Kinova

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kinova
Company typePrivately held
IndustryRobotics
Founded2006
HeadquartersBoisbriand, Quebec, Canada
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Charles Deguire, Louis-Joseph L'Écuyer
ProductsService robots, Commercial robots
Websitekinovarobotics.com

Kinova is a Canadian technology company that manufactures service robotics platforms and applications for personal assistance.[1][2][3] The company is headquartered in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada.[4]

History[edit]

In 2006, Charles Deguire and Louis-Joseph L'Écuyer founded Kinova as an independent manufacturer of robotic devices.[5][6] Deguire's uncle was an inventor who created a manipulator for his wheelchair, which became the basis for the company to create the robotic arms.[7] By 2009, Kinova had introduced a robotic arm that could fit onto any standard wheelchair and allow users to feed themselves.[8][9]

From 2016 to 2018, Kinova expanded its operations, opening offices in Germany and China.[10][11] In 2017, Kinova announced that it had raised $25 million in funding backed by investors KTB Network, BDC Venture Capital, Fonds Manufacturier Québécois and Foxconn Technology Group.[12][13][14] Later in the year, the company collaborated and partnered with McGill University to increase their collaborative research involving medical, surgical and assistive robotics.[15]

Products[edit]

Kinova produces the Jaco Assistive robotic arm, a six-axis robotic manipulator arm with a two- or three-finger hand to improve the life of people with mobility issues.[16][17][18]

Kinova also provides accessories such as arm grippers, actuators and controllers.[19][20]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "TC Makers: Kinova Robotics Gives The Disabled A Helping Hand". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  2. ^ "Kinova secures $25M in funding to accelerate growth". Manufacturing AUTOMATION. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  3. ^ "Kinova Names Clearpath North American Distributor of JACO Robot Arm". Robotics Business Review. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  4. ^ Robohunter. "Робот-помощник JACO2 DOF-S от Kinova Robotics". robo-hunter.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  5. ^ "Empowering People Through Robotics: In convo with Charles Deguire of Kinova". SEE Change Magazine. 2017-05-16. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  6. ^ "Charles Deguire". Canada Business Network. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  7. ^ "Kinova Robotics Wants Jaco to Keep Changing Lives for the Better". Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  8. ^ Boucher, Francois (26 February 2013). "Startup Spotlight: Kinova Creating Robot Arms That Improve Lives". IEEE Spectrum.
  9. ^ "'Jaco' robotic arm aims to give independence back to people with disabilities | Globalnews.ca". globalnews.ca. 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  10. ^ Muhoro, Nicholas (31 March 2017). "KINOVA Robotics Signs Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Chinese Tech Firm". sanvada.com.
  11. ^ "Montreal robotics firm Kinova signs China distribution deal". Canadian Manufacturing. 2017-03-29. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  12. ^ "Kinova Robotics raises $25 million for expansion plans". Robotics & Automation News. 2017-10-09. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  13. ^ "Kinova Robotics raises $20m for product, market expansion". The Robot Report. 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  14. ^ GmbH, finanzen net. "Kinova secures significant funding to invest in accelerating company growth and innovation | Markets Insider". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  15. ^ "McGill partners with KINOVA to foster innovation in robotics : Med e-News". Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  16. ^ "SMA Patients' Lives Getting Better with Kinova's Jaco Robot". SMA News Today. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  17. ^ "Shoutout to Kinova Robotics". SMA News Today Forums. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  18. ^ Group, Techbriefs Media. "Service Robots Use Flat Motors to Provide Reliable, Safe Motion". www.techbriefs.com. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  19. ^ "Kinova Robotics". RobotGlobe. Retrieved 2019-01-12.
  20. ^ Regions, Canada Economic Development for Quebec (2017-09-14). "Kinova® can increase production capacity by acquiring robotic manufacturing equipment". gcnws. Retrieved 2019-01-12.