Archives for October 17, 2016

Darpa-backed company demonstrates semi-autonomous plane co-piloted by a robot

October 17, 2016 by Mark Allinson

Aurora demonstrates advanced robot system on a Diamond DA-42, Cessna Caravan and Bell UH-1 helicopter as part of Darpa autonomous aircraft program

Aurora Flight Sciences is reaching new technological heights in the world of automated flight through its work on the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (Alias) program.

On October 17 Aurora demonstrated automated flight capabilities with Alias flying a Cessna Caravan through basic maneuvers under the supervision of a pilot.

Aurora’s Alias technology has now been successfully demonstrated on three separate aircraft, from three original equipment manufacturers, in less than twelve months. [Read more…] about Darpa-backed company demonstrates semi-autonomous plane co-piloted by a robot

Suzuki and Toyota to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies

October 17, 2016 by Mai Tao

Environment, safety, and information technology fields to also feature prominently in the new business partnership

Suzuki and Toyota have agreed to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies, although the details were not discussed.

The companies say they have started exploring ideas that are directed towards a business partnership.

In a statement, Toyota and Suzuki say they recognise the environment surrounding the automotive industry has been changing “drastically and rapidly in an unprecedented fashion”. [Read more…] about Suzuki and Toyota to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies

Airships: Ready to fly high again after a century of suspicion

October 17, 2016 by Mark Allinson

The Hindenburg disaster, in which a massive German airship caught fire while landing in the US, resulting in the deaths of 36 people, occurred in 1937, but even today it’s remembered and thought of as the reason why airships never took to the skies in large numbers.

The powerful images of the accident left many who viewed them with the impression that airships were dangerous, partly because they were filled with gas lighter than air.

But whereas the Hindenburg was filled with a flammable gas, modern airships are not – they haven’t been for many decades. [Read more…] about Airships: Ready to fly high again after a century of suspicion

Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

October 17, 2016 by Sam Francis

Yamaha Motor says its internet of things automation system enables integrated control of multiple robot products with one controller

Yamaha has developed a new Advanced Robotics Automation platform – essentially an internet of things system for connecting machines together.

This integrated control robot system enables building advanced automated production lines at low cost, in short time frames, and provides a “remarkable increase in compatibility with IoT”, says Yamaha.

The company adds that the newly-developed integrated controller delivers comprehensive coordination and synchronous control of an entire automated system, including transport of pieces, handling, image recognition, and control of peripheral devices. [Read more…] about Yamaha develops its own ‘Advanced Robotics Automation’ internet of things platform to connect its new industrial robots

Yamaha launches new SCARA robot and ‘advanced’ robotics automation platform

October 17, 2016 by Sam Francis

Company claims its robot has the industry’s fastest motion performance of a 0.28 seconds standard cycle time, and it targets unit sales of 2,800 at an open price

Yamaha has introduced a “new full model change” SCARA Robot YKX Series, which is compatible with its own “Advanced Robotics Automation Platform” – essentially an internet of things platform for its machines.

Yamaha will formally launch the new YKX series of SCARA robots and its the newly-developed Advanced Robotics Automation Platform integrated control robot system on December 1, 2016.

With this “full model change”, as Yamaha calls it, the YKX series has achieved even higher rigidity and high-speed motion through drive system upgrades and Yamaha Motor’s “unique” motor-reduction gear direct connection structure – a completely beltless structure, says the company. [Read more…] about Yamaha launches new SCARA robot and ‘advanced’ robotics automation platform

Dassault Systèmes launches solution for architecture, engineering and construction industries

October 17, 2016 by Sam Francis

Cloud collaboration solution from “design to fabrication” aimed at solving problems ahead of construction

Dassault Systèmes, a provider of product lifecycle management solutions among other software, has launched its “design for fabrication industry solution experience” for architecture, engineering and construction.

The company says the software gives architects, engineers, contractors, fabricators and building products manufacturers access to a digital, collaborative environment on the cloud for civil and building projects, from concept through fabrication detail with shop floors that reduces waste and rework.

Each architecture, engineering and construction project brings together new teams of designers, fabricators and contractors who use their own building information modeling solutions. [Read more…] about Dassault Systèmes launches solution for architecture, engineering and construction industries

Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030

October 17, 2016 by Sam Francis

Some say the traditional petrol-driven internal combustion engine is on the way out.

It would seem inevitable, given that the alternative – the electric engine – is less harmful to the environment at the point of use.

The implications of the rise of the electric engine for the global oil business is beyond the scope of this article, but oil will probably continue to be important going forward because of its role in powering so many other sectors of industry.

But as far as the demands on the oil industry that road-going vehicles will make, it seems there is a definite downward trend emerging.

Perhaps the most significant recent development is the German government’s decision to ban the combustion engine effective 2030. [Read more…] about Electric cars: Germany to ban petrol engines from 2030