Archives for November 2016

Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

November 29, 2016 by David Edwards

Will electric cars become more common than petrol cars? New developments suggest that they just might.

There are 1 billion cars in the world today. And only 1 million of them are fully electric vehicles.

But electric cars are growing in number, as auto giants take more interest. As Pamela Fletcher of GM says: “The electric drive is the ultimate luxury attribute – the absolute smoothness of the driving experience, the quietness… the acceleration.” [Read more…] about Growing power: A quick look at the market for electric cars

Chinese company Delta launches new industrial robot

November 28, 2016 by Abdul Montaqim

Delta has unveiled the latest version of its articulated industrial robot.

The Chinese company says its DRV90L / DRV 70L series can be “perfectly integrated with AC motor drives, motion control systems, sensors, machine vision systems, advanced host controllers and more, to construct high-end automation machines and systems”.

Delta’s senior vice-president, Simon Chang, says: “Our articulated robot solutions are already applied at our factory in China and have proven to enhance productivity and product quality. [Read more…] about Chinese company Delta launches new industrial robot

Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

November 28, 2016 by Abdul Montaqim

Intel will invest an additional than $250 million into developing autonomous driving technology, says CEO Brian Krzanich.

Intel plans to help make fully autonomous driving a reality, acknowledges its decision signifies “how critical the automotive market has become for the company”.

Krzanich, who made the announcement at the LA Auto Show recently, says the new investment is part of the company’s ongoing work with automakers and system suppliers to help integrate advanced technologies into cars. [Read more…] about Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

Cern introduces Tim, the tunnel-checking robot

November 28, 2016 by Abdul Montaqim

The name’s TIM, Robot TIM – meet the spy patrolling the 27-km tunnel of the Large Hadron Collider.

TIM, the Train Inspection Monorail, is a mini vehicle transporting a set of instruments along tracks suspended from the tunnel’s ceiling.

This smart machine is used for real-time monitoring of the LHC tunnel: the tunnel structure, the oxygen percentage, the communication bandwidth and the temperature. [Read more…] about Cern introduces Tim, the tunnel-checking robot

BMW demonstrates future autonomous and connected logistics technologies

November 25, 2016 by Mai Tao

bmw-vehicles-at-port — BMW i models at the Port of Bremerhaven, Germany

BMW has been showing off and testing its latest technologies for the future of autonomous and connected vehicles for the logistics industry, although the innovations are intended for application in its own supply chain.

The company says it will increasingly rely on innovation, digitalisation and sustainability for logistics in the future.

A fully-networked supply chain, autonomous transport robots and the use of existing vehicle information for the delivery process will make logistics even more flexible and efficient, says BMW. [Read more…] about BMW demonstrates future autonomous and connected logistics technologies

Robots eroding employment prospects in developing economies, says UN

November 25, 2016 by Mai Tao

robots making cars — Picture courtesy Stratfor.com

Increasing utilisation of robotics and automation technologies in developed countries is ruining emerging economies around the world, according to a report by the United Nations.

A policy briefing by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Robots and Industrialization in Developing Countries, argues that increased use of robots in developed countries erodes traditional labour-cost advantage of developing countries.

The report notes that new technological breakthroughs in computing, robotics and artificial intelligence in advanced economies will result in large numbers of people being made redundant in developing countries. [Read more…] about Robots eroding employment prospects in developing economies, says UN

Samsung buys Harman to enter connected and autonomous car race

November 25, 2016 by Sam Francis

The biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world has signalled its intention to enter the globally accelerating connected and autonomous car race.

Samsung, which makes the Galaxy phone among others, has agreed to buy Harman, the manufacturer of incar entertainment equipment and other products.

The total value of the purchase is will be $8 billion, according to Samsung, which says Harman will continue operation as a standalone business, albeit as a subsidiary. [Read more…] about Samsung buys Harman to enter connected and autonomous car race

Audi shows off its smart factory technologies

November 25, 2016 by Sam Francis

Audi has been demonstrating its advanced manufacturing technologies, much of which went into building its newly opened smart factory in Mexico, where the automaker’s Q5 vehicle is being produced. [Read more…] about Audi shows off its smart factory technologies

OR Laser launches new metal additive manufacturing system

November 24, 2016 by Sam Francis

OR Laser has launched a new direct metal additive manufacturing system which it says is “more accessible and more affordable for more companies”.

The company says the Orlas Creator metal additive manufacturing platform is “smarter, simpler, faster and more cost effective than any other metal additive manufacturing system currently available on the market”.

OR Laser says the system uses a “unique” circular build-platform design, which enables up to 30per cent faster production speeds compared with comparable platforms. These speeds are facilitated by a proprietary, rotation-led precision coater blade. [Read more…] about OR Laser launches new metal additive manufacturing system

Connected devices, industrial control systems expose manufacturers to cyber threats, say Deloitte and Mapi

November 24, 2016 by Sam Francis

Intellectual property theft tops manufacturers’ concerns, says new report, which identifies measures to control cyber risks associated with advanced manufacturing

Nearly half of surveyed manufacturing executives lack confidence their assets are protected from external threats, according to a new study from Deloitte and the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (Mapi) on Cyber risk in advanced manufacturing.

Study results indicate nearly 40 percent of surveyed manufacturing companies were affected by cyber incidents in the past 12 months, and 38 percent of those impacted indicated cyber breaches resulted in damages in excess of $1 million.

Trina Huelsman, vice chairman, Deloitte & Touche and US industrial products and services leader, says: “Manufacturers are innovating at an unprecedented rate, integrating cutting-edge technologies in products, automating the shop floor, connecting supply chains, and increasingly investing in valuable intellectual property. [Read more…] about Connected devices, industrial control systems expose manufacturers to cyber threats, say Deloitte and Mapi