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Franka Research 3: Unveiling New Features for Enhanced Performance

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MUNICH, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Franka Research 3 (FR3), already trusted by leading academic institutions and research laboratories worldwide, continues to evolve, bringing new and powerful capabilities to researchers and roboticists. As the reference world-class, force-sensitive robot system, FR3 combines ease of use with deep control access, making it a cornerstone for AI-driven robotics research – with FR3 being adopted by leading academic institutions and research labs worldwide. With the latest updates, the FR3 is expanding its functionality, offering more flexibility, precision, and integration options.

At the core of FR3 lies a dexterous, force-sensitive robotic arm featuring:

7 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) for fluid and dexterous motion.Torque sensors at each joint, enabling precise force control and manipulation.Industrial-grade position repeatability of +/- 0.1 mm, ensuring accuracy in every movement.3 kg payload capacity and 855 mm reach, covering 94.5% of its workspace.

This exceptional hardware foundation is further enhanced by cutting-edge software improvements, making FR3 more versatile than ever.

Desk API: Simplified Automation and Administration

The new Desk API allows seamless programmatic control over FR3 systems. Users can now:

Open the robot’s brakes and activate the Franka Control Interface (FCI) programmatically.Automate system administration tasks.Clear safety violations remotely, ensuring continuous operation.

This feature enhances automation capabilities, making research workflows more efficient and reducing downtime.

Torque Sensor Calibration: Precision That Lasts

With the latest update, researchers can recalibrate the internal torque sensors directly in the field. This ensures consistent sensitivity throughout the robot’s lifetime, adapting to environmental and operational changes while maintaining peak performance.

ROS 2 Jazzy Support: Next-Gen Robotics Compatibility

The integration of full support for ROS 2 Jazzy opens new possibilities for advanced robotics research. Researchers can now:

Utilize the latest ROS 2 framework for real-time, scalable, and distributed robotic applications.Leverage ROS 2’s enhanced communication and control features.Seamlessly integrate with other ROS 2-compatible platforms and tools.

Enhanced Usability & Design: A Refined Experience

FR3 now features intuitive joint rotation markings and X/Y axis indicators, simplifying setup and operation. Alongside its sleek, modern aesthetic, these improvements make handling the robot easier and more intuitive.

Expanding the Franka Research Ecosystem

Franka Robotics continues to foster a rich and growing ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration with the most widely used robotics frameworks. The latest updates include:

MoveIt 2 Integration: Powerful Motion Planning

The FR3 system now fully integrates with MoveIt 2, the leading framework for motion planning and control. This connection, facilitated through ROS 2, allows:

Faster and more efficient motion planning.Streamlined implementation of advanced robotic behaviors.Improved ease of use for research applications requiring complex motion execution.

Optimized Performance for the Future of Research

The latest enhancements to FR3 are strategically designed to optimize performance, enhance usability, and expand research capabilities. Whether you’re exploring new AI-driven applications, conducting fine-grained motion studies, or leveraging the power of ROS 2, these updates ensure that FR3 remains at the forefront of robotics innovation.

Explore the next frontier of robotics with Franka Research 3 and experience the power of cutting-edge technology tailored for research excellence.

https://franka.de/products/franka-research-3 

Further developments, with new features set to be introduced in the coming months as we continue to drive progress in robotics research.

About Franka Robotics

Franka Robotics is a German, research-driven robotics company headquartered in Munich and operating globally. Founded in 2016, it is part of the Agile Robots SE group since 2023. Our mission is to enable the growing community of robotics and AI professionals to shape a pivotal moment in human evolution: giving AI a robot body. By developing the reference robotics platform, Franka Robotics drives continuous advancements in the field, fostering collaboration, creativity, and knowledge sharing among robotics and AI professionals worldwide.

Find out more at: https://www.franka.de

Contact: 
Head of Marketing
Tatjana Zakharova
tatjana.zakharova@franka.de

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Epson Celebrates Seven Generations of Cartridge-Free Printing Innovation with EcoTank ET-2980

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EcoTank ET-2980 is the First in a New Line of EcoTank Models that Deliver Convenient, Cost-Efficient and Stress-Free Printing

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Epson America, Inc., the global leader in refillable Supertank technology, announced its seventh generation of EcoTank® cartridge-free models with the new EcoTank ET-2980 Wireless All-in-One Color Supertank Printer. The most recent addition to the number-one selling Supertank† printer1 line, the ET-2980 leverages proven PrecisionCore® Heat-Free technology to provide everyday users with stellar print quality and reliability, ensuring a worry-free experience that lasts the life of the printer.

New EcoTank ET-2980, the first of the seventh generation EcoTank line, delivers cost-efficient and stress-free printing.

“Epson designed EcoTank to address several pressing concerns from anyone who prints – the hassle and cost of buying ink cartridges, the high-cost of printing in color and running out of ink when you need it most,” said Megha Shukla, group product manager, Consumer Inkjet, Epson America, Inc. “As an industry leader of efficient, compact and precise engineering, Epson has remained dedicated to printing innovation and continues to improve the experience with the seventh generation of EcoTank, starting with the ET-2980.”

The Perfect Family Printer
The ET-2980 combines simplicity with a modern look, offering advanced technology that enhances both performance and print quality, making it an ideal choice for everyday family printing – including content created by AI. With print speeds 50% faster than its predecessor2 it offers speed and longevity, with a permanent printhead engineered to last the life of the printer. The EcoTank ET-2980 also offers uniquely keyed EcoFit™ bottles that help prevent ink from drying out and comes with enough ink to last up to three years.3 Each replacement ink bottle set is equivalent to about 90 individual ink cartridges4 ensuring zero cartridge waste.

The EcoTank ET-2980 features built-in USB connectivity and is the first printer qualified under the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Agile Multiband™ standard – including Apple® AirPrint – to deliver a seamless wireless experience. It also offers the user-friendly Epson Smart Panel® app5 with an innovative interface to transform iOS or Android mobile devices6 into an intuitive control center. For added convenience the EcoTank ET-2980 includes a 1.44″ color screen, auto duplex printing, 100-sheet paper tray, and built-in scanner.

Pricing, Availability and Support
The EcoTank ET-2980 ($299.99 MSRP) comes in both black and white designs. The black printers are available at Micro Center, Amazon.com, Officedepot.com, Staples.com, Bestbuy.com. The white printers are available at Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, Micro Center, Nebraska Furniture Mart, La Curacao, Brands Mart, AAFES, London Drugs, Amazon.com, Walmart.com. For more information regarding the new solution, visit https://epson.com/ecotank-ink-tank-printers.

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), X (x.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

† Supertank printers are defined as refillable ink tank printers.
1 Source: Circana, LLC, Retail Tracking Service, US & Canada Combined, Inkjet SF and MF Printers Combined, Refillable Tank Included, Total Unit Sales, 12 Months Ending July 2024.
2 Versus the ET-2850
3 Based on average monthly document print volumes of about 125 pages.
4 Individual cartridges estimate based on print yields of a replacement set of black and color ink bottles as compared to Epson standard-capacity ink cartridges for similarly featured printers as of October 2024.
5 Requires Epson Smart Panel app download. Data usage fees may apply.
6 Most features require an Internet connection to the printer, as well as an Internet- and/or email-enabled device. For a list of Epson Connect enabled printers and compatible devices and apps, visit www.epson.com/connect

EPSON, EcoTank, Epson Smart Panel, and PrecisionCore are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. EcoFit is a trademark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2025 Epson America, Inc.

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SOURCE Epson America, Inc.

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Hexagon publishes the Annual Report and Sustainability Report 2024

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STOCKHOLM, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hexagon’s Annual Report and Sustainability Report 2024 is now available at Hexagon’s website hexagon.com. Hexagon intends to solely distribute the reports digitally. However, if you would like to receive a printed of the Annual and Sustainability Report, please request one here, contact Hexagon at mailorderservice@hexagon.com or call +46 (0)8 601 26 20.

As previously communicated, Hexagon’s Annual General Meeting will be held at 17:00 CET on Monday 5 May 2025 at IVA Konferenscenter, Grev Turegatan 16 in Stockholm, Sweden. Notification of attendance must be made on 28 April 2025 at the latest.

For further information, please contact:
Tom Hull, Head of Investor Relations, Hexagon AB, +44 7442 678 437, ir@hexagon.com
Anton Heikenström, Investor Relations Manager, Hexagon AB, +46 8 601 26 26, ir@hexagon.com

This information is information that Hexagon AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08:00 CET on 27 March 2025.

About Hexagon

Hexagon is the global leader in precision technologies at any scale. Our digital twins, robotics and AI solutions are transforming the industries that shape our reality.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,800 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/hexagon/r/hexagon-publishes-the-annual-report-and-sustainability-report-2024,c4123663

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/387/4123663/3348237.pdf

Hexagon Annual and Sustainability Report 2024

 

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SOURCE Hexagon

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Soul App’s AI Portrait Animation Study Gains CVPR 2025 Acceptance

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SHANGHAI, March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Soul App, a trailblazer in the “Social + AI” domain, has once again demonstrated its commitment to harnessing the power of artificial intelligence in social networking. The company’s latest achievement is the acceptance of its research paper on real-time, AI-driven portrait animation at the 2025 Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), one of the most esteemed conferences in the fields of AI and computer vision.

CVPR is renowned for attracting top-tier research from both industry leaders and top academic institutions worldwide. This year, the conference received a staggering 13,008 submissions, of which only 2,878 were accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of just 22.1%. This underscores the rigorous selection process and the intense competition in the field. Thus, the recognition from CVPR is a significant milestone for Soul, adding to its growing list of accolades, including the 2024 ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACM MM) and the top position at the Multimodal Emotion Recognition Challenge (MER24).

The accepted paper, titled “Teller: Real-Time Streaming Audio-Driven Portrait Animation with Autoregressive Motion Generation,” presents a novel autoregressive framework designed to enhance the efficiency of generating “talking-head” animations. This research aims to meet the growing demand for AI models that can deliver human-like interactions in real time.

What sets the “Teller” framework apart is its unique balance between performance and efficiency. Soul’s model utilizes an autoregressive motion generation framework that maintains optimal efficiency without sacrificing the fluidity and authenticity of natural facial and body movements. The paper highlights two key components of this technology:

Facial Motion Latent Generation (FMLG): By leveraging large-scale training data, FMLG enhances the synchronization between audio and visual cues, resulting in more fluid and natural facial expressions in response to speech inputs.

Efficient Temporal Module (ETM): Using a diffusion-based approach, the model accurately captures body dynamics, adding realism to the movements of facial and body muscles, as well as accessories.

During tests, Soul’s engineers found that this dual-module system enables AI-generated avatars to exhibit expressions and gestures that feel human in real time. This level of realism significantly enhances user experience in virtual interactions.

Since its inception in 2016, Soul has consistently invested in technological resources to gain an AI-driven edge in social networking. The company’s journey began with the self-developed Lingxi Engine, which facilitated user connections based on mutual interests. This was followed by rapid advancements in speech and text-based interactions, as well as 3D virtual human modeling. By 2020, Soul was already leveraging AI-generated content (AIGC) and focusing on intelligent dialogue systems and voice synthesis.

The launch of Soul’s proprietary AI model, Soul X, in 2023 marked a major leap forward. This homegrown model introduced features such as multilingual voice calls, speech synthesis, and AI-generated music to the platform. The recent breakthrough with the “Teller” framework is another step toward Soul’s goal of integrating speech, vision, and natural language processing (NLP) to create AI-powered digital entities that can interact seamlessly with users in real time. The ultimate aim is to provide not just functional but also emotionally fulfilling companionship.

Soul believes that artificial intelligence should go beyond merely facilitating conversations. The full potential of the technology should be utilized to create experiences that are emotionally enriching for users.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soul-apps-ai-portrait-animation-study-gains-cvpr-2025-acceptance-302412976.html

SOURCE Soul App

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