Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for July 10, 2018

Hyundai and Wärtsilä partner on second-life electric vehicle batteries for energy storage

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Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) has selected Wärtsilä for a technology and commercial partnership designed to utilise second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries for the growing energy storage market.

The global partnership will combine HMG’s expansion in electric vehicles with Wärtsilä’s growing energy business, which includes 67 GW of installed power plants and advanced energy storage technologies and software created through the acquisition of Greensmith Energy.

The partnership will target advanced energy storage products and platforms that maximise HMG’s second-life EV batteries to be commercialised in Wärtsilä’s existing customer and channel networks across 177 countries globally. Wärtsilä sold almost 4 GW of power plants in 2017 in both developed and developing regions of the world.

[Read more…] about Hyundai and Wärtsilä partner on second-life electric vehicle batteries for energy storage

ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

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ABB is to acquire AB Rotech, a privately-owned company headquartered in Bursa, Turkey, with nearly 20 years of extensive experience in robotic welding solutions and services for the automotive industry.

The expertise of AB Rotech’s engineering team covers the entire robotics welding lifecycle, from design and commissioning to electrical engineering and customer service.

The parties agreed to not disclose the value of the acquisition. The acquisition is subject to regulatory clearance and is expected to close later this year.

[Read more…] about ABB to acquire AB Rotech to expand automotive welding solutions

Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp sign joint venture to create new steel firm in Europe

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Tata Steel and thyssenkrupp AG have signed definitive agreements to combine their European steel businesses in a 50/50 joint venture in a new company. This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2017.

The proposed new company, to be named thyssenkrupp Tata Steel BV, will be positioned as a leading pan-European high-quality flat-steel producer with a strong focus on performance, quality and technology leadership.

The joint venture is built on the strong foundations of common value systems and a long heritage in the industry, say the companies.

[Read more…] about Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp sign joint venture to create new steel firm in Europe

Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

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Faurecia and Parrot have finalized a proposal which will see the take-over of 100 per cent of Parrot Automotive by Faurecia, ahead of schedule.

The company says the transaction “underlines the importance of Parrot Automotive in Faurecia’s Cockpit of the Future strategy”.

This refers to the general trend of developing what are called “digital cockpits” or virtual dashboards” for new cars and vehicles.

Faurecia says the takeover will “accelerate the development” of infotainment solutions based on the Android operating system by Parrot Automotive and the development of an open platform integrating the different connected systems and functionalities of the vehicle interior.  [Read more…] about Faurecia takes 100 per cent control of Parrot Automotive sooner than planned

Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials

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Fujitsu and Riken say their the joint development of the successor to the K supercomputer – one of the fastest in the world – is complete and is beginning trials.

The so-called “post-K” is a supercomputer that the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has chosen as a successor to the K computer, is moving forward, with the goal of beginning full operations around 2021.

Fujitsu has now completed the prototype central processing unit chip that will serve as the core of post-K, commencing functionality field trials.  [Read more…] about Fujitsu completes ‘post-K supercomputer’ prototype and begins trials