United Kingdom

Brain Navi Biotechnology has announced the completion of its first procedure in the Netherlands using the NaoTrac surgical navigation robot. This procedure, a brain tumor biopsy, was performed at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam. The NaoTrac robot utilizes machine vision technology to expedite patient and instrument registration, reducing the process to between 30 seconds and three minutes, which is intended to enhance safety and efficiency.

Jacobi Robotics, an AI startup specializing in robotics, has launched with a $5 million seed round and introduced a new motion planning technology that significantly reduces robot programming time. The startup, founded by roboticists and AI researchers from UC Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon University, includes Yahav Avigal, Lars Berscheid, Max Cao, Jeff Ichnowski, and Ken Goldberg.

Worldwide IT spending is expected to total $5.26 trillion in 2024, an increase of 7.5% from 2023, according to the latest forecast by Gartner. This is a decrease from the previous quarter’s forecast of 8% growth, but an increase of the overall spend forecast of $5.06 trillion. 

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Laurie E. Locascio and Director-General of DG Connect Roberto Viola have initiated a technical dialogue between the European AI Office (EUAIO) and the U.S. AI Safety Institute (USAISI) at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. This meeting was part of the sixth ministerial meeting of the U.S.-E.U. Trade and Technology Council (TTC6), aiming to enhance bilateral collaboration on AI and foster scientific information exchange between the EU and the USA.

A study by mechanical engineers and computer scientists at the University of California San Diego explored human risk aversion when interacting with robots in everyday settings. Presented at the ICRA 2024 conference in Japan, the research is said to be the first to investigate robots that infer human perception of risk for intelligent decision-making.

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have successfully trained a humanoid robot to perform a variety of expressive movements such as dancing, waving, high-fiving, and hugging, while maintaining balance on diverse terrains. This advancement is part of ongoing efforts to develop robots capable of performing more complex tasks in the future.

Aeroporti di Roma (AdR), the operator of Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, is using artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to improve the experience for millions of passengers. By incorporating advanced technologies into its operations, AdR aims to streamline services and enhance the efficiency of airport processes.

Chef Robotics has announced the launch of an AI-powered flexible food robot designed to address the global labor shortage in the food industry and enhance production efficiency. The robot uses AI to meet the demands of high-mix food production, where traditional automation has struggled to handle the variety of tasks involved in meal preparation.

Granta Autonomy, a Lithuanian startup specializing in autonomous UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, has successfully completed a €1 million seed funding round. Led by ScaleWolf VC, with participation from Brolis Defence and HFL Holdings, the funding will support the development and production of Granta’s lightweight surveillance UAVs, micro gimbals, and digital Datalink software. The company’s technology has been tested over Ukraine’s front lines and is intended to aid armed forces in complex reconnaissance missions.

FANUC America officially opened its new 650,000-square-foot West Campus facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, representing a $110 million investment on 67 acres of land. This expansion brings FANUC America’s total footprint in Michigan to over 2 million square feet and is part of the company’s strategic plan to bolster industrial automation in North America.