I think solar power generation is a great idea. It’s got no moving parts, and it produces electricity where you need it. There is one important consideration; can it be done for the same or less cost compared to coal or nuclear power. When it comes to overall carbon footprint, most industry analysts will tell […]
Thomas Friedman Breaks Secrecy About Rethink Robotics’ New Robot
In a NY Times Weekend Review OpEd piece, three-time Pulitzer winner and prolific author Thomas Friedman saw Rethink Robotics' new robot. His comments and observations about the new robot and the team that invented it were refreshing and invigorating. They gave example to the prescription Friedman outlined in his most recent book, “That Used To…
7 Automation/Robotics Stocks To Profit From Global Automation
Credit Suisse recently chose 7 stocks to profit from the trend toward global automation. All 7 stocks are evaluated with a brief description, their reason for selecting the stock for the list, and opinions as to the companies: Siemens AG, Rockwell Automation, Delta Electronics, Keyence, Mitsubishi Electric and TECO. The opinions expressed are based on…
Credit Suisse Picks 7 Automation/Robotics Stocks
By Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report Max Nisen of Business Insider wrote recently of a list of seven stock picks discovered in a Credit Suisse report on long term trends. One of those trends was increasing global automation (particularly in China) and the seven picks relate to companies poised to benefit from…
Two Different Approaches to Spawn Robotics; One Common Thread
Two different approaches to spawn robotics innovation but one common thread: build a product using robotics that satisfies a specific need. RE2 (squared) started with defense funding to develop a robotic arm with extraordinary torque and load capacity. Liquid Robotics started with personal and non-profit funding to capture the sounds of whales as they migrated…
Two Different Approaches to Spawn Robotics; One Common Thread
By Babs Carryer, Adjunct Prof, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Advisor, Carnegie Mellon University, Editor and Author, New Venturist** Frank Tobe, Editor and Publisher, The Robot Report Sometimes a company is founded because it stumbles upon a niche that it can fill better than any other company. Such a company is RE2 (Robotics Engineering Excellence). Founded by…
Bandwidth – Part 2
Bandwidth is a mathematical concept. It is the band around a desired operating value. We can consider the bandwidth of control in a process or the bandwidth of error in statistics. The concept applies to all sorts of things. The speed bandwidth of your car might be described as zero to 100 miles per hour. […]
Parrot Invests in Two Swiss Spin-offs
Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones and car entertainment systems, went out of character a few years ago with the introduction of the augmented reality quad copter AR.Drone, an instant success. Now Parrot is investing $2.4 million in Pix4D and $5 million for a majority in sensFly, two spin-off companies from…
AUVSI Las Vegas Show: Focus Broadens Beyond the Military
AUVSI, the unmanned vehicle association, has mostly focused on aerial vehicles for the military; underwater and on-the-ground products and services played a lessor role. But this year the show reflected a change toward transitioning into the civilian sector led by underwater and on-the-ground providers because aerial drones cannot, at present be legally used in civilian…
Three Different Worlds; One Big Show
By Frank Tobe, Editor/Publisher, The Robot Report The business of unmanned aerial, underwater and ground vehicles — originally funded by DARPA, NSF and other government-sponsored research programs — and the many ancillary businesses involved — has grown quickly and dramatically. Lobbying for its interests has been well-funded by defense contractors and very successful in advancing the defense…
It’s All About Bandwidth
In the field of motors and controls one of the key parameters of merit is Bandwidth. This parameter can be applied to a number of issues related to motors and controls. Manufacturers of variable frequency drives and servo amplifiers often refer to this parameter, but it’s real importance is often lost in the massive amount […]
Robotic Startup Companies: A Glimpse At Our Robotic Future
By Frank Tobe, Editor/Publisher, The Robot Report Click to enlarge and see details. This mash-up of our list of 159 robotic start-up companies onto Google’s global map graphically displays how widespread robotic inventions and inventors are dispersed around the world and particularly around major robotic research centers. For the purpose of this mash-up, we are…
Robotic Start-up Companies – A Glimpse At Our Robotic Future
Thank you for helping by adding 40 new robotic start-up companies to our list But don’t stop now. Please add to our list of global robotic start-up companies by sending information to {encode=”info@therobotreport.com” title=”info@therobotreport.com”}. Thank you. Click to see 159 global robotic start-up companies (name, city, website link). PS: In addition to the 159 start-ups…
Mazor Robotics To Get $15 Million Equity Funding; Medrobotics gets $8
Larry Ellison's Oracle Investment Management invested $7.5 million; the remainder comes from an issuance of ordinary shares. Part of the deal is to upgrade Mazor Robotic's Israeli ADR to be listed on the American NASDAQ. Mazor sales are rising steadily as more hospitals are acquiring their Renaissance/spine surgery/implant system. Second quarter financial results reflect a…
GA Tech’s Extensive Robotics Program
By Frank Tobe, Editor/Publisher, The Robot Report The Georgia Institute of Technology lays on a beautiful 400 acre campus and is a university committed to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. It also has campuses in France, Singapore, Shanghai, Peking, Costa Rica and Ireland. With a US faculty of 1,100, a support staff of…
Teaching Mechatronics
Teaching mechatronics, or motion control, is in itself a major mechatronics challenge. I have authored articles on the topic and given many classes. Any attempt to be comprehensive has mixed results. Is it the subject more clear, or more confused after a day of training? Part of the difficulty is that mechatronics is the […]
Look what the’ve cobbled together now
Look what the folks at Robotic Solutions have cobbled together. No, it’s not a 3D printer. It’s the opposite. A robotic milling machine housed in a glass cage. A few of the first units have been shipped to a facility in Texas to work hand in hand with local craft stores to handle their custom…
The Beginning of Something Important: InTouch Health and iRobot’s RP-VITA
By Frank Tobe, editor/publisher, The Robot Report Last week I attended the 7th Annual Remote Presence Clinical Innovations Forum hosted by InTouch Health in Santa Barbara, CA, a two-day users conference disseminating the latest information regarding a wide range of telemedicine-related topics through presentations and workshops. The keynote address, by Yulun Wang, Chairman and CEO of…
The Beginning of Something Important: InTouch Health and iRobot’s RP-VITA
InTouch Health’s new RP-VITA remote presence robot is the first product from the partnership between InTouch and iRobot. It can navigate autonomously or be driven by laptop or iPad. Product announced at a workshop where hour-upon-hour of presentations by critical care doctors and hospital administrators, all users of InTouch Health’s existing remote presence robots, and…