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Iván Hernández Dalas: Robots show tenacity in retail

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Ricoh showed its comprehensive service systems for retail at NRF. Credit: Georges Mirza Like every NRF in the recent past, on-shelf availability systems were exhibited throughout the retail event’s show floor. Solutions ranged from robots to fixed cameras and handheld devices. Most of these products are now over a decade in the making. Although significant progress has been slow, vendors have demonstrated persistence and determination in developing their capabilities to deliver inventory data accurately and repeatedly at scale, while striving to improve speed. Although we are not at the vast coverage needed for meaningful use of the data, we are at the cusp of realizing it and for large retailers to give it a second look. Tomorrow is not soon enough. As every year, the question arises: Which solution is best? The answer always returns to the basics. What problem are you trying to solve, in what environment, and for which categories? No single technology does it all. Ultimately, ...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: EPC optimizes new GaN-based motor drive for humanoid robots

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EPC said GaN enables high-performance motor drives for high-voltage battery applications. | Source: Efficient Power Conversion Efficient Power Conversion Corp., or EPC, this week launched EPC91104, a high-performance, three-phase brushless DC motor drive inverter reference design. The company said this design is suitable for powering compact, precision motors in humanoid robots, such as those used for wrist, finger, and toe movements. “Humanoid robots demand motors with precision and compactness, and the EPC91104 is specifically designed to meet those needs for applications like small joint actuation,” said Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC. EPC is a developer of enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) power devices. Founded in 2007, the company said its eGaN technology enables it to advance new applications and industries. It said silicon has hit its physical limits and, therefore, is no longer able to stay ahead of demand for more and more efficient power. GaN technology offers significa...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Rantizo adds new XAG P150 to spray drone lineup

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With its 154 lb. payload  and  intelligent control system, the XAB P150 features advanced rotary atomization spraying technology. | Credit: Rantizo Rantizo yesterday announced the expansion of its equipment portfolio with the new XAG P150 spray drone. Released by manufacturer XAG in December 2024, the XAG P150 brings the latest spray drone technology to the agriculture industry, it said. The addition to Rantizo’s drone lineup is now available for the 2025 spraying season. “To meet the growing demand for spray drone services, we strive to provide the best available technology at an affordable price point,” said Eric Ringer, chief field operations officer at Rantizo. “We’re excited to offer the XAG P150 to our spray drone operator network and will also fly them in our own regional hub locations this season.” Built to help operators cover more ground in less time, the XAG P150 features capabilities to boost spray drone operators’ productivity. It allows operators to s...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Outrider uses reinforcement learning to speed path planning by tenfold

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Outrider is using reinforcement learning to enhance throughput at truck yards. Source: Outrider Outrider Technologies Inc. today said it has deployed advanced reinforcement learning, or RL, techniques to maximize freight throughput at customer sites. The company said its RL models can increase path-planning speed by 10x and enable the Outrider System to move freight more efficiently and safely through busy, complex distribution yards. “Using the latest advances in AI, Outrider is continually decreasing the turn time of trailers moved autonomously in logistics yards,” said Vittorio Ziparo, chief technology officer and executive vice president of engineering. “By training and evaluating our system performance with RL in simulation and real-world scenarios, our customers see incremental improvements in speed and efficiency with our technology.” Outrider is focused on automating  yard  operations for logistics hubs to help large enterprises improve safety and increase efficie...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: Intuitive Surgical to expand to new European countries; analysts have Mexico questions

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The Da Vinci SP provides 360º of anatomical access and delivers an articulating 3DHD endoscope and three wristed instruments through a single port. | Source: Intuitive Surgical Intuitive Surgical Operations Inc. yesterday announced that it plans to establish a direct presence in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. The surgical robotics leader also plans to expand into Malta, San Marino, and associated territories by acquiring the distributors of its da Vinci and Ion systems in those countries. Intuitive entered into an agreement with current distributors ab medica, Abex, Excelencia Robotica, and their affiliates. Subject to regulatory approvals, the agreement would enable the company to purchase those distributors’ businesses related to its products. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Intuitive said it expects the deal to close in 2026, following the receipt of approvals and the meeting of closing conditions. “Intuitive is excited to continue to invest in the significant opportunity to bring saf...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: HKUST researchers develop small, multifunctional biomedical robot

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The research team, led by Prof. Shen Yajing (second left), has designed an optical fiber-based submillimeter continuum robot for interventional treatment, which looks like a small tube like the one held by Dr. Zhang Tieshan (second right) in the photo. The devices held by Dr. Yang Xiong (first left) and Zhao Haoxiang (first right) serve as controllers for the robot arm and the magnetic field, respectively. | Source: HKURST Researchers from the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, or HKUST, this week said that they successfully developed a small, multifunctional biomedical robot. With a profile of just 0.95 mm, the organization claimed the robot is 60% smaller than the typical models available on the market. “Small-scale continuum robots hold promise for interventional diagnosis and treatment, yet existing models often struggle with compactness, precise navigation, and visualized functional treatment all in one,” stated Shen Yajing, an associa...
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Iván Hernández Dalas: IFR predicts top 5 global robotics trends for 2025

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Source: IFR The global market value of industrial robot installations has reached an all-time high of $16.5 billion (U.S.), according to the International Federation of Robotics, or IFR. Future demand will be driven by a number of technological innovations, market forces, and new fields of business, it predicted. Sales of professional service robots, including warehouse systems, have increased by 30% worldwide, reported the Frankfurt, Germany-based organization  in October 2024. Similarly, 4 million industrial robots are operating in factories worldwide, doubling robot density, according to the IFR. Last year, the IFR predicted more AI and machine learning, collaborative robots in new applications, increasing mobile manipulation, digital twins to optimize performance, and progress in humanoid robots. Today, it shared its forecast for the top five robotics industry trends for 2025. 1. Analytical, generative, and physical AI to aid robots The trend towards artificial intel...
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