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By The Robot Report Staff | September 17, 2024
In Episode 163 of The Robot Report Podcast, co-hosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the latest robotics news from the past week, including Rethink Robotics’ recent product portfolio launch.
Then we hear from Kenneth Kohlmann, co-founder and vice president of Yarbo, about developing consumer robots for the yard. The company started as “Snowbot” developing an autonomous snow blowing robot. It rebranded to Yarbo a few years ago and now makes a modular yard maintenance robot that can mow the lawn, blow leaves and clear your driveway of snow in the winter.
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Show timeline
- 4:30 – News of the week
- 23:30 – Interview with Kenneth Kohlmann, co-founder and vice president at Yarbo.
News of the week
Rethink Robotics returns with expanded robotics portfolio
Rethink Robotics has made a comeback with a new lineup of collaborative robots (cobots) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The company, previously known for its Baxter and Sawyer cobots, said it has learned from past challenges. The new cobots, ranging from the RE 07 to the RE 30L, offer payloads from 7 to 30 kg.
Additionally, Rethink Robotics has launched its first AMRs, the MRE 550 and MRE 1400, capable of handling payloads up to 550 kg and 1,400 kg, respectively.
Seegrid raises $50M to expand automated lift truck line
Seegrid, a provider of AMRs, has closed a $50 million Series D funding round. Led by existing investors Giant Eagle Inc. and G2 Venture Partners, the investment will fuel the company’s efforts to expand its AMR line, particularly focusing on automated lift trucks. Seegrid CEO Joe Pajer said the funding will be used to accelerate research and development, building on the positive market response to their existing lift truck solutions.
The company has been at the forefront of the manufacturing logistics market, offering solutions for material handling, parts replenishment, and WIP and Finished goods movement. Seegrid’s unique “Sliding Scale automation” approach combines the best of both AGV-like and AMR-like behaviors, providing a flexible and adaptable solution for various applications.
Following the successful launch of its Palion Lift RS1, Seegrid is set to unveil its second automated lift truck, the Lift CR1, later this year.
Real Life Robotics debuts delivery robot at Toronto Zoo
Real Life Robotics introduced its BUBS delivery robot at the Toronto Zoo as part of a pilot project. Dubbed “Zoober,” the initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food to animal habitats. The zoo currently uses traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles for deliveries, but with BUBS, it hopes to contribute to its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
U.S. House approves bill to ban DJI drones
And finally, the U.S. House approved the “Countering CCP Drones Act” earlier this week. In addition to DJI drones, the revised bill now includes a ban on ANZU Robotics, which we reported on earlier this year. A DJI-drone white label partner, manufacturing in Malaysia and putting an entirely different software stack on top of the drone.
The ban will likely have serious drawbacks for U.S.-based agriculture according to an AG-drone industry group.
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