Gentle Robotics Abandons Gripper Business, Unveils New AI-Focused Venture

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Following two consecutive years of stagnant growth during the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak, industrial robotic sales have plummeted dramatically, with a notable decline evident in North America specifically? According to trade affiliation A3, what were the gross sales of commercial robots in North America? Gross sales in North America declined by 6% during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

While consensus exists among analysts that industrial robots will eventually become widespread, the timing of this development remains uncertain. The decline in innovation has had far-reaching consequences, with numerous robotics companies either ceasing operations altogether or undergoing significant workforce reductions as a result. Mark Chiappetta, president and CEO of Gentle Robotics Inc., the company behind innovative grippers, defied categorization by deliberately choosing a different path.

Gentle Robotics has divested its delicate robotic gripper business to J. The company Schmalz GmbH has acquired an undisclosed quantity. Headquartered in Glatten, Germany, Glatten is a leading developer of vacuum solutions, offering a comprehensive range of products that include suction cups, vacuum mills, and finishing gripping and clamping systems.

Schmalz has been directed by Chiappetta to acquire a significant portion of Gentle Robotics’ intellectual property, as well as numerous employees and related services.

“When the COVID-19 pandemic was unfolding, the prevailing wisdom was, ‘There is no alternative.'” The installation of robots is a crucial aspect of meeting evolving demands. As we predicted, the persistence of these shopping habits may have triggered a seismic upheaval in the field of robotics. However these habits didn’t keep.”

Gentle Robotics was founded in 2012 by Dr. George M. Whitesides of Harvard College. He conceived the potential of merging microfluidics with robotics, revolutionizing the manufacturing process and unlocking fresh opportunities in uncharted markets. Produced in 2018, he was.

Oxipital AI diversifies the enterprise

Now that Gentle Robotics’ grippers are no longer under the same umbrella, the company is free to pursue new opportunities. The company has spun off its 3D and applied sciences into a new entity, called XYZ, where Chiappetta retains the same role.

Oxipital AI efficiently handles a range of visible duties, including defect detection, estimating quantities, classifying SKUs, segmenting attributes, and accurately counting conveyors. The company will also expand its robotic picking capabilities across various industries, starting predominantly in the food sector where Gentle Robotics has established its reputation.

The corporation intends to develop core object fashions using pre-trained models entirely based on artificial intelligence. Oxipital AI’s unique value proposition is its ability to operate without the need for any imagery collection or human annotation, a significant departure from traditional machine learning approaches.

A no-code function empowers prospects to establish criteria for distinguishing exceptional products from hazardous ones, enabling seamless inspection processes, as outlined by the expert. The cloud-based dashboard then aggregates and interprets real-world data, providing valuable insights. Oxipital AI’s expertise seamlessly integrates with all existing industrial robotic arms, as well as conventional automation solutions like conveyors, according to Chiappetta.

Rise of meal kit delivery services prompts Gentle Robotics to pivot its business strategy.

While eschewing robot promotion, the primary distinction lies in Oxipital AI’s potential focus on objectives that do not involve robots, as he is renowned for. According to Chiapetta, AI-driven vision technologies in the industry can boost yields, accelerate processing rates, and minimize losses.

“According to Chiappetta, current meal processing systems are ill-equipped to replace human selection patterns with robotic ones.” “They’re willing to put themselves on camera to share best practices for streamlining their existing workflows.”

According to Chiappetta, a major obstacle preventing food processing companies from embracing robotics lies in their large flooring areas. Many large corporations, he noted, often build their empires through strategic acquisitions of smaller producers. As this uniqueness creates varying demands for space, prioritizing flooring areas becomes a crucial aspect of production facility design?

While Chiappetta highlights several drawbacks to embracing robotics in food processing, one significant hurdle remains: many corporations are hesitant to make a commitment to innovation, citing uncertainty and risk aversion.

“The food industry has historically lagged behind in adopting robotics,” he noted. “Capital allocation requires processors to navigate complex rates of interest, select bidders, develop answers, secure funding lines, achieve quality standards, and ensure acceptance; only then can they determine whether their investment was worthwhile.”

“When you start removing individuals from a situation, it becomes extremely challenging to turn back.”

According to his LinkedIn post, Gentle Robotics has successfully deployed approximately 1,000 precision grippers within its respective field.

Is another well-known developer of. Founded in 2015, the Danish company initially offered a diverse array of robotic finish effectors.

Notwithstanding its growth, the company has further diversified its portfolio by introducing a range of instruments, including changers, and bespoke packages for applications such as palletizing, packaging, and CNC machining, among others.

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Former robotics pioneer divests its assets as it pivots towards artificial intelligence.

The Massachusetts-based company, headquartered in Bedford, has updated its website to reflect its new direction. A leading American candy corn manufacturer recently leveraged AI-powered vision technology to inspect their products for imperfections, enhancing quality control and efficiency in their production process.

This method identifies defects in various forms, including missing kernels and irregularly shaped or undersized fruits and vegetables. The system subsequently transmits this critical information to the standard management team, prompting necessary responses.

The company’s decision to divest its gripper business rather than expanding its partnership with 3D vision and AI may have been driven by the desire to focus on core competencies and optimize resources. By shedding non-core assets, Gentle Robotics could redirect investment in areas where it has a competitive edge, such as robotic manipulation and machine learning.

Chiappetta clarified that this situation wasn’t a cutthroat case of adapt or die, yet the substantial financial gain derived from the divestment did provide a welcome boost. The primary objective is to preserve a corporate-centric approach, according to him.

“According to Chiappetta, robotic selection proves a laborious process, with gripper technology representing a niche industry.” “The visible aspect of AI aimed to achieve a common goal for various purposes.” And now that we’ve successfully acquired the necessary technology.

“Without focus, it’s challenging to thrive.” I often engaged in discussions with stakeholders who struggled to grasp the concept of a company that combines its intuitive gaze, grasping capabilities, and intelligent mind.

Despite solid projections

In December 2022, Gentle Robotics experienced its most financially successful month to date, according to instructions from Chiappetta. January typically begins with a cautious pace as companies reconcile their budgets; but January 2023 was an anomaly, and unfortunately, February failed to regain momentum, according to him.

As their companion recounted, they too had witnessed the same phenomenon.

Gentle Robotics final . According to Crunchbase, the company had raised $86 million in funding since its inception.

Oxipital’s growth won’t be entirely dependent on robotic sales, according to Chiappetta, as Gentle Robotics’ enterprise is uniquely reliant on those revenues.

The Schmalz transaction marks the start of what we anticipate will be a significant and collaborative alliance for our company. With a reputation that’s truly exceptional and a global reach unmatched by few. This is exactly what we’ve been looking for. What companies are pioneering delicate robotic gripper development? The extra delicate grip turns to normalcy, offering us additional alternatives for innovative applications of our AI vision technology.