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Innovators offered chance to develop their ideas with world leading robotics manufacturer ABB Robotics

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London, U.K. – 1 May 2016 –Innovation platform, The IdeaHub, is once again recruiting robotics and software innovators worldwide to take on the challenge of improving the way we work and interact with the next generation of industrial robots. Working on behalf of ABB Robotics, IdeaHub will help successful applicants pitch their ideas and secure uniquely tailored support packages to maximise their venture’s commercial potential, including investment, mentoring and access to cutting edge hardware.

The IdeaHub is a cross sector, open innovation platform that connects visionaries worldwide with funding and support from global corporations. In 2015 they ran their first programme for ABB Robotics, attracting over 130 applicants with 12 finalists selected for a pitch day in London, with 6 entrepreneurs receiving an offer of support. For 2016 they are partnering with ABB Robotics once again to bring more solutions to solve three core challenges in the world collaborative industrial robotics:

1.) Simplicity: How to simplify robotics

2.) Intelligence: How to enable robots to learn and apply that learning

3.) Digitalization: How smart connectivity will enhance digital factories.

Much more information can be found at www.theideahub.co.uk/challenges.

 

The IdeaHub platform launches today and is open for applications until 30th July 2016. Successful applicants will get the chance to pitch their ideas directly to ABB Robotics at an IdeaHub event in August 2016. There is no limit to number of offers that might be made, which can include funding, access to robots, technology and commercial support as appropriate to the needs of their business.

Simon Blair, from the IdeaHub said, “This is a great opportunity for robotics and software innovators and entrepreneurs around the world to collaborate with a leading robotics company and take their idea to the next level.  All negotiations are directly between successful applicants and ABB Robotics, so outcomes can be structured to the specific needs of each successful venture. Our programme aims to compliment your business and not restrict it in anyway – we don’t operate an incubator period, we don’t set any pre-defined terms and we don’t insist on equity sacrifice as part of any deals borne out of the programme.”

Applying to the IdeaHub takes a few minutes and only requires information already in the public domain. Visit www.theideahub.co.uk for more information and further contact details.

FRANKA EMIKA: Everybody’s Robot

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KBee announces the world’s first cost-efficient Industry 4.0 robot that everybody can program and safely use.

Munich, Germany – April 23, 2016. KBee introduces FRANKA EMIKA—a revolutionary human-centered robotic system—to the market. FRANKA EMIKA is designed for human-robot collaboration, is extremely cost-efficient and lives in the cloud. FRANKA EMIKA is also the first robot that builds itself; therefore perfectly suited for mass production.

FRANKA_EMIKA

FRANKA EMIKA was built, designed and developed by KBee AG. It is a collaborative, lightweight robot system that is designed specifically to serve and seamlessly interact with humans. FRANKA EMIKA can be operated and programmed by anyone, regardless of technical skill, in just a few minutes through a visually intuitive setup process.

FRANKA EMIKA consists of the robot system FRANKA ARM and FRANKA CONTROL, the gripper FRANKA HAND, the software FRANKA DESK, and is connected to the FRANKA CLOUD.

KBee’s CEO, Sami Haddadin, states that, “We strongly believe that FRANKA EMIKA will be a game changer not only in intelligent robotics but also far beyond, opening the doors to a new world of connected digital intelligence accessible to everybody.”

FRANKA ARM is a human-safe, force-limited robot arm with torque sensors in all 7 axes that enable humanlike arm agility and sensitivity. FRANKA EMIKA also has a unique workspace that ranges from close to its base to a maximum reach equivalent to the length of a human arm. With a payload of 3 kg and a repeatability of 0.1mm, FRANKA ARM enables a wide range of possible applications for customers.

Prof. Gerd Hirzinger, who was the first robotics researcher to receive all international robotics and automation awards, says, „Worldwide, robotics researchers are convinced that sensitive torque controlled robots are the future; in particular when considering the large scale future topics such as robotic assistance, safe human-robot collaboration in production or service robotics. Interestingly, this novel technology was often considered to be far too complex to be realized. However, the FRANKA EMIKA robot is the perfect exemplar of the synergies between mechatronics and digitalization in the context of Industry 4.0, and I believe it is the long yearned for breakthrough.“

FRANKA DESK, which is the visual and APP-based programming software, runs on the browsers of everyday devices like tablets and computers. Thanks to its intuitive, user-centered set-up and programming system, no special skills are necessary to operate the robot, even for its most complex applications. Therefore, everybody can easily operate FRANKA EMIKA.

With the revolutionary FRANKA CLOUD, it is possible to deploy 1 or 1,000 FRANKA EMIKA robots in no time, and to share and archive TASKS and APPs locally or globally. FRANKA CLOUD enables a seamless connection to Industry 4.0.

FRANKA EMIKA will be unveiled to the public on April 25, 2016 at Hannover Messe Hall 17 / G17.

 

About KBee AG:

KBee AG is based in Munich and was founded in 2013 by the DLR spinoff, Kastanienbaum GmbH. Its main investor, KUKA AG, is one of the world’s leading robot manufacturers. KBee develops and designs human-centered industrial robots that can be used by anyone and are unmatched in cost-efficiency. KBee’s vision is to make robots a commodity by putting humans at the center of robot design, to introduce the most intuitive customer experience, and to connect automation with digitalization.

All new Little Robot Friends Wrap STEM Principles in a Tiny, Adorable package

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Launched this morning on Kickstarter, Little Robot Friends (LRF) are an exciting addition to any modern learning environment. Cute and programmable, these robotic characters serve as a novel entry-point for learning code and electronics along with crucial STEM/STEAM skills.

Geared towards children aged 8 and up, LRF’s are available in 4 models – Spikey, Curvy,
Ghosty and the all new Crafty. Each model features a distinctly shaped body, various
sensing modules and a unique, customizable personality. Spikey, Curvy and Ghosty are
available pre-assembled or as DIY kits for those looking to build their soldering skills. Crafty comes as a kit with all the same components as the other robots, but those components are modular and reusable. This provides an endless combination of interaction possibilities for modelling STEAM topics. Little Robot Friends characters evolve organically through play or can be customizable through coding.

Children can transform Crafty into custom creations with any conductive material such as
alligator clips, wire or using conductive thread or yarn. The kit opens up the potential for
children to create an LRF in a myriad of materials including paper craft, felt or 3D-printed
objects. Little Robot Friends bridges the gap between the technical and non-technical skills in a playful way by utilizing soft skills such as teamwork, collaboration and critical thinking.

Little Robot Friends purpose extends beyond physical play. Students and instructors can
also program LRF across several platforms, each suitable for a different skill level. The LRF App introduces programming concepts without the need for coding. Through the app,
children can upload tricks to their robot, customize its personality, teach it to sing robot
songs and play games. In the Little Robot Friends visual programming language, beginner
coders can use drag-and-drop elements to create and run functional programs for the
robot. As students become more confident in their programming, they can move on to
using the LRF library for Arduino. Each of these platforms introduce children to computer
programming in a creative, exploratory way and help them build a solid foundation in
computational thinking. This will put them at a huge advantage to becoming effective
problem solvers in a increasingly technology-dependent world.

Integrating computer literacy into the curriculum is a vital issue in modern education. Little
Robot Friends provides illustrative educational materials meant for both classroom learning and individual exploration. Instructors are aided by the easy-to-follow lessons plans that support core curricular items such as math, science and language arts. The robots friendly persona and tactile design encourages experiential learning, either independently or in groups. Little Robot Friends have been designed to facilitate learning across subjects and disciples to make technology more accessible and fun.

“We feel the best way to teach technology is to make learning casual and rewarding” says
Mark Argo, founder and principal technologist at Aesthetec Studio. “Developing characters
and stories is common across all ages and cultures. With Little Robot Friends we encourage children to creatively experiment with technology to make their characters expressive and unique.”

Little Robot Friends can be purchased on the campaign website until May 27th, 2016 at
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/aesthetec/all-new-little-robot-friends

Scanse Launches Kickstarter Campaign for “Sweep” Low Cost Scanning Lidar Sensor

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San Leandro, CA – Scanse, a young sensor development company, announced that they are running a Kickstarter campaign for their new Scanning LiDAR sensor known as Sweep. LiDAR sensors are crucial to the success of autonomous vehicles, like self driving cars and smart drones. They use laser light to detect how far away surfaces are, in order to do things like make maps and avoid obstacles.

SWEEP SENSOR, LOW RES, WITH KICKSTARTER

What makes Sweep different is a sensing technique which allows it to use lower power components to perform long range measurements. This lowers the cost of components, making it affordable for a larger consumer market. Sweep is the first commercial scanning LiDAR to utilize this technology, and is being sold for $249.

Scanse will be providing an easy to use visualizer interface, along with many example projects to help users get started. Scanse is especially interested in the education market, and hopes Sweep will be popular among the hobby robotics and drone communities. For many, this will be the first time LiDAR is affordable enough to consider in their projects.

The goal of the Sweep kickstarter is to gauge market interest in this kind of sensor. As smart drones and robots become more popular, there is a growing need for affordable sensors. Scanse thinks Sweep is the key that may unlock a world of new products.

More information can be found at their website www.scanse.io

Thier kickstarter can be found here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scanse/sweep-scanning-lidar

About Scanse

Scanse has been working on scanning LiDAR solutions for several years. They started off developing outdoor consumer robots for the home. To do any kind of mapping, scanning LiDAR or something like it is required. When they discovered that there were no affordable LiDAR sensors on the market that could work outdoors, they set out to make one themselves.

Kamibot Programmable Papercraft Robot Launches on Kickstarter

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Daegu, Korea – February 16, 2016 – Kamibot, the first robot that makes learning to code truly fun for kids (and kidults), will launch on Kickstarter on Tuesday, February 16.

Kamibot is a cute, programmable edtech robot, about the size of a coffee mug. It is based around Arduino, so kids can easily program it by using a drag-and-drop programming language like Scratch. The programming skills kids learn with Kamibot are easily transferrable to real-world applications.

“Unless we make programming fun, kids are never going to stick with it,” said Alvin Chae, co-founder and CEO of 3.14, the company that makes Kamibot. “That’s why we put so much effort into the fun elements of Kamibot, creating colorful papercraft skins that let kids dress up Kamibot, and included the ability to control Kamibot with a smartphone or tablet.”

Papercraft Skins

Kami (紙) is the Japanese word for paper, and is at the root of the word origami (折り紙), literally folding paper. The Kamibot team have already created about half a dozen unique papercraft skins that kids can print out, color, and fold to customize Kamibot and give it character. These include The Count, Frankenstein’s monster, a warrior robot, a tank and a missile launcher tank. The company is also working on striking licensing deals for popular cartoon characters.

Hardware

While Kamibot is undeniably fun to play with, it also packs some serious hardware. It’s brain is an Arduino compatible board, based on the open-source standard widely used by the maker community around the world. It also includes front-facing ultrasonic sensors that help it recognize and avoid obstacles and navigate through mazes or around a room. Downward-facing IR sensors allow Kamibot recognize and race along a black line on the floor. DC motors power the wheels, and a servo motor allows the heads of the papercraft characters to rotate from side-to-side. Color changing LEDs brighten up Kamibot and make it even more colorful.

Programming Kamibot

Kids can program Kamibot to follow complex courses and do complex actions, using all of its motors and sensors. One example of how to program Kamibot is a treasure hunt. Kids can set up a table-sized treasure hunt map that includes obstacles like plastic alligators and a treasure chest. Then, using Scratch, kids can program Kamibot to wind its way through the course toward the treasure chest. Several programming project plans, including the treasure hunt, are included with Kamibot. Others will be released on the company’s website in the future. Kamibot can be programmed wirelessly via Bluetooth or while plugged in via micro-USB.

Launching on Kickstarter

Throughout 2015, Kamibot was tested in Korean classrooms and earned high marks both from students aged 10 to 17, and their teachers. Now Kamibot is ready to launch on Kickstarter on Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 a.m. EST. Super earlybird prices start at $79 plus shipping. Pre-orders close after 30 days and Kamibot will ship to backers in June. For more information, visit Kickstarter and search for Kamibot.

InnoTechnix is Launching an Arduino Maximo Robot Arm on Kickstarter

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Montreal, Canada, February 10 2016 — InnoTechnix is pleased to announce the launch of its new crowdfunding campaign for the Maximo Robot Arm on Kickstarter:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itnx/maximo-robot-arm

The Arduino robotic arm will look and act great on any desktop! Maximo is an Arduino-driven, 5-axis robotic arm with a laser-cut acrylic body. The robot comes with Robotic Studio software and can be controlled using a gamepad. Maximo will also play through a series of recorded steps, executing complex automations. Only a screwdriver is required for the assembly or it can be sent fully assembled.

Another great advantage of Maximo’s design is the head of the arm, which can be changed within seconds for another module. The regular claw is a gripper included with each robot. A more sophisticated gripper head module allows Maximo to grab objects by applying balanced pressure. The palletizer head module is a miniature reproduction of the ones used in factories and warehouses. The pen-holder module allows various objects to be placed on Maximo’s head (pen, laser pointer, drumstick, etc.).

The campaign offers many add-ons like the Webcam Attachment (includes a hi-res webcam with mounting system), Phidgets Board, LED lighting system. Regularly priced at just USD$349, with Early Bird pricing at USD$290 for the first 200 lucky owners. Following the Kickstarter campaign, the MSRP will be USD$399

Follow Maximo on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InnoTechnix and Twitter at https://twitter.com/innotechnix – hashtag #MaximoRobotArm For more information, please visit our website: http://www.itnx.com/

About InnoTechnix: Launched in 2011, InnoTechnix inc. has developed a variety of robots, robots arm, custom gripper, talking robots, intelligent clocks and mobile robots. InnoTechnix takes care of both the design of robots, manufacture of parts and development of robotics software. InnoTechnix Robots have appeared on television shows like Dragons’ Den, Mr. Net, Main Entrance, Cogéco TV and a television commercial for the Ford Focus.

Aijia Pro Receives Tremendous Support for Second Generation Smart Robot

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SYDNEY, Australia – February 19, 2016 – Delong Tech Company has revolutionized the technology industry with Aijia Pro – their second generation smart robot. The first generation robot received over $2 million in crowdfunding support in 2015. Now loyal fans are excited to become backers in the release of the Aijia Pro robot. The company’s latest Kickstarter campaign has reached over 160% of their funding goal of $7,098.  

Aijia Pro is the first telemonitoring/video robot with a colorful facial expression and many smart functioning capabilities that offer a personal touch that every household deserves. The robot can have voice conversations with anyone in Chinese or English, offer a 360 degrees‘ head rotating monitor, has an alert mode for home security, one-click photo and video capability, and much more. The device has Bluetooth capability so users can remotely control the robot with their phone. Aijia Pro also has a convenient wireless automatic charging version, which is very useful when no one is at home and the robot needs to charge to protect the house. It is a light and compact robot that is 9.46 inches wide, 26.56 inches tall, and 13.75 inches in diameter.

To make a contribution to this campaign, visit the Kickstarter campaign or click here. Perks will be delivered by September 2016. Rewards range from t-shirts to early-bird discount specials for the robot.  

Share this incredible campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks. The more people know about this, the more support the campaign will receive!

About Delong Tech Company

Delong Tech company team consists of more than 30 doctors, masters, engineers, research and development team. The AIJIA project aims to partner with every family and protect family members all over the world. The second generation robot focuses on improving home security monitoring that is safe and approved by CE and FCC. In the future, the company plans to improve home healthcare for families with the third generation Aijia robot.

CoDrone: The Drone That Anyone Can Learn to Program

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San Diego, CA – On January 6th, Robolink, Inc. launched a Kickstarter campaign for the CoDrone, a drone that anyone can learn to program and fly.

Drone-lovers of all ages can program the CoDrone to follow people, engage in laser-tag battles, go bowling (with the drone as the bowling ball!), fly in customized patterns, follow waypoints, navigate mazes and more. Robolink is creating a series of step-by-step video tutorials to teach beginners how to code all of these basic tasks. But with the six different sensors (Onboard Camera, Gyro, Accelerometer, etc) in the CoDrone combined with the ability to easily program its behavior, the possibilities are endless.

Robolink developed the CoDrone to further their mission of inspiring kids and adults to explore coding, engineering and robotics. Hansol Hong, Robolink’s CEO, says, “Programming can be tedious to learn. But when a few minutes of coding can put a drone in the sky, programming brings a smile to everyone’s face!”

The Codrone kit will retail for $179, but will go for $139 during the Kickstarter campaign and as little as $119 for the first backers. The kit includes everything needed to build and fly the drone. To program the Codrone, all that is required is a computer.

LEGO® Education Brings Science to Life for Elementary Students with WeDo 2.0

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS:
• LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 is a hands-on, elementary science solution that develops science practices in the classroom through a robot-based learning system.
• Correlated to standards-based projects, the solution engages and motivates students to solve real-world science problems by working with engineering, technology and coding through the LEGO® brick, classroom-friendly software and 40+ hours of hands-on projects.
• LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 strengthens students’ understanding and develops competencies across key science topics including physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences and engineering.

CES – LAS VEGAS – NEWS RELEASE – January 5, 2016 – Today, LEGO® Education announced LEGO Education WeDo 2.0, a hands-on science solution designed for elementary classrooms using a robot-based learning system. The unique solution combines the LEGO® brick, classroom-friendly software and engaging, standards-based projects to teach elementary students essential science practices and skills. With WeDo 2.0, students explore, create and share their scientific discoveries as they build, program and modify projects. Through a series of collaborative challenges, they deeply engage with science, engineering, technology, and coding, sparking a love for experimentation and investigation. Teachers receive support through training, curriculum and built-in assessment. The result – a resource that builds students’ confidence to ask questions, define problems, and design their own solutions by putting scientific discovery in their hands.

Featuring curriculum that contains 40+ hours of lessons and activities built on key science standards for 2nd-4th grades, WeDo 2.0 enables students to engage with the science practices and engineering habits of mind by testing multiple designs through eight guided and eight open-ended projects. For example, in the “Drop and Rescue” project, students are challenged to design a device to reduce the impacts on humans, animals and the environment after an area has been damaged by a weather-related hazard. Students can prototype solutions to a challenge where there is no single right answer helping teach creativity and problem-solving skills. This also enables educators to tailor lessons to meet all students’ needs, no matter their abilities.

“Teachers know that science and technology skills are crucial for today’s elementary school students, but providing engaging projects that mean something in the real world is a challenge,” said Jeffrey Marlow, a Geobiologist at Harvard University and founder of The Mars Academy education and development program. “WeDo 2.0 offers projects that let students discover the surface of Mars with a model rover, or explore the Amazon rainforest through frog metamorphosis. These science lessons do more than just teach students facts to memorize – they represent an immersive experience that instills a deeper understanding of the scientific method and evidence-based reasoning. Not only are these skills central to science- and technology-based fields but providing a platform for our students to spark that one idea that could change the world is something they can build on for the rest of their lives.”

The wireless platform includes a Bluetooth low-energy Smarthub element; an electronic based building brick that is part of the LEGO Power Functions (LPF); a new technology platform for LEGO Education; one motor; one tilt and one motion sensor. The WeDo 2.0 Core software is an essential and easy-to-use component that is colorful, age-appropriate and has a drag-n-drop interface that is graphical in nature. It also contains a documentation tool that enables students to document their problem solving process and provides an assessment opportunity for teachers.

LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 is available today on iPad, Android, PC, and Macs. Chrome Book support will be available in the second half of 2016. A Scratch interface for WeDo 2.0 (both web-based and stand-alone) will be available for Macs in February 2016 and for PC/Windows in June 2016. For information on how to implement LEGO WeDo 2.0 in your school, or how to transition to WeDo 2.0 from WeDo, visit www.LEGOeducation.us/WeDo

About LEGO® Education:
LEGO® Education offers playful learning experiences and teaching solutions based on the LEGO® system of bricks, curriculum-relevant material, and physical and digital resources to preschool, elementary, middle school, and after school. In partnership with educators for more than 35 years, we support teaching in an inspiring, engaging, and effective way. Our educational solutions, which range from humanities to science, enable every student to succeed by encouraging them to become active, collaborative learners, build skills for future challenges, and establish a positive mind-set toward learning.

Entrepreneur turning hobby into novelty toy and apparel company

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GREENSBORO, NC — After graduating from college, designer and maker, Charles Wade, began his hobby by making unique animal stickers, which later morphed into woodcraft and papercraft creations. During a test for one of his woodcrafts he designed and built a poseable wooden robot. The Helper Bot was born.

With the creation of the Helper Bot, Wade began experimenting with other ideas. After receiving feedback and appreciation for his work, he created more robots and designed assembly kits that would allow others to build his creations.

Wade has cultivated his hobby into a career by establishing RoboMustache; a collection of wooden robot assembly kits, accessories and merchandise. More than a collection of novelties, the RoboMustache hints at a rich world of storytelling as well. Coined from a found project in a derelict factory, as the company grows, so will the RoboMustache universe. The story will expand to tell more about the existing robots and bring in new robots along the way.

Wade is crowdfunding the project to take the RoboMustache universe to the next level. The Kickstarter launched Dec. 4, 2015 and runs through the new year.