Robotics

IDTechEx interviewed Satoru Shimada, Director and COO of Aerosense about their latest progress with their suite of drone products.

A team of researchers has developed a flexible, rechargeable silver oxide-zinc battery with a five to 10 times greater areal energy density than state of the art. The battery also is easier to manufacture; while most flexible batteries need to be manufactured in sterile conditions, under vacuum, this one can be screen printed in normal lab conditions. The device can be used in flexible, stretchable electronics for wearables as well as soft robotics.

Smart cities are now much more ambitious. That means new materials are their biggest enabler, with information and computer technology dropping to an important support role.

Hyundai Motor Group and SoftBank Group Corp agreed on main terms of the transaction pursuant to which Hyundai Motor Group will acquire a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics in a deal that values the mobile robot firm at $1.1 billion.

IDTechEx recently attended the Image Sensor and IS Auto US 2020 online conference. This premium article outlines and analyzes the talks given.

Thursday 17 December 2020 - An IDTechEx Perspective for 2020. The webinar will cover Vertical farming; Plant-based and cultured meat; Biostimulants and biopesticides; Genetic technologies in agriculture; and Agricultural robots and drones.

IDTechEx have released a brand new report, "Smart Cities Emerging Materials Markets 2021-2041" - a comprehensive analysis of multifunctional smart materials, bioplastics, structural electronics, composites, 3D printing, graphene, 2D and 3D molecules, 5G, 6G, IOT, new recycling.

Previous attempts to build a human-eye type of device, called a retinomorphic sensor, have relied on software or complex hardware, but the new sensor's operation is part of its fundamental design, using ultrathin layers of perovskite semiconductors - widely studied in recent years for their solar energy potential - that change from strong electrical insulators to strong conductors when placed in light.

In 2020 smart cities have been pivoting reinvented hardware and associated systems.

A fleet of new-generation, deep-diving ocean robots will be deployed in the Southern Ocean, in a major study of how marine life acts as a handbrake on global warming. The automated probes will be looking for 'marine snow', which is the name given to the shower of dead algae and carbon-rich organic particles that sinks from upper waters to the deep ocean.

Husqvarna is launching a robotic solution for commercial turf care management. The new Husqvarna CEORA platform is an autonomous turf care solution for grass areas of up to 50 000 m2. The high performing, low noise and zero emission robot mows autonomously and systematically within virtual boundaries.

Tuesday 15 December 2020 (3 sessions to choose from) - The current state of global agriculture; Key technology trends in the field of agricultural robotics; Enabling technologies in agricultural robotics; and Case study discussions of autonomous tractors and robotic fresh fruit picking.

Radically different robot shuttles are bringing big changes to cities.

A comprehensive study and market assessment of 3D lidar, with a focus on the automotive sector, reveals that while the market for lidar has expanded, the next few years will prove crucial for all involved.

ReadySight robot and cellular service gives first responders and professionals with dangerous or difficult jobs an extra set of eyes. ReadySight is a rugged one pound, throwable, mobile video robot with unlimited range.

The focus of smart cities has changed. In 2020, smart cities have been pivoting reinvented hardware and associated systems.

Thursday 10 December 2020 (3 sessions to choose from) - This webinar covers the following topic areas: Drone designs; Drone use cases; Forecasts for 2021-2031; and Forecasts for 2031-2041.

Most solar cells today are made with refined silicon that turns sunlight into clean electricity. Unfortunately, the process of refining silicon is far from clean, requiring vast amounts of energy from carbon-emitting power plants.

Researchers have developed an ultrathin pressure sensor that can be attached directly to the skin. It can measure how fingers interact with objects to produce useful data for medical and technological applications. The sensor has minimal effect on the users' sensitivity and ability to grip objects, and it is resistant to disruption from rubbing.

Effective decontamination and sterilisation of hospital wards and bathrooms is essential in reducing the risk of cross infection. This is especially important during COVID-19 pandemic, when we consider that there is just nine critical care beds per 100,000 people in the UK.