As 2024 draws to a close, Robotics & Automation Magazine is taking the opportunity to reflect on the past year. This review highlights the most significant news stories from the last 12 months, alongside key moments from the magazine’s print editions, online content and in-person events.
‘World’s first’ AI hospital with virtual doctors opens in China
Earlier this year, we reported that researchers in China had developed an ‘AI hospital town’, similar to that of Stanford. The researchers highlighted the potential of this unique approach to healthcare, using virtual patients being treated by AI doctors, able to autonomously evolve and improve their medical expertise…
VIDEO: Carbon Robotics raises US$70m to scale its LaserWeeder business
In October, we ran a story on a weed-killing, AI-powered, laser-shooting, autonomous vehicle from Carbon Robotics. The agriculture technology specialist wanted to scale its business having secured US$70m in Series D funding, with plans to use the funds to introduce new software and hardware products, expand its manufacturing capabilities, and scale its operations…
Chinese scientists build robot controlled by human brain cells
Chinese researchers were again pushing the limits of innovation by building a robot controlled by human brain cells… and it gets weirder. This project followed the DishBrain project at Monash University, where 800,000 brain cells on a chip reportedly learned to play ping-pong within minutes…
Movu Robotics chosen by Knorr-Bremse to drive efficiency in French facility
More recently, Robotics & Automation Magazine covered some installation news when Movu Robotics was chosen by Knorr-Bresmse to install some advanced automation solutions in a French facility…
New Lidl warehouse is first in Britain to use automation
Some property news made it into the top post views, with supermarket retailer Lidl’s Luton warehouse the first in the UK to use automation. The facility cost £300m and could fit about three of the retailer’s existing warehouses in it. At the time, the facility promised to deliver 1,500 jobs for the local area…
This year, Robotics & Automation Magazine offered unparalleled coverage of its publisher, Akabo Media, and its portfolio of world-class events, including the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards and its market-leading exhibitions…
Winners of the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards revealed!
The second annual Robotics & Automation Awards was celebrated in style at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The prestigious event showcased a remarkable array of entries, reflecting the industry’s innovation and excellence. Looking ahead, anticipation is already building for next year’s finalists and winners. In the meantime, you can explore the 2024 winners here and watch the highlights from the ceremony here!
Record-breaking turnout for Robotics and Automation 2024!
Robotics and Automation 2024 – the UK’s largest dedicated exhibition for robotics and automated technologies – enjoyed a record-breaking year, with nearly 9,000 attendees to halls 6 & 7 of the NEC Birmingham in March. Co-located with IntraLogisteX and the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition, the event was a must-attend for those working across logistics, supply chains, manufacturing, engineering and sustainability.
Watch this year’s highlights here!
IntraLogisteX expands in the USA!
The UK’s leading exhibition for warehouse automation, IntraLogisteX, expanded into the US market in 2024 when IntraLogisteX USA took place at the Miami Convention Center in Miami, Florida in October! Organised by Akabo Media, the publisher of Robotics & Automation Magazine, IntraLogisteX USA established itself as a brand-new, exciting and independent exhibition for the US logistics and manufacturing markets.
The maiden event featured a range of next-generation warehouse robotics and manufacturing automation solutions, including products and services from world-class solution providers and suppliers such as Onward Robotics, Ocado Intelligent Technologies, Moffett Automation, AutoStore, Dexory, Lucas Systems, VisonNav Robotics and many more. It also hosted an extensive two-day conference programme that featured more than 40 sessions delivered by leading global brands and renowned domestic organisations across two theatres.
Watch this year’s highlights here!
IntraLogisteX USA will return next year, on September 17-18, 2025. Click here for more information!
Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition to join Robotics and Automation 2025!
Following the success of the inaugural event dedicated to sustainable practices and processes in the supply chain and logistics sector, the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition will return to Halls 6 & 7 of the NEC Birmingham in 2025, where it will once again be co-located with the Robotics and Automation Exhibition and IntraLogisteX , further enhancing its industry impact and reach.
A digest of the most important developments to affect the deployment of robotics and automated technologies during the past 12 months…
UK Autumn 2024 Budget: investment pledges welcomed, but tax hikes raise concerns
In the UK’s Autumn Budget 2024, chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves laid out the Labour government’s vision for economic growth and industry support, pledging to “invest, invest, invest” in key sectors while implementing significant tax changes and enhanced worker protections…
Almost 100 AI projects win share of £32m in UK government funding
Companies developing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve safety on construction sites, reduce time spent repairing the railways and cut emissions across supply chains were among a number of projects set to receive a share of £32m in UK government funding…
US lawsuit names surgical robot as cause of patient’s death
After sustaining injuries during surgery performed by a robot, a patient died, with the woman’s death being attributed to an error on the part of the robot in a recently-filed lawsuit…
International Longshoremen’s Association continues its fight against job losses
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) faced a critical challenge in its ongoing negotiations with ocean carriers and employers over the future of automation in the shipping industry…
A roundup of some of the most interesting stories from the world of robotics and automation in 2024, picked by the editorial team at Robotics & Automation Magazine…
General Motors ditches its Cruise robotaxi business
Walmart installs drinks-making robot from Richtech Robotics
New automation platform integrates hardware and software to increase productivity
Specialist training helps guide dogs get used to delivery robots
Outreach Robotics works with environmental researchers to collect rare plant in Hawai’i
Most popular issue:
November 2024
Most-read features:
Blade Scrubber
Read all about it: Robotics & Automation Awards 2024!
MIT and Mecalux launch collaborative project to drive logistics innovation
Highlights from Robotics & Automation Awards 2024!
Robots help guide self-managed rehabilitation for stroke and brain injury survivors
1X unveils humanoid robot for the home
Italian researchers build robot dog with vacuum cleaner feet
Trump may cancel Nasa’s powerful SLS Moon rocket – here’s what that would mean for Elon Musk and the future of space travel
Machine learning cracked the protein-folding problem and won the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry
To make AI safe, governments must regulate data collection
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