As its military sales have stagnated over the past year, robotics market-leader iRobot has been leaning more and more on its always preeminent Home Robots division to drive corporate profits. Over the past several years, however, that division has often seemed to be less a site of technological innovation and product diversification than a home
The variety of images that might surface in one’s mind when someone utters the term “robotics” has exploded in recent years – from autonomous vacuum cleaners to spinal surgery systems to military-grade explosive disposal solutions. For some, however, the term conjures something darker: a landscape of pervasive airborne surveillance, so-called “drones” keeping tabs on average citizens in
Israeli surgical robotics firm Mazor Robotics yesterday reported promising financial results despite a net loss for second-quarter 2013, which ended June 30. According to CEO Ori Hadomi, “Our strong financial performance, highlighted by the revenue increase and gross margin expansion, demonstrates continued global adoption of our Renaissance systems as we ended the second quarter with 54
At least since George Jetson first came through his front door to be greeted by Rosie the robotic maid in 1962, the endlessly unpredictable wonders of the nebulous “Home of the Future” have held a unique status in our collective aspirations. Though Rosie herself may still be some way off, however, more and more American
iRobot yesterday reported strong financial results for second-quarter 2013, which ended June 29. According to CEO Colin Angle, “[iRobot] had an excellent quarter following our outstanding Q1. Our Home Robot business delivered strong results both domestically and overseas and the outlook continues to be excellent. We announced our second remote presence market initiative, Enterprise Tele-presence, in
One of the most attractive promises robotics as a forward-facing industry makes is savings in time and labor — and thereby costs — in a plethora of different fields. While online retail giant Amazon’s pursuit of economic efficiency through warehouse automation (as represented by their $775 million acquisition of Kiva Robotics in early 2012) is
There has been a lot of movement by a broad range of technology firms and automotive manufacturers alike over the last few years to develop autonomous cars and “connected vehicle” technology (as well as a great deal of discussion about the innumerable policy and safety concerns to which these projects give rise). BMW and Honda
