"Jidoka" is a new one to me. TRI (Toyota Research Institute) CEO Gill Pratt described the concept as "Automation with a Human Touch." The anglicized version of the notion is "Autonomation" -- both are modified forms of " automation," in their respective languages. The word was originally applied to Toyota's Production System, highlighting the need for human participation in the process. Employing Jidoka principles throughout the production process is a vital element of the Toyota Production System, forcing imperfections to be immediately addressed by self-inspecting workers and thereby reducing the amount of work added to a defective product.

RightHand Robotics secured $66 million in a Series C financing led by top growth investors: Safar Partners, a technology venture fund; Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P. ("THL"), a leading investor in automation and supply chain; and SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which is part of the SoftBank Group. Zebra Technologies, Epson and Global Brain also join this round, along with previous investors GV, F-Prime Capital, Menlo Ventures, Matrix Partners and Tony Fadell's Future Shape. Previous rounds were led by Menlo Ventures and Playground Global. RightHand Robotics invented the RightPick Platform, a collaborative robot and unique gripper solution for a wide range of fulfillment center processes. The piece-picking solution combines an intelligent gripper, a vision system, and control software with learning as a form of hand, eye, coordination providing accountability for picking success.

In this episode, Audrow Nash speaks with Melonee Wise, former CEO of Fetch Robotics and current VP of Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies. Melonee speaks about the origin of Fetch Robotics, her experience at Willow Garage, her experience being acquired by Zebra Technologies, challenges in the warehouse setting, on autonomous cars, and on the future of robotics.

Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a Lincolnshire, IL-based provider of performance edge solutions, is to acquire antuit.ai, The amount of the deal – subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and expected to close in 2021 – was not disclosed. AI-powered demand forecasting solution into Zebra's SaaS portfolio will enable retailers and consumer products companies to combine planning and execution to optimize margins and drive revenue growth. The system enables retailers to deliver on their omnichannel strategy by increasing margins with effective prices and promotions, as well as optimizing inventory allocations and order fulfillment. With the platform, consumer products companies can maximize forecast accuracy; anticipate consumer demand to meet retailers' service level, shelf-level, store-level, and e-commerce orders; optimize pricing and trade promotions; and unify sales, trade and demand planning.

If you have already looked at how to invest in robotics stock and perused a list of the biggest robotics stocks, it's now time to take a look at five stocks that give investors the best way to play the theme of rising adoption of robotics automation. Let's take a look at five of the top companies playing the field of robotics and why their stocks are attractive for investors. Deere (NYSE:DE), an agricultural and construction machinery equipment manufacturer, might not be the first name that springs to mind when looking at robotics automation stocks; however, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing use of automation will be key drivers of Deere's growth in the future. The company's core business is agricultural machinery. To be clear, a stock that operates in the farming sector will always be susceptible to the vagaries of the industry.

Famous American philosopher George Carlin did a brilliant riff on stuff. He rightly contended that we just spend our lives moving and acquiring our stuff, and a house is just a pile of your stuff with a cover on it. Companies that are in the business of making and selling stuff have to be able to track what could amount to millions of widgets until they can unload their stuff onto someone else. There are plenty of inventory management software systems out there using artificial intelligence to help retailers be more efficient peddling stuff. For example, a company called Blue Yonder uses machine learning algorithms to crunch data, including sales and local weather forecasts, to help stores reduce out-of-stock rates of stuff while boosting profits so they can sell more stuff.