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From robotic tire changers, to Amazons iRobot acquisition, to Hyundais new Boston Dynamics AI Institute, there was no shortage of exciting robotics news last month.
Here are the 10 most popular robotics stories on The Robot Report in August. Subscribe to The Robot Report Newsletter to stay updated on the robotics stories you need to know about.
Will Astro,Amazons underwhelming consumer robot, soon be able to clean floors? Probably not. But Amazon upped the ante in its consumer robotics game by announcing its acquiring iRobot, maker of the popular Roomba robot vacuum series, for about $1.7 billion. Amazon will acquire iRobot for $61 per share in an all-cash transaction, including iRobots net debt. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. Read More
GrayMatter Robotics announced that it has raised $20 million in Series A funding. The companys Scan&Sand system is a flexible robotic sander that can quickly adjust to objects with complex geometry. Scan&Sand works in high-mix, high-variety manufacturing facilities,and aims to increase productivity and enhance quality consistency while saving costs. The system stands out from typical robotic sanders that only work in mass production scenarios. Read More
Everyone wants to be innovative, but rarely is innovation a lightning strike of genius especially within the robotics industry. Instead, it is an intentional process and methodology. This process is refined and modified over time to enable an organizations ability to think creatively and execute effectively. This is particularly important when you are solving problems in robotics that have many variables and cannot be clearly defined. Read More
DHL is using robotics to support numerous warehousing and logistics tasks. DHL innovates its logistics workflow and the tools and technologies deployed in DHL distribution centers around the world, as the company continually improves its efficiency. Sally Miller, DHL Supply Chains chief information officer for North America, recently spoke toThe Robot Report about the types of robots the company uses and the innovation cycle it employs to find the most effective solutions. Read More
iRobot, the maker of the popular Roomba robot vacuum, is laying off 10% of its staff, or about 140 employees. The layoffs are part of a restructuring that iRobot said will save the company up to $10 million in 2022 and between $30-$40 million in 2023. iRobot announced the layoffs on August 5, 2022 in its Q2 earnings results. This was the same dayiRobot announced it was being acquired by Amazon for $1.7 billion. Read More
RBR50 2021 honoree Ottonomy.IO completed its seed round funding of $3.3M. Connetic Ventures, Deeptech fund pi Ventures, and Branded Hospitality Ventures participated in this round. The company also announced an updated version of its autonomous delivery robot called Ottobot 2.0. With the closing of the seed round,Ottonomy.IO has raised a total of $4.9M. The company has a wide range of investors across the hospitality sector. Read More
There have been significant layoffs atSeegrid, a Pittsburgh-based developer ofautonomous mobile robots(AMRs). Jim Rock, CEO of Seegrid, said about 90 employees were let go.The Robot Reporthas also seen multiple now-former employees post about the layoffs on LinkedIn. One of them said the layoffs were part of a company restructuring. Read More
A decade after Amazon made its first foray into robotics with its acquisition of Kiva Systems, the e-commerce giant isacquiring iRobot for $1.7 billion. While completion of the transaction is still subject to customary closing conditions, the deal expands Amazons already extensive robotics portfolio. Heres a look at the companys robotics acquisitions, some of its investments and its notable robots developed internally. Read More
Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai) announced the launch of the Boston Dynamics AI Institute. Hyundai andBoston Dynamics are making an initial investment of more than $400 million to make fundamental advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and intelligent machines. The institute will be led by Marc Raibert, founder of Boston Dynamics. Hyundai said the name of the institute could change after its corporate registration is complete. Read More
RoboTire announced that its installed and started operating its system at a Discount Tire in Fountain Hills, Arizona. The system can replace four tires on a passenger vehicle in less than 25 minutes. At the Discount Tire, the RoboTire System will remove, lift and install tire and wheel assemblies. RoboTire hopes that its system will reduce technician injuries that can be caused by repetitive heavy lifting. The system will be overseen by Discount Tires technicians, who will also provide pressure monitoring and balancing services. Read More
Read more:
Top 10 robotic stories of August 2022 - Robot Report
- Robotics - Gizmag [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- Download Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 4 from ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Robotics News & Articles - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Robotics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Robotics News & Articles - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- RIA - Robotics Online - Industrial Robot Automation [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Three Laws of Robotics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 25th, 2016]
- Robotics [Last Updated On: July 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 18th, 2016]
- Houston Robotics [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2016]
- Home - Illinois Tech Robotics [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2016]
- Robotics - Wikibooks, open books for an open world [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2016]
- JPL Robotics: Home Page [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2016]
- ABB Robotics [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2016]
- Softbank Robotics | Humanoid robotics & programmable robots [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2016]
- Robotics - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2016]
- STEM Robotics 101 NXT | STEMRobotics [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Industrial Electronics and Robotics Technician [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Future of Robotics|Robots of the Future|Robot Links [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Industrial Robotics Training | School of Technology [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Robotics | An Open Access Journal from MDPI [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Robotics Technician & Automation Training - Online Course in ... [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Rich Hooper, PhD, PE: Robotics Engineer [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Robotics Toolbox - PeterCorke.com [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- ROBOTC | Robotics Academy [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- How have robots changed manufacturing? | HowStuffWorks [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Professional Development | Robotics Academy [Last Updated On: October 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 25th, 2016]
- Robotics Academy [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- KUKA Robotics | KUKA AG [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2016]
- Robotics Engineer - Science Buddies [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2016]
- Robotics - reddit [Last Updated On: January 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 10th, 2017]
- Preorder Snap Flying Camera | Vantage Robotics [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2017]
- Robotics - The Great Courses [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2017]
- Belding hosts largest robotics competition in history of event - Greenville Daily News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Robohub Digest 01/17: New year, new perspectives and forecasts for the year ahead in AI, machine learning and ... - Robohub [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Robotics-focused ETFs see big gains, Trump could hasten trend - MarketWatch [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Robotics competition events help teens express creativity - Monroe Evening News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- First Tech Challenge: High schools battle in robotics competition - The Journal News | LoHud.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Gemini school robotics team wins in 'FIRST' competition - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- TMRIES to impart robotics education - The Hindu - The Hindu [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Meridian robotics team gears up for Idaho FRC Regional - KBOI-TV [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- South High wins Volvo's robotics tournament - Herald-Mail Media [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Local robotics students headed to World Championship tournament - KOLO [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Oxford Hills robotics club to compete in North American championship - Lewiston Sun Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Panther engineering and robotics team paves pathways to innovation - Clay County Free Press.com (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Shopping robots on the march in Ocado - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- OHS robotics club dazzles McKinley students - Southernminn.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Toyota Industries Acquires Warehouse Robotics Developer - WSJ - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Rehab robotics field promises to return control, mobility to aging population - Arizona State University [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Mount Paran Christian School Robotics Team has engineered their way to State Competition - MDJOnline.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 33C3: Edible Soft Robotics - Hackaday [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Keller students Starstruck on robotics - Fort Worth Star Telegram [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- WPI Robotics Team Has a Mission with Mars | News | WPI - WPI News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Rethink's Robots Get Massive Software Upgrade, Rodney Brooks So Excited - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Front Porch: Vision Charter robotics teams perform well at state - Idaho Press-Tribune [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Raspberry Pi-powered arm: This kit aims to make robotics simple ... - TechRepublic [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Roam Robotics' lightweight, inexpensive exoskeleton for the masses - New Atlas [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Rehab robotics field promises to return control, mobility to aging population - ScienceBlog.com (blog) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Rethink Robotics rethinks its software | ZDNet - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Home-schooled students studying robotics - Valencia County News Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Botetourt 4-H Phoenix Robotics team sets sights on success - Roanoke Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Hartland robotics teams take on the FIRST Tech challenge at state competition - Lake Country Now [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- iFuture Robotics cuts manpower needs of warehouses with its mobile robots - YourStory.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Crescent Valley robotics focused on developing freshmen - Corvallis Gazette Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- CyPhy, Mitsubishi, and Soft Robotics Join Robo Madness on March 28 - Xconomy [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Agility Robotics Introduces Cassie, a Dynamic and Talented Robot ... - IEEE Spectrum [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- FIRST Robotics Competition - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Raptor legs & human hips: Giant leap for walking robots - RT [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Patriot Robotics Alliance upsets Brentwood Academy Alliances - Clarksville Now [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- South Beach robotics squad advances to super regionals - The Daily World [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- How drones and robotics may shape the future of conflict under President Trump - PRI [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Personal robotics the next technological revolution: Dr Vivian Balakrishnan - Channel NewsAsia [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Ford Bets $1B on Startup Founded by Waymo, Uber Vets - ABC News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Woodall robotics team competes in Broken Arrow - Muskogee Daily Phoenix [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Students Compete in LEGO Robotics Design Contest in Brooklyn - NY1 [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Essex County Freeholders Honor Livingston Robotics Club Teams - TAPinto.net [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Robotics event offers lesson in teamwork - Lewiston Morning Tribune (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Face off: Marion students compete in robotics competition - The Exponent Telegram (press release) (registration) [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Freshman Caldwell team takes first place in Regional Robotics Tournament - Idaho Press-Tribune [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Ford Motor bets $1 billion on robotics startup - Toledo Blade [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Alice Shaw robotics team building invention to save wolves | Local ... - Lompoc Record [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]