Where Innovation Meets Imagination
BMW has been showing off the sporty version of its electric and autonomous concept car, which it calls Vision M NEXT (main picture).
The BMW Vision M NEXT was one of the highlights at the #NEXTGen Event held at BMW Welt in Munich.
Visitors to the IAA Cars 2019 show were also treated to a glimpse into the electrified future of the BMW M brand (pictured below). [Read more…] about BMW shows off sporty version of electric and autonomous concept car
Formant, a San Francisco-based startup, has launched its new cloud robotics platform, which enables businesses to automatically collect and analyze robotics data.
By centralizing all application data in a single web user interface, Formant allows business teams, operators, and engineers to improve the efficacy of their robotic workforce.
Jeff Linnell, CEO of Formant.io, says: “Robots are leaving the factory and adventuring into our world. They could use some guidance. This release facilitates this journey by enabling robot fleets to thrive through human observability and assistance.” [Read more…] about Formant launches cloud platform to manage robot fleets
By Dan McKiernan, president of eFlex Systems
Lean manufacturing principles and practices aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing productivity, have been shaping the manufacturing sector for decades now.
The necessary end-goal for manufacturers is to ensure that products are built correctly, every time, even when changes are made in-process.
While this goal is nothing new, the rise of complexity and customization challenges presents a constant counterpressure against the continuing push for improved consistency and quality. [Read more…] about Controlling complexity: Powerful new tech tools are bringing lean manufacturing principles to life
Osaro, a developer of machine learning software for industrial automation – especially robotic picking and vision, has raised $16 million in Series B funding.
The round was conducted with participation from King River Capital, Alpha Intelligence Capital, Founders Fund, Pegasus Tech Ventures, GiTV Fund, and existing investors as well as strategics, bringing total funding to $29.3 million.
Co-founder and CEO Derik Pridmore says the funds will be used to invest in talent acquisition, international deployments, and advancing the Osaro Pick and Osaro Vision product lines to meet customer demands. [Read more…] about Osaro raises $16 million to develop machine learning for industrial automation
Startup company Diligent Robotics has raised $3 million in seed funding to launch “Moxi”, the company’s hospital robot.
Diligent Robotics describes itself as an artificial intelligence company which builds socially intelligent robots that help people with their jobs.
Its first product, hospital robot assistant named Moxi, is now out of beta and into market, beginning with the roll-out of Moxi into a Texas hospital starting October 2, 2019. [Read more…] about Diligent Robotics raises $3 million seed funding to launch Moxi the hospital robot
When it comes to electromobility, Bosch says it is “driving in the fast lane”.
Electromobility is a general term referring to electric-powered drivetrains designed to shift vehicle design away from the use of fossil fuels and carbon gas emissions.
Bosch claims that “no other company has as much expertise” in this domain. The giant company has long been one of the world’s leading suppliers of existing automotive technologies.
Bosch’s relatively newly acquired expertise in electromobility is already paying off: since the beginning of 2018, Bosch says it has won electromobility orders worth approximately €13 billion, including production projects for electrical powertrains for passenger cars and light trucks. [Read more…] about Bosch receives massive €13 billion worth of electromobility orders
Deal would make MHMM sole owner of Primetals Technologies
Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery (MHMM) and Siemens have reached agreement for MHMM to acquire Siemens’ 49 percent stake in Primetals Technologies.
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected by early 2020.
Siemens will support the process to ensure a successful closing of the transaction. Following closing, MHMM will assume sole control of Primetals Technologies. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery to acquire Siemens’ stake in Primetals Technologies
Alstom has launched the latest innovation in its range of ground-based recharging systems – SRS dedicated to electric buses.
The premiere, as part of the “Paloma” pilot project currently under way in the southern Spanish city of Malaga, sees a prototype of SRS for e-buses operating at a bus stop in front of the University of Malaga’s School of Industrial Engineering.
It is equipped with a 200 kW charger and is associated with a 12-metre Linkker e-bus which is running on Bus Line 1, operated by EMT, the local transport operator. [Read more…] about Alstom unveils recharging system for electric buses
NXP Semiconductors and Volkswagen have shared early glimpses into Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology and its future applications.
In a Volkswagen concept car, the companies showed the capabilities of Ultra-Wideband for advancing security, safety and convenience in vehicles.
Lars Reger, CTO of NXP Semiconductors, and Maik Rohde, head of body electronics and car access systems, Volkswagen, discussed the pioneering collaboration as part of a broader, cross-industry push to leverage the unique capabilities of UWB: accurate localization and fine ranging at maximum security levels. [Read more…] about NXP and Volkswagen explore ultra-wideband technologies
Boston Dynamics is making its canine robot, Spot, available to the market in limited numbers and to select customers. (See video.)
This is the first time Spot will be on sale and most of Boston Dynamics’ robots are still in various stages of research and development, most famously perhaps its humanoids, but also its unusual “Handle” material handling robot, which is basically a robotic arm on two wheels.
Boston Dynamics describes Spot as “a nimble robot that climbs stairs and traverses rough terrain with unprecedented ease, yet is small enough to use indoors”. [Read more…] about Boston Dynamics bring its canine robot to market
