News

Acceleration robotics launches ROBOTCORE ROS 2 hardware

Source: The Robot Report, December 1, 2023 [1]
One emerging protocol for real-time, deterministic communication in robotics is time-sensitive networking, or TSN. The key advantage of TSN is that it uses standard Ethernet networking cables, hubs, and switches.

Robotics investment for October 2023 totals $980 million

Source: Robotics Business Review, November 30, 2023 [2]
Robotics funding for the month of October 2023 equaled approximately $980 million, the result of 68 rounds. The October investments bring the 2023 robotics funding totals to $11.7 billion.

Robotics funding saw another dip in 2023

Source: TechCrunch, November 8, 2023 [3]
In 2021, robotics startups experienced a surge in interest due to supply chain issues and labor shortages. Despite being insulated from broader investment slowdowns, 2022 was the second-worst year for robotics investments in the past five years, second only to 2020, which was a global anomaly due to five consecutive quarters of decline in venture capital money.

Siemens and Intel to collaborate on advanced semiconductor manufacturing

Source: HPCwire, December 4, 2023 [4]
Siemens and Intel have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on digitalization and sustainability of microelectronics manufacturing. The partnership will focus on advancing manufacturing efforts, evolving factory operations, cybersecurity, and supporting a resilient global industry ecosystem. Siemens will bring its IoT-enabled hardware, software, and electrical equipment.

Commission launches Chips Joint Undertaking under the European Chips Act

Source: European Commission, November 30, 2023 [5]
The Commission has inaugurated the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), aiming to strengthen the European semiconductor ecosystem and technological leadership. The initiative will bridge the gap between research, innovation, and production, facilitating commercialization of innovative ideas. The first call for funding is €1.67 billion, expected to be matched by Member States and private funds.

Warehouse automation market to return to growth in 2024

Source: The Robot Report, November 30, 2023 [6]
Interact Analysis predicts a resurgence in demand for warehouse automation in 2024, following a challenging 2023, with revenues rising and double-digit growth rates starting in 2025. The pandemic and low interest rates led to increased e-commerce orders and warehouse construction.

Japan partners with Nvidia to boost GPU stock pile

Source: Computerworld, December 5, 2023 [7]
Nvidia’s CEO is promising more support for Japan as all the nations in the world want more GPUs – and the US wants to dictate whom they are sold to.

Nvidia working closely with US to ensure new chips for China are compliant with curbs

Source: Reuters, December 6, 2023 [8]
Nvidia is collaborating with the US government to ensure new Chinese AI chips comply with export curbs, potentially allowing Chinese rivals to gain market share.

Papers

Design of the chassis and locomotion system for a mobile robot

Source: Victoria University of Wellington, October 10, 2023 [9]
MARVIN, the Mobile Autonomous Robotic Vehicle for Indoor Navigation, has undergone a transformation to integrate existing electronics for power supply, torso actuators, and sensor integration. An Intel NUC computer running ROS2 was integrated for precise control. The project also created dedicated ROS2 nodes for motor control, torso management, and sensor interaction. MARVIN is now a versatile platform for security and human-robot interaction research, showcasing sustainability and innovation in robotics technology.

Innovative solutions for fast autonomous navigation (SINAV)

Source: ResearchGate, October 19, 2023 [10]
This paper presents a continuous and autonomous navigation architecture developed by TAS-I and PoliTo for unstructured environments and uneven grounds, using active sensors and Deep Learning modules. The architecture also benefits from dark travel time. The focus is on algorithmic and computational aspects.

Previous Hardware Acceleration in Robotics Newsletters

Past ROS 2 Hardware Acceleration Working Group meetings

  1. Oitzman, M. (2023, December 1). Acceleration robotics launches ROBOTCORE ROS 2 hardware. The Robot Report. https://www.therobotreport.com/acceleration-robotics-launches-robotcore-ros-2-hardware/ ↩︎

  2. Kara, D. (2023, November 30). Robotics investment for October 2023 totals $980 million. Robotics Business Review. https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/rbr-investment/robotics-investment-for-october-2023-totals-980-million/ ↩︎

  3. Heater, B. (2023, November 8). Robotics funding saw another dip in 2023. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/08/robotics-funding-saw-another-dip-in-2023/ ↩︎

  4. Siemens and Intel to collaborate on advanced semiconductor manufacturing. (2023, December 4). HPCwire. https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/siemens-and-intel-to-collaborate-on-advanced-semiconductor-manufacturing/ ↩︎

  5. Commission launches Chips Joint Undertaking under the European Chips Act. (2023, November 30). European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6167 ↩︎

  6. Oitzman, M. (2023, November 30). Warehouse automation market to return to growth in 2024, says interact analysis. The Robot Report. https://www.therobotreport.com/warehouse-automation-market-will-grow-again-2024-says-interact-analysis/ ↩︎

  7. Reynolds, S. (2023, December 5). Japan partners with Nvidia to boost GPU stock pile. Computerworld. https://www.computerworld.com/article/3711502/japan-partners-with-nvidia-to-boost-gpu-stock-pile.html ↩︎

  8. Potkin, F. (2023, December 6). Nvidia working closely with US to ensure new chips for China are compliant with curbs. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-develop-new-chips-that-comply-with-us-export-regulations-2023-12-06/ ↩︎

  9. Webber-LaHatte, A. (2023, October 10). Design of the chassis and locomotion system for a mobile robot. Victoria University of Wellington. https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/wfes/article/view/8384 ↩︎

  10. Roncagliolo, P., Berardi, G., Lanza, P., Merlo, A., Graziato, D., & D’Amore, G. (2023, October 19). Innovative solutions for fast autonomous navigation (SINAV). ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patrick-Roncagliolo/publication/374813768_Innovative_Solutions_for_Fast_Autonomous_Navigation_SINAV/links/6530f9ac24bbe32d9a512173/Innovative-Solutions-for-Fast-Autonomous-Navigation-SINAV.pdf ↩︎