robotics

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Trump promises to bring back manufacturing jobs, but robots won’t let him

A vector illustration of a robot ironing clothes For Americans struggling with stagnant wages, under- or un-employment, one of Donald Trump’s most appealing campaign promises was to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.
Navigating the complexities of policy, tariffs and geopolitics would make that hard enough already for the president elect. But technology will make this promise nearly impossible to fulfill.
Why? Because… Read More

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Flirtey drones deliver socks from the sky at Menlo Ventures’ annual partner meeting

Flirtey delivers swag by drone to a Menlo Ventures  event at the Rosewood Hotel. Around the world, drones have been delivering life-saving drugs and blood to clinics, and contrarily tasty treats like burritos, pizza, and Slurpees to homes or campuses. Civilian drones have also conducted countless surveys of farms, construction sites, and surveillance around venues with a high security risk. Now, in a stunt that begs to be spoofed by Mike Judge for his HBO… Read More

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A test flight with Zipline, makers of humanitarian delivery drones

Zipline - Delivery A maker of delivery drones called Zipline began nationwide delivery of blood and other critical medical supplies in Rwanda today, through a partnership with the Rwandan government. The program strikes a hopeful note about drones, following news earlier this week that ISIS fighters had packed a hobbyist drone with explosives in Iraq, killing two Kurdish fighters who captured and disassembled it. Read More

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DroneDeploy launches a directory for professional drone operators

DroneDeploy's Drone Mapping Directory. DroneDeploy wants businesses to be able to find a drone services provider as easily as anyone can find a place to eat dinner today, anywhere in the world. So today, the unveiled a new, free Drone Mapping Directory. Take, for example, a real estate developer who needs a finely detailed map of land where it may soon build a giant, corporate campus. Instead of buying drones equipped to scan… Read More

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Prowler.io raises $2M to help AI systems make smarter choices

screen-shot-2016-09-30-at-00-26-51 As we inch closer to a time when we may rely on truly autonomous devices to move us or do things on our behalf, the need for software that’s able to think on its feet (or mid-air) will be essential. Now, an artificial intelligence startup working on this emerging area of machine learning has raised a seed round of funding to try to do just that. Cambridge, UK-based Prowler.io, which… Read More

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Self-driving Uber vehicles spotted on the streets of San Francisco

uber-self-driving-car Several folks started noticing self-driving Uber cars in downtown San Francisco yesterday, fueling speculation the ridesharing company could soon be deploying autonomous vehicles for commercial use right where it all started in the Bay Area. Mattermark editor in chief Alex Wilhelm snapped a picture of a white Ford Fusion stopped at the intersection of Montgomery and Pacific. And, as first… Read More

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New AirMap feature helps drones avoid manned aircraft

AirMap's real time traffic alerts help drone operators avoid passenger planes, helicopters and other manned aircraft in low airspace. A Santa Monica-based startup called AirMap today launched a feature that gives drone operators real time traffic alerts whenever manned aircraft such as helicopters, crop dusters or low-flying passenger planes, are about to enter into their air space. The company’s systems, generally, let drone makers and developers of drone apps give users maps and guidance as to where they’re… Read More

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Mercedes-Benz and Matternet unveil vans that launch delivery drones

Mercedes-Benz Vision Van with a rooftop-integrated Matternet 2 drone. Mercedes-Benz Vans and drone tech startup Matternet have created a concept car, or as they’re calling it a Vision Van, that could change the way small packages are delivered across short distances. The Vision Van’s rooftop serves as a launch and landing pad for Matternet’s new, Matternet M2 drones. The Matternet M2 drones, which are autonomous, can pick up and carry a… Read More

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What’s next for the U.S. drone market?

shutterstock-capitol-drones Following a major milestone for the domestic drone industry last week, industry insiders are expecting a big uptick in dollars invested in U.S. drone-tech companies — just maybe not an immediate one. As we previously reported, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration implemented Part 107, or Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems rules, bringing some… Read More

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