Articles tagged with "industrial-automation"
Humanoid robot uses NVIDIA tech to run real-world factory operations
Hexagon, in partnership with NVIDIA, has developed AEON, a humanoid robot designed to perform complex industrial tasks such as machine operation, part sorting, inspection, and asset scanning. AEON targets sectors like manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, and logistics, aiming to enhance precision and reduce human error in dynamic factory environments. The robot integrates advanced mechatronics, multimodal sensor fusion, and real-time AI to function as a flexible, autonomous industrial assistant. AEON’s development was accelerated through extensive simulation training using NVIDIA’s Isaac platform, enabling it to acquire navigation and manipulation skills within weeks rather than months. It operates on NVIDIA’s robotics stack, including Jetson Orin computers for real-time decision-making, with plans to upgrade to the IGX Thor platform to improve collaborative safety. The robot also leverages NVIDIA’s Isaac GR00T foundation model and Mimic tools to learn from human demonstrations and generate synthetic motion data, expanding its capabilities. A key feature of AEON is its ability to capture physical
robothumanoid-robotindustrial-automationNVIDIA-AIrobotics-simulationfactory-operationsAI-roboticsPremier Automation launches innovation hub in Pennsylvania - The Robot Report
Premier Automation has launched the Premier Innovation Hub in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, aiming to serve as a national model for industrial automation, workforce development, and technology commercialization. Supported by over $3 million in state funding through grants, loans, and training programs, the facility is designed to bring together manufacturers, engineers, and innovators to accelerate automation and industrial advancement. The hub will expand Premier Automation’s manufacturing operations, host Premier Labs—a venture studio focused on launching companies in manufacturing automation and AI—and provide commercial lease space for industrial innovation firms. Premier Automation, based near Pittsburgh, specializes in industrial control systems, robotics integration, and custom automation solutions across sectors such as manufacturing, metals, energy, and material handling. The location leverages Westmoreland County’s skilled workforce, with experience in traditional industries like mining, steel, and glass, while benefiting from proximity to Pittsburgh’s innovation ecosystem in AI, robotics, and advanced engineering. The hub aims to bridge cutting-edge technologies with the practical needs of established manufacturing industries
robotindustrial-automationmanufacturing-technologyAI-innovationworkforce-developmentrobotics-integrationautomation-hubWelding project uses robotics to crunch 12 workhours into 45 minutes - The Robot Report
The article details a successful automation project undertaken by Properly Works and Seibel Modern to dramatically improve the efficiency of fabricating steel fencing for a bridge construction project. Faced with the challenge of producing over 3 miles of fencing within 90 weeks—each segment requiring about 10 hours of manual welding and setup—Seibel Modern partnered with Properly Works to develop a fully automated robotic welding work cell. This integrated system, orchestrated by an AutomationDirect Productivity PLC, synchronized the welding process, robot movements, and fixture positioning, achieving a remarkable 12-to-1 reduction in production time (compressing 12 work hours into 45 minutes) while also reducing rework by 50%. The collaboration leveraged Seibel Modern’s expertise in welding geometry and fixture design alongside Properly Works’ automation and sensor integration capabilities. The automated fixture featured a servo motor-driven rack-and-pinion mechanism and hydraulic lift for precise positioning, synchronized with the robotic welding arm’s gantry system. A programmable logic controller (
roboticsautomated-weldingindustrial-automationrobotic-welding-armmanufacturing-efficiencycollaborative-robotswelding-technologyGecko Robotics reaches unicorn status with latest funding
Gecko Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in robotic technology for critical infrastructure, has reached unicorn status following a $125 million Series D funding round that doubled its valuation to $1.25 billion. The new capital will fuel the company’s expansion and focus on sectors such as defense, energy, and manufacturing—areas increasingly prioritized by governments and corporations. Recent strategic partnerships include collaborations with NAES to modernize the energy sector, L3Harris on an Extended Reality product, and ongoing work with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Gecko’s CEO, Jake Loosararian, highlighted the company’s AI-powered operating platform, Cantilever, which ensures data integrity and enables advanced diagnostics and modernization of physical infrastructure worldwide. Gecko Robotics employs a variety of robots capable of climbing, flying, and swimming to collect high-fidelity data on complex built environments, including U.S. Navy warships and power plants. Cantilever’s AI-driven decision-making framework can predict infrastructure failures, optimize operations, and improve efficiency
robotAIcritical-infrastructureenergyindustrial-automationrobotics-technologyinfrastructure-maintenanceUniversal Robots offers direct torque control for demanding cobot tasks - The Robot Report
Universal Robots (UR) has introduced early access to its Direct Torque Control technology for its e-Series and UR Series collaborative robots (cobots), supported by PolyScope 5 and PolyScope X software. This technology enables real-time control of all robot joints at 500 Hz without requiring a custom software stack, significantly simplifying the process for researchers and developers. By allowing direct torque control, UR aims to expand cobot capabilities in demanding tasks such as assembly and screwdriving, where precise force and delicate touch are essential. The interface has already been utilized by NVIDIA Robotics in a beta phase to demonstrate sim-to-real transfer for gear assembly applications. Despite these technological advancements, Universal Robots has experienced a slowdown in sales in 2024 and early 2025. As part of Teradyne Inc.’s robotics group, UR’s sales declined 3% year-over-year, while the group’s overall robotics revenue dropped 21% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline coincides with a 10% global staff reduction at Teradyne Robotics in January. Nonetheless, UR remains a market leader, having surpassed 100,000 cobots sold. The company also recently launched the UR15, its fastest cobot model, which offers up to 30% cycle time improvements for pick-and-place tasks, aiming to boost productivity and reduce costs across various industries.
robotcollaborative-robotsdirect-torque-controlUniversal-Robotscobotsrobotics-technologyindustrial-automationHuman-like robot hands could soon rule factories with Nvidia tech
South Korean robotics firm Tesollo is advancing automation with its human-like robotic hands, aiming to replace manual labor across industries globally. The company recently joined Nvidia’s Inception Program, which provides startups with technical guidance, GPU optimization, business support, and global networking to accelerate innovation. Tesollo’s latest product, the DELTO Gripper 5-Finger (DG-5F), launched in March 2025, closely replicates the human hand’s structure with 20 independently controlled joints, enabling precise, complex movements and multiple grip modes such as pinch, power, and precision grips. The DG-5F also features optional high-precision fingertip sensors that provide force feedback and dynamic grip adjustments, making it suitable for tasks requiring delicate handling in environments designed for human workers. In addition to the DG-5F, Tesollo offers the DELTO Gripper 3-Finger (DG-3F), which boasts a modular design for easy maintenance and enhanced durability. Powered by a high-performance BLDC motor and equipped with high-strength steel gears, the DG-3F can withstand over 3 million operational cycles and deliver torque up to 2Nm. It supports multiple operational modes, including Parallel Mode for standard gripping and Smooth Mode for handling delicate objects, with features like target arrival recognition and post-grip position adjustment to improve precision. Both grippers are designed for diverse industrial applications, including automated assembly in smart factories and efficient object handling in logistics, positioning Tesollo’s technology as a significant step toward widespread robotic automation.
roboticsrobotic-handsNvidia-Inception-Programautomationhumanoid-robotsAI-in-roboticsindustrial-automationSpot robot dog gets AI boost to detect equipment failures early
Boston Dynamics has enhanced its Spot robot dog through an upgraded version of its Orbit intelligent automation platform, aimed at advancing predictive industrial maintenance. The new system enables Spot to autonomously inspect industrial sites, capturing consistent visual data that Orbit analyzes using vision-language prompts to quickly identify hazards such as overheating motors, air leaks, safety risks, corrosion, and equipment deterioration. This approach addresses traditional gaps in condition-based monitoring by providing repeatable, detailed inspections and transforming visuals into actionable insights, including numerical data and descriptive text. A notable addition is the Site View feature, which creates a lightweight visual history of facilities using 360° images, supporting remote monitoring and condition tracking over time. The updated Orbit platform also introduces centralized fleet management dashboards for enterprise users, allowing oversight of multiple robots across sites with customizable user permissions and detailed activity logs. Privacy is maintained through an automatic face-blurring function in images captured by Spot’s cameras. Software updates can be deployed over the air to multiple robots simultaneously, and Orbit can be hosted on-premise or in the cloud as a virtual machine. Integration with third-party systems is facilitated via APIs, webhooks, and a low-code beta for automated work order generation. Additionally, a dynamic thermal thresholding feature helps automatically detect temperature anomalies by analyzing statistical data, reducing the need for expert intervention and enhancing early failure detection in industrial environments.
robotAIpredictive-maintenanceindustrial-automationBoston-Dynamicsfacility-inspectionautonomous-robotsHeadless humanoid robot built in 40 days to work in Renault factory
Wandercraft, a Paris-based company known for its exoskeleton technology, has developed a headless humanoid robot named Calvin in just 40 days. This voice-controlled, self-balancing robot is designed to perform tough, painful, and non-ergonomic manufacturing tasks, aiming to relieve Renault Group’s workers from such duties while enhancing productivity by reducing production time. Calvin represents Wandercraft’s first industrial humanoid robot and incorporates adaptable hands capable of switching between various end effectors like suction cups and grippers, allowing it to meet diverse operational needs. Beyond industrial applications, Calvin also holds potential for medical care uses. Renault Group has made a strategic investment in Wandercraft, forming a commercial partnership to develop Calvin and future next-generation robots primarily for industrial purposes. This collaboration leverages Renault’s industrial expertise, particularly in design-to-cost and scaling, to industrialize robots and exoskeletons, thereby reducing costs and accelerating automation. Renault’s Chief Industry and Quality Officer, Thierry Charvet, emphasized that the partnership will enable workers to focus on higher-value tasks while improving overall factory productivity. Wandercraft’s CEO Matthieu Masselin highlighted the broader vision of combining robotics and exoskeleton technology to improve lives both in industrial settings and beyond, including clinics and homes.
roboticshumanoid-robotindustrial-automationexoskeleton-technologymanufacturing-roboticsRenault-Groupvoice-controlled-robotHEBI Robotics gets SBIR grant to develop hardware for hazardous environments - The Robot Report
HEBI Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based company specializing in modular robotic systems, has received a $250,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Army to develop hardware capable of operating safely in hazardous environments containing flammable vapors or fluids. The company aims to create modular building blocks that simplify and reduce the cost of producing robots certified to meet NEC Class I, Division 1 safety standards, which are required for workspaces with explosive or volatile materials. This development will enable robots to perform critical military and industrial tasks such as handling energetics, fuel-tank inspection, and repair, thereby enhancing safety by reducing human exposure to dangerous conditions. HEBI Robotics’ modular approach, described as “Lego-like,” allows for rapid and reliable customization of robots for various challenging environments, including wet, dirty, and underwater settings. The company’s platform is already used in diverse industries and has earned recognition such as the 2025 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award. The SBIR-funded project marks a significant step toward creating rugged, certified robotic hardware for hazardous environments, with collaboration planned alongside military stakeholders to ensure compliance and performance. This Phase I award could lead to further funding and full-scale production if successful, supporting the U.S. government’s goal to foster innovation and commercialization through small business research initiatives.
roboticsmodular-robotshazardous-environmentsindustrial-automationSBIR-grantmilitary-applicationsrobotic-hardwareWandercraft unveils Calvin, new industrial humanoid, and Renault partnership - The Robot Report
Wandercraft, a French robotics company founded in 2012 with a mission to aid people with severe mobility impairments, has unveiled its first humanoid robot named Calvin. Developed in just 40 days using technology from its exoskeleton products, Calvin is designed primarily for industrial applications. This launch coincides with Renault Group’s minority investment in Wandercraft, aimed at advancing Calvin as a next-generation industrial robot to alleviate workers from physically demanding tasks, improve ergonomics, and boost productivity. Renault will also support commercialization efforts by leveraging its expertise in cost reduction and scaling, facilitating broader market access for Wandercraft’s robotics, including its new exoskeleton, Eve. Wandercraft’s flagship product, the Atalante X exoskeleton, is a self-stabilizing device used in nearly 100 rehabilitation centers worldwide, enabling patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke to walk and relearn natural motion. It features ActiveBalance mode and 12 degrees of freedom for hips, knees, and ankles, offering benefits for both patients and therapists. The device has FDA clearance and CE marking for various conditions. Building on this success, Wandercraft recently introduced a Personal Exoskeleton prototype designed for everyday use in home and community settings, currently undergoing clinical trials. This system also features a fully powered lower body and dynamic walking control, aiming to enhance personal mobility outside clinical environments.
roboticshumanoid-robotexoskeletonindustrial-automationmobility-assistancerehabilitation-technologyRenault-partnershipmaxon releases ESCON2 servo controllers
Maxon has launched the ESCON2 series of servo controllers, designed to deliver enhanced smoothness, dynamics, and precision in various machines and devices. This new line leverages an innovative Hall sensor-based speed control method combined with field-oriented control (FOC) commutation to improve performance, even for BLDC motors without encoders. The ESCON2 controllers range from the compact ESCON2 Nano 24/2 to the more powerful ESCON2 Compact 60/30, supporting voltages up to 60V and currents up to 30A. These controllers are suitable for a wide array of applications including industrial, robotics, medical, and analytical fields, and offer flexible integration options such as plug-in modules, ready-to-connect compact designs, or housed units. The ESCON2 series is notable for its high control rates—10 kHz for speed and 50 kHz for current—and its ability to maintain precise motor currents, torques, and speeds with high energy efficiency, even under continuous operation. The controllers use advanced algorithms and overload-resistant power stages to enable rapid accelerations and accurate motion profiles, resulting in faster machine cycles and improved product quality. A key innovation is the patent-pending method that analyzes Hall sensor switching edges to create virtual sensor information, allowing smooth and stable speed control comparable to encoder-based systems, but without the added cost and wiring complexity of encoders. Additionally, the ESCON2 offers versatile command and monitoring interfaces, including analog/digital I/Os, USB, RS232, and CAN with CANopen CiA402 protocol support. It supports multiple control modes such as Profile Velocity Mode, Cyclic Synchronous Velocity, and Torque modes, alongside maxon-specific modes that combine analog and digital input control. These features enable precise commanding, process monitoring, IoT integration, and predictive maintenance, making ESCON2 a highly adaptable and efficient solution for modern servo control needs.
roboticsservo-controllersmotor-controlBLDC-motorsfield-oriented-controlCANopenindustrial-automationMIT-NVIDIA create robot tech that plans thousands of moves in secs
robotroboticsalgorithmtask-planningmotion-planningindustrial-automationNVIDIAsamos PRO MOTION Controller wins award for Wieland Electric - The Robot Report
robotautomationsafetymotion-controlindustrial-Ethernetindustrial-automationWieland-ElectricKepler debuts fifth-gen K2 humanoid robot to boost industrial automation
robotindustrial-automationhumanoid-robotautonomous-systemsroboticsadvanced-actuatorsdexterous-handsRoboForce introduces Titan mobile manipulator, brings in $5M more in funding - The Robot Report
robotAImobile-manipulatorindustrial-automationroboticsfundingtechnology10 robotics trends spotted at Automate 2025 - The Robot Report
robotautomationroboticsindustrial-automationcollaborative-robotstrade-showtechnology-trendsUS startup unveils rugged Titan robot for tough industrial workspace
robotindustrial-automationAI-roboticsprecision-engineeringmodular-designoperational-efficiencyTitan-robotNew haptic tools let humans feel and guide machines in real time
robothaptic-technologyindustrial-automationremote-controldigital-twinsaugmented-realitysafety-in-manufacturingOrbbec, Connect Tech to provide support for Gemini stereo depth camera - The Robot Report
robotIoTautonomous-machinesindustrial-automationstereo-visionAI-visiondepth-cameraPersona AI raises $27M to develop humanoid robots for shipyards
robothumanoid-robotsindustrial-automationshipbuildingrobotics-as-a-serviceworkplace-safetylabor-shortagesNew enabling technologies from Automate 2025
robotIoTindustrial-automationmachine-controlAI-roboticsautomation-technologiesreal-time-dataOrbbec designs Gemini 435Le to help robots see farther, navigate smarter
robotrobotics3D-visionindustrial-automationdepth-sensingobject-recognitionnavigationSEER Robotics offers digital product matrix
robotsmart-factoriesdigital-transformationlogistics-managementautomationintelligent-schedulingindustrial-automation