Berkshire Grey Merges with Robotics SPAC to Expand Warehouse Robotics
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Berkshire Grey Merges with Robotics SPAC to Expand Warehouse Robotics

Berkshire Grey, which develops integrated artificial intelligence and robotics solutions designed for e-commerce, retail replenishment and logistics companies, has entered into a definitive agreement with Revolution Acceleration Acquisition Corp (RAAC), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) to create a publicly listed robotics and automation solutions company. The company estimates a post-transaction equity value of up to $2.7 billion.

Future Acres Launches Carry Robot to Help Farmers with Crop Transport
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Future Acres Launches Carry Robot to Help Farmers with Crop Transport

A new startup called Future Acres announced it has launched to bring sustainable agricultural robotics to the farming industry in order to optimize workforce efficiency and safety. The company also announced raising $3 million in seed capital via equity crowdfunding site SeedInvest.

Geek+ Teams Up with myEnso to Automate German Online Grocery
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Geek+ Teams Up with myEnso to Automate German Online Grocery

Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) provider Geek+ has announced an agreement with myEnso, a German-based online grocery, to upgrade the company’s distribution center for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) with Geek+’s goods-to-person robotics solution. The solution aims to enable regional producers, startups, and well-known brands to connect and serve online shoppers all over Germany, the companies said in a statement.

Perrone Robotics Earns $10M in Equity Funding
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Perrone Robotics Earns $10M in Equity Funding

Business incubator and investment group CapStone Holdings has announced a $10 million equity investment in Perrone Robotics, which is developing fully autonomous vehicle systems. A portion of the investment will be used to establish an advanced autonomous vehicle testing facility at the American Center for Mobility in Southeast Michigan.

AI Vision Developer Recogni Raises $48.9M in Funding
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AI Vision Developer Recogni Raises $48.9M in Funding

Recogni, which develops an AI vision cognition system for autonomous vehicles, has announced raising $48.9 million in a Series B financing round, led by WRVI Capital. The company said the funding will help bring its perception platform to market and expand its engineering and go-to-market teams.

Locus Robotics Raises $150M in Series E Funding, Hits $1B Valuation
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Locus Robotics Raises $150M in Series E Funding, Hits $1B Valuation

Locus Robotics has announced raising $150 million in Series E funding, led by Tiger Global Management and BOND. The round builds on support from existing investors, including Scale Venture Partners and Prologis Ventures. The new investment brings the autonomous mobile robot company’s valuation to $1 billion.

Plus Raises $200M to Advance Self-Driving Trucking Globally
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Plus Raises $200M to Advance Self-Driving Trucking Globally

Plus, formerly known as Plus.AI, has announced completing a $200 million funding round, led by new investors Guotai Junan International, CPE, and Wanxiang International Investment. Existing investors, including Full Truck Alliance, also participated.

Partnership Will Boost Usage of Disinfecting Drones, Robots
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Partnership Will Boost Usage of Disinfecting Drones, Robots

Houston-based Texas Medical Technology, which supplies and distributes medical equipment, has announced a partnership with Proguardeum, a provider of environmentally sustainable, pharmaceutical-grade disinfectants and sanitizing solutions. The partnership will have Texas Medical Technology utilize solutions that include drone and robot-delivery of disinfecting products.

Mighty Buildings Raises $40M to Expand Home Building Through Automation
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Mighty Buildings Raises $40M to Expand Home Building Through Automation

Mighty Buildings, a construction company that uses technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, and automation to create affordable and sustainable homes, announced raising $40 million in Series B funding. The Oakland, Calif.-based company said it will use the new funding to accelerate growth and expand its team.

Q&A: Helen Greiner Talks 2021 Trends, Weeding Robots
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Q&A: Helen Greiner Talks 2021 Trends, Weeding Robots

Helen Greiner, one of the original founders of iRobot, has had a long career in robotics in several different companies and endeavors. Late in 2020, she was named CEO of Tertill, makers of a consumer-grade weeding robot for vegetable gardens. She recently discussed some of the trends she is looking at for 2021 in the consumer robotics and related fields with Robotics-world.com

RIA Publishes Safety Standard for Industrial Mobile Robots
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RIA Publishes Safety Standard for Industrial Mobile Robots

After more than four years of work and input from hundreds of industry experts, the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) has published the new American National Standard for safety requirements for industrial mobile robots. Known as R15.08 Part 1, the standard is a critical first step toward common guidelines in this growing sector of robotics, the RIA said.