United Kingdom

PAL Robotics, a robotics company specializing in service automation, marks its 20th anniversary this year, highlighting two decades of development in human-centric robotic technology. Established in 2004, PAL Robotics began as a startup in Barcelona and has since expanded internationally, designing service robots that now assist in diverse sectors including healthcare, retail, agrifood, and industrial applications. The company has collaborated on more than 50 projects with research institutions and universities worldwide.

ABB has inaugurated a new $100 million campus in New Berlin, Wisconsin, designed to expand its production of electric drives and enhance its alignment with the Build America Buy America Act (BABAA) requirements. The new facility aims to support ABB’s growth in its largest market, the United States, by producing electric drive technology for sectors including power, industrial, transport, and construction. The site will serve as a manufacturing hub while also featuring a digital Customer Experience Center, an Innovation Lab, and an on-site warehouse, which ABB reports will reduce transportation costs and emissions.

At the 2024 Pack Expo Chicago, FANUC America presented its latest automation technology for the packaging and processing industry, focusing on food-grade collaborative and industrial robots. Located in booth #N-5332, FANUC featured robotic systems designed to address production demands, supply chain constraints, and labor shortages through automated processes.

Computer vision and AI in automation are fast becoming indispensable elements in robotics and automation, driven by the need for increased efficiency amid labor shortages and geopolitical factors. The robotics ecosystem utilizing these technologies is expanding rapidly, with partners working together to deliver scalable, market-ready solutions.

University of Washington researchers have developed “MobiPrint,” a mobile 3D printer capable of autonomously mapping indoor spaces and printing objects directly onto surfaces, such as floors. Presented at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology , the system aims to simplify the process of integrating 3D-printed elements into physical environments.

Vecna Robotics has announced the release of CaseFlow, an automated case-picking solution designed to enhance warehouse productivity by utilizing robotic pallet handling to reduce manual travel. The system aims to automate up to 90% of travel within warehouses while directing workers through dynamic zone picking, reportedly doubling productivity and improving worker safety and retention.

Nimble, an AI robotics and autonomous e-commerce fulfillment technology company, has secured $106 million in Series C funding, bringing its valuation to $1 billion. The round, led by FedEx with participation from Cedar Pine LLC, signals an expanded strategic partnership with FedEx, which will implement Nimble’s autonomous fulfillment technology in its FedEx Fulfillment service.

Bear Robotics has introduced the Carti 100, a new logistics robot aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs in warehouse and factory settings. The Carti 100 can support loads of up to 220 lbs and integrates Bear Robotics’ Autonomous Control System (ACS) to enable multi-robot coordination and material handling processes.

Shanghai Kepler Robotics  launched its latest humanoid robot, the Forerunner K2, at GITEX GLOBAL 2024. This new model represents advancements in Kepler’s lineup of humanoid robots aimed at industrial and commercial use, specifically designed for tasks in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, high-risk operations, and research. The Forerunner K2 introduces enhanced physical capabilities and advanced intelligence functions, reflecting feedback from over 50 potential customers and insights into industry-specific requirements.

GITAI USA . announced that its Inchworm-type Robotic Arm has achieved Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) after completing a series of integrated tests in a thermal vacuum chamber. These tests were conducted under conditions designed to simulate the environment of the lunar South Pole, a region with extreme temperature variations. The robot arm demonstrated its ability to operate continuously for 29 hours, enduring temperatures as low as -140°C and maintaining function in a vacuum of less than 1E-5 Torr.