Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for January 9, 2019

Automotive electronics control unit market to grow to $95 billion by 2024, says report

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The automotive electronics control unit market is forecast to grow to $95 billion by 2024, according to a report by GM Insights. 

The market has already witnessed “incredible growth over the last two decades”, says GM Insights, owing to “unparalleled expansion of the global automobile production sector and the influx of technology within vehicles”.

Continuously evolving knowledge and skills have enabled the integration of advanced electronic elements within automobiles such as fuel injection control and exclusive infotainment systems.  [Read more…] about Automotive electronics control unit market to grow to $95 billion by 2024, says report

Infographic: Collaborative robots market continues to grow

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The ever-increasing automation in industry has led to the collaborative robots market to experience a recent increase in popularity, according to Interact Analysis. (See infographic below.)

Further tied to the rising cost and lack of labour needed to complete menial and monotonous tasks, it is easy to foresee why cobots could become a relevant addition to the future workforce.

But is this hype, or will cobots become a common-sight next to human workers? And how will they complement or affect the traditional industrial robot market? These are just some of the questions that remain to be answered.  [Read more…] about Infographic: Collaborative robots market continues to grow

Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

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Udelv has unveiled the latest version of its autonomous delivery van at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show.

The company also announced what it described as “major contracts” with US supermarket giant Walmart and Baidu, which is like the Google of China.

Udelv’s autonomous delivery van says the latest model of its self-driving delivery vans feature “new state-of-the-art technology”.  [Read more…] about Udelv unveils new autonomous delivery van and agrees ‘major contracts’ with Walmart, Baidu and others

Valeo demonstrates autonomous driving technologies at CES

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Valeo, one of the largest suppliers of automotive technologies, is showcasing its autonomous vehicle advancements at this year‘s CES.

The French company says it already supplies “the automotive industry’s largest range of sensors”, comprising ultrasonic sensors, cameras, radars and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) systems.

These devices act as the vehicle’s eyes and ears. At CES 2019, Valeo will be unveiling the full scope of its expertise in autonomy and connectivity.

Valeo says innovation is at the heart of its strategy. The company invested €1.9 billion in research and development in 2017, or close to 12 percent of original equipment sales.

valeo autonomous car parking

Valeo says its innovative technologies offer “clear insights into the shape of mobility to come” and are all conducive to the development of electric, autonomous, connected cars that are widely accessible yet adapted to individual needs.

Three of Valeo’s “major innovations” will be on display at CES:

  1. Valeo Drive4U, the autonomous vehicle which will be navigating the streets of Las Vegas fitted solely with series-produced sensors;
  2. Valeo Drive4U Remote, which is used to remotely control autonomous vehicles strictly when needed for safety reasons; and
  3. Valeo Voyage XR, which is able to simulate the virtual presence of a person – based in a fixed location – on board the autonomous vehicle during the journey.

Valeo has conducted a number of “world-first” autonomous driving trial runs, including 24 hours around the Paris beltway and road trips around Europe and the US.

The company says autonomous driving in dense and complex urban environments is “a major technological challenge that Valeo is tackling head-on”.

The Group took to the streets of Paris for a first trial run in autumn 2018 and, later this year, its autonomous car will operate in the streets of Las Vegas.

Investcorp acquires Ubisense SmartSpace business and Ubisense brand

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Investcorp has acquired the Ubisense SmartSpace business as well as the Ubisense brand for an undisclosed amount.

Arma Partners acted as the exclusive financial adviser in the deal and says Ubisense is “a leader in the industrial internet of things” space.

SmartSpace is an enterprise software and sensor platform that generates and interprets vast amounts of location data to create visibility of real-world objects and their interactions in real-time, enabling complex manufacturing processes with high levels of variability to be more flexible, easier to manage and easier to control.  [Read more…] about Investcorp acquires Ubisense SmartSpace business and Ubisense brand

BMW to showcase ‘Vision iNext’ at CES

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At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the BMW Group is showcasing the future of driving pleasure with visitors having their first chance to take a virtual drive in the BMW Vision iNEXT, accompanied by the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The vision vehicle is being displayed alongside a sophisticated mixed-reality installation that, for the first time, provides a virtual and immersive impression of what it is like to drive autonomously, emission-free, and fully connected in the BMW Vision iNEXT.

To begin the simulation, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant suggests an agenda for the day and plans the activities for the trip.

[Read more…] about BMW to showcase ‘Vision iNext’ at CES

Sublue launches underwater robot prototype for photography

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A company called Sublue has launched an underwater robot prototype for photography, while showcasing two other products at CES.

The company highlighted its three new underwater recreational products with a talk from a marine conservationist, Hannah Fraser (main picture), a marine and ocean conservationist, who was on hand to discuss how Sublue products support her work.

Sublue describes its offerings as “intelligent water recreation and exploration products”.  [Read more…] about Sublue launches underwater robot prototype for photography

GreyOrange to launch new products at LogiMAT 2019

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Warehouse automation developer GreyOrange is planning to launch new products which include an industrial robotic arm.

The company will unveil the products at LogiMAT 2019, the 17th International Trade Fair for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management in Stuttgart, Germany on 19-21 February.

GreyOrange will also launch its new modular sortation system and demonstrate upgraded versions of its “Butler” and “PickPal” robotic systems.  [Read more…] about GreyOrange to launch new products at LogiMAT 2019

Continental highlights innovations for smarter and safer cities at CES 2019

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At CES 2019, Continental is demonstrating its solutions and key technologies for future cities around the theme ‘Mobility at your service. Freedom to Live’.

“Intelligent mobility is an essential pillar of the smart city. The number of connected devices exceeds the world’s population today, facilitating real-time exchange of information between vehicles, infrastructure and people,” said Helmut Matschi, member of the Continental Executive Board and head of the Interior Division.

“At CES 2019, Continental will demonstrate solutions that foster mobility intelligence, ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents and pollution, addressing the most critical challenges of urban mobility,” he added.

[Read more…] about Continental highlights innovations for smarter and safer cities at CES 2019

Omron introduces ‘next-gen’ Forpheus at CES

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Omron Corporation, a world leader in technology designed to solve social issues, is featuring its latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, sensing and automation at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

The company’s main hall CES booth will feature the next-generation Forpheus (the world’s first AI-equipped table tennis tutor) and a Factory Harmony exhibit – an interactive experience of the manufacturing floor of the near-future in which humans and machines work together in harmony.

“Omron technology is created to address social issues, improve lives and build a better tomorrow. This year, we will present a larger booth with an expanded showcase of breakthrough technologies,” said Nigel Blakeway, managing executive officer of Omron Corporation.

[Read more…] about Omron introduces ‘next-gen’ Forpheus at CES