Category Archives: Robotics

HONOLULU (KHON2) University of Hawaii at Manoa researcher Bardia Konh was awarded more than $700,000 from the National Institutes of Health over a four-year period to study the use of medical robotics in prostate brachytherapy a common treatment for prostate cancer.

According to UH, prostate cancer was the most common cancer among men in Hawaii from 2012 to 2016. It is estimated that there will be 880 new cases of prostate cancer in the state in 2021, with 180 deaths.

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Smart Needle with Intelligent Robotic Control for Prostate Brachytherapy, if successful, will be the first-of-its-kind a dynamic model for active needle insertions into soft tissue, which according to UH, could lead to the adoption of new transformation technologies in needle-based procedures.

In recent decades, we have witnessed the rise of robot assistance in operating rooms, Konh said. By now, we can speculate improvements in the healthcare industry similar to the improvements we saw in the automotive industry when robots got to work.

To improve surgical outcomes, physicians are usually looking for tools that work better than their hands with more dexterity, more degrees of freedom and more precision and a better understanding of how the tools work inside the body, Konh said.

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Konh said he, along with many others, have conducted extensive research to create robots with precise manipulation and good sensing capabilities to improve the success rates of different medical treatments.

Brachytherapy is a type of radiation therapy that involves placing radio active seeds in the prostate gland to kill cancer cells. UH said the treatment is more popular than traditional radiation therapy and ensures less damage to the surrounding tissue.

This type of therapy is a difficult task for humans, according to UH, because it demands a very experienced surgeon with a developed and intuitive feel for the needle insertions.

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UH researcher awarded over $700K to study robotics for prostate cancer treatment - KHON2

X-Bots Robotics Inc. partners with the PPG Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs to address a critical need in the community for families of toddlers with mobility challenges on the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

WHITTIER, Calif. (PRWEB) September 11, 2021

In remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the tragic terror attacks on American soil, X-Bots Robotics Inc., an award-winning community-based high school robotics team operating under FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), will launch a pilot expansion of its X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program presented by PPG across six sites in California on Saturday, Sept. 11, through its partnership with PPG Foundation and Boys & Girls Club (BGC). September 11th is Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance, a day in which individuals are asked to find a volunteer opportunity and address a critical need in the community.

The X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program that partners students in a Robotics team with a BGC and together they build specially designed physical therapy cars for toddlers with cerebral disorders affecting their body mobility. Together, X-Bots Robotics, PPG Foundation and BGC will provide an opportunity for hands-on STEM learning by enabling students to put their skills to work to serve families with toddlers who have mobility challenges. The pilot expansion will launch at the following BGC sites in California: BGC of Whittier | Pico Rivera, BGC of Cathedral City, BGC of Fontana, BGC of Malibu, BGC of Santa Monica and Santa Clarita Valley B&GC.

"In the spirit of unity, honor, and compassion, X-Bots Robotics, PPG Foundation and Boys and Girls Club will join together to create a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on technical engineering programming that not only develops students' leadership skills and inspires them to pursue a career in STEM, but also serves local families," said Elisa Avila, Executive Director of X-Bots Robotics Inc. "On September 11th, through the generous support of the PPG Foundation, we will launch a pilot expansion of the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program across six Boys & Girls Club sites in California to assist families who have toddlers with mobility challenges."

Each BGC partnership will host one X-Bots Robotics Mobility workshop, enabling students to apply practical solutions, peer-to-peer learning, skills sharing and immersive lessons in engineering, all while bringing joy to children and their parents. The workshops will reach an estimated 290 students (combined X-Bots Robotics teams and BGC members) and modify 60 cars.

PPG Foundation is supporting X-Bots Robotics in its expanded program of STEM educational opportunities to impact a greater number of students, toddlers, and their families. As a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, and specialty materials, PPG recognizes the importance of immersing young people in STEM concepts that are linked to real-world solutions and innovations, such as robotics and mobility technology that may one day redefine solutions for our global society.

"At PPG, we know that education sits at the helm of the innovation that will shape our world for generations to come. Through this partnership, our aim is to open future opportunities to both the students who will find and explore their passions in STEM fields and families in need," said Malesia Dunn, Executive Director of PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility. "In all that we do, we aim to protect and beautify the world. The X-Bots Robotics program reinforces this by encouraging future engineers and scientists to experience the joy of experimentation and discovery and by demonstrating the immediate impacts both community service and STEM concepts make in the lives of others."

At the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera, the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program has focused on applying GoBabyGo, an open-source movement focused on real-time, real-world solutions for mobility, to provide STEM educational and leadership opportunities for middle school and high school students. The program is a unique combination of peer-to-peer learning paired with a half-day hands-on workshop that draws in the families and toddlers who benefit from the finished product.

"Our youth are the recipients of services. Here's an opportunity for our kids to say, You know what? When things are not so well you can still make an impact on other people's lives,' " said Oscar Hernandez, Executive Director of BGC Whittier | Pico Rivera. "We want to continue to make that impact for families on Sept. 11, and every day of the year."

Founded in August 2015, X-Bots Robotics Inc. aims to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by developing a passion for STEM careers at a young age. The nonprofit organization provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on technical engineering training that develops their leadership skills to inspire others through outreach efforts. To learn more about the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program, visit https://www.xbotsrobotics.com/gobabygo.

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About X-Bots Robotics Inc.:

Through FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), a mind sport that combines science and technology for high school students, two parents saw the opportunity to impact a community with much-needed science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. They set out to recruit mentors, volunteers and interested students to start the first FRC community robotics team in the area.

Founded in August 2015, X-Bots Robotics Inc. aims to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by developing a passion for STEM careers at a young age. We provide students with a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on technical engineering training that develops their leadership skills to inspire others through outreach efforts.

Our X-Bots Robotics team members train high schoolers from the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera to help them build characteristics to be great leaders in the future while simultaneously expanding their knowledge of STEM careers. X-Bots has now moved into the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera facilities and they have become our strategic partner. We've expanded our reach by networking with other Robotics teams to work in collaboration with BGCs in other cities, including high school students with an interest in STEM.

About PPG Foundation:

PPG's global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring color and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested $13 million in 2020, supporting hundreds of organizations across more than 30 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow today's skilled workforce and develop tomorrow's innovators in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more at communities.ppg.com.

About Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera:

Located at 7905 Greenleaf Ave in Whittier, Calif., the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera provides after-school and summer programs for youth ages 6 to 18 years old that emphasize Academic Success; the development of good Character & Citizenship; and the formation of Healthy Lifestyles.

The nonprofit currently operates its programs at 24 locations: The Main Clubhouse on Greenleaf Avenue in Whittier serves youth from 6-18 from throughout the community, the Club at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera serves El Rancho students, and we currently serve youth in the Whittier City School District in partnership with Reach for the Stars. The organization also serves youth in the East Whittier School District, South Whittier School District and Los Nietos School District.

The Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera is a place that any child can find safety, encouragement, and the strength to grow and become a contributing member of our community.

Locations of the Six BGC Sites:

Boys & Girls Club of Whittier | Pico Rivera: 7905 Greenleaf Ave, Whittier, CA 90602

BGC of Cathedral City: 32141 Whispering Palms Trail, Cathedral City, CA 92234

BGC of Fontana: 7723 Almeria Ave, Fontana, CA 92336

BGC of Malibu: 30215 Morning View Dr, Malibu, CA 90265

BGC of Santa Monica: 4901 Marionwood Dr, Culver City, CA 90230

Santa Clarita Valley B&G: 24909 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/x_bots_robotics_inc_to_launch_pilot_expansion_of_stem_program_on_sept_11_that_will_impact_the_lives_of_toddlers_with_mobility_challenges/prweb18181668.htm

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X-Bots Robotics Inc. To Launch Pilot Expansion of STEM Program on Sept. 11 That Will Impact the Lives of - Benzinga

If you want a picture of the future of work, maybe its this: a cat-like cartoon displayed on an iPad-like screen perched on a vertical aluminum or plastic frame on wheels, rolling right up to your table, forever. The robot also sings Happy Birthday at you. And, look there, it has your beer.

You can see it for yourself at several Dallas businesses, including the McKinney Avenue restaurant La Duni, whose owner told theDallas Morning Newsthat robots have saved him thousands of dollars a month in labor costs as well as the trouble of finding enough human servers to staff his restaurant in a tight market for low-wage workers.

The machines are built in China by Pudu Robotics. But they are programmed and delivered here by the Plano company American Robotech, which has either sold or rented about 30 of its robots to area businesses, mostly restaurants so far. They lease for about $500 a month and sell for anywhere between $10,000 to $17,000 a pop.

American Robotech co-founder Jackie Chen says the robots can perform a variety of functions, but their basic competence is simple: delivery and display. The KettyBot can run advertisements on its large screen as it zooms around a given space. The BellaBot, the one with the cat-like face, has trays to hold its deliveries.

At restaurants like La Duni and Ari Korean BBQ in Carrollton, this means dishes. The robots are essentially bussing tables, either bringing you an order or clearing your plates. Youre still placing your order and (hopefully) leaving a generous, real tip with a real person. The robots, however, are quick learners. Credit their SLAM (simultaneous location and mapping solution) technology.

At the beginning we need to push the robot through the space, Chen says. They use a laser to scan the whole space, and then they can create a 3D map in their memory. And then we will use some tools to mark: OK, this is table one, this is table two. After we finish all of those settings, the robot will have everything in their memory.

The robots are customizable. At La Duni, they have names (Panchita, Coqueta, and Alexcita) and are programmed to speak in Spanish. You could have the robots speak French, if you prefer, in the tone of voice you choose. You can upload your favorite songs for the robot to play. You can pick whatever image you want to display on its screen.

With their default smiling little faces, the robots are also kind of cute. Maybe the cuteness makes it harder for us humans to fear a robot uprising, or the possibility that the machines are coming for our jobs.

Chen says we shouldnt worry. Not about a robot uprisingI neglected to ask him about itbut about the displacement of workers by automation. American Robotechs slogan is Robotics for Better Life. Think of a washing machine, he says. We dont wash our clothes by hand anymore, because an automated machine does it for us.

Courtesy of American Robotech.

Robotics is doing repetitive things, which maybe nobody wants to do anymore, Chen says. The guy doing delivery, the food-runner, they dont even get the tips from customers. Nobody wants to do that, especially after COVID.

The (human) server in the dining room can serve more tables with the robotic assistance, Chen says.

The server wont have to split their tips with a robot, which sounds pretty good. (The question of what happens to the guy who was delivering the food for meager wages remains open.)

The robots have proven themselves reliable in a restaurant setting, Chen says. American Robotechs robots also put in a recent appearance at an event at the AT&T Discovery District, where they delivered cupcakes and laid on their charm. The company is working on robots that can clean floors, or deliver things to rooms on different floors of a hotel.

Chen says he gets a lot of calls from business owners who are struggling to staff up and want to know what all his robots can do. Are there robots that can double as vending machines? That can cook? That can write articles for a local magazines news section? (OK, I made that last one up.)

No. Not yet, at least.

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These Are the Robots Taking Up Dallas' Open Restaurant Jobs - D Magazine

GUANGZHOU, China For the foreseeable future, Chinese electric car start-up XPeng is trying to boost its sales in the world's largest auto market.

But the Guangzhou, China-based company is also exploring areas including robotics and flying cars, which could play a role in its longer-term goals.

In an interview with CNBC that aired Thursday, He Xiaopeng, the founder and CEO of XPeng, discussed the ongoing chip shortage hitting the auto industry and why the Chinese Tesla rival is investing in robotics and flying modes of transport.

Earlier this year, XPeng showed off a second prototype of a flying passenger car which it says has been in development for eight years. And on Tuesday, it took the wraps off a four-legged "robotic unicorn," as it pushes into new areas of business.

"With the development of technology, the form of mobility will evolve from wheels to wings, propellers, 4 legs or 2 feet," He said, according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language comments. "Technology should help people have better and happier lives. This has always been my goal."

The XPeng founder predicts that all automakers will become both car makers and robotics companies, a process He says could take 10 to 30 years. XPeng is looking at robots as a transportation tool "in a low-speed and random environment."

"As it gets better and smarter in the long run, it could help us with some simple repetitive tasks. As the transportation tool becomes more and more intelligent, it could help us take on some tasks. This is how we envision it," he said.

XPeng's competitor Tesla is also investing in robotics. Last month, CEO Elon Musk said the company will build a humanoid robot called Tesla Bot. Other companies have also shown off robots, including Boston Dynamics and Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi.

The X2, XPeng's second flying car prototype and first that's able to carry a passenger, was unveiled in July.

Founder He said the company is building a research and development team that will "have a few hundred people."

"We want to introduce a flying car that can take off or land vertically, a low-to mid-altitude flying car."

A number of auto companies including Hyundai and China-based Geely are developing aerial vehicles. Other firms like Guangzhou-based EHang are also working on passenger drones.

The XPeng founder said the company will have a press conference in the future, perhaps in a year, to discuss the dimensions and pricing as well as start taking pre-orders for its flying car.

Like many automakers, XPeng has been affected by the global shortage of semiconductors that go into vehicles. The company said its deliveries of vehicles fell in August versus July. XPeng has three cars on the market the flagship P7 sedan, a cheaper sedan called the P5 and the G3 sports utility vehicle.

The supply chain poses the "biggest challenge" for the company, but He sees it as a chance to build resilience at the automaker.

"The pandemic has caused a shortage of semiconductor chips, which is the biggest blow to our business. I expect the chip shortage to ease in about 18 months from now. In the near future, the situation might get even worse," he said.

"XPeng is a very young company. I see this as an early test. If we can overcome the challenge and get ready for what's to come, we will do even better when our sales reach 300,000 or 500,000 cars per year."

Meanwhile, the company has pledged to push on with the release of new models. On Sept. 15, the company will officially launch its P5 sedan aimed at the mass market, after unveiling it in April. And from 2023, XPeng plans to launch at least two or three new vehicle models every year. In preparation for that, the electric carmaker is expanding its own manufacturing capacity.

The CEO said that in the future the company will launch more cars in the range of 200,000 yuan ($30,968) to 400,000 yuan. Currently, its cheapest car, the G3, starts at around 150,000 yuan. He also said that its models could include bigger 5-seat or 7-seat models. The company does not have a 7-seat model yet.

XPeng has tried to pitch itself as different from its domestic rivals because it develops its own in-house semi-autonomous driving features in a system called XPilot. Its latest version, XPilot 3.0, can be added into its cars as an optional extra and is a rival to Tesla's Autopilot.

In the first quarter of the year, XPeng said that it recorded revenue from software for the first time, which includes its assisted driving system XPilot. The founder said that while the majority of XPeng's revenue is from hardware now, software will be a "growing part" of that.

"My idea is that after we launch XPilot 4.0, we will focus more on our software business," He said, referring to the next-version of its limited self-driving feature suite.

CNBC's Penny Chen contributed to this report

Correction: This article has been updated to accurately reflect which model is the cheapest one XPeng has on the market.

Originally posted here:

Chinese Tesla rival XPeng plans new vehicles and targets a distant future in robots and flying cars - CNBC

Robotics and automation firm Addverb plans to expand its robot manufacturing unit in India to boost its output by around 10 times in the next financial year, a senior company official said. The company has announced the start of international operations in Singapore, Australia, Europe and is looking to start operations in the US before the end of the ongoing calendar year.

"Addverb is looking to expand its manufacturing capability and is looking to create the world's largest robot manufacturing facility in India which will expand Addverb's capabilities by almost 10 times by next financial year," Addverb Technology CEO Sangeet Kumar told PTI.

The company has a manufacturing unit in Noida which was inaugurated in March with capacity to manufacture more than 50,000 robots of varied types in a year.

"Addverb plans to onboard 30 global employees across different offices at middle and top management positions and will also be looking for existing employees from India with relevant subject matter expertise to support global offices," Kumar said.

According to the company, the global robotics market was valued at USD 27.73 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 74.1 billion by 2026.

The company aims to be in the top five global robotics companies by 2025, Kumar said.

Addverb claims to have more than 100 customers including the likes of

The rest is here:

Addverb to expand robots manufacturing by 10 times in next financial year - Economic Times

DOHA, QATAR - Qatar has granted academic scholarships to members of a girls' robotics team from Afghanistan dubbed the "Afghan Dreamers," the Persian Gulf nation's education and science foundation said on Tuesday.

Qatar has been instrumental in efforts to evacuate at-risk Afghans and foreigners from Kabul airport, including members of the team who are being housed in Doha's Education City campus of schools and universities.

"They will receive scholarships that enable them to keep pursuing their studies through a partnership between Qatar Foundation (QF) and Qatar Fund for Development," QF said in a statement.

The team of high-achieving high school girls has about 20 members, mostly still in their teens, and are now dotted around the world with some in Qatar as well as Mexico.

The girls made headlines in 2017 after being denied visas to take part in a robotics competition in Washington -- before then-President Donald Trump intervened and they were allowed to travel.

Last year, they worked to build a low-cost medical ventilator from car parts hoping to boost hospital equipment during the coronavirus pandemic.

"These talented, creative students have been living through a time of uncertainty and upheaval, and at Qatar Foundation we want to do whatever we can," said Sheikha HindbintHamad Al-Thani, vice-chairwoman and chief executive of QF.

"By providing them with scholarships to study at Education City, their education can now continue uninterrupted."

The girls' needs were being assessed to determine which schools or pre-universityprogramsthey should be placed in, she added.

The Taliban's seizure of power a little over one week ago has furled a chaotic mass exodus as many Afghans fear a repeat of the brutal interpretation of Islamic law implemented during the militants' 1996-2001 rule.

U.S. Secretary of State AntonyBlinkenmet with several members of the team on Tuesday during a whirlwind tour of the emirate.

"You're famous around the world and a source of inspiration," he told them. "The story you've alreadytoldabout the importance about women engaging in science... sends an important message around the world, well beyond Afghanistan."

Roya Mahboob, the founder of the Digital Citizen Fund, parentorganizationof the team, said the girls were "excited and grateful for this opportunity to study abroad.

She also questionedBlinkenon what the future would hold for Afghan women.

Several other members of the robotics team, none of whom were identified for security reasons, have relocated to Mexico.

Read this article:

Qatar Awards Scholarship to Afghan Girls' Robotics Team - Voice of America

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The "Industrial Robotics Market (Impact of COVID-19) and Volume Analysis by Application (Automotive Industry, Electrical/Electronics, Metal, Chemical, Rubber and Plastics, Food, Others, Unspecified), Geographical Distribution and Key Players Analysis - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global industrial robotics market was valued at around US$ 10.6 Billion in 2020.

The market for industrial robots is hampered due to their reliance on the automotive and electrical/electronic industries, which was affected the most due to COVID-19 pandemic. Customers from both the automotive industry and general industry held back on orders and postponed their planned investments for robots and support services.

However, the demand for industrial robotics is anticipated to grow exponentially during the forecast period driven by advantages such as cost reduction, improved quality, increased production, and improved workplace health and safety.

The adoption of automation to ensure quality production and meet market demand, and the growing demand from small- and medium-scale enterprises in developing countries is fueling the growth of industrial robotics market globally.

Impact of COVID-19 on Industrial Robotics Market

The COVID-19 outbreak has become a global stress test. As the number of people infected with the virus continues to rise around the world, uncertainties about global economic growth increases. The COVID-19 disease has infected more than 176 Million people worldwide.

Globally the death toll has surpassed 3,803,257, according to the latest statistics from the Worldometers (as of June 12, 2021). The number is still growing, and the duration of the pandemic is still difficult to predict. Following a slowdown in global demand of industrial robots due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that the major industrial robot vendors will start receiving orders from 2021 onwards.

Industrial Robotics Market - Segment Analysis

On the basis of segment, the automotive industry accounted for highest share of the industrial robotics market. Around 28% of all industrial robot installations take place in the automotive industry. The market for industrial robotics in the electrical and electronics industry is probably the one most affected by the China-US trade crisis as Asian countries (e.g., China, Japan, Republic of Korea) are leaders in manufacturing electronic products and components.

Metal industry has been seeing an accelerated growth of industrial robotics adoption in recent years. Both unit shipment and the sales revenue are expected to enjoy handsome growth over the forecast period. Chemical, rubber and plastics industry is the fourth largest market for industrial robotics market, while food industry accounted for least share of the global industrial robotics market.

Industrial Robotics Market - Regional Analysis

In terms of geographical regions, Asia/Australia is the world's strongest growth market for industrial robots. This region accounted for around 67% share of the industrial robotics market in 2020. The main drivers for this growth are the demand for industrial robots from small- and medium-scale enterprises in China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

Since 2013 China has been the biggest robot market in the world with a continued dynamic growth. The five major markets including China, Japan, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Germany accounts for around 74% of the total robotics sales volume in 2020. Europe is the second leading region for industrial robotics market, followed by the Americas.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic on Industrial Robotics Market

3. Global Industrial Robotics Market and Volume Analysis (2009 - 2025)

3.1 Global Industrial Robotics Market and Forecast

3.2 Global Industrial Robotics Volume and Forecast

4. Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast

4.1 Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast - By Segment (2009 - 2025)

4.2 Global Industrial Robotics Market Share and Forecast - By Region (2010 - 2025)

5. Global Industrial Robotics Market and Volume Forecast - By Segment (2009 - 2025)

5.1 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.1.1 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Market and Forecast

5.1.2 Global Automotive Industry Robotics Volume and Forecast

5.2 Global Electrical/Electronics Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.3 Global Metal Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.4 Global Chemical, Rubber and Plastics Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.5 Global Food Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.6 Global Others Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

5.7 Global Unspecified Industry Robotics Market and Volume Forecast

6. Global Industrial Robotics Volume and Forecast - By Region and Country Wise Distribution (2010 - 2025)

7. Key Player Analysis (2010 - 2025)

7.1 KUKA AG

7.1.1 Company Overview

7.1.2 Sales Analysis

7.1.3 KUKA AG - SWOT Analysis

7.2 Adept Technology (Acquired by OMRON)

7.3 iRobot Corporation

7.4 Intuitive Surgical

7.5 Nachi-Fujikoshi

7.6 Yaskawa Electric Corporation

8. Global Industrial Robotics Market - Growth Drivers

8.1 Increasing Research and Development Expenditure

8.2 Technology Trends Shaping the Future of Robotics

8.3 Government Initiatives Drives Market for Robotics

8.4 Co-Bots Drives Robotics Industry

8.5 Improved Service, Increased Operational Efficiency and Safety

9. Global Service Robotics Market - Challenges

9.1 Human-Robot Interaction Challenges

9.2 The High Cost of Robots Restricts Market Growth

9.3 Delayed Return on Investment (ROI)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7qyuv8

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$10.6 Bn Industrial Robotics Markets: Automotive Industry, Electrical/Electronics, Metal, Chemical, Rubber and Plastics, Food - Global Forecast to...

Earlier this year Axios wrote about the digital bots coming for office jobs:

Software bots are getting smarter and more capable, enabling them to automate much of the work carried out in offices.Why it matters: Bots can make digital work more efficient by taking on onerous and repetitive white-collar tasks, but the better they get, the more competition they pose to skilled workers who might have thought themselves exempt from the job-disrupting effects of automation.How it works: Think of bots as robotic assistants, acting in the background to simplify and streamline some of the less exciting but necessary aspects of digital work: scheduling meetings, approving expense requests, and probably somewhere, submitting TPS reports in triplicate, 'Office Space'-style.

The article goes on to suggest that the forced shift to remote work during the pandemic only accelerated the bot-using trend, and in a survey by Deloitte last year, 73 percent of global executives reported their company was investing in intelligent automation, up from 58 percent in 2019.

What really grabbed my attention in the past month were the headlines describing the growing use of robots with more to come. No, we are nowhere near the Jetsons yet, but we need to start somewhere.

Consider these articles:

When the Dallas, Texas, restaurant La Duni found itself short-staffed, co-owner Taco Borga turned to the future: He hired robots to be servers.

"Borga told the newspaper that while he brought the bots into his eatery out of necessity due to workers not returning post-pandemic, he said they also offer savings. Each robot costs him $8 to $10 a day, Borga said. They are used in the place of one hostess and two food runners, which he said he would normally pay at least $10 an hour each.

Yahoo News: Do we need humans for that job? Automation booms after COVID

Ask for a roast beef sandwich at an Arbys drive-thru east of Los Angeles and you may be talking to Tori an artificially intelligent voice assistant that will take your order and send it to the line cooks.

'It doesnt call sick,' says Amir Siddiqi, whose family installed the AI voice at its Arbys franchise this year in Ontario, California. 'It doesnt get corona. And the reliability of it is great.'

"The pandemic didnt just threaten Americans health when it slammed the U.S. in 2020 it may also have posed a long-term threat to many of their jobs. Faced with worker shortages and higher labor costs, companies are starting to automate service sector jobs that economists once considered safe, assuming that machines couldnt easily provide the human contact they believed customers would demand.

CNN: More than 50 robots are working at Singapore's high-tech hospital

In Singapore's Changi General Hospital, there's a chance your surgeon won't have a heart. The cleaners might not have lungs, and the physiotherapist could be completely brainless.

"That's because at Changi General Hospital (CGH), more than 50 members of staff are robots.

"From performing surgery to carrying out administrative work, robots have become an integral part of the 1,000-bed hospital's workforce, says Selina Seah, director for the Centre for Healthcare Assistive and Robotics Technology (CHART), which works with CGH to find high-tech solutions for problems in healthcare.

One more, from ScienceDaily: These robots can move your couch

Engineers have developed robots that can work independently and cooperatively to move unwieldy objects like a couch. In simulations, the robots were successful even when tasked to move an object in new, unfamiliar scenarios.

Indeed, I wrote an article back in August 2014, proclaiming that Robots Are Coming: Even to the Cloud.

However, the stakes and opportunities are growing, with the likes of Elon Musk jumping on board the robot bus. Back in August, the Tesla Robot was announced, albeit delivery of working robots was still years away.

CNBC reported, The XPeng founder predicts that all automakers will become both car makers and robotics companies, a process he says could take 10 to 30 years. XPeng is looking at robots as a transportation tool 'in a low-speed and random environment.'"

Crashes and fatalities associated with Tesla's Autopilot mode the latest having to do with the algorithms struggling to recognize parked emergency vehicles are calling into question the wisdom of releasing the tech into the wild so soon.

"This track record doesn't bode well for human-like robots that rely on the same technology. Yet this isn't just a case of getting the technology right.

"Tesla's Autopilot glitches are exacerbated by human behavior. For example, some Tesla drivers have treated their tech-enhanced cars as though they are fully autonomous vehicles and failed to pay sufficient attention to driving. Could something similar happen with the Tesla Bot?

Last year, I asked Should You Connect Your Brain to the Internet? Heres how that blog started: "Move over robots, a new competitor may be about to disrupt the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and this technological breakthrough may soon benefit a friend or family member near you. Or, perhaps, the coming age of augmented humans will one day change the way all of us interact with technology."

And who is in the lead with that augmented human technology? You guessed it: Elon Musk.

Nevertheless, these trends are clearly accelerating, and we are only in the early days of AI AND robot development. In other words, watch this space for more to come regarding robotic coworkers.

More:

Are Bots and Robots the Answer to Worker Shortages? - Government Technology

Coming to Santa Clarita this Saturday, X-Robotics Inc. is expected to be launching a pilot expansion of their partnered program with the PPG Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club (BGC).

The X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program presented by PPG is expanding its reach to Santa Clarita on Sept. 11 in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the tragic terror attacks that took place in 2001.

This event is scheduled to take place at Santa Clarita Valley Boys and Girls Club on Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Santa Clarita Valley B&G is one of six sites in California where this pilot expansion is set to happen.

X-Bots Robotics, PPG Foundation and Boys and Girls Club will join together to create a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on technical engineering programming that not only develops students leadership skills and inspires them to pursue a career in STEM, but also serves local families on September 11th, through the generous support of the PPG Foundation. we will launch a pilot expansion of the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program across six Boys & Girls Club sites in California to assist families who have toddlers with mobility issues, said Elisa Avila, executive director of X-Bots Robotics Inc.

This combo of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) extracurricular program gives students an opportunity to partner in a robotics team with their local BGC and together create specially designed physical therapy cars for limited-mobility toddlers with cerebral disorders.

This program enables students to explore hobbies and careers in the STEM arena while also giving back to their friends, family and neighbors in their communities, according to officials.

The pilot expansion is set to launch at the following BGC sites in California: BGC of Whittier | Pico Rivera, BGC of Cathedral City, BGC of Fontana, BGC of Malibu, BGC of Santa Monica and Santa Clarita Valley BGC.

Each of the listed BGC locations are expected to in partnership host one X-Bots Robotics Mobility workshop. This is intended to enable the student participants to use problem-solving skills, peer-to-peer collaboration, improving engineering skills, all while bringing joy to limited mobility children and their families.

At PPG, we know that education sits at the helm of the innovation that will shape our world for generations to come. Through this partnership, our aim is to open future opportunities to both the students who will find and explore their passions in STEM fields and families in needThe X-Bots Robotics program reinforces this by encouraging future engineers and scientists to experience the joy of experimentation and discovery and by demonstrating the immediate impacts both community service and STEM concepts make in the lives of others, said Malesia Dunn, executive director of PPG Foundation and Corporate Global Social Responsibility.

To learn more about the X-Bots Robotics Mobility Program, click here.

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X-Bots Robotics To Launch Expansion Of STEM Program With Santa Clarita Boys And Girls Club - KHTS Radio

Company is currently the highest valued unicorn in intelligent robotics globally

BEIJING, Sept. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Agile Robots, a leading intelligent robotics company, has recently announced the completion of a Series C financing with a total investment of US$220 million. The financing exercise is led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2*, followed by financial investors including but not limited to Chimera Investments under Abu Dhabi Royal Group, GL Ventures, Sequoia China and Linear Capital (in alphabetical order), and strategic investors including Xiaomi Group, Foxconn Industrial Internet ("FII"), and Midas. The proceedings from this financing exercise will be mainly used for the company's product development, mass production and global sales business expansion.

AGILE ROBOTS announces the completion of Series C financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2

It is reported that Agile Robots managed to raise a total financing amount of over US$130 million in 2020 as the company with highest total financing amount in intelligent robotics industry in 2020. Agile Robots is currently the only unicorn in the intelligent robotics field with a valuation exceeding US$1 billion globally. With the completion of this financing round, Agile Robots become the first intelligent robotics company invested by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 in China.

Founded in 2018, with its headquartered both in Munich, Germany and Beijing, China, Agile Robots is a robotics software platform company with the leading hardware know-how in robotics. With German Aerospace Centre ("DLR") as its technical backbone and the core concept of "artificial intelligence empowerment", the company is committed to promoting the deep combination and innovation of artificial intelligence and robotics and expanding the application of robotics in more fields. DLR is not only the first institute to send intelligent robots into space and perform complex tasks such as human-robot collaboration, but also the first in the world to propose and develop successful force-controlled robots that adopted by industries.

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Agile Robots independently developed and launched software and hardware products such as its operating system AgileCore for the coordination of robots and accessories such as end effectors from different manufactures, its smart force-controlled robot DIANA, its medical robots, humanoid dexterous five-finger hands, and its flexible intelligent platform (FIP). With its unique hardware and software R&D capabilities, Agile Robots has launched its highly disruptive "robotic worker" that serves as smart assistant to all kinds of workers and professionals from different fields to take over mundane or dangerous tasks. Therewith Agile Robots opens new "blue ocean markets" for intelligent robot applications. Currently, the company has implemented its robots for production in multiple industrial scenarios. Agile Robots' products have been successfully put into mass production, achieved large-scale applications in medical, industrial (consumer electronics, automotive, jewelry and other precision assembly and manufacturing scenarios), agricultural, education and service fields.

Agile Robots is expanding the market globally. In particular for the Chinese Market, it has completed the strategic layout in multiple regions. Besides, the company has reached comprehensive strategic cooperation with Chinese orthopedic surgery robot listed company, top neurosurgery robot company, multiple Chinese top-tier general and specialist hospitals and several other world leading enterprises (such as international consumer electronics production giant, international top telecom service provider and world leading electronic equipment manufacturer etc.). With the completion of its product commercialization, Agile Robots seeks to remain strong growth in its sales.

Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, the founder of Agile Robots said: "With the unique technology by combining robotic OS and the world's leading sensitive robots, Agile Robots is seeking for fundamental breakthrough in robotic area and realistically applying the next generation of robots into intelligent precision assembly area and medical treatment, which can only be accomplished by human beings right now. With the supports from our reputable investors and customers, we are confident to push the robotics into new era with all our partners."

"As part of our ongoing commitment to China's dynamic market and to help entrepreneurs drive a wave of innovation, we are delighted to partner with Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, Peter Meusel, and the Agile Robots team," said Dr. Eric Chen, Managing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. "Agile Robots connects artificial intelligence with advanced robotics technology to solve some of the most challenging industry problems and is the latest example of our continued support of China's growing technology sector."

Luke Li, Founding Partner of Hillhouse Group, said, "Hillhouse is a long-term investor in Agile Robots, having participated in several of its financing rounds, including the seed round. We were delighted to witness Dr. Zhaopeng Chen's team achieve multiple breakthroughs in the field of robotics. Agile Robots has developed high-precision force-controlled robots with advanced collision detection and joint-torque control capabilities that can be rapidly deployed and adapted to a variety of application scenarios. These force-controlled robots have the potential to drive revolutionary innovations in industrial robotics applications. Hillhouse's investment in Agile Robotics stands at the intersection of our longstanding interdisciplinary research in the robotics industry and our research and investment in advanced manufacturing, including in high-end precision equipment, smart robots, alternative energy and new materials. We look forward to Agile Robots' continuous contribution to the efforts in upgrading the manufacturing sector.

Caroline Fu, partner of Sequoia China, said: "Despite the demand for robots is fast growing, traditional robots are limited in standard tasks. We are optimistic about Agile Robots' potential market of general-purpose robots by integrating intelligent robots, force-sensing and robot vision. Their innovative technology can be applied widely in markets with large-scale and complex demand for robots, such as medical treatment, 3C and automotive manufacturing. We hope that Agile Robots will develop and apply more industry-leading innovative technologies in the near future to provide efficient, reliable and low-cost solutions for more complex scenarios."

*As of the date of this press release, SoftBank Group Corp. has made capital contributions to allow investments by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 ("SVF 2") in certain portfolio companies. The information included herein is made for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy limited partnership interests in any fund, including SVF 2. SVF 2 has yet to have an external close, and any potential third-party investors shall receive additional information related to any SVF 2 investments prior to closing.

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SOURCE Beijing Agile Robot Technology Co., Ltd

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AGILE ROBOTS announces the completion of Series C financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 - Yahoo Finance