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We’re halfway through 2024, and the robotics industry has continued to evolve rapidly over the past six months. From new deployments and humanoid robot developments to new partnerships, there’s no shortage of news to cover in June 2024.
Here are the 10 most popular stories: Robot Report Last month. Subscribe Robot Report Listen to our newsletter Robot Report A podcast bringing you the latest news in robotics.
10. ABB Launches OmniCore Platform for Control Across Robot Lines
Industrial and other robots are becoming smarter and more capable thanks to advances in cloud computing, perception technology and artificial intelligence. ABB Robotics has launched its next-generation OmniCore platform, which can now control most automation lines. Learn more
9. Realtime Robotics Celebrates Motion Planning Collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric
As factories and warehouses look to automate more tasks, they need to be confident that multiple robots can perform complex tasks reliably, repetitively, and safely. Realtime Robotics has developed hardware-independent software that can seamlessly run and coordinate industrial work cells without errors or crashes. Learn More
8. NVIDIA Highlights Omniverse, Isaac Adoption by Robotics Market Leaders
NVIDIA Corp. founder and CEO Jensen Huang announced several robotics-related items in addition to AI products during his keynote at COMPUTEX in Taiwan. The company said it is producing next-generation “AI computers” using its chips so that many manufacturers can use Omniverse for modeling and business workflows. Read More
7. Beep, Partners Deploy Autonomous Shuttles at Honolulu Airport
As millions of people across the Northern Hemisphere begin their summer vacations, some of them will be taking part of their trips in self-driving cars. Beep Inc. is working with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Sustainability Partners to conduct an 18-month autonomous shuttle pilot at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (formerly HNL). Learn more
6. GrayMatter Raises $45M in Series B to Make Robot Programming Easier for Manufacturers
Like businesses in other industries, U.S. manufacturers are facing a growing labor shortage and need automation to fill the gap. GrayMatter Robotics announced that it has raised $45 million. The Carson, California-based company said it plans to use the investment to expand to meet customer demand. Read More
5. Vecna Robotics Raises Over $100M, Hires COO to Expand Warehouse Automation
While robotics investment has slowed in the past year, vendors with proven products and business models are raising funds. In June 2024, Vecna Robotics closed a Series C round for $100 million, adding $40 million in new funding that included equity and debt. This funding nearly doubled the company’s valuation since its Series B round. Read More
4. IEEE Launches Research Group to Explore and Develop Humanoid Robot Standards
As humanoid robots gain widespread public attention, these systems must also meet safety and performance standards. The IEEE Robotics & Automation Society has formed a new working group to examine the current humanoid landscape and develop a roadmap for future standards that various organizations can follow. Read More
3. Robotis and Realbotics become official development partners
Robots, including humanoids, are complex and typically require components from multiple suppliers. Tokens.com Corp., now known as Realbotix, has entered into a strategic partnership with ROBOTIS Inc. The company said the agreement appoints Realbotix, a robotics and AI developer, as its official partner to facilitate integration with ROBOTIS’s technology. Read More
2. Robot investment exceeds $2.1 billion in May
Robotic investment in May 2024 topped $2.1 billion as a result of funding for 38 companies. $2.1 billion is the highest monthly funding amount in 2024 and significantly surpasses the previous 12-month average of $1.2 billion. By May 2024, robotics funding had reached approximately $5.7 billion. Read More
1. Agility Robotics' Digit Humanoid Gets Its First Official Job
Agility Robotics continues to dominate the humanoid race. In June 2024, the company signed a multi-year contract with GXO Logistics to deploy Digit humanoids in a variety of logistics tasks. Read More