Helm.ai's Generative, Synthetic Data Will Train Your Robot
Wing launches in Melbourne, Simbe adds new mobile tools, Aescape plans your mssage
This week we’ve got a bit of everything: a new way to train your robots using generative data, a big expansion for drone delivery, an update to a popular in-store inventory bot, and even a new machine that’ll give you one heck of a massage. Read on for all the details.
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Helm.ai Launches VidGen-1
For autonomous machines that interact with the broader public, one of the trickiest parts of training new robots can be the data: not only do you need to capture reams of footage, but it needs to be manually labeled so that an AI model can understand what it’s looking and how to respond. Helm.ai proposes a new solution, dubbed VideGen-1, that uses generative AI to produce realistic video sequences, which have the added benefit of the resultant video already being paired with the necessary descriptions of the footage contents. Helm.ai is initially targeting autonomous vehicles operating in the L2 to L4 domains, but the company plans to ramp that up to include other uses like AMRs and drones.
Simbe Robotics Lets Grocers Remotely Monitor Shelves
Simbe Robotics has released an update to its popular Tally platform, allowing grocers and retailers to remotely monitor storefronts. Called Simbe Virtual Tour, the new tool allows staff to view 360-degree footage of store interiors, assisting with planning, troubleshooting and oversight. Simbe also just launched a companion mobile app, allowing workers to incorporate the robots’ inventory analysis into their everyday workstreams.
Wing and DoorDash Expand to Melbourne
Alphabet’s drone delivery subsidiary Wing is ramping up its operations in Australia, as it expands its partnership with DoorDash to cover metropolitan Melbourne, after five years of operations in more rural parts of the state. Wing is starting out with a hub located at Queensland Investment Corporation’s Eastland Shopping Centre in the suburb of Maroondah, which will put 250,000 consumers within its delivery radius. The launch comes in part thanks to new regulatory approvals that allow a single pilot to new oversee up to 50 drones at once, 3X the previous allowance. Back in the States, ParaZeo technologies just received approval for its SafeAir Maciv 3 system, which allows it to equip drones with a safety parachute, permitting operations above people and vehicles.
For more on drone delivery, see our recent deep dive on the state of drone delivery in 2024.
Aescape Debuts New Massage Robots
Well here’s a new robot in a different side of the hospitality space: meet Aescape. While the idea of a robotic massage my conjure up thoughts of an overstuffed, vibrating leather chair in a 1990’s Brookstone, these new machines are much more like human masseuses. They’re able to apply pressure with symmetrical stroking arms, as guests lie on a massage table. Aescape is going after business travelers, who will not only appreciate that a machine-based massage costs less than a most hotel’s spa services, but allows the work to be done twice as quickly (although some might debate whether that’s really a perk…)
In Other News
Silicon Valley Robotics predicts industry investment will hit $20 billion through year’s end. California Food Council looks to bump fast food worker wages to $20.70. 1X Technologies scores key hires from Tesla, BMW.
