Top 10 robotics stories of October 2022

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From a major player in the autonomous vehicle industry closing its doors to Amazon halting tests of its Scout delivery robot, there was no shortage of news to cover this month.

Here are the 10 most popular robotics stories on The Robot Report in October. Subscribe to The Robot Report Newsletter to stay updated on the robotics stories you need to know about.

10. LiDAR maker Ibeo files for insolvency

Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH, a global provider of LiDAR sensors, filed for insolvency, and the Hamburg insolvency court has granted insolvency proceedings in self-administration. The company is continuing operations in all divisions in Hamburg, Germany, Eindhoven, Netherlands, and Detroit, Michigan at full capacity. Read More

9. Stanford researchers create robotic boot to help people walk

Engineers at Stanford University created a boot-like robotic exoskeleton that can increase walking speed and reduce walking effort in the real world outside of the lab. The exoskeleton gives users personalized walking assistance, allowing people to walk 9% faster and use 17% less energy per distance traveled. Read More 

8. Teradyne merges AMR companies AutoGuide, MiR

Teradyne companies Mobile Industrial Robots and AutoGuide Mobile Robots merged to become a single supplier of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). At the end of September 2022, the integrated company officially became known as Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). Long-time Teradyne executive Walter Vahey took the helm as president. The company’s headquarters will be in Odense, Denmark, where MiR has managed its global operations since its launch in 2013. Read More

7. ABB releases its smallest industrial robot ever

ABB has launched the IRB 1010, which is the company’s smallest industrial robot ever. With a footprint of 135 mm (5.2 inches) by 250 mm (9.8 inches), the IRB 1010 is 30% smaller than ABB’s now second-smallest robot, the IRB 120. ABB said the IRB 1010 offers manufacturers of small electronics the opportunity to increase their production of devices such as smartwatches, earphones, sensors and health trackers. Read More

6. Open letter pledges not to weaponize robots

Robots are incredible tools that can keep people safe, enrich lives and help companies overcome operational challenges. In the last few months, there have been a number of viral videos that showcased individuals weaponizing various commercially-available robots. In an open letter, several leading robotics companies pledged not to support the weaponization of their products and are calling for others to do the same.  Read More

5. Walmart to acquire ASRS maker Alert Innovation

Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, agreed to acquire Alert Innovation for an undisclosed price. Alert Innovation is a North Billerica, Mass.-based developer of robotic e-grocery fulfillment technologies. Alert Innovation will continue to operate under the Alert Innovation brand based in the Boston area. Walmart began working with Alert Innovation in 2016 to build custom technology for its micro-fulfillment centers. Read More

4. IFR: robot installations hit all-time high in 2021

The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) released its new world robotics report. The report showed that 517,385 new industrial robots were installed in 2021 in factories around the world, an all-time high for the industry. Robot installations grew by 31% year-over-year in 2021. They exceeded the pre-pandemic record of robot installations in 2018 by 22%. The stock of operational robots around the world also hit a new record of about 3.5 million units. Read More

3. Argo AI is shutting down

Argo AI, the self-driving company previously backed by Ford and VW. An Argo AI spokesperson gave this statement to The Robot Report: “In coordination with our shareholders, the decision has been made that Argo AI will not continue on its mission as a company. Many of the employees will receive an opportunity to continue work on automated driving technology with either Ford or Volkswagen, while employment for others will, unfortunately, come to an end.” Read More