Iris Ohyama Ventures into Service Robot Industry with Acquisition of Smile Robotics
Introduction:
Iris Ohyama, a Japanese maker of home appliances, has announced its plans to acquire Smile Robotics, a service robot maker. With this acquisition, Iris Ohyama aims to develop robots in-house and expand its presence in the robotics sector. Smile Robotics, known for its Autonomous Clear Up Robot (ACUR-C), offers a mobile manipulator that serves and cleans up dishes in various service settings. Unlike other serving robots, the ACUR-C has an autonomous robotic arm that allows it to transfer dishes independently. Through this acquisition, Iris Ohyama hopes to leverage Smile Robotics’ technology and operating system to create tailor-made robots for individual customers and advance its capabilities in the field.
Full Article: Iris Ohyama Ventures into Service Robot Industry with Acquisition of Smile Robotics
Japanese maker of home appliances, Iris Ohyama, has announced its plans to acquire Smile Robotics, a service robot maker, according to a report from NikkeiAsia. This acquisition is part of Iris Ohyama’s strategy to develop robots in-house by leveraging Smile Robotics’ technology.
Smile Robotics was founded in 2019 by Takashi Ogura, who is now the CEO of the company. The company gained recognition for its Autonomous Clear Up Robot (ACUR-C), a mobile manipulator designed for service settings such as restaurants, clinics, and nursing homes. Unlike other serving robots, ACUR-C features an autonomous robotic arm that enables it to transfer dishes without human assistance.
The robot has a range of capabilities, including the ability to collect dishes up to 1 meter away and carry multiple trays of food at once. It is equipped with two laser sensors and four 3D cameras, allowing it to have a 360º field of vision.
The acquisition agreement between Iris Ohyama and Smile Robotics was finalized earlier this week. Iris Ohyama intends to acquire all outstanding shares of the company, with the deal estimated to cost around 1 billion yen ($7 million). However, the exact financial details have not been disclosed.
This move into robotics is not new for Iris Ohyama, as the company previously collaborated with SoftBank Robotics in 2020 to develop cleaning and catering robots. These robots were customized for the Japanese market and sold to over 4,000 businesses.
With the acquisition of Smile Robotics, Iris Ohyama aims to further expand its presence in the robotics sector. The company plans to develop its own robots using Smile Robotics’ technology, while also tailoring them to meet the specific needs of individual customers. Additionally, Iris Ohyama intends to enhance its capabilities, such as remote operation of multiple robots, with the help of Smile Robotics’ technology.
According to NikkeiAsia, Iris Ohyama’s first product in development is likely to be a cleaning robot targeting corporate customers. This aligns with the company’s focus on providing innovative solutions for different industries.
In summary, Iris Ohyama’s acquisition of Smile Robotics signals its commitment to internalizing its robotics capabilities. By integrating Smile Robotics’ technology, Iris Ohyama aims to develop its own line of robots and cater to the unique requirements of its customers. With a focus on the corporate cleaning sector, the company is poised to make significant advancements in the field of service robotics.
Summary: Iris Ohyama Ventures into Service Robot Industry with Acquisition of Smile Robotics
Japanese home appliance maker, Iris Ohyama, plans to acquire Smile Robotics, a robotics company known for developing the Autonomous Clear Up Robot (ACUR-C). ACUR-C is a mobile manipulator that can serve and clean up dishes in service settings like restaurants and nursing homes. The robot has an autonomous robotic arm and is able to transfer dishes on its own. Iris Ohyama aims to use Smile Robotics’ technology to develop its own in-house robots tailored to the needs of individual customers. The acquisition is expected to cost around $7 million and marks Iris Ohyama’s continued expansion into the robotics sector.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sure! Here are five unique questions and answers about robotics:
Question 1: What is robotics?
Answer: Robotics is an interdisciplinary field that involves designing, constructing, and programming robots to perform tasks autonomously or with human intervention. It combines knowledge from various fields like mechanical engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence.
Question 2: How are robots controlled?
Answer: Robots can be controlled in multiple ways depending on their complexity and purpose. Some robots are remotely controlled by humans using controllers, while others use pre-programmed instructions. Advanced robots utilize sensors and algorithms to make autonomous decisions based on their surroundings.
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Answer: Robotics finds applications in various industries including manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, space exploration, and entertainment. Robots are used in assembly lines for efficient production, perform surgeries with precision, assist in agriculture tasks, explore unknown environments, and even provide companionship.
Question 4: What are the benefits of using robots?
Answer: Robotic systems offer numerous benefits including increased efficiency, improved accuracy, reduced human error, enhanced productivity, and enhanced safety in hazardous environments. They can also perform tasks that are beyond human capabilities, leading to advancements in various sectors.
Question 5: What is the future of robotics?
Answer: The future of robotics is promising as advancements in technology continue to occur. We can expect to see sophisticated robots with improved AI capabilities, greater flexibility in handling complex tasks, and more interactivity with humans. Robotics will likely influence various aspects of our lives, revolutionizing industries and creating new opportunities.
