Archives for July 18, 2018

Siemens report urges cities to plan now for arrival of autonomous vehicles

July 18, 2018 by Anna

The advent of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV) has the potential to cause major and disruptive changes to cities worldwide, according to a report launched by Siemens.

The report, Cities in the Driving Seat stresses the need for cities to plan early and tackle the issue in a wider context of mobility transformations.

Launched recently at the World Cities Summit in Singapore, the study explores the interdependencies between urban development, public transportation policies, power supply, pollution and the increasing share of CAV in city traffic.

In future, our houses will have built-in solar cells

July 18, 2018 by Anna

This autumn, the four-year EU project, PVadapt, will start developing new solar cell systems that are less expensive to create, assemble and use, and Norwegian researchers are involved.

Today, cities account for 70 percent of the world’s energy consumption, which means they are responsible for 40-50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. European Technology and Innovation Platform estimates that 80 per cent of the Earth’s population will live in urban areas by 2050.

This means that the energy consumption will double, or at worst, triple. Therefore, it is essential to develop sustainable solutions with renewable energy. An example of this is the use of solar cells that are integrated in construction.

Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

July 18, 2018 by Sam Francis

The Fraunhofer Institute in Germany is developing what it says will be the “next generation of industrial robots”, which integrate new kinematics for milling, customized, high-precision manufacturing

Manufacturers generally must offer high-quality products at low prices in order to remain competitive.

In a bid to provide the production technologies they will require, three Fraunhofer Institute teams are working together on what they say is “the next generation of industrial robots which will facilitate cost-effective production processes”.

The researchers are focusing on developing a new kinematics for milling lightweight materials, metals, and steels. The aim: achieving a production tolerance of just 0.1 millimeters all over the robot workspace starting with the very first component. [Read more…] about Fraunhofer developing ‘next generation of industrial robots’

Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

July 18, 2018 by Sam Francis

Contec Americas has decided to invest $6.3 million into an expansion program in the US, which includes spending on new headquarters location in Melbourne, Florida.

The company says the decisions are being driven by “rapid growth” in the industrial internet of things market and record sales.

Contec is a technology design, manufacturing, and integration company. [Read more…] about Contec Americas opens $6.3 million modern new US headquarters and manufacturing facility

Automation integrator JMP Solutions awarded by Fanuc

July 18, 2018 by Sam Francis

JMP Solutions, an independent robotic systems integrator, has received three prestigious awards at the Fanuc America Authorized Systems Integrator Conference and Awards Gala in Clearwater, Florida.

JMP’s automation and robotics division received three awards:

the Growth Award was presented for outstanding growth of robot sales;
the Sales Leadership Award recognized JMP’s exemplary level of sales; and
the Excellence in Intelligent Robotics Award recognizes sales leadership of intelligent products.

Ken McLaughlin, general manager of JMP’s automation and robotics division, says: “Since JMP entered the Fanuc Authorized System Integrator program in 2009, we’ve enjoyed a strong relationship built on trust and collaboration. [Read more…] about Automation integrator JMP Solutions awarded by Fanuc