United Kingdom

In a new video, Pollen Robotics presents the manipulation capabilities of Reachy 2, the Beta version of their upcoming robot. Through teleoperation, the video highlights the advanced features of Reachy 2, which is designed for use in embodied AI and robotics labs. Equipped with new 7-DoF bio-inspired arms, each capable of handling a 3 kg payload, and AI-ready hardware, Reachy 2 is built for tasks in research and beyond. Its VR application also offers an immersive teleoperation experience, aimed at enhancing data collection and interaction.

Mobileye will cease internal development of next-generation frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar for autonomous and highly automated driving systems. This decision is part of a reassessment of the company’s long-term technology roadmap, concluding that FMCW lidar is no longer crucial for the development of its future “eyes-off” systems. Key factors influencing this decision include significant advances in Mobileye’s EyeQ6-based computer vision perception, improvements in its internally developed imaging radar, and unexpected cost reductions in third-party time-of-flight lidar units.

The seventh edition of the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where new world records were set for autonomous driving. During the race, speeds of 296 km/h (184 mph) on the track and 290 km/h (180 mph) during overtakes were achieved. The PoliMOVE-MSU team, a collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and Michigan State University, won the overtaking competition with a record-setting maneuver, while Cavalier Autonomous Racing from the University of Virginia broke the time trial record with an average speed of 273 km/h (171 mph) and a top speed of 296 km/h (184 mph).

Policy-makers and industry leaders will consider priorities for international standards to support industry growth, innovation, and trust in new technologies at ITU’s World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), taking place from 15 to 24 October at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan conference and exhibition centre.

In an All-in Summit interview yesterday, Elon Musk provided more detailed insights into the development and future of humanoid robots, focusing on the Tesla Optimus project. He described how, as production scales up and technological improvements are made, the cost of a humanoid robot could approach around $20,000. He anticipates that Optimus will reach mass production within five to six years, following three major design iterations. By the time they reach a production scale of over a million units per year, Musk estimates that the cost of labor and materials for each robot could be approximately $10,000.

Agility Robotics, the developer of the bipedal mobile manipulation robot Digit, has entered into a partnership with Ricoh USA to enhance its customer support services across North America. The collaboration, a first for a humanoid robot, will leverage Ricoh’s Service Advantage program, aiming to provide additional support for users of Agility’s robots. This initiative aims to improve the management of the technology and automation involved in warehouse operations, as the sector continues to grow.

Pacteon Group has announced its participation in Pack Expo International 2024, where it will showcase new packaging automation solutions. The company has expanded its portfolio with the addition of Descon Conveyor Systems, complementing its existing brands, Schneider Packaging Equipment, ESS Technologies, and Phoenix Stretch Wrappers.

Rainbow Robotics is currently attending the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024, which is taking place from September 9 to 14 in Chicago, USA. IMTS is one of the largest global events for the machine tool industry, showcasing cutting-edge digital technologies in areas such as manufacturing, processing, logistics, and automation.

Kawasaki Robotics showcases new robots at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, including the CL-series collaborative robots (cobots). Developed in collaboration with NEURA Robotics, the cobots are designed to operate in complex environments without protective coverings and utilize “Zero Gravity” technology, requiring minimal guidance to perform precise tasks such as welding and machine operation.

After two years of unstoppable growth, the AI heavyweights have seen their stock values nosedive over the past two months, triggered by the US government’s expanded export restrictions on AI chips to China, expectations of future interest rate cuts, valuation concerns, and mixed earnings reports. Just when it seemed most of them were back on track of growth, September brought a new hit.