United Kingdom

SkyQuest Technology has projected that the global market for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm (SCARA) robots, valued at USD 10.17 billion in 2022, will reach USD 23.91 billion by 2031. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% from 2024 to 2031.

Contrary to some predictions of a slowdown in AI funding for 2024, the reality is quite the opposite. AI startups are not just breaking records; they are doing so at an accelerated pace, with more money raised than ever before.

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed nanorobots that kill cancer cells in mice. The robot’s weapon is hidden in a nanostructure and is exposed only in the tumour microenvironment, sparing healthy cells. The study is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

The Universitat Jaume I (UJI) and the Castelló Provincial Hospital Consortium have been testing a teleoperated mobile omnidirectional terrestrial manipulator robot designed for isolation situations due to infectious or radiological risks. The initial trial involved assessing the robot’s mobility, including navigation in corridors and rooms, door opening, data acquisition for 3D environment reconstruction, and reach with its manipulator arm.

Sanctuary AI has announced receiving a strategic investment from BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund and InBC Investment. This investment brings the total funding for Sanctuary AI to over $140 million. BDC Capital is Canada’s most active venture capital investor, and InBC is a strategic investment fund established by the Province of British Columbia to support local economic growth. The new funds will help Sanctuary AI advance its goal of developing general purpose robots with human-like intelligence.

Chinese robot manufacturer Ubtech has released a new video showcasing its humanoid robot, Walker S, performing various industrial tasks. The demonstration highlights Walker S’s capabilities in industrial manipulation, achieved through the integration of advanced control methodologies. According to Ubtech, the robot’s “cerebellum” has been trained using reinforcement and imitation learning techniques, extending traditional visual servo and compliant control. 

KUKA has launched the KMP 600-S diffDrive, a new generation of mobile robots that expands their range of logistics solutions with speeds of up to 2 meters per second. The KMP 600-S diffDrive has a load capacity of up to 600 kg, which is sufficient to meet most logistics needs in various sectors, such as the consumer goods industry. The robot is equipped with protection degree IP54 as standard, making it resistant to dust and splashes.

Milrem Robotics has announced the opening of a new engineering hub in Warsaw, Poland. The new center will begin operations with over 20 engineers, with plans for rapid expansion. This facility underscores the company’s commitment to the European market and its role in fostering economic growth and technological advancement in the region.

Solomon Technology Corporation announced a collaboration with NVIDIA at COMPUTEX 2024 aimed at integrating Solomon’s advanced vision and robotics solutions with the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform. This partnership is expected to enhance Solomon’s 3D robotics vision and augmented intelligence offerings.

WYBOTICS has announced its entry into the European market with the launch of its WYBOT C1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner.  The WYBOT C1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner features an upgraded water pump motor and dual PVC brushes designed to remove debris, sand, leaves, and dirt. It offers intelligent navigation and path planning to ensure thorough cleaning of pool floors, walls, and waterlines. The device can operate continuously for 120 to 150 minutes and is suitable for in-ground pools up to 65 feet in length and 9.8 feet in depth.