Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for March 25, 2019

BMW creates 2,000 jobs as it starts production of new autonomous electric car

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BMW’s Dingolfing plant director announces the expansion of e-drive production, as well as preparations for series production of the fully electric and “highly automated” BMW iNext

The mobility of tomorrow is being turned into reality to a large extent in BMW’s Dingolfing production plant, in Lower Bavaria, southern Germany.

Ilka Horstmeier, the new director of the plant, is convinced of this. “We want to, and will, emerge as a winner in our industry’s technological transformation,” she says. “And we will continue to pioneer future topics such as e-mobility and autonomous driving.”

In this context, the plant director announced that “we will increase the number of Dingolfing-based jobs in the production of e-drive components several times over in the next few years – to a total of up to 2,000”.  [Read more…] about BMW creates 2,000 jobs as it starts production of new autonomous electric car

Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

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The leading Norwegian retailer Coop Norway has selected Swisslog as its partner for the extensive development of their distribution center in Langhus, south of Oslo, Norway.

The distribution center will be built for Coop Norway’s rapidly growing retail and e-commerce sales within the non-food segments such as building materials, sports, electronics, and home products.

Henning Røberg, Coop Norway’s project manager for its Langhus distribution center, says: “We conducted a comprehensive tendering process with high demands for cost-efficiency, flexibility and scalability. Swisslog turned out to be the automation provider that best met our demands.”  [Read more…] about Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

Ottobock to launch ‘smallest exoskeleton in the world’ at Hannover Messe

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Ottobock is planning to present a range of innovative new exoskeletons for ergonomic workplaces during the Hannover Messe trade show

Ottobock will be presenting its industrial exoskeletons for the first time at the Hannover Messe trade show.

Visitors to booth G18/1 in hall 17 will have the opportunity to personally test the passive exoskeletons in the Paexo product family and experience the relief they provide.

Dr Sönke Rössing, head of Ottobock Industrials, says: “Exoskeletons designed for industrial settings will bring about permanent changes in many working environments.  [Read more…] about Ottobock to launch ‘smallest exoskeleton in the world’ at Hannover Messe

Nilfisk partners with Brain Corp to develop connected autonomous cleaning robots

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Brain Corp, a San Diego-based artificial intelligence and robotics technology company is partnering with Nilfisk, a Copenhagen-based cleaning solutions provider.

Nilfisk will license Brain Corp’s BrainOS technology, the leading AI platform for the production, deployment, and support of autonomous mobile robots.

The partnership will allow Nilfisk to further accelerate the development of an industry-leading portfolio of connected autonomous cleaning solutions.  [Read more…] about Nilfisk partners with Brain Corp to develop connected autonomous cleaning robots

Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university

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Starship Technologies and Sodexo have launched a robot food delivery service at Northern Arizona University in partnership with several restaurants

It’s something your mom always told you – eat your breakfast – and now college students are starting to do just that, thanks to Starship robots and Sodexo.

Research has shown that up to 88 percent of college students skip breakfast, primarily because of lack of time, but that number is starting to turn around when delivery robots arrive on campus.

Starting today, students at Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff campus will have the convenience of receiving food delivered by robot.  [Read more…] about Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university

Geek Plus Robotics to partner with leading Chinese automaker and supply its driverless forklift

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Geek Plus Robotics is to partner with automaker FAW, and supply its new autonomous forklift to the company.

FAW is one of the “Big Four” automakers in China, along with SAIC Motor, Dongfeng, and Chang’an.

Geek Plus says it has been contracted to “empower FAW Group’s intelligent innovation reformation by offering a full-process automatic in-plant logistics solution”.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus Robotics to partner with leading Chinese automaker and supply its driverless forklift

Hyundai and Kia invest $300 million in Indian mobility service provider Ola

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Hyundai Motor Group and Ola – one of the world’s largest ride-hailing platforms – have announced a strategic partnership under which Hyundai and Kia will invest a total of USD 300 million in Ola.

The three companies will collaborate on developing unique fleet and mobility solutions, building India-specific electric vehicles and infrastructure, as well as nurturing best in class opportunities and offerings for aspiring driver partners with customised vehicles, on the Ola platform.

As part of the strategic collaboration, the companies have agreed to co-create solutions to operate and manage fleet vehicles, marking the Group’s first foray into the industry, as they expand operations from automobile manufacturing and sales to total fleet solutions.

[Read more…] about Hyundai and Kia invest $300 million in Indian mobility service provider Ola

Double-speed SCARA hits the US market

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TM Robotics is launching Toshiba Machine’s THE600 SCARA robot to the North American market at Automate 2019, held at McCormick Place, Chicago, from April 8–11, 2019.

At the region’s largest automation technology showcase, TM Robotics will showcase Toshiba Machine’s latest robots. Demonstrations include models from the SCARA and six-axis range, as well as a robot programming tool, TSAssist.

The THE600 is the latest addition to Toshiba Machine’s range and builds upon the established specifications of the THE400.

[Read more…] about Double-speed SCARA hits the US market

Wabco and SmartDrive partner on recording vehicle safety incidents

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Wabco Holdings Inc., a global supplier of braking control systems, has collaborated with SmartDrive Systems, Inc., a video-based safety and transportation intelligence provider, to provide video recording for safety incidents.

This new service captures safety-related incidents by combining the SmartDrive SR4 video telematics platform with the Wabco OnLaneALERT lane departure warning system.

Vehicle fleets will be able to add this service without investing in additional cameras, and have access to a video-enabled active safety suite.

[Read more…] about Wabco and SmartDrive partner on recording vehicle safety incidents