Actuator Status: Go!

Actuator Launches: A New Era for Robotics Coverage

The moment has arrived! After extensive preparation through various roundups, Actuator is now officially launching as the newest addition to the TechCrunch newsletter collection. I have authored 40 prior editions since our initial, unbranded test run in February – originally known as “Robotics Roundup” for a short period. The complete archive is available here, and if you are accessing this content via TechCrunch.com, please ensure you subscribe here.

Looking Back at 2021’s Robotics Landscape

As we approach the conclusion of an unconventional year, the next few weeks will be dedicated to examining the most significant robotics trends of 2021. Consider this akin to Spotify Wrapped, but instead of analyzing your music preferences, we will focus on the advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, research, and investment that have shaped the past 12 months. This analysis will provide valuable insights into the future we are building.

A Long-Awaited Venture

The idea of a dedicated robotics newsletter for TechCrunch has been under consideration for several years, potentially dating back to our inaugural large-scale robotics event in Boston in 2017. However, the current moment feels particularly opportune for this launch.

A Transformative Period

With the approaching two-year mark since the onset of the global pandemic, it’s becoming apparent that a return to “normal” may not be feasible – for many, this may be a positive development. For those involved in the robotics sector, this represents a first look at a future filled with substantial opportunities. While optimism should be tempered, it’s undeniable that a reevaluation of established practices is necessary.

The Rise of Automation

Numerous industries have been grappling with significant staffing shortages for nearly two years. Consequently, organizations that previously viewed full automation as a distant possibility are now actively exploring these solutions, leading to a substantial increase in investments across diverse categories. Investment firms are now considering concepts that were previously deemed too speculative.

Robotic Ubiquity: A Present Reality

Throughout my career covering technology, I am now encountering discussions about the widespread adoption of robotics in the present tense. Recently, I spoke with Matthew Johnson-Roberson, the newly appointed head of Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute, who shared his perspective:

“We aren’t fully there yet, admittedly. However, I firmly believe we are significantly closer to achieving that goal than we were in, for instance, January 2020. A key aspect of our role moving forward is to discuss how we can reach that point. We must also address the implications of achieving it, including its effects on employment, quality of life, and the environment, and, crucially, how to ensure that robotics continues to benefit humanity.”

A Weekly Commitment

Committing to a regular, weekly newsletter initially felt challenging. However, after consistent publication, it’s clear that there will be no shortage of topics to explore in the foreseeable future.

AWS re:Invent and Robotics Fleet Management

Despite my taking a week off for Thanksgiving, the robotics industry continued to progress. My colleague Frederic attended AWS’s re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, where Amazon unveiled a robotics fleet management program. RoboRunner aims to address a common challenge: enabling seamless interoperability between different brands of robotic systems.

According to AWS CTO Werner Vogels:

“Can Amazon dominate the industrial robotics fleet management sector, much like it has with other areas? The company possesses the necessary infrastructure and resources to tackle this fragmented market. Furthermore, through a new partnership with MassRobotics, Amazon is now involved in the early stages of robotics startup development, launching a dedicated accelerator program focused on AWS applications.”

Nuro’s Significant Funding Round

Autonomous delivery company Nuro recently secured another substantial investment of $600 million, led by Tiger Global Management. This brings the company’s total valuation to $8.6 billion. Co-founder Dave Ferguson stated that the funding will be used to commercialize and scale the production of their third-generation vehicle at their new facility in Southern Nevada.

Somatic’s Automated Bathroom Scrubbing

When considering tasks suitable for automation, cleaning public restrooms is undoubtedly a high-priority candidate. Michael Levy, CEO of Somatic, informed me that their robot has achieved a new milestone in autonomous bathroom scrubbing, as demonstrated in the following video:

The company, which emerged from stealth at our robotics event last year, has developed a system capable of navigating elevators, opening doors, and thoroughly cleaning bathrooms.

As Levy explained last year, “Bathrooms are an ideal application because everything is securely fixed to the floor, creating a predictable environment. Moreover, all commercial bathrooms constructed after 1994 adhere to ADA compliance standards, which simplifies design for robotics.”

FJDynamics Secures Series B Funding

Another significant funding round for a robotics agtech company – this time in China. Founded by former DJI chief scientist Wu Di, FJDynamics has closed a $70 million Series B for its robotic harvester. Rita engaged in a discussion with Wu, who emphasized, “Advanced AI algorithms are valuable, but if the technology doesn’t function effectively on the production line or farm due to a lack of industry experience, how can it truly benefit people?”

A valid point.

Crowdfunding Trends in Robotics

Anecdotally, there appears to be a growing trend of larger funding rounds being secured through crowdfunding. Miso Robotics, the creator of the Flippy hamburger cooking robot, recently announced a $35 million crowdfunded Series D, distributed among 8,200 investors.

This is a substantial amount for a crowdfunding campaign and a trend worth monitoring. While widespread consumer investment has its merits, it raises questions about its impact on investor confidence.

Stellar Pizza’s Robotic Pizza Truck

Stellar Pizza announced plans to launch its robotic pizza cooking truck in Los Angeles next spring. The company, founded by former SpaceX employees, claims its trucks can cook a pizza from scratch in under five minutes and produce a pizza every 45 seconds at peak capacity.

According to their press release:

Hopefully, Stellar Pizza’s venture proves more successful than Zume’s, which underwent a significant pivot and now focuses on sustainable packaging with ABB’s assistance.

Image Credits: UC RiversideNeusbot, originating from UC Riverside, utilizes a soft robot propelled by the conversion of light into heat via iron oxide and copper nanorods. Researchers believe this technology could be applied to oil spill cleanup. “Traditionally, ships are deployed to oil spill sites for manual cleanup,” researcher Zhiwei Li explains. “Neusbot could function like a robotic vacuum, operating on the water’s surface.”

ETH Zurich’s Robotic Art Installation

To conclude, ETH Zurich is employing construction robots to merge architecture and art, creating a tribute to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. A noteworthy observation from Devin’s article is:

“Make it a habit to learn something new about your colleagues each day.”