Goodbye to the hydraulic version of Atlas and hello to the electric model designed for commercialization. That’s the message from Boston Dynamics Inc., which yesterday retired the older version of its humanoid robot after 15 years of development and today showed a preview of its successor.

“The next generation of the Atlas program builds on decades of research and furthers our commitment to delivering the most capable, useful mobile robots solving the toughest challenges in the industry today: with Spot, with Stretch, and now with Atlas,” said the company in a blog post. Spot is a quadruped used in facilities inspection and other tasks, and Stretch is designed to unload trucks.

Boston Dynamics began with humanoids by sawing one of its pneumatically powered quadrupeds in half back in 2009. By 2016, the Waltham, Mass.-based company showed that its robot could walk, open a door, and maintain its balance while being shoved by a person holding a hockey stick, all without a tether.

Roboticists continued to improve Atlas, giving it a smaller form factor and more sensors, training its artificial intelligence, and enabling it to do increasingly impressive feats. They ranged from parkour and dancing to taking tools through a mock construction site.

In fact, it was that demonstration of Atlas manipulating a plank, picking up a bag of tools, and taking it to a worker that earned Boston Dynamics an RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award. The company will be exhibiting at the RBR50 Showcase at the Robotics Summit & Expo on May 1 and 2.

Learn from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and many more.

Boston Dynamics evolves with the times

As capable as the YouTube darling was, the older version of Atlas still had limitations, both in range of motion and in terms of size and power usage. Boston Dynamics noted that it designed its legged robots to operate in unstructured environments, and it acknowledged that Atlas was initially a research and development project rather than a commercial product.

In the meantime, the company itself changed owners, from Google in 2013 to SoftBank in 2017 and most recently to Hyundai in 2020. Along with those changes came an increasing focus on robots such as Spot and Stretch serving industrial needs. To continue pure research, Hyundai founded the Boston Dynamics AI Institute in 2022.

“The AI Institute recently launched a new version of Spot with an API [application programming interface] designed for researchers,” said Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics. “We’re talking about how to jointly solve some big challenges — the diversity of manipulation tasks we need to do with this robot [Atlas] is huge, and AI is essential to enabling that generality.”

Playter told The Robot Report that Boston Dynamics needs results within two to three years, while the AI Institute has more of a five-year timeframe.

Robot lessons apply to fleets, new Atlas

“It takes a solid year from a clean sheet to a new robot,” said Playter. “We wanted to know that we could solve essential dexterous manipulation problems before releasing the product.”

Boston Dynamics learned numerous lessons from commercializing Spot and Stretch, he said. It has improved control policies, upgraded actuation, and minimized joint complexity. The new Atlas has three-fingered grippers.

The Orbit fleet management software, which initially applies to indoor deployments of Spot, could also help supervise Stretch and Atlas.

Atlas gets ready for mobile manipulation in industrial settings. Source: Boston Dynamics

“Everything we understood, from the time of launching Spot as a prototype to it being a reliable product deployed in fleets, is going into the new Atlas,” Playter said. “We’re confident AI and Orbit will help enhance behaviors. For instance, by minimizing slipping on surfaces at Anheuser-Busch, we proved that we can develop algorithms and make it reliable.”

“Now, 1,500 robots in our fleet have them running,” he added. “It’s essential for customers like Purina to monitor and manage fleets as a vehicle for collecting data. As we develop and download new capabilities, Orbit becomes a hub for an ecosystem of different robots.”

Safety and autonomy are basic building blocks

Boston Dynamics has considered safe collaboration in its development of the new Atlas. ASTM International is developing safety standards for legged robots.

“We recognized early on that Atlas is going to work in spaces that have people in them,” said Playter. “This sets the bar much higher than lidar with AMRs [autonomous mobile robots].”

“We started thinking about functionally safe 3D vision,” he recalled. “We started with Stretch inside a container, but ultimately, we want it going everywhere in a warehouse. Advanced, functionally safe, remote vision and onboard systems are essential to solving safety.”

While Spot and Atlas are often teleoperated, Playter said this is a necessary step toward greater levels of autonomy.

“Making the robots knowledgeable about different types of objects and how to grasp them, teleoperation is just a tool for providing examples and data to the robot,” he explained. “It’s not a useful way of building intuition, but it’s easier if you can operate robots at a higher and higher level. Like you don’t need to tell Spot where to plant its feet, you don’t want to tell Atlas where to grasp.”

In the new video below, the previous version of Atlas handles automotive parts and real products weighing up to 25 lb. (11.3 kg).

Atlas ready for rivals in the humanoid race

Over the past two years, the number of humanoid robots in development has rapidly grown. It now includes Agility Robotics‘ Digit, Tesla’s Optimus, and Figure AI‘s Figure 01. In the two past weeks alone, Rainbow Robotics, Sanctuary AI, and Mentee Robotics have all made announcements.

Investment has also been flowing to humanoid companies, with 1X Technologies raising $100 million in January, Figure AI raising $675 million in February, and Accenture investing in Sanctuary AI in March.

Humanoid robots have advanced in parallel with generative AI, and Playter said he welcomes the competition.

“There were three seminal events: Boston Dynamics got acquired for $1 billion, interest in Tesla’s robot validated what we’ve done for a long time, and the emergence of new AI holds the promise of generalization of tasks,” he said. “They’ve inspired lots of new players, but having new tech isn’t all you need to have a commercial product. You need to focus on a use case, build a reliable machine, and manufacture it in a way to build a business. We want to avoid a ‘humanoid winter,’ so rollouts have to be real.”

Playter added that practical design and proper implementation of AI will help differentiate robots rather than focusing on making them more human-like. The new version of Atlas demonstrated that point in how it stood up in the video at the top of this article.

“It’s not talking to a robot that moves the needle, but whether you can build a robot that eventually does 500 tasks,” he said. “Anthropomorphism blows things out of perspective. We did not want a human-shaped head for Atlas. We want people to remember it’s a machine and that it can move in ways humans can’t.”

The financial stability of the businesses involved will also be relevant for commercial success, said Playter. 

“It takes sustained investment; these are expensive products to launch,” he noted. “Having products already out helps build momentum.”

Atlas is humanoid — to a point. Source: Boston Dynamics

When will we see the new robot in the wild?

Boston Dynamics will begin testing the all-electric version of Atlas with parent company Hyundai and select partners next year, said Playter.

“We’re beginning in their factory,” he told The Robot Report. “In addition to the target application of a lot of parts movement — a special kind of logistics in automotive production — I think that will evolve as the dexterity of the robots improves over time.”

“We see robots in the workplace as an evolution, a continuum from Spot to Atlas,” asserted Playter. “Each product in the series informs the launch of the next.”

“Industries will have to figure out how to adapt and incorporate humanoids into their facilities,” he said. “We’ll actually see robots in the wild in factories beginning next year. We want a diversity of tasks.”

The post Boston Dynamics debuts electric version of Atlas humanoid robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

Contactless wireless charging can power robots and electric vehicles. Source: Meredot

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the distinction between contact-based and contactless wireless charging has become pivotal, with an added layer of confusion thrown into the mix. Wired charging stations are now marketing themselves as “wireless,” blurring the lines between true contactless solutions and those requiring physical contact.

Let’s examine differences between contact-based wireless charging stations and contactless wireless charging. Wireless charging technology enables robots to operate longer, charge faster, and be safer and more reliable. It can also reduce the overheating chances. However, there are also drawbacks — what are they?

Contact-based charging limitations

Amidst the myriad options in wireless charging, the let’s address the pitfalls of contact-based wireless charging:

• Precise docking required: While these contact-based stations may be wireless, they demand accurate device docking and adapter connections, causing frustration and connectivity issues—a stark departure from the seamless experience promised by contactless solutions.
• Space invasion: Contact-based adapters and stations often take up more space, impacting both aesthetics and spatial efficiency. This contrasts sharply with the sleek and unobtrusive nature of authentic contactless charging.
• Wear and tear: Frequent use of connectors in contact-based charging can lead to wear and tear, compromising charging performance over time. Authentic contactless options eliminate this concern by eschewing physical connectors.
• Compatibility conundrum: Different devices may demand specific adapters with contact-based charging, leading to compatibility issues and the necessity for additional accessories. In contrast, true contactless solutions offer a universal and hassle-free experience.
• Maintenance mischief: The mechanical components in contact-based charging may require more maintenance, resulting in higher operational costs. Opting for genuine contactless technology minimizes the need for constant upkeep, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective solution.

Learn from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and many more.

Contactless wireless charging benefits

Contactless wireless charging offers a host of advantages:

• Cord-free convenience: Bid farewell to cords, the hassle of tripping hazards, and the inconvenience of forgetting to charge. Contactless charging liberates you from the entanglements of traditional charging methods.
• Charging without precision parking: With contactless charging, simply place your device on the station, and charging begins seamlessly, eliminating the need for meticulous alignment.
• Reduced vulnerability to damage: With fewer exposed parts, contactless charging minimizes the risk of damage, ensuring a more robust and resilient charging solution.
• All-weather reliability: Contactless charging systems are impervious to snow, ice, and dirt.
• Compact design: Such stations can provide a smaller footprint and improved aesthetics. Their sleek and unobtrusive design can integrate more smoothly into an environment.

Contactless charging versus contact-based charging

How does contactless charging compare with contact-based charging? Most contactless stations boast an impressive array of features:

• Versatile operation: Contactless stations can operate indoors and outdoors, adapting to various environments with ease.
• Safety for all: These stations are designed to be safe for both humans and pets.
• Optimized fleet and battery performance: Contactless technology goes beyond mere charging, enhancing fleet and battery operations.
• Streamlined daily operations: Say goodbye to unnecessary complexities, contributing to extended battery charge and lifespan.
• Universal device compatibility: Compatible with a wide range of devices, these stations offer a universal charging experience.
• Durability: Built from durable materials, contactless stations promise longevity and reliability.
• Flexible installation options: Whether securely attached or elegantly inserted into the ground or wall, these stations promise flexible and secure installation choices.

Contactless wireless charging promises to be more robust than contact-based charging. Source: Meredot

Robots, drones already use wireless charging

Several companies are already successfully using or working on implementing wireless charging for robots. First, Amazon has worked on delivering packages with aerial drones. The e-commerce giant is planning to implement wireless charging stations.

Amazon‘s drones are designed to operate within a delivery radius of up to 20 miles from their base. The operational range is based on the drone’s battery capacity, taking into account the weight of the package. This effectively means that the drones can only fly in one direction before requiring a recharge.

To address this limitation and ensure seamless delivery operations within the designated working zone, Amazon plans to strategically place wireless charging stations. These stations will enable drones to recharge mid-operation, thereby doubling their effective delivery range without the need for manual intervention.

Also, companies like Starship Technologies have developed delivery robots with wireless charging. Food-delivery robots are equipped with sophisticated electronics enabling them to sense and navigate through complex urban environments. This level of autonomy consumes a significant amount of power, necessitating recharging approximately twice a day.

Businesses employing these delivery robots seek to streamline the recharging process to ensure minimal downtime and continuous operation. Wireless charging stands out as a promising method. This technology allows robots to recharge without manual intervention, can enhance operational efficiency, and reduces the need for physical contacts that can wear out over time or require precise alignment.

The choice for continuous operations

In addition, several pipe-cleaning brands are considering wireless charging for their robots because it’s challenging to constantly retrieve the systems. They need robots that do not need to be removed from pipes for charging, and wireless systems enable robots to be charged directly through the pipes.

This approach aims to streamline maintenance without the labor-intensive process of manually retrieving, charging, and re-deploying the robots. Wireless charging technology could allow charging stations to be installed within the pipe system itself, thereby providing power to the robots as needed and reducing downtime.

Airports are now planning to implement automatic means of moving people around, such as electric carts, which will require automatic wireless charging. This initiative addresses several logistical challenges, including the need to minimize wait times for passengers requiring assistance, reducing congestion in terminal areas, and optimizing the flow of people.

The adoption of automatic electric carts equipped with wireless charging technology could provide continuous operation, ensuring a smoother, more reliable service. In addition, this technology could support an airport’s sustainability goals by reducing reliance on traditional fuel-powered vehicles, contributing to a cleaner, more eco-friendly environment within the airport.

In short, wireless charging stations are needed in places where automation is taking place.

Addressing safety concerns with contactless charging

“But isn’t contactless charging dangerous?” you might wonder. Contactless technology is equipped with advanced intelligence. It can discern when a foreign object is present over the station’s pad transmitter, promptly shutting down to prevent any potential issues.

As we navigate the labyrinth of wireless charging options, it’s crucial to discern between marketing ploys and true innovation. When engaging with a wireless charging provider, inquire specifically about the nature of their product—whether it requires contact or is genuinely contactless.

Embrace the future of technology with true contactless wireless charging, where the promise of a seamless, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing charging experience is fulfilled.

About the author

Roman Bysko is co-founder and CEO of Meredot, a wireless charging technology company based in Lake Oswego, Ore., and Riga, Latvia. Meredot was founded in 2017 by a group of engineers and scientists who wanted to prove that wireless charging can be at least as efficient, faster and more convenient than the cable-based charging process.

Today, Meredot provides not only wireless charging technology but also already green solutions to wirelessly charge mobility, micro-mobility transport, robots and drones. The company claimed that its proprietary wireless chargers combine hardware and software for ultra-scalable, reliable, and manageable charging of electric vehicle and low-emision vehicles (LEVs).

The post What’s the difference between contactless and wireless charging for robots? appeared first on The Robot Report.

OmniOn supports multiple technologies, including robotics. Click here to enlarge. Source: OmniOn Power

As delivery robots and autonomous vehicles spread, much of the design and development attention has focused on safe navigation and obstacle detection, according to OmniOn Power Inc. However, they will also require reliable charging and communications infrastructure, it said.

“We’ve mainly seen mobile robots indoors in factories, warehouses, or even restaurants,” said Gopal Mitra, global segment leader for industrials at OmniOn. “2023 was a big year for cost optimization for robotics companies. They tried to address space challenges and labor shortages in e-commerce, and power supply for delivery robots outdoors is another real challenge.”

“We look at three basic technologies: cloud and edge computing, which need to be supported by 5G, and power,” he told The Robot Report. “OmniOn Power addresses high-voltage DC, outdoor installations, and products for onboard robotics, including mounted power that should be able to work with fluctuating voltages as batteries deplete.”

OmniOn spun out of ABB

Formerly known as ABB Power Conversion, AcBel Polytech Inc. acquired the division in July 2023 and renamed it OmniOn Power Inc. in October.

The Plano, Texas-based company gained telecommunications experience as a part of Bell Labs and was part of General Electric Co. and ABB Ltd. OmniOn claimed that its “reliable products, industry expertise, and partnerships are helping customers realize the full potential of 5G, supporting expansive data center demands, [and] powering Industry 4.0.”

“Our business has grown in the robotics space, partly because of the lack of innovation as a lot of folks focused on scaling up rather than introducing new designs,” Mitra said. “Channels are trying to adopt the right robots for ‘order online, pick up at store,’ direct fulfillment, and warehouses. The increasing amount of returns is also a big concern, and we’re addressing a $500 million portion of the total addressable market by optimizing for the cost of development and implementation.”

Learn from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and many more.

Power innovations to enable autonomy

Batteries add weight to robots and drones, and they can be affected by extreme cold. OmniOn said that more innovation is needed.

“There are two schools of thought for batteries — they could be long-lasting, or you can go with capacitors,” said Mitra. “As for the environment, there’s the harmonics on the grid and temperature, which can be up to 120 to 130 degrees [Fahrenheit; 48.8 to 54.4 Celsius] in places like Dallas.”

“Cold is more of an issue on the battery side than the internals, where the 2% heat generated is usually enough to keep power electronics warm,” he added. “We’re looking at the optimal time to charge, as well as discharge and weight.”

“There have been a number of innovations in batteries,” Mitra noted. “Lithium-ion is very popular in robotics and electric vehicles, and sodium-ion and other polymers are being explored. How U.S. investment in the semiconductor industry responds to China’s prevalence will also affect innovation in the next 10 years. Some are now looking at vertical stacking for denser chips.”

“OmniOn already has engineers working on providing power supplies to telecom and 5G networks,” he said. “We’re enablers of autonomy.”

OmniOn is working on providing power and connectivity to delivery and warehouse robots. Source: Adobe Stock

Other considerations for robotics

Ways to increase robot uptime include hot-swappable batteries, software that directs opportunistic recharging, and persistent wired or wireless charging on embedded grids, mostly indoors.

“Cost is a big deal — wireless charging is usually near-field using inductive charging, which is very attractive for many robots but can be expensive,” said Mitra. “With contact-based charging, you don’t need a converter circuit onboard the robot.”

By contrast, farming equipment or robotic lawnmowers can have wireless docking, eliminating the risk of clippings getting into contacts, he said. Wireless charging pads throughout a warehouse or factory have a high installation cost but can reduce the weight of batteries and operational costs. All of these options require industry consensus to become more widespread, Mitra observed.

How much can fleet management software help with power?

“It depends on the type of fleet,” replied Mitra. “We’re maturing simple routing within the constraints of restaurants, but delivery robots and vehicles have variable package loads. On the software side, we’ll see the impact of artificial intelligence on warehouse management, from machine vision to order processing.” 

Mitra also said that distributed power generation from photovoltaic cells could change the cost of energy.

“There are lots of opportunities to improve overall efficiency, but it’s a chicken-and-egg problem — first, the application has to come,” he said. “In hardware, non-isolated board-mounted products are emerging.”

5G to play a role as edge/cloud computing shifts

“For delivery robots, most of the compute is onboard, with nearby 5G hubs enabling mesh networks,” Mitra explained. “Edge computing needs to be supported by a 5G backbone, and peer-to-peer networks can manage the load.”

While robots and autonomous vehicles (AVs) need onboard processing for a spatial understanding of their environments and to navigate complex surroundings, the delivery function and reporting would benefit from 5G, he said.

“Look at certain regions in San Francisco — AVs are limited to certain areas, where the routes are largely pre-programmed,” said Mitra. “Once we see a prevalence of 5G and edge computing, machine learning for transport will be more scalable.”

“We have an engagement with a robotics company working with a major retailer on managing inventory and goods-to-person materials handling in the warehouse. Multi-tenant warehouses are coming,” Mitra said. “In addition to automated storage and retrieval systems [ASRS], we’re looking at multi-robot scenarios in the parking lot for groceries.”

The BPS 48V stackable power system is designed for 5G systems. Source: OmniOn

AI, humanoids could create new demands

Growing interest in applying generative AI to robotics will also affect networking and power demands.

“They’re not talked about yet in the context of on-premise or edge computing, but it will be interesting to see if delivery robots get these capabilities,” Mitra said. “AI has helped industry understand the need for high-performance computing, which has put a lot of pressure on power-supply manufacturers for smaller, more efficient systems.”

Similarly, interest in mobile manipulation and the humanoid form factor will also intensify pressure on compute and power management.

“Even if you just put an articulated robot arm on a mobile base, stepper motors require eight times the current to start, just to change from static to movement,” said Mitra.

“We still don’t have a good solution for batteries that can support humanoids for the long term,” he asserted. “They’ll also need a power train that can handle a wide range of discharge, from walking to the necessary strength for lifting boxes.”

OmniOn said it expects the demand for delivery robots, automated warehouses, and connected infrastructure to grow at 12% to 14%. Power management may not be standardized, depending on the size of a robot and its number of sensors, and edge/cloud computing and different charging approaches will continue to evolve, said Mitra. 

“We’re excited see how wireless charging affects the robotics space,” he said. “While the cost has led to different adoption than initially expected, in the long term, the cost of infrastructure could be lower, and it could be more easily managed.”

The post OmniOn looks to power, network next-gen delivery robots appeared first on The Robot Report.

Colo.-based Scythe Robotics is adopting the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port for its M.52 robot lawnmower. The company said this move will integrate NACS capabilities into their all-electric, fully autonomous commercial mower as early as Q4 2024.

NACS, also known as the “Tesla Charger” or SAE J3400, is becoming the standard in electric vehicle (EV) charging, according to Scythe. Leading automotive companies, including Ford, General Motors and BMW, have committed to transitioning to NACS by 2025. Scythe said this move toward standardized charging infrastructure is crucial in facilitating mass EV adoption, streamlining user experiences with reliable and simple charging solutions.

By eliminating proprietary connectors and technologies, Scythe said this transition ensures lower charging costs, greater ease of use, and expanded access to charging facilities for landscape companies mowing with M.52.

“We are committed to providing our landscape customers with meaningful solutions that sit at the forefront of technological innovation,” said Davis Foster, co-founder and chief engineer of Scythe. “With the U.S. moving towards the adoption of NACS across the board, it’s clear that this standardized charging solution will be the optimal and most convenient method for charging any EV or machine – including M.52 – for the foreseeable future. We are excited to extend these benefits to our customers.

The next generation of M.52, slated for production in late 2024, will integrate NACS components as they are made available for non-Tesla manufacturers. Existing generations of M.52 can be compatible with the new standards through a common NACS-to-J1772 connector. Looking forward, NACS holds the potential for future improvements and features like DC fast charging and automated billing with existing charger networks.

“By incorporating NACS into the next generation of our machine, M.52 will potentially be the first non-Tesla vehicle to implement this new standard,” explained Roger Dodrill, staff systems engineer at Scythe. “As pioneers in autonomous and electric outdoor power equipment, adopting this standardized solution is a critical step in our mission to electrify the industry. By providing the gold standard in charging capabilities, we aim to eliminate barriers to the adoption of electric equipment and enhance the overall user experience for our valued customers.”

Scythe Robotics is adopting the North American Charging Standard for its robot lawnmower. | Credit: Scythe Robotics

Scythe Robotics at Robotics Summit & Expo

Scythe will be speaking at the Robotics Summit & Expo, the world’s leading event for commercial robotics developers, that takes place May 1-2 in Boston. Nathaniel Czarnecki, Scythe’s lead test engineer, will be talking about how the company is “Building a Scalable Testing Program to Drive Robot Reliability.”

Czarnecki will share the company’s philosophy behind and framework for building highly effective robotics testing programs that can grow in scope and impact without becoming burdensome to the business. This involves prioritizing which facets of the product need the most in-depth testing, identifying meaningful metrics to measure them by, and using the findings to rapidly iterate on and improve the product – all with typically limited resources and an eye toward seriously expanded testing operations.

Scythe’s testing program has driven step-change product and performance improvements with each iteration of M.52, as well as significant updates between them. Through stories from the test fields at Scythe (along with plenty of destructive testing videos), Nathaniel will also share best practices for testing hardware and software in tandem, creating progressive testing programs, and building the rapport needed to collaborate with teams across an organization, offering insight relevant to any robotics company.

Produced by The Robot Report and parent company WTWH Media, the Robotics Summit & Expo focuses on the design, development, and scaling of commercial robots. There will be 60-plus speakers in 40-plus sessions sharing their commercial robotics development expertise. There will also be more than 130 exhibitors showing enabling technologies on the expo show floor.

Keynotes will feature the following industry luminaries:

• Jonathan Hurst, co-founder and chief robot officer at Agility Robotics
• Tye Brady, chief technologist at Amazon Robotics
• Ujjwal Kumar, group president at Teradyne Robotics
• Morgan Pope, research scientist, and Moritz Baecher, associate lab director for robotics, at Disney Research
• Medtronic will demonstrate its remote robotic-assisted surgical system.

The Robotics Summit will also include conference tracks on warehouse automation and AI in addition to development, enabling technologies, and healthcare. An Engineering Theater on the show floor will feature additional presentations on innovative systems and use cases.

On Wednesday, May 1, the Robotics Summit & Expo will host the inaugural RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards Gala to celebrate this year’s winners of the prestigious recognition. Tickets will be available for this gala.

Registration is now open for the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo. An Academic Outreach Program offers discounts for attendees coming from colleges, universities, and research institutions.

The post Scythe robot lawnmowers adopting ‘Tesla charging standard’ appeared first on The Robot Report.

How do you protect a robot’s sensitive electronics against water, dirt, and dust? How do you navigate unfamiliar landscapes? Perhaps the most pressing problem of all is how to charge those robots.

The challenge of contact-based charging

Indoor charging environments often use metal contacts on a dock to charge the robot, but that’s problematic in rugged environments where things are less predictable. Dust or mud can dirty the contact and reduce the current or stop it flowing altogether. Water can get in between the contacts and short them out.

Industrial robots cost thousands of dollars, and every minute that the electrons don’t flow turns the device from an asset to a liability. A dead robot can also create secondary costs in the kinds of remote environments that companies are now exploring. It could require a costly truck roll to repair or recharge the device when no one is on site to handle it.

Companies at the sharp end of the rugged outdoor robotics community are increasingly embracing wireless charging as an alternative to contact-based mechanisms. One of them is Clearpath Robotics, a manufacturer that designs custom robotics platforms for applications ranging from mining to oil and gas for research and, increasingly, real-world industrial usage.

Alongside safety, weather, and maintenance issues, positioning accuracy is also critical for rugged outdoor robotics applications, explained Clearpath’s technology director Robbie Edwards. The contact-based charging mechanisms the company uses for indoor systems have a three-centimeter tolerance.

“Even with 3 cm [1.1 in.] of tolerance, the stackup in localization accuracy and control for a larger robot system can be difficult to design for,” he said.

Clearpath’s Husky Observer robot, including WiBotic receiver coil shown mounted on the front. Source: WiBotic

Precise positioning can be a problem outdoors

That tolerance requirement becomes even more problematic in unforgiving outdoor situations. Edwards described one outdoor robot that Clearpath had developed with especially demanding requirements.

“While it was charging, it had to be safe for use around people,” he recalled. “And it needed 10 cm [3.9 in.] of docking tolerance.”

The contact-based charging solution was prohibitively difficult to implement.

“It was a multi-axis mechanism that was larger than the robot itself,” added Edwards. “It was expensive and complicated.”

Switching to a wireless charging system with a laser-guided docking system made challenges like these more tractable. Clearpath now uses autonomous software to dock its vehicle with WiBotic wireless chargers housed in fully weatherproof enclosures.

WiBotic’s mechanism uses resonant charging which, unlike older inductive wireless charging technologies, provides consistent power and efficiency even when coils are substantially misaligned. It enables Clearpath’s robots to recharge within a consistent amount of time to maintain duty cycles.

“We can definitely navigate to well within wireless tolerances, ensuring reliable charging even in difficult environmental conditions,” Edwards added.

When charging challenges heat up

Environments don’t get much more rugged than in the desert, where OnSight Technology sends robots to monitor vast solar arrays. The company helps energy clients solve some big challenges, including labor shortages. It’s difficult to find skilled people to inspect solar panels in remote, inhospitable areas.

OnSight’s uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) weigh than a quarter-ton,. They trundle along rows of panels conducting close examinations at ground level with a radiometric thermal imaging camera and an optical zoom camera. The AI-enabled devices use visual learning to verify installation crews’ work and then monitor the panels for damage after they leave.

Telltale hot spots on the back of a panel indicate that after long periods generating solar power in the harsh desert environment, something has gone awry. The key is to identify the issues that would require an expensive immediate engineer site visit.

“Every time they roll the truck, they’re going to just focus on the most critical issues,” said Graham Ryland, chief operating officer at OnSight. “Some issues look critical from the air but are really just a little dirt.”

On the other hand, a faulty connector could lead to thermal runaway and set panels alight. That could shut down the panels, creating costly production outages. The robots help to avoid that while balancing the cost of truck rolls.

OnSight’s UGV has a thermal camera and an optical zoom camera to detect and report anomalies on solar farms. Source: WiBotic

Safety is key for UGVs

Safety and reliability when charging are key for OnSight’s desert robots, explained Ryland.

“Our robot cannot be a cause for concern, but using electrical contacts in the desert is dangerous,” he said. Companies using them must build expensive, cumbersome shacks with closing doors to avoid sparks from the contacts causing fires.

Because wireless charging is contactless, there is no danger of arcing, eliminating the need for enclosed docking stations. Instead, the robot simply pulls up to an outdoor charging panel and accesses wireless power automatically.

“Onboard CANBus communication with the wireless charging system allows OnSight to remotely confirm charging success and monitor the health and performance of batteries over time,” said Ryland.

“One of the greatest features we found with WiBotic is the thermal backoff,” he noted. Charging a battery when it’s too hot or cold can damage it. This could be a problem in extreme day and night desert conditions.

However, charge voltage and current can be manually or programmatically adjusted based on those environmental conditions using WiBotic software that monitors and manages all charging stations and onboard chargers in real time.

“That level of intelligent charging greatly improves battery longevity,” Ryland said. “It has been critical for us.”

OnSight’s UGV, fitted with an onboard charger, approaches a wireless transmitter. Source: WiBotic

Easy charger deployment another benefit

Wireless charging in remote environments carries another benefit: charging ubiquity.

“The fact that we’re able to put wireless chargers just about anywhere and pull up to it and wirelessly connect without any electrical contacts has enabled us to deploy quickly,” Ryland says. Robots can increase their 25-sq.-mi. (64.7-sq.-km) range by traveling between chargers rather than returning home to an original charger at the day’s end.

“We primarily charge at night, but if we’re close to a charger, we’ll charge in the afternoon for a couple of hours when the sun tracking modules are flat and hard to inspect,” he explained.

Use cases like these are just the beginning for an outdoor robotics market that was worth over $150 million in 2022, according to Global Market Insights. That market could expand at a 16% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach more than $600 million in 2032, it said.

At WiBotic, we also see big opportunities in construction, where robots will clean sites, capture high-quality photo and video, and mark foundations for walls.

Other applications range from the familiar to the enormously challenging. One of our customers uses wireless chargers to juice up shopping carts that have fully digital displays. Those carts might operate indoors, but they still receive some punishing treatment from shoppers who crash them into other carts in the return corral, leave them outside, etc.

At the other end of the scale, WiBotic has worked with Astrobotic to build wireless chargers for lunar rovers to support NASA’s Artemis program to put humans on the moon for the first time in over half a century. That’s surely one of the most remote, unforgiving environments of all.

Astrobotic’s CubeRover is a modular vehicle designed to provide affordable mobility for scientific instruments and other payloads to operate on the surface of the moon. Source: WiBotic

What challenges or applications for rugged robotics can you suggest that might benefit from wireless charging? Let us know at info@wibotic.com.

About the author

Matt Carlson is vice president of business development at WiBotic. This article is posted with permission.

The post Charging challenges can be solved for rugged robotics appeared first on The Robot Report.

WiBotic, a Seattle-based company developing wireless charging and power optimization solutions for robots, is partnering with Nabtesco Corporation. Nabtesco, a leading Japanese engineering company that specializes in gearboxes, rotors, motors and robotics, is now selling WiBotic’s wireless charging solutions in Japan.

WiBotic systems provide mobile robots with greater range, flexibility and reliability than contact-based charging systems. They also require less human intervention and maintenance. Power delivery is flexible to within several centimeters of WiBotic’s wireless transmitter to help robots recharge and improve overall uptime.

WiBotic said there has been “rapid growth” in the Japanese wireless charging sector. The company said it expects unit sales to more than triple in the next four years. Japan, which is responsible for 40% of robot sales worldwide, just held its iREX event in Tokyo. The show had 654 exhibitors demoing different robotics technologies. Here are our 6 robotics trends from iREX.

“Japan is home to many of the world’s leading robotics companies and manufacturers, and Nabtesco is a true pioneer within the industry,” said Ben Waters, co-founder and CEO, WiBotic. “The Japanese market for wireless power solutions is positioned for rapid growth, and to meet demand, Nabtesco has been looking for a strategic partner to deliver innovative solutions. We’re thrilled they’ve selected us, and we look forward to working with them closely in the future.”

Learn from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and many more.

Earlier in 2023, WiBotic introduced PowerPad Pro, a stand-alone platform that automatically charges drones without physical connection points, while wirelessly transferring flight data, images and video.

WiBotic also won a 2023 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its wireless charging technology. It made the wireless charging and controls communication available for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS). Because of their slow charging speed, batteries might not be practical for storing power in an ASRS, and the usual solution, super-capacitors, requires direct contact with electrical plates to charge. Instead, WiBotic uses a wireless power system that can also allow data to be sent between the charging station and shuttle over the wireless power system’s existing control radios.

The post WiBotic’s wireless charging tech for robots heads to Japan appeared first on The Robot Report.

The post Motion control with GAM Enterprises; power in motion with CaPow appeared first on The Robot Report.

The sales and marketing teams of WIferion become the new PULS Wireless Division. | Credit: PULS

DIN rail power supply provider PULS has acquired Wiferion from Tesla. This deal comes after Tesla acquired Wiferion for an undisclosed amount in June 2023. PULS said it plans to continue manufacturing, marketing and selling Wiferion‘s wireless charging products worldwide.

Wiferion is one of a small number of wireless charging solutions for AMRs, AGVs and electric forktrucks. Tesla never publicly stated what its intentions were for the young startup. But now we know. According to a source with knowledge of both these acquisitions, Wiferion’s engineers will remain at Tesla; they are not included in the deal with PULS. Wiferion’s engineering team has vast experience in high-power wireless power transmission. 

For Wiferion customers, PULS said nothing will change in the operational business of producing wireless power systems. PULS takes over all existing contracts, trademark rights, and patents for the technology. The sales, marketing, and support teams for Wiferion will transition into a new PULS Wireless division that will be located in Germany. 

“PULS employs more than 100 of the best developers in the industry and has global production and sales locations that take our charging technology and scalability to a new level,” enthuses Julian Seume, former CSO of Wiferion, and now PULS Wireless Division Director. “Especially in the area of new product development and application support, we are now in a much stronger position and can offer our customers an even better service.”

Register now so that you don’t miss this exciting event.

Wiferion currently manufactures its solutions through a third-party contract manufacturer. PULS has its own manufacturing facilities in Czechoslovakia and China, and the Wiferion products will ultimately be brought in-house to reduce production costs and take advantage of supply chain synergies with the PULS products, the source said.

Wiferion and PULS have substantial synergies due to the fact that they both compete in the power electronics industry. Power transmission via wireless means is an emerging method of power transfer where the energy is transferred across an air gap with spatially separated coils. This acquisition enables PULS to quickly become a leader in wireless power transmission with a ready-to-sell and deploy solution.

According to the source, Wiferion’s current product line will continue under the Wiferion brand name for the immediate future.

The post PULS acquires Wiferion’s wireless charging business appeared first on The Robot Report.

An illustration of Yank Tech’s wireless charging system for a lunar rover. | Source: Yank Technologies

Yank Technologies, a developer of long-rand, high-power wireless charging systems, has been awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Contract. Under the contract, Yank Tech will develop wireless charging systems in kilowatt ranges for autonomous vehicles on the Moon. 

Yank Tech is known for its wireless power systems for industrial, autonomous, consumer, and now space applications. 

“With this NASA Phase I contract, we will expand our wireless charging ecosystem into the space sector. We can significantly improve the productivity of NASA robots and enable greater human exploration for future missions,” Josh Yank, CEO of Yank Technologies, said.

NASA SBIR contracts allow small business innovators to be part of the growing aerospace ecosystem. Its Artemis Program is expected to cross $93 billion in endowments by 2025, and will help pave the way for future human explorations. 

With the increasing demand in Moon exploration, Yank Tech is taking the opportunity to expand its wireless power ecosystem for space applications. The company will develop a kilowatt, modular wireless charging system that can operate in extreme environments from farms on Earth to lunar missions. 

Yank Tech’s receiver devices can be integrated into future NASA rovers and its transmitter devices on the lunar surface to improve the uptime and productivity of NASA robots for prolonged use. 

Yank Tech has developed patented and patent-pending technology for multiple automotive manufacturers to power electronics that enable new features in next-generation vehicles. Its systems reduce assembly and warranty costs by removing complex wire harness connections while enabling new features like complete cockpit reconfiguration. 

The company has achieved innovations like powering passenger vehicles in new locations, like cup holders, and while in use over the air. Yank Tech has also developed new wireless power systems that can power robotic vehicles dynamically to improve manufacturing uptime and productivity. 

This isn’t NASA’s only power-related investment for the Moon. Just last week, Astrobotic won a $34.6 million NASA Tipping Point partnership to demonstrate the power transmission abilities of its LunaGrid-Lite on the lunar surface. This will be the first-ever transmission of high-voltage power across the lunar surface.

The post Yank Technologies lands NASA SBIR contract appeared first on The Robot Report.

Powermat Technologies, a global supplier of wireless charging technologies, announced its PMT350 600W wireless power platform, the next generation in its family of platforms based on the company’s SmartInductive hybrid inductive/resonance technology. Building on its previous-generation 40W, 200W and 300W platforms, Powermat’s new 600W platform is optimized for mid-power industrial products, including robots. 

Removing charging cables and replacing them with Powermat’s wireless power technology creates autonomous systems free from exact alignment or docking restrictions. Powermat also said this can reduce the expensive downtime of both maintenance and wired charging, lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).

“Delivering [an] affordable wireless power system designed for Industry 4.0 is a game-changer for powerful systems that are notoriously expensive to implement,” Powermat CEO Kfir Abuhatzira said. “Industrial equipment often vibrates or moves, so replacing charging cables which can break or dislodge with wireless power technology eliminates the expensive downtime of both maintenance and wired charging to lower total cost of ownership.”

The new PMT350 platform delivers a total power of 600W with up to 58V input and output and up to 12.5A current. It works with lower-power applications as well and can be configured in multi-module mode for applications requiring more than 600W.

Powermat’s SmartInductive wireless power technology features embeddable software implemented on COTS hardware for maximum affordability. A transmitter (Tx) sends energy wirelessly to a receiver (Rx) that converts it to power to directly power a device or recharge its batteries. SmartInductive combines the best of short-range inductive and resonance wireless charging to eliminate exact placement restrictions and provide freedom of alignment between the Tx and Rx charging coils up to eight inches. SmartInductive can penetrate eight inches of walls and windows, and beyond power transmission, can also transmit data between the coils to control edge devices.

The post Powermat announces wireless power platform for robots appeared first on The Robot Report.

Tesla has plans to acquire Wiferion, a German wireless charging technology company. | Source: Wiferion, Tesla

Tesla has plans to acquire Wiferion, a source who wished to remain anonymous told The Robot Report. The source told The Robot Report that Tesla is interested in Wiferion’s R&D team and capabilities and that existing business at Wiferion will likely go on as usual.

Wiferion is a German-based company that offers wireless charging systems for autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), forklifts, and collaborative robots (cobots). It was founded in 2016 under the name Blue Inductive, which was changed to Wiferion in 2019.

The company was founded by four former researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems. Its first product was the etaLINK 3000, a contactless inductive charger for industrial vehicles that works with any type of battery.

More recently, Wiferion released the etaLINK 1000, the latest and smallest edition of its line of robot charging systems, which is compact enough to be installed into a small AMR. Wiferion earlier in 2023 opened a North American subsidiary in Chicago. This new location was designed to help Wiferion shorten delivery times, enhance onsite services and support and provide consulting services for North American customers.

Gründerszene first reported on news of the acquisition on Tuesday. Documents were filed on June 12, according to the commercial register, that show the shareholders’ intentions (see on page 6 of the PDF) of selling their shares to Tesla International BV, the European subsidiary of the company.

Wiferion has primarily focused on making chargers for electric industrial vehicles, so its technology could be used in Tesla’s electric car and battery factories. Teslarati, the publisher of a Tesla-related news outlet, wrote a story a couple of months ago about Tesla teasing a wireless home charger during its recent Investor Day.

Tesla could also potentially use the technology in its Optimus robot.

Editor’s Note: Steve Crowe contributed to this story.

The post Tesla acquiring wireless charging developer Wiferion appeared first on The Robot Report.

Wiferion has announced the release of the etaLINK 1000, the latest and smallest edition of its line of robot charging systems. When integrated into a robot, the charging unit measures just 160 mm (around 6.3 inches), making it 36% smaller than the company’s next standard charging unit the etaLINK 3000. 

The etaLINK 1000 aims to provide high positioning toleration, maintenance-free operation and start-up of power transfer in around one second. It delivers power for compact fulfillment robots and can transfer energy without contact with a 1 kW capacity. 

“In the last three years, we have sold more than 8,000 3 kW and 12 kW systems. Our customers have expressed demand for a smaller version of etaLINK to power smaller robots. The etaLINK 1000 is the answer to this challenge,” Matthieu Ebert, VP of Wiferion North America, said.

Wiferion’s charging units can be used in sorter, shuttle, commissioning and more applications, where there is a demand for small goods-to-person robots. The company aims to eliminate the unproductive charging times, downtimes and expensive maintenance work that other complex charging systems come with. 

The etaLINK 1000 starts and stops charging automatically and provides the full 42A within one second with 93% accuracy. It’s easy to get the chargers up and running quickly with a plug-and-play setup, according to the company. 

Wiferion’s full line of robot charging systems includes the etaLINK 1000, the etaLINK 3000 and the etaLINK 12000. The etaLINK 12000 enables in-process charging of the lithium-ion batteries of driverless transport systems, industrial trucks and mobile robots. 

The company is based in Germany and established a North American subsidiary in Chicago earlier this year. This new location will help Wiferion shorten delivery times, enhance onsite services and support and provide consulting services for North American companies in need of advanced charging systems. 

The post Wiferion releases wireless charging system for small AMRs appeared first on The Robot Report.

CaPow, a perpetual power solution provider, announced it raised a $7.5 million Seed round to scale up the commercialization of its battery-free, wireless, energy delivery eco-system for autonomous robotics. This solution provides continuous power for automated robotic environments while eliminating robot downtime due to charging. The round was led by IL Ventures, a VC fund focused on disruptive technologies for legacy industries, with co-investment from Mobilion VC, Payton Planar Magnetics, Doral Energy-Tech Ventures, Mobilitech Capital, and Mr. Ray Nissan, a prominent angel investor.

Today, many automated solutions rely on batteries for power supply. This dependency leads to several inherent inefficiencies such as charging downtime and rampant costs due to the need for additional robots to replace the ones that are being charged. Moreover, traditional batteries have a negative environmental impact, as they create safety hazards and are an operational “headache” since they require a dedicated procurement strategy, special shipping, handling, storage and recycling.

CaPow addresses the primary bottleneck for automation: the challenge of providing reliable, cost-effective, and non-pollutive energy. By offering consistent power flow for mobile robots, CaPow’s energy delivery eco-system allows automated robotic solutions to continuously operate with no energy depletion downtime while ending the concept of reliance on legacy batteries. CaPow’s “battery-free”, paradigm-shifting solution is being well received along the logistics value chain, as it is validated to cut down the size of the required robot fleet, enhance throughput and improve the ROI of automation.

Robotics Summit (May 10-11) returns to Boston

Register Today

CaPow’s proprietary solution facilitates optimal power transfer with wide and dynamic capabilities. It accommodates multiple users, as well as the presence of metal and debris in and around the energy transfer field. In addition, it supports large distances between the transmitting and receiving ends, as well as wide spatial coverage. This provides substantial power levels with optimal end-to-end efficiency. The value of CaPow’s technology further expands to the wider mobility market with a wide range of applications. 

Mr. Amir Fishelov joins CaPow’s Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board, leveraging his two decades of experience as Co-Founder of SolarEdge (Nasdaq: SEDG), a pioneer and global leader in smart energy technology. At SolarEdge, a $17B company, Mr. Fishelov served as Chief Architect as well as VP of Strategy and Corporate Development, leading large-scale and complex energy management projects.

“With the backing of our investors and strategic partners, CaPow is challenging robot manufacturers, automation solution providers, and facility operators to change their definition of operational efficiency”, says Prof. Mor Peretz, Co-Founder & CEO at CaPow. “We look forward to accelerating our product development to meet strong market demand for our innovative and proven technology. The company will use the proceeds from the investment round to expedite business growth in markets around the world.”

“At IL Ventures, we align closely with CaPow’s mission of creating a sustainable, battery-free power supply for the industry,” says Yoni Heilbronn, Managing Partner at IL Ventures. “We are excited to invest in an exceptional and proven technology, which is a game changer for the entire robotic power landscape.”

“I am very proud BGN Technologies took part in bringing CaPow’s revolutionary technology to the market,” says Zafrir Levi, VP Exact Sciences at BGN, the commercialization arm of the Ben-Gurion University. “We wholeheartedly believe in CaPow’s Perpetual Power solution, and this investment is proof of the company’s superior technology and for the massive potential for disrupting the industry in which it operates”.

The post CaPow Raises $7.5 Million Seed Round appeared first on The Robot Report.

Wiferion wireless charging pads can recharge heterogeneous robot fleets. | Credit: Wiferion

WiTricity, a provider of wireless charging for electric vehicles, has licensed its wireless charging technology to Wiferion. Wiferion is a provider of mobile, wireless power supplies for a range of industrial applications, including automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

“We are happy to see Wiferion join our other licensees to further the possibilities for wireless charging,” said Alex Gruzen, CEO, WiTricity. “We are proud to see our pioneering technology help fuel the future of industrial automation and look forward to partnering with Wiferion to accelerate growth in the industry.”

Wiferion’s contactless, inductive charging systems supply fleets of vehicles with energy, no matter the voltage, current or battery type. 

“Already today, Wiferion’s etaLINK wireless charging solutions are powering thousands of mobile robots around the globe. Having access to WiTricity’s patent portfolio will allow us to further sharpen our value proposition and accelerate the adoption of wireless charging in industrial automation”, said Florian Reiners, CEO of Wiferion. “We are looking forward to partnering with WiTricity in our mission to enable the electrified economy and set a standard for wireless charging applications.”

“Witricity has a broad IP portfolio. Wiferion plans to use some of their inventions in new features and even new products”, said Julian Seume, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer of Wifereon.

Wiferion’s system has been designed into more than 100 different vehicles worldwide with more than 5,000 units sold globally, including installation in nearly all top European car manufacturing facilities.

The post WiTricity licenses wireless charging tech to Wiferion appeared first on The Robot Report.

Powermat Technologies today unveiled a wireless charging solution designed for fleets of various types of service robots used for commercial cleaning, delivery, warehouse operations, medical operations, and more.

It develops wireless power technology based on magnetic induction, which is also known as inductive charging. Powermat’s wireless charging technology for commercial robots supports power transfer over a distance of up to 150 millimeters between receiver and transmitter.

Powermat said the system offers up to 300W of power. It said the system eliminates the need for direct contact with pogo-pins entirely, providing operators with 90% charging efficiency.

Powermat also offers turnkey reference designs for wireless charging and battery management. This ensures communication between each robot in a fleet and at docking stations, which is required for identification and authentication, software upgrades, and more.

“For organizations to get the most return on their investment in autonomous solutions, service robots should always be able to complete their task autonomously and recharge quickly without human intervention,” said Elad Dubzinski, CEO, Powermat.

Powermat Technologies in mid-December 2021 raised $25 million in Series B funding to scale its wireless charging technology. The round was led by Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) and Hudson Sustainable Group, which is a founding shareholder of Powermat.

There are several other companies that develop wireless charging solutions for robots. Some of those companies include In2Power, Vicor, WiBotic, Wiferion.

Powermat said its charging solutions can also be found in more than 800 million smartphones, 40 million embedded accessories, and 8 million cars worldwide. Global market leaders, including FIT, Flex, General Motors, Harman International, Kyocera, and Samsung are already using Powermat’s Technology.

The post Powermat unveils 300W wireless charging system for robots appeared first on The Robot Report.