Robotics & Automation News

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Nexteer launches new auto design and manufacturing system

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Nexteer Automotive has introduced Digital Trace Manufacturing, which it claims is one of the most advanced, holistic, integrative approaches to design and manufacturing systems ever seen in the auto industry.

The system uses the latest technologies and data analytics within one common, global architecture. For customers, this will help deliver high-quality product performance while boosting value and global capacity optimization across all of Nexteer’s 24 manufacturing locations worldwide, claims the company.

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AirSpaceX unveils electric aircraft in Detroit

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Airspace Experience Technologies has unveiled a sub-scale model of its autonomous, electric VTOL aircraft, MOBi-ONE, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

MOBi-ONE is designed to autonomously take off like a helicopter, fly like a plane, and transport passengers or cargo between urban centers, suburbs, and airports within 60 miles. MOBi-ONE will fly at a top speed of 250 mph leveraging existing Electric Vehicle (EV) architecture and autonomous technologies.

Recent advances in electric propulsion, automation, and lightweight materials now make the development of this new class of aircraft possible.

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Acromag and Ctek partnership for remote asset management and cloud-based monitoring solutions

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Acromag has announced a strategic partnership with California-based Ctek, Inc. to offer complete monitoring and control solutions for customers to manage their remote assets.

Combining Acromag’s broad offering of signal measurement and conditioning products with Ctek’s expertise in cellular communication and autonomous controllers provides a simple, yet powerful distributed control system without all the integration hassles, says Acromag.

Users can quickly and cost-effectively deploy these systems without programming to connect endpoints to the enterprise, enabling visual access to operation status from anywhere, claims the company. Menu-based configuration speeds setup of data collection, reporting, and alarm functions.

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MachineMetrics wins IoT breakthrough award

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MachineMetrics, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the winner of the 2018 “Smart Manufacturing Solution of the Year” award from IoT Breakthrough, an independent organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Internet-of-Things (IoT) market today.

“A great deal of hesitancy still exists for manufacturers to embrace the technology that addresses the new challenges presented by digital transformation,” said Bill Bither, CEO of MachineMetrics.

“With installing cloud-based monitoring systems being the first and perhaps most important step toward data-driven manufacturing, we designed MachineMetrics to help companies overcome these challenges and create a roadmap forward so they can take this initial and crucial step. We are proud to be developing the future of manufacturing alongside them.”

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New 3D image sensor for smartphone face recognition from Infineon

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One trend in mobile communications is to unlock smartphones by 3D face recognition instead of fingerprint or PIN.

Making authentication more convenient and more secure, it may soon become indispensable for mobile payment applications and mobile ID.

Infineon Technologies claims its new 3D image sensor chip, with unlock-with-your-face feature, makes the process smarter, faster and more reliable.

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Maxim introduces smart car battery safety device

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Maxim Integrated Products has introduced a new 12-channel, high-voltage smart sensor data-acquisition device to improve safety for car lithium-ion battery packs, called the MAX17843.

Electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid EVs, and plug-in hybrids rely on large lithium-ion battery packs filled with hundreds or even thousands of individual battery cells.

With industry experts predicting that 25% of cars sold by 2025 will have electric engines, automotive OEMs and Tier 1s need an intelligent battery management system to enable safe, low cost solutions with robust communications.

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Smart Ag delivers first cloud-based platform for driverless tractors

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Iowa, USA, technology company Smart Ag has developed the first cloud-based platform for driverless tractors.

The company is releasing on a limited basis, the first application for the platform, called AutoCart. This software application fully automates a grain cart tractor, which provides farmers with assistance during the demanding harvest season.

Colin Hurd, the founder and CEO of Smart Ag, said the innovative technology will allow farmers to automate their existing equipment and maximize its efficiency and capacity – regardless of manufacturer.

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Misty creates developer edition of home robot

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Misty Robotics, the personal robot company spun out from Sphero, the creator of the BB-8 toy robot, announced, at CES 2018, the limited availability of the Misty I Developer Edition prototype robot and software tools.

The robot will be made available to a select group of developers and inventors who will help create useful skills for the next generation robot, Misty II, coming later in 2018. The Misty I Developer Edition robot will begin shipping next month and is priced at $1499.

“We believe that by creating an affordable and highly programmable robot for developers first, we can accelerate towards a future of helpful personal robots in our homes and offices,” said Ian Bernstein, Founder and Head of Product, Misty Robotics.

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Suning launches its smart retail ‘Biu’ store to global markets

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Suning, second largest of China’s top non-state-owned enterprises, has showcased its unmanned, automated ‘Biu’ store at CES 2018.

Suning’s ‘Biu’ store concept is big-data driven and powered by Facial Recognition and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), bringing together the company’s experience and technology applications in “O2O” retail.

Since launching its first self-service store in Nanjing in August 2017, Suning has unveiled a further four cashier-less stores in China, with new stores in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and Xuzhou, along with the inaugural store, proving a huge success with consumers, claims the company.

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3D printed parts keep production flowing at chocolate factory

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Dutch 3D service bureau, Visual First, is using FDM Nylon 12CF carbon-filled thermoplastic, supplied by applied additive technology solutions company Stratasys, to replace metal machine parts for its customer, The Chocolate Factory.

Using 3D print machinery replacement parts has significantly reduced machine downtime, ensuring production line continuity for the company.

Based in Rotterdam, Netherlands, The Chocolate Factory runs a network of packaging machines, with the company’s daily throughput relying on the smooth operation of a simple, yet crucial, hook-shaped metal part that lifts wrapped bars onto a conveyer belt.

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