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The RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards have honored trade leaders for the previous 12 years. And now we’re taking the RBR50 to the subsequent degree.
We launched three new classes in 2024 – Robotic of the Yr, Software of the Yr, and Startup of the Yr – and shall be holding the inaugural RBR50 Gala on Could 1 from 6-8 PM on the finish of Day 1 of the Robotics Summit & Expo. The RBR50 Gala affords an opportunity to attach with the world’s main robotics innovators. It’s additionally a night of celebration to honor main roboticists and their spectacular achievements.
“The unbelievable work of this yr’s RBR50 winners represents the chopping fringe of robotics and raises the bar for the trade, mentioned Steve Crowe, Govt Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. “We stay up for celebrating all the innovators on the inaugural RBR50 Gala through the Robotics Summit & Expo. Congratulations to the RBR50.”
Listed here are some highlights and developments from this yr’s winners.
Digit is Robotic of the Yr
2023 was the yr of humanoids, and Agility Robotics has taken an early lead with industrial trials. The corporate’s Digit humanoid stole the present at ProMAT, the place it demonstrated its capability to choose up totes from a shelf, stroll over to a conveyor, and place the totes onto the conveyor.
Later in 2023, Agility introduced pilots with two main clients to carry out an analogous activity: Amazon and GXO Logistics, which claims to be the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics supplier. Digit is 5 ft, 9 in. (175 cm) tall, weighs 143 lb. (64.8 kg), and might carry as much as 35 lb. (15.8 kg).
Digit’s potential flexibility provides it an edge over different forms of robots, together with autonomous cellular robots (AMRs) with prime modules.
Autopicker wins Software of the Yr
Cincinnati-based Brightpick, which spun out of Photoneo, was named the inaugural Software of the Yr winner. In 2023, Brightpick unveiled Autopicker, which it mentioned is the primary commercially accessible AMR that may decide and consolidate orders straight in warehouse aisles.
Autopicker combines a cellular platform, a robotic arm, machine imaginative and prescient, and synthetic intelligence for e-commerce success. The progressive system’s patented two-tote design allows it to retrieve orders from bins on shelving and decide gadgets to certainly one of its totes. This reduces the necessity for associates to spend time touring with carts.
Electrical Sheep named Startup of the Yr
San Francisco-based Electrical Sheep’s distinctive enterprise mannequin permits it to herald income because it takes its time deploying its know-how. This enterprise mannequin led to it being named Startup of the Yr.
Electrical Sheep develops autonomous robots for outside upkeep. As an alternative of promoting or leasing the robots to industrial landscaping companies, Electrical Sheep is changing into vertically built-in by buying landscaping firms. This permits it to get to understand how these companies function and the place the robots can greatest be deployed whereas nonetheless bringing in income.
Since implementing this technique, Electrical Sheep mentioned it has grown income by eight instances. Final yr, the corporate acquired 4 landscaping companies.
RBR50 winners innovate in a number of areas
This yr’s RBR50 demonstrated the rising relevance of generative AI to robotics. The provision of enormous language fashions (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT is making new breakthroughs doable. For instance, Sereact launched PickGPT, a robotics transformer that mixes LLMs with the corporate’s pc imaginative and prescient know-how to create distinctive pick-and-place robots that use pure language.
Different notable winners embrace Harvard College’s improvement of a gentle exoskeleton that helped a 73-year-old man with Parkinson’s stroll with out freezing. And Seattle-based startup Glidance developed a robotic that gives autonomous mobility help for the visually impaired.
To be taught extra concerning the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024, peruse the winner profiles under.
RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024
| Group | Innovation |
|---|---|
| ABB Robotics | Modular industrial robotic arms provide flexibility |
| Superior Building Robotics | IronBOT makes rebar set up quicker, safer |
| Agility Robotics | Digit humanoid will get toes moist with logistics work |
| Amazon Robotics | Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV |
| Ambi Robotics | AmbiSort makes use of real-world information to enhance choosing |
| Apptronik | Apollo humanoid options bespoke linear actuators |
| Boston Dynamics | Atlas reveals off distinctive expertise for humanoid |
| Brightpick | Autopicker applies cellular manipulation, AI to warehouses |
| Capra Robotics | Hircus AMR bridges hole between indoor, outside logistics |
| Dexterity | Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading |
| Disney | Disney brings beloved characters to life by way of robotics |
| Doosan | App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming |
| Electrical Sheep | Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for achievement |
| Exotec | Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive provider |
| FANUC | FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robotic |
| Determine | Startup builds working humanoid inside one yr |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Materials Circulate and Logistics | evoBot options distinctive cellular manipulator design |
| Gardarika Tres | Develops de-mining robotic for Ukraine |
| Geek+ | Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system |
| Glidance | Gives independence to visually impaired people |
| Harvard College | Exoskeleton improves strolling for folks with Parkinson’s illness |
| ifm efector | Impediment Detection System simplifies cellular robotic improvement |
| igus | ReBeL cobot will get low-cost, human-like hand |
| Instock | Instock turns success processes the wrong way up with ASRS |
| Kodama Techniques | Startup makes use of robotics to stop wildfires |
| Kodiak Robotics | Autonomous pickup truck to reinforce U.S. army operations |
| KUKA | Robotic arm chief doubles down on cellular robots for logistics |
| Locus Robotics | Cell robotic chief surpasses 2 billion picks |
| MassRobotics Accelerator | Fairness-free accelerator positions startups for achievement |
| Mecademic | MCS500 SCARA robotic accelerates micro-automation |
| MIT | Robotic ventricle advances understanding of coronary heart illness |
| Mujin | TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading |
| Mushiny | Clever 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility |
| NASA | MOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars |
| Neya Techniques | Improvement of cybersecurity requirements harden AGVs |
| NVIDIA | Nova Carter provides cellular robots all-around sight |
| Olive Robotics | EdgeROS eases robotics improvement course of |
| OpenAI | LLMs allow embedded AI to flourish |
| Opteran | Applies insect intelligence to cellular robotic navigation |
| Renovate Robotics | Rufus robotic automates set up of roof shingles |
| Robel | Automates railway repairs to beat labor scarcity |
| Sturdy AI | Carter AMR joins DHL’s spectacular robotics portfolio |
| Rockwell Automation | Provides OTTO Motors cellular robots to manufacturing lineup |
| Sereact | PickGPT harnesses energy of generative AI for robotics |
| Simbe Robotics | Scales stock robotics take care of BJ’s Wholesale Membership |
| Slip Robotics | Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR |
| Symbotic | Walmart-backed firm rides wave of logistics automation demand |
| Toyota Analysis Institute | Builds massive conduct fashions for quick robotic educating |
| ULC Applied sciences | Cable Splicing Machine enhance security, energy grid reliability |
| Common Robots | Cobot chief strengthens lineup with UR30 |