FFRobotics News
6 articles
growth-positive
Japan's Line turns to SoftBank and cryptocurrency to make its messaging app a one-stop shop
Japanese mobile messaging company Line has offloaded a majority stake in its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) subsidiary to SoftBank. Line also announced the establishment of Line Financial Corporation, a subsidiary that will serve as a complementary business to its existing mobile payments company, Line Pay. Line plans to become a one-stop shop for digital transactions, offering services such as mobile networks, games, apps, carpooling, and smart speakers. The partnership with SoftBank will allow Line to switch from NTT DoCoMo to SoftBanks network and leverage SoftBanks promotional and financial strength. Line Financial will facilitate transactions of financial products, including loans and insurance, and also plans to serve as a cryptocurrency exchange. Line Pay processed ¥450 billion ($4.1 billion) in transactions last year.
PartnersInvestment
growth-positive
Robots designed to pick delicate fruit may help deal with labour shortage - Design Engineering
FFRobotics and Abundant Robotics are developing robotic fruit-picking machines to address labor shortages in Washington states agriculture industry. The machines are expected to have a growth-positive impact on the companies. The key theme of the article is the adoption of robotic technology in agriculture. The key issues discussed in the article are customers and partners. The article does not mention specific customers or partners. The event described in the article does not have a specific date. The confidence level of the answer is 8.
CustomersPartners
growth-negative
Biggest orchards could soon use ROBOT fruit pickers
FFRobotics and Abundant Robotics are developing robotic fruit pickers that could replace farm workers in Washington state. The machines have three-fingered grips or suction to grab and harvest fruit from trees. The robotic pickers are expected to be able to harvest up to 10,000 apples an hour. While the machines could help address labor shortages and reduce the dependence on immigrant workers, experts have expressed concerns about the displacement of valuable members of the Washington community. The use of robotic pickers could lead to job losses for human workers, many of whom are immigrants. The cost of the machines is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars each. The machines are expected to be available in the next couple of years.
CustomersPartners
growth-positive
The latest on FF Robotics' machine harvester
FF Robotics, an Israel-based company, is developing an automated apple harvester that uses a three-pronged gripper for picking. The harvester incorporates a fruit identification algorithm that learns in each orchard, allowing it to adapt to different cultivars and canopy structures. The company plans to bring a prototype to test in orchards in Washington this fall. The harvester is expected to be able to harvest about 85 percent of the crop, with the remaining apples to be hand-picked. Despite the labor cost of hand-picking, the founder of FF Robotics expects the harvester to offer growers a return on investment in just two years.
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FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News
The article does not provide any information or content.
growth-positive
Robotic fruit harvester showcased in Tel Aviv
Two Israeli firms showcased an apple-harvesting robot at a Microsoft research and development showcase in Tel Aviv. They claim that the robot is less than two years away from commercial use.
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