Yaskawa Motoman Announces Partnerships with Teams for the Amazon Picking Challenge

Dayton, OH – Yaskawa Motoman has selected Rutgers University’s PRACSYS Lab, The University of Texas Nuclear Robotics Group (NRG) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Autonomous Robotic Collaboration Lab (ARC) to each receive a Motoman® dual-arm robot, which will be deployed for the Amazon Picking Challenge (APC). This open competition aims to further the development of robot capabilities required for e-commerce and other material handling.

“Yaskawa Motoman is pleased to support these teams’ efforts for the Amazon Picking Challenge,” states Erik Nieves, technology director.

Rutgers University PRACSYS Lab
Nieves explains, “The PRACSYS lab is at the forefront of research in motion planning – a crucial element for success in semi-structured environments.”

“Our team selected the SDA10F robot for our entry in the APC. Its ROS interface makes it easy for our researchers to immediately begin testing our algorithms and methods,” replies Dr. Kostas Bekris, director of the PRACSYS lab.

The University of Texas Nuclear Robotics Group (NRG)
“NRG’s demonstrated success in advanced robotics applications gives us confidence in their team. They have been active in the ROS-Industrial Consortium and will bring their expertise to bear,” says Nieves.

“We have implemented Yaskawa robots for several research projects, so it was a natural fit to use the SDA5F for the APC,” adds Mitch Pryor, director of the NRG.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Autonomous Robotic Collaboration Lab (ARC)
Nieves mentions, “As one of the premier robotics engineering programs in the country, WPI is a great partner for us. We are sure Professor Berenson’s team will be very competitive and make full use of our dual-arm technology.”

Dmitry Berenson, director of ARC Laboratory at WPI responds, “The APC gives our students the opportunity to work on an important real world problem. Our lab is eager to get started with the SDA10F and to use its speed and accuracy to enhance our techniques.”


About Yaskawa Motoman
Founded in 1989, the Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America, Inc. is a leading robotics company in the Americas. With over 300,000 Motoman® robots installed globally, Yaskawa provides automation products and solutions for virtually every industry and robotic application; including arc welding, assembly, coating, dispensing, material handling, material cutting, material removal, packaging, palletizing and spot welding. For more information please visit our website or call 937.847.6200.