Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Archives for April 21, 2021

ZF unveils ‘world’s most powerful automotive supercomputer’

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ZF has unveiled the next generation of its ZF ProAI Supercomputer, designed to make vehicles more intelligent.

The automotive parts giant showcased the new kit at the recent Auto Shanghai exhibition and describes as “the world’s most powerful automotive supercomputer”.

Dr Holger Klein, ZF board member for the Asia-Pacific region, says: “It is currently the most flexible, scalable, and powerful automotive-grade supercomputer in the world.” [Read more…] about ZF unveils ‘world’s most powerful automotive supercomputer’

New Suzuki factory in India starts operation

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Suzuki Motor Gujarat, a wholly owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor for the production of automobiles in India, has completed construction of the Plant C, and started production from April 2021.

Suzuki established SMG in March 2014, aiming to secure production ability in preparation for the automobile market growth in India, as well as for expansion of exports from India.

The Plant A started operating in February 2017, and the Plant B and Powertrain Plant in January 2019. [Read more…] about New Suzuki factory in India starts operation

BMW and Nvidia develop ‘next level’ virtual factory planning

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The BMW Group and Nvidia are generating a completely new approach to planning highly complex manufacturing systems – with the Omniverse platform.

The virtual factory planning tool integrates a range of planning data and applications and allows real-time collaboration with unrestricted compatibility.

As industry leaders, the BMW Group and Nvidia say they are “setting new standards in virtual factory planning”. [Read more…] about BMW and Nvidia develop ‘next level’ virtual factory planning

GM and LG invest $2.3 billion in second battery manufacturing plant in US

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Ultium Cells, a joint venture of LG Energy Solution and General Motors, is planning to make a “more than $2.3 billion investment” to build its second battery cell manufacturing plant in the United States. The facility will be located in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Ultium Cells will build the new plant on land leased from GM. The new battery cell plant will create 1,300 new jobs. Construction on the approximately 2.8 million-square-foot facility will begin immediately, and the plant is scheduled to open in late 2023. Once operational, the facility will supply battery cells to GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant.

Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO, says: “The addition of our second all-new Ultium battery cell plant in the US with our joint venture partner LG Energy Solution is another major step in our transition to an all-electric future. [Read more…] about GM and LG invest $2.3 billion in second battery manufacturing plant in US

Continental and Amazon Web Services create platform for automotive software

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Automotive parts and systems manufacturer Continental and Amazon Web Services will be working together going forward within the scope of a new development cooperation.

The goal of the long-term collaboration with AWS serving as the preferred cloud provider is to develop Continental Automotive Edge (CAEdge) – a modular hardware and software platform that connects the vehicle to the cloud and features a virtual workbench offering numerous options to develop, supply and maintain software-intensive system functions.

This will allow drivers to integrate the functions they want going forward during the entire service life of their vehicle by downloading quick and convenient software updates. [Read more…] about Continental and Amazon Web Services create platform for automotive software

Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

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The Volkswagen Group Components plant in Braunschweig is significantly expanding its production of battery systems for the latest electric vehicle generation. Following the first expansion stage with a maximum capacity of 250,000 battery systems, the second expansion stage has started up with the same capacity.

This means that once the site is fully ramped up it will now be able to fit up to 500,000 batteries a year for models based on the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) – in this case for the fully electric Volkswagen ID.31 and ID.42, as well as the Škoda Enyaq iV3, which should soon be quietly and powerfully cruising the streets of Europe with a battery heart from Braunschweig.

In addition to that, up to 100,000 battery systems for the beloved models e-up!4, SEAT Mii electric5, Škoda Citigoe iV6 and as well as for hybrid vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf GTE7. [Read more…] about Volkswagen expands production of battery systems

ANYbotics introduces new canine robot for inspection work

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ANYbotics, the Swiss robotics company, is launching its new “end-to-end robotic inspection solution” for operators of energy and industrial processing plants – the ANYmal D.

While demand for lower downtime and better safety increases on production sites, technologies have not yet caught up with the complex structures of industrial facilities.

ANYbotics says its new fully autonomous four-legged robot ANYmal and it’s inspection analytics software provide a scalable solution to automate routine condition monitoring of equipment and infrastructure. [Read more…] about ANYbotics introduces new canine robot for inspection work

Porsche Engineering developing ‘intelligent vehicles’ with computer games engines

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Porsche Engineering, technology service provider and wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche, is using games engines from the computer games industry to develop the intelligent vehicle of the future.

Game engines – popular examples include Unity and Unreal – generate photorealistic images and ensure the physically correct behavior of objects in computer and video games.

Among other uses, Porsche Engineering utilizes these software packages for the virtual development and testing of highly automated driving functions. [Read more…] about Porsche Engineering developing ‘intelligent vehicles’ with computer games engines

Toyota launches new cars equipped with ‘Advanced Drive’

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Toyota has launched two new cars – the Lexus LS and Mirai – equipped with what it describes as “Advanced Drive”, which sounds somewhat similar to an advanced driver assistance system, or ADAS, a widely known term to mean a range of automated or autonomous driving functions.

Toyota says its Advanced Drive “enables drivers and cars to drive together”, and that the company is seeking to enrich people’s lives through mobility.

Advanced Drive has five technology characteristics: Intelligent, Reliable, Perceptive, Interactive, and Upgradeable. [Read more…] about Toyota launches new cars equipped with ‘Advanced Drive’

AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter

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AeroVironment, a developer of unmanned aircraft systems, celebrated with its colleagues at NASA/JPL when data confirming the Ingenuity Helicopter’s successful first flight on Mars arrived at approximately 3.50 am PT on April 19.

Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and CEO, says: “AeroVironment is proud to have played a key role in developing the Mars Ingenuity Helicopter and achieving today’s historic first powered flight on another planet.

“We congratulate JPL and NASA on today’s achievement and salute their leadership and vision for deploying unmanned technology to further our understanding of other worlds.” [Read more…] about AeroVironment celebrates historic first powered flight on another world by Mars Ingenuity Helicopter