Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for September 3, 2018

Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

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Nidec, the Japanese maker of industrial machinery components such as motors, is planning to buy five German robotics companies, according to a report on Nikkei. 

Nidec recently reported record profits for its most recent quarter and is apparently flush with cash, and looks to have decided to spend it on acquisitions.

According to Nikkei, the first of the five acquisition targets is MS-Graessner, which makes speed-reducing gearboxes which fit into the joints of robotic arms.  [Read more…] about Nidec looking to ‘buy five German robotics companies for $450 million’

Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

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Boeing is collaborating with artificial intelligence technology company SparkCognition to develop unmanned aircraft system traffic management solutions.

Boeing and SparkCognition say they will use AI and blockchain technologies to track unmanned air vehicles in flight and allocate traffic corridors and routes to “ensure safe, secure transportation”.

Through the collaboration, they will also provide a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications.  [Read more…] about Boeing and SparkCognition constructing air traffic system for autonomous planes

A ‘flying sculpture’ of 300 drones

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Studio Drift has presented “Franchise Freedom” for the first time in Europe, following a successful premiere at Art Basel in Miami Beach last year, developed in collaboration with BMW.

A flying sculpture of 300 luminous Intel Shooting Star drones in bird swarming formation will be on view for three days after sunset, from August 10-12, 2018.

Illuminating the river IJ in Amsterdam, the performative artwork is part of the retrospective “Studio Drift: Coded Nature”, on display at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam until August 26, 2018.  [Read more…] about A ‘flying sculpture’ of 300 drones

ZF launches ‘smooth driving system’ for automated cars

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ZF’s new fully active chassis system, sMotion, can reduce unwanted car body movements caused by potholes, bumps or bends, claims the company.

An intelligent actuator actively controls individual wheels, capable of adapting suspension movement for each travelling situation and road condition.

sMotion also offers vehicle manufacturers modular scalability as well as component dimensions and interfaces, making it easy to tailor and integrate the system into vehicle designs.

[Read more…] about ZF launches ‘smooth driving system’ for automated cars

Denso in joint venture for automated driving software

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Denso Corporation is forming a new joint venture company to  to develop integrated electronic control unit (ECU) software for automated driving and vehicle dynamics control.

Denso will own 65% of the company with Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd taking a 25% stake, ADVICS Co., Ltd. taking 5% and  JTEKT Corporation taking 5%.

Details are still being discussed and the plan is for the new company to launch in March 2019.

[Read more…] about Denso in joint venture for automated driving software

Nippon Steel and Krakatau open steel joint venture in Indonesia

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Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation and PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk have established the joint- venture company PT Krakatau Nippon Steel Sumikin (KNSS) in the Republic of Indonesia for the manufacture and sale of automotive flat steel products.

KNSS started commercial production in July 2017 and on August 7, 2018, an opening ceremony was held at the local plant site in Cilegon, Banten Province. It was attended by representatives from the Indonesian government and the Japanese government as well as customers.

Combined with the high growth potential of the Indonesian automotive market, automakers’ needs for anti-corrosion steel and high-strength steel are expected to grow.

[Read more…] about Nippon Steel and Krakatau open steel joint venture in Indonesia