMEO can climb up to a 20% incline.

ROAMEO Gen 4 features lidar, radar, vision, microphones, and ultrasonic sensors. It sends data to an onsite command center in real time, alerting security staff to unusual situations.

ROAMEO Gen 4 is equipped with 215/45R17 wheels and tires, making transition to snow tires and or mud terrain tires quick and inexpensive, added RAD. The company claimed that ROAMEO Gen4 will be capable of SAE Level 5 autonomous operation in weather including rain and snowstorms.

The ROAMEO Gen 4 is tall enough so that its the sensors can see over most parked vehicles. | Credit: AITX RAD

RAD celebrates growth, expects more public safety demand

Robotic Assistance Devices today said that it has surpassed 1,000 deployed and contracted security devices as of late October.

“Reaching this 1,000-device milestone validates RAD’s role in transforming the security landscape,” said Reinharz. “Our clients are choosing RAD to address their most pressing security needs with efficiency and impact.”

The company said it anticipates a renewed commitment to public safety and security from federal, state, and local governments in the coming months. RAD asserted that it is prepared to support evolving government initiatives with responsive security systems that also offer cost savings.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in interest and opportunity from municipalities and regional jurisdictions looking for advanced security solutions that can meet their communities’ needs,” Reinharz added. “Our solutions provide an efficient approach that enhances security without the high costs traditionally associated with physical security measures. We’re committed to supporting these evolving public safety initiatives with technology that’s accessible, non-biased, and impactful.”

The company estimated that 250 deployed ROAMEO units could generate as much as $20 million in recurring revenue. RAD said it has a prospective sales pipeline of more than 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities.

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Atlas humanoid robot shows increasing competence in latest Boston Dynamics video

Mike Oitzman — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 15:44:23 +0000

Boston Dynamics Inc. released a new video of its Atlas humanoid robot today. The video shows the electric robot handling large automotive parts autonomously. According to the company, the robot uses machine learning to execute its tasks and 3D vision to perceive the world around it.

There are no prescribed or teleoperated movements; all motions are generated autonomously online, said Boston Dynamics. The Atlas humanoid is able to detect and react to changes in the environment using a combination of vision, force, and proprioceptive sensors, the company explained.

For example, it could detect moving fixtures and react to actions like failure to insert the cover, tripping, and environment collisions (1:24).

In the video, Atlas demonstrates some unique motions including turning its head with a range of motion beyond that of a human and walking backward with its hip joint turned 180 degrees, while the torso rotates mid-motion to orient itself for the next operation.

This design provides mobility and joint rotations that are larger than the range of the human body. The video demonstrates some of the possibilities for Atlas to take advantage of its joint motion.

The electric model is following in the very big footsteps of its larger sibling, Atlas hydraulic, which handled heavy automotive parts in an industrial setting.

Atlas humanoid grasps with three-fingered hand

This close-up shows how Atlas’ three-fingered gripper operates to pull parts off of shelves. Source: Boston Dynamics

In the video, you can also watch how the Atlas humanoid uses its three-fingered hand, with a rotating digit, to pull items off a shelf and then grip the item for transfer. The gripper appears to be designed to handle large and heavy items.

It’s likely that the end effector deployed with the electric robot will be dependent on the types of work that it will do and the characteristics of the parts. This release follows another video in which the Atlas humanoid performed various calisthenics.

Boston Dynamics also announced this week the first deployment in Europe of its Stretch and Spot robots at Otto Group. The company recently discussed its partnership with the Toyota Research Institute on The Robot Report Podcast.

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China launches data-sharing initiative for humanoid developers

Mike Oitzman — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:33:12 +0000

China has launched a data-sharing initiative for its domestic humanoid companies to accelerate innovation. The project is being spearheaded by the National Local Joint Humanoid Robot Innovation Center and various Chinese humanoid companies.

As humanoids mature, they will require vast amounts of training data to enable the intelligence to autonomously execute everyday tasks. Every developer has the same problem: how do you generate the training data for these systems? China recognizes this issue and is looking to bring its robotics industry together to overcome this challenge.

Chinese guidelines released

The National Local Joint Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (NLJIC), China’s first public platform dedicated to this type of robot, is also building a training ground for manufacturers to collect high-quality data and promote industry-wide standards. Xu Bin, general manager of the state-backed center, told Chinese media outlet Yicai Global that like autonomous vehicles, “humanoid robots require large volumes of high-quality data for development, and advanced models demand even stricter data standards.”

China has also already released two standards documents for humanoids:

- Guidelines for the Classification and Application of Humanoid Robots
- Guidelines for the Classification of Embodied Intelligence Smart Development Stages

At press time, The Robot Report was still attempting to locate a copy of these documents.

A team led by the NLJIC released industry standards for China’s humanoids. These standards classify robots across four technical levels (L1 to L4) and five intelligence levels (G1 to G5), assessing capabilities such as perception, cognition, decision-making, and autonomy.

The NLJIC was established in May 2024 in Shanghai. The center also announced Qinglong, its first full-sized humanoid robot, at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC). Qinglong is designed to be an open-source platform for advancing the field of humanoids globally.

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NLJIC aims to train 1,000 humanoids by 2027. Multiple Shanghai-based companies, including Fourier Intelligence and Kepler, are developing humanoids that will benefit from the data-sharing initiative. Fourier Intelligence launched the second-generation GR-2 in September 2024.

IEEE Humanoid Study Group

A similar initiative is happening under the mentorship of Aaron Prather, director of robotics & autonomous systems program at ASTM International. The IEEE Humanoid Study Group is a yearlong project aimed at evaluating all of the current robotic safety standards, determining which (if any) cover humanoids, and identifying the gaps for future SDOs to begin the process of creating new, applicable standards.

“China has clearly made humanoids a national priority,” Prather said. “This should be a wake-up call to other nations. It also justifies the work of IEEE Humanoid Study Group and its work to develop humanoid standards at the international level to help accelerate humanoid adoption everywhere and not just in a single country.”

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