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The mechanical rodentcan be sent to earthquake ruins or building collapse scenes where debris forms spaces too narrow for rescuers to enter

A team of scientists from the Beijing Institute of Technology has unveiled its contribution to the growing robotics industry; a robotic rat that may one day be used to deliver supplies and communications in an emergency.

The team published its findings on the robotic rodent in the peer-reviewed journal IEEE Transactions on Robotics this month.

Dubbed SQuRo (small-size quadruped robotic rat), the new bot can crouch, walk and crawl over a range of terrains and can carry a load equivalent to 91% of its own body weight. Measuring 7.5 inches in length and weighing 7.8 ounces, the mechanical rodent is powered by solar rechargeable batteries which last 30 minutes, and can be remotely controlled by a computer or phone.

The bot was modeled on a real rats physiology, featuring a long and flexible spine that allows it to fit through narrow spaces. During trials, SQuRo was able to pass through a passage as small as 3.5 inches, cross a 1.1-inch-tall obstacle, and climb up a 15-degree slope.

The robotic rat can be sent to earthquake ruins or building collapse scenes where debris forms spaces that are too narrow for rescuers to enter. It can deliver emergency rations to people trapped under rubble, said lead author Shi Qing, a professor and the vice-director of the intelligent robotics institute at the Beijing Institute of Technology.

It can also navigate complex underground pipeline networks, a key part of smart city development, he added. A larger inspection robot can carry the robotic rat into the network, where it can be deployed to go into smaller pipes for detection tasks.

According to Qing, the team has been developing the prototype since 2019, with estimates suggesting the final product will be ready for commercialization in 2025. X-rays of rats were used to build the model, with the components based on its skeletal structure. The final robot can be assembled from 3D-printed parts in around one week.

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Robotic Rat Created for Search and Rescue Missions - IoT World Today

Cobalt Robotics, the only company to automate repetitive manual security and facility tasks with an integrated service that unifies state-of-the-art robotics, machine learning software, and expert human oversight, announced, an industry first: enterprise mobile video chat on Cobalts state-of-the-art robotics. Now enterprises can connect staff and visitors with a live employee from their organization or security team first with backup from Cobalts Command Center, through real-time video on the robot wherever the robot is patrolling, in a secure managed solution.

Enterprise mobile video chat enables clients to connect visitors and staff entering their offices, whether its a satellite or launchpad, directly with a receptionist or security officer from the main corporate office via video on the robot for any concerns or questions. If that person is unavailable, they are automatically routed to Cobalts Command Center. With Cobalts integrated robotics service, a large enterprise can now handle reception for dozens of satellite offices via live video calls. Cobalt specialists are available for 24/7 backup from Cobalts SOC2 compliant global security operations center (GSOC). Large enterprises with satellite offices scattered across the country still need to maintain a high level of security, communications, and availability to all staff and visitors as they enter buildings. Cobalts new enterprise mobile video chat makes connections to an organizations headquarters easy and communications more personal for all employees to stay better connected with one another.

Large corporations often require guard posts that need to be staffed all 168 hours/week to protect their personnel and facilities. These posts are hard positions to fill with high turnover rates and costs, and often dont deliver the security services which are intended. This results in large gaps in a security program, particularly on nights and weekends. In addition, much of the security and facility checklists required of guards are repetitive, mundane tasks that can be more efficiently and affordably accomplished by a robot. Cobalts RaaS solution can get an annotated picture of an organizations facility at all inspection points, completing all of the security and facility tasks at a fraction of the cost.

Cobalts autonomous patrolling and 60+ sensors facilitate continuous data collection throughout a facility, providing insight into security, safety, and facility trends over time. Its detailed and customizable Daily Security Reports (DSRs) provide customers with actionable real-time information.

As employers navigate the return to the office, security, uniform access control, and consistent communications for all employees, regardless of location, is paramount, said Mike LeBlanc, Chief Operating Officer of Cobalt Robotics. Cobalt is fulfilling a critical gap for businesses that need round-the-clock security and facility maintenance tasks complete; these are often repetitive, mundane tasks like checking doors and alarms that can be automated, so guards can spend time on jobs that require empathy, judgment, and creativity. Our service also provides more consistent data, historical analysis, and detailed reporting to organizations. We are excited to add new features like enterprise mobile video chat so large enterprises can make communications and access control for a distributed workforce smooth and help employees feel connected as they transition back to physical offices.

State-of-the-Art Robots with over 60+ sensors including day-night cameras, 360-degree cameras, thermal cameras, depth cameras, LIDAR, and badge reading capabilities. Using machine learning, semantic mapping, and novelty detection, the robot can independently identify and flag security-relevant anomalies like people, sounds, motion, doors and windows, and missing assets. Each robot has a screen for communication between remote security specialists and people on-site.

Machine learning software The robot uses machine learning for tasks such as enforcing closed-door policies. For example, Cobalts machine learning algorithm has ingested a sufficient amount of data to accurately identify an open door. When the robot identifies a door that should be closed as being open, the picture is escalated to and confirmed by a security specialist in Cobalts command center as an added layer of redundancy. The incident is then escalated to the customer according to their specified criteria.

In the event of an incident, Cobalts security specialists provide humanitarian assistance for complex situations. They will triage the incident, contact the appropriate personnel and report back to the security team 24/7/365 based on collaboratively established post orders. They can also provide two-way video from the robot to greet employees, request badge credentials, and ensure guest check-in.

Cobalt Robotics is the only company to automate repetitive manual security and facility tasks with an integrated service that unifies state-of-the-art robotics, machine learning software, and expert human oversight. Its technology platform and 24/7 dedicated professional security services team improve safety, security, and facility workflows with greater efficiency and predictability at substantially reduced costs, while allowing guards to focus on tasks that require judgment, empathy, and decision making. Cobalts mobile robotics help companies make their spaces smarter, safer, and more secure, protecting both their employees and intellectual property. Leading enterprises including General Motors and Slack demonstrate that automation in the workplace is a top to bottom priority with Cobalt.

Learn more at cobaltrobotics.com.

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Cobalt Robotics Launches Enterprise Mobile Video Chat for its Automated Robotics Service to Streamline Security and Reception Workflows in the...

Fast-food giants, such as Starbucks, Domino's, and Chipotle, are typically the first movers when it comes to restaurant innovation. Casual-dining chains are often the last to adopt new technologies.

But Chili's is looking to blaze its own trail by pulling the industry's version of a technological hat trick. The 1,200-unit chain is leaning into three robotics and automation technologies: autonomous rovers, drone delivery, and robot food runners and hosts.

"We don't want to be laggards," said Wade Allen, the senior vice president of innovation for Chili's parent company, Brinker International. "We need to be thinking about innovation. We need to be thinking about robotics in the restaurant and making life easier for operators."

The timing is right for Chili's. Food-service robots and drones are taking off as the pandemic and a challenging hiring environment have fueled faster adoption of cost-saving labor and delivery tools. Investors are taking notice, pouring millions into robotics and autonomous logistics startups, such as Coco, Serve Robotics,Bear Robotics, Miso Robotics, and Flytrex.

Allen said he researched various startups and went with drone delivery by Flytrex, self-driving rovers by Serve Robotics, and robot food runners by Bear Robotics. Here's why.

Company: Bear Robotics

Technology: Robot food-service assistants

Job duties: Rita the Robot, a play on the chain's famous margaritas, tackles multiple tasks, such as escorting guests to tables, singing birthday songs, helping servers deliver meals, and busing tables.

Deployment: In 2020, Chili's tested the first robot at one restaurant in Dallas. Six months ago, the chain expanded the pilot to 10 restaurants in California, Texas, and Florida. In April, the company added a Rita the Robot to 51 more restaurants, bringing the total to 61 locations.

Chili's take on the tech: Adding robot food assistants is not a labor-replacing move, Allen said. "Humans matter," he added. But there's a lot of "mundane tasks that go on in the restaurant" that don't necessarily have to be solved by humans, such as delivering dishes or clearing tables.

The Bear Robotics robot zips around the dining room like a Roomba, but with multiple trays for carrying dishes and glasses. It also escorts guests to tables to ensure that hosts never have to leave their station.

Each of the 61 restaurants has one Rita. With "just a few clicks," Allen said, Rita can change roles on the spot.

At the start of a shift, Rita can seat guests, then shift to clearing tables. In between, the robot can add to the "fun and exciting environment" of a Chili's by leading servers in Chili's happy-birthday song, Allen said.

Allen said Brinker went with the SoftBank-backed Bear Robotics because it has a "pretty strong foothold in both Korea and Japan with some of their technology in the casual-dining space." The company has hundreds of robots deployed in restaurants around the world, including Denny's restaurants in the US and Japan.

Company: Flytrex

Technology: Drone delivery

Job duties: Delivering food orders via drone to customers' front and backyards.

Deployment: Flytrex is testing drone deliveries out of two Chili's restaurants in North Carolina and Texas. Delivery is free to customers during beta testing.

Chili's take on the tech: Consumers have grown accustomed to the convenience of delivery, but the fact remains that "third-party delivery is continuing to be expensive" for restaurants, Allen said, referring to costly commission fees charged by operators, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats .

Allen said drones and self-driving robots make sense for the industry as cost-effective alternatives to third-party delivery, whose fees hurt restaurant margins.

Drones, for example, can travel "longer distances more efficiently than a driver of a half-ton vehicle," he said.

Flytrex is one of a handful of logistics companies that have won Federal Aviation Administration approval to pilot drones in the US. Flytrex specifically specializes in food and grocery delivery, having tested its model with Walmart, Starbucks, and El Pollo Loco in North Carolina and California.

Eligible households in North Carolina and Texas can order Chili's food via the Flytrex app. Once orders are placed in the drone, the flight time is about five minutes to someone's home. To keep it simple during beta testing, Brinker is offering drone drops only for its virtual chicken brand, It's Just Wings. Brinker introduced the virtual brand during the pandemic, and it's delivered from more than 1,000 Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants, which act like dark kitchens.

"We've delivered thousands of orders between the two restaurants," said Allen, adding that the North Carolina deliveries started in October.

Eventually, Allen said, consumers would be able to order drone deliveries directly from the It's Just Wings app, which is under development. "We started simple. And then we'll scale."

Company: Serve Robotics

Technology: Self-driving robots

Job duties: Food delivery via sidewalk rovers

Deployment: Not yet announced

Chili's take on the tech: Allen said he looked at five rover startups before settling on Serve Robotics. Like Bear Robotics, Allen said he liked that Serve was "further along in their technology" compared to rivals. The California startup has been around for a few years as it was originally the robotics division of Postmates . After Uber bought Postmates in 2020, it spun off Serve, but it remains a key backer of the startup.

Allen said he went with Serve's sidewalk robots because they are fully autonomous, while other rovers are remote-driven. The delivery robots market size is expected to reach $957 million by 2026, up from $212 million in 2021, according to MarketsandMarkets Research.

Neither Serve nor Brinker has disclosed the location or timing of the first deployment.

Allen also didn't disclose the fees associated with rover deliveries. But he said the cost structure would "tend to be cheaper" than third-party food-delivery companies because it is less labor-intensive and more efficient.

He said of autonomous delivery, "That's where I think the world has to go in order to make this a viable solution."

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Chili's Is Testing Drones and Robots to Save on Delivery and Labor - Business Insider

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On A Positive Note: Local students want to learn coding and robotics - Index-Journal

The facility provides more than 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace for drone operations and testing

Verizon Robotics has chosen the Pendleton Unmanned Aerial Systems Range in Oregon as the new proving ground for its drone development.

The telecom giants robotics unit is expanding its operations and will base its advanced air R&D, drone partner and long-range robotics at the Pendleton Range, which offers more than 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace for drone operations and testing.

Verizon Robotics will train Pendleton staff to operate a rapid-response command mobile-unit vehicle that can deploy mission-critical communications, applications and advanced computing solutions that can address air and ground robotics use cases.

The operations we are deploying at Pendleton Range will help advance R&D initiatives for customers, Verizon Robotics President Mariah Scott said. The ranges location helps create a local innovation testbed that can emulate real-life conditions, helping to bring products and services to market faster.

The northeastern Oregon facilitys mission is to facilitate the integration of UAVs into the national airspace system. It hosts between 400 to 1,000 test-and-learn operations per month and handles both drones and ground robotics.

The Pendleton Range is excited to be working with Verizon Robotics to provide state-of-the-art situational-awareness technology to one of the busiest UAV test ranges in the U.S., Pendleton manager Darryl Abling said. This investment will help to develop technologies and processes that will help accelerate overall aviation innovation as robotics become more integrated into the National Airspace System.

This week, Verizon Robotics is participating in the AUVSI XPONENTIAL autonomous technology convention in Orlando, Fla., where it will conduct live demonstrations of its tech and provide speakers to two events.

Were seeing demand for robotics jump as more organizations are moving into robotics to address labor shortages, maximize resources and differentiate themselves from the competition, Scott said. AUVSI serves as a meeting point for enterprises that are serious about having a competitive advantage through robotics in the marketplace.

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Verizon Robotics to Test Drones at Oregon's Pendleton Range - IoT World Today

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Global Minimally Invasive Medical Robotics, Imaging and Visualization Systems and Surgical Instruments Market 2022 Growth Statistics by Key Vendors ...