Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

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BMW i Ventures took a lead investment in HeyCharge, the German start-up providing electric vehicle charging stations in apartment complexes, office buildings and other infrastructure locations.

HeyCharge was in Y Combinator’s Summer 2021 batch of start-ups.

Kasper Sage, managing partner, BMW i Ventures, says: “The rapid growth of the electric vehicle market in coming years will necessitate greater infrastructure build-out of charging solutions around the globe. [Read more…] about BMW invests in HeyCharge to increase electric vehicle charging points at residential locations

General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

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General Motors says it will invest more than $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites, creating 4,000 new jobs and retaining 1,000, and significantly increasing battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity.

This is the single largest investment announcement in GM history. The investment includes construction of a new Ultium Cells battery cell plant in Lansing and the conversion of GM’s assembly plant in Orion Township, Michigan for production of the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the electric GMC Sierra, GM’s second assembly plant scheduled to build full-size electric pickups.

Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, says: “We are taking the next step in our continuous work to establish GM’s EV leadership by making investments in our vertically integrated battery production in the US, and our North American EV production capacity. [Read more…] about General Motors to invest $7 billion in Michigan facilities to ramp up electric vehicle production to 1 million units

4 Ways to Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

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Many industrial companies, particularly those in the fabrication and machining sectors, require laser cutting for their projects and services.

Essentially, laser cutting refers to the process of using a laser beam to pierce the material and melt it in an exact line to ensure a clean output. It has been a popular method in the industrial setting because it produces no edge effects after cutting.

Due to its ability to cut materials with precision, manufacturers and other businesses can carry out a high volume of jobs more efficiently. However, it’s essential to know that laser cutting can be expensive.

The continuous use of laser cutting can be unsustainable for many companies and organizations. [Read more…] about 4 Ways to Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

AMD completes acquisition of Xilinx

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AMD has completed the acquisition of Xilinx, creating a “high-performance and adaptive computing leader”.

The acquisition is officially the largest in semiconductor history and brings together two industry leaders with complementary product portfolios, customers and market expertise.

The Xilinx business will become the Adaptive and Embedded Computing Group (AECG), led by former Xilinx CEO Victor Peng. [Read more…] about AMD completes acquisition of Xilinx

Volvo and Holcim partner on mining project to use autonomous electric haulers

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Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Holcim Switzerland have entered a collaboration to jointly test and further develop the use of autonomous electric haulers in a limestone quarry.

Holcim’s quarry Gabenchopf in Siggenthal, Switzerland has been chosen as the site for this project.

The battery-electric haulers currently being tested mark a groundbreaking step in the industry: not only are they quieter and more sustainable than conventional haulers, they are also safer – in fact, they are the world’s first commercially available CE-certified electric, autonomous transport solution for the quarry and cement industries. [Read more…] about Volvo and Holcim partner on mining project to use autonomous electric haulers

Visteon partners with Steradian Semiconductors to build ‘enhanced’ advanced driver assistance systems

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Visteon, a technology company serving the mobility industry, and Steradian Semiconductors, an India-based high-tech imaging radar specialist, will collaborate on efforts that will produce “enhanced” Advance Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) for the global automotive market.

As part of a joint development agreement, Steradian will provide Visteon with access to its advanced 4D image radar sensor hardware and perception software technology.

Imaging radars are integral to autonomous driving technology that are classed as Level 2 and above because they enable safety application development, AI-based perception algorithms, and sensor fusion. [Read more…] about Visteon partners with Steradian Semiconductors to build ‘enhanced’ advanced driver assistance systems

ZF partners with Embotech to develop freight yard automation systems

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ZF, one of the world’s largest automotive systems suppliers, has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Embotech, a developer of autonomous vehicle software.

The companies have agreed a strategic partnership agreement to jointly develop fully autonomous systems for commercial vehicle yard operations.

The partnership aims to enhance the operational safety and productivity of distribution hubs and yards. [Read more…] about ZF partners with Embotech to develop freight yard automation systems

ZF and VinFast to launch autonomous driving systems scalable to higher levels

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VinFast, a fast-growing vehicle manufacturer in Vietnam, says it will launch vehicle platforms that feature “higher level automated functions” in the near future, utilizing automotive systems maker ZF’s expertise in hardware, software and system integration.

Le Thi Thu Thuy, VinFast Global CEO, says: “Our companies are an outstanding match as our goals for mobility are perfectly aligned.

“The future is both electric and automated as we seek to help protect our environment while providing transportation that enhances safety, convenience and efficiency. We will work together to achieve this vision for VinFast customers as we expand our sales around the world.” [Read more…] about ZF and VinFast to launch autonomous driving systems scalable to higher levels

Continental claims all its production runs on ‘100 percent green electricity’

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Continental, one of the world’s largest suppliers of vehicle tyres and automotive components and systems, claims that all of its production has been running on “100 percent green electricity’ for the past couple of years at least.

Continental claims to have been procuring all of the electricity for its production sites from renewable energy sources as of fiscal 2020. The company says this is the “clear conclusion” reached in a report by auditor KPMG.

By purchasing approximately 4 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of green energy, Continental reduced its own direct and indirect global CO2 emissions by 70 percent from around 3.2 million metric tons in 2019 to 0.99 million metric tons in 2020. [Read more…] about Continental claims all its production runs on ‘100 percent green electricity’

How to Find and Hire the Best Mechanical Engineers

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Mechanical engineers design, build, develop, and test anything that moves – in machinery or the human body (as in the case of prosthetics).

As a result, they play a huge role in many industries such as automotive, biotechnology, computer and electronics, automation, aerospace, and manufacturing.

Essentially, they take a product from start to finish, focusing on the design for aesthetics, functionality, and durability. Sometimes, mechanical engineers dabble into other fields like civil engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, etc.

So, you can see that mechanical engineers are valuable when it comes to manufacturing processes. However, finding and hiring the best mechanical engineers for your organization might seem like a daunting task. [Read more…] about How to Find and Hire the Best Mechanical Engineers