17 May 2022

Reliable and Renewable Biological Photovoltaic Cell
Researchers have used a widespread species of blue-green algae to power a microprocessor continuously for a year - and counting - using nothing but ambient light and water. Their system has potential as a reliable and renewable way to power small devices.
17 May 2022

Wearable to Continuously Monitor Glucose, Alcohol and Lactate
Imagine being able to measure your blood sugar levels, know if you've had too much to drink, and track your muscle fatigue during a workout, all in one small device worn on your skin. Engineers have developed a prototype of such a wearable that can continuously monitor several health stats—glucose, alcohol, and lactate levels—simultaneously in real-time.
External press release
13 May 2022

$102M Funding in 6K To Accelerate Battery Material Production
6K's UniMelt system replaces a three-day, multi-step, high waste chemical co-precipitation (hydro-met) process with one that is ultra-clean and ultra-fast (as low as 2 seconds), powered by a 6000K microwave plasma. Compared to state-of-the-art CAM plants today, 6K uses half the footprint, substantially lower CapEx, and half the conversion costs or less.
External press release
13 May 2022

Octopus Energy Backs Mega Solar Farm in Morocco
Octopus Energy Group announces a financial and strategic partnership with Xlinks, the company building the world's largest subsea power cable to deliver renewable energy from Morocco to the UK.
Full profile interview
12 May 2022

F&P Personal Robotics
F&P Personal Robotics is a Swiss company specializing in collaborative robots. Its featured products include P-Rob for industrial applications and Lio for healthcare.
9 May 2022

Taste of the Future: Robot Chef Learns to 'Taste As You Go'
A robot 'chef' has been trained to taste food at different stages of the chewing process to assess whether it's sufficiently seasoned. The results could be useful in the development of automated or semi-automated food preparation by helping robots to learn what tastes good and what doesn't, making them better cooks.
Background
9 May 2022

Universal Robots
Headquartered in Odense, Denmark, Universal Robots was founded in 2005, specializing in industrial automation in a variety of industrial fields. Universal Robots' main products include UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, and UR16e. Universal Robots is one of the leading players in the collaborative robots world.
Background
6 May 2022

FANUC
A background of Fanuc's collaborative robots — the CR series.
4 May 2022

Engineers Get Under the Skin of Ionic Skin
In the quest to build smart skin that mimics the sensing capabilities of natural skin, ionic skins have shown significant advantages. They're made of flexible, biocompatible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. In contrast to smart skins made of plastics and metals, the hydrogels have the softness of natural skin. This offers a more natural feel to the prosthetic arm or robot hand they are mounted on, and makes them comfortable to wear.
3 May 2022

Ultrasound System Targets Mouth, Creates Virtual Reality Haptic Effect
Lips are famously sensual but, together with the gums and tongue, they are also surprisingly sensitive, second only to the fingertips in nerve density. Researchers have exploited this latter characteristic to devise a practical new way for people to receive tactile feedback in virtual worlds.
External press release
29 Apr 2022

Octopus Energy Makes First Green Waves in UK Offshore Wind Power
Octopus Energy Generation has made its first investment in a large UK offshore wind farm - helping to accelerate the UK's journey to energy independence.
Full profile interview
21 Apr 2022

Natufia
Natufia is a Saudi Arabia-based company providing customers with turnkey solutions to smart indoor gardening, having been founded in 2014 by Gregory Lu. IDTechEx analyst Brendan Beh spoke with Natufia's Marketing Director, Anastassia Taylor, on 14th April 2022.
External press release
20 Apr 2022

Siemens Accelerates Industrialization of Additive Manufacturing
Siemens is announcing the opening of its new Charlotte Advanced Technology Collaboration Hub (CATCH) which will be located in Charlotte, NC. This new strategic research and development hub, spearheaded by Siemens Digital Industries, Siemens Technology and Siemens Energy, now a separately operated company, to focus on helping our customers accelerate their plans for the industrialization of additive manufacturing.
18 Apr 2022

Joystick-Operated Robot Could Help Surgeons Treat Stroke Remotely
Engineers have developed a telerobotic system to help surgeons quickly and remotely treat patients experiencing a stroke or aneurysm. With a modified joystick, surgeons in one hospital may control a robotic arm at another location to safely operate on a patient during a critical window of time that could save the patient's life and preserve their brain function.
External press release
12 Apr 2022

Morf3D Partners with Siemens to Create Additive Manufacturing Facility
Morf3D Inc announced its partnership with Siemens Advanta. The two entities have committed to an ongoing technology development partnership as Morf3D continues to build its new Applied Digital Manufacturing Center in Long Beach, California.
External press release
7 Apr 2022

Ai-Da Robot Makes History With new Cutting Edge AI Painting Arm
While robot artworks have been exhibited during La Biennale di Venezia in previous years, 2022 will mark the first time an ultra-realistic humanoid robot artist presents a solo exhibition of artworks during La Biennale di Venezia as a human artist would.
Update
6 Apr 2022

Form Energy
Form Energy are a US start-up developing an Fe-air battery for long-duration stationary energy storage applications.
Background
5 Apr 2022

Ecovacs
Founded in 1998, Ecovacs Robotics is headquartered in Suzhou, China, specializing in service robots and clean household appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, robotic vacuum cleaners, and many others.
5 Apr 2022

Stretchable and Printable Free-Form Lithium-Ion Batteries
A Korean research team has developed a soft, mechanically deformable, and stretchable lithium battery which can be used in the development of wearable devices, and examined the battery's feasibility by printing them on clothing surfaces.
Full profile interview
1 Apr 2022

Hyperganic
Hyperganic is a start-up developing AI-driven generative design software for additive manufacturing. IDTechEx spoke with CEO Lin Kayser.