Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Via unveils its first autonomous vehicle service in public transportation pilot

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Via, a developer of on-demand shared mobility solutions, has launched what it claims is the “first public autonomous vehicle service in the world”.

The driverless vehicle, dubbed BusBot, is now fully operational and serving a community in New South Wales, Australia.

In partnership with local bus operator Busways, Transport for NSW, and autonomous vehicle technology provider EasyMile, BusBot will serve the Marian Grove Retirement Village in Toormina, a suburb of Coffs Harbour. [Read more…] about Via unveils its first autonomous vehicle service in public transportation pilot

Organisers of watchmaking event EPHJ report increased visitors and ‘excellent feedback’

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Against the backdrop of a thriving watchmaking industry, the 18th EPHJ Trade Show ended recently with “really good news” on visitor numbers, which were slightly up, and positive feedback from the 820 exhibitor companies.

After four busy days, the 820 exhibitors and the organisers left the EPHJ Trade Show with a smile on their faces.

Alexandre Catton, director of EPHJ, says: “This 18th show was a continuation of previous versions with improvements in many areas, especially the number of visitors, which was up more than 4 per cent, and the satisfaction of the exhibitors.” [Read more…] about Organisers of watchmaking event EPHJ report increased visitors and ‘excellent feedback’

Competition to win prestigious award for steel innovation now open

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Applications are now being accepted for the Swedish Steel Prize 2019, the steel industry’s most prestigious award, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

The Swedish Steel Prize is an award for ideas and products that have an impact on future steel solutions, and it attracts competitors from across the world.

It will be awarded on November 14th, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden as part of the Swedish Steel Prize 2019 event. Applications are now being accepted. [Read more…] about Competition to win prestigious award for steel innovation now open

Vattenfall and Echandia Marine develop electric ferry with ‘superfast charging’

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Energy supplier Vattenfall and engineering company Echandia Marine claim they have developed a new solution for electric ferries that can “minimise emissions and noise and at the same time lower operational and maintenance costs and provide superfast charging”.

The systems are installed on E/S Movitz that operates in central Stockholm and can be fully charged within 10 minutes with up to 500 kW charging power.

Vattenfall and Echandia Marine have together developed a new concept that can contribute to a more sustainable transport solution for different types of boats and ferries. [Read more…] about Vattenfall and Echandia Marine develop electric ferry with ‘superfast charging’

BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

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Automotive giant BMW is providing an insight into its application of virtual and augmented reality in the company’s production system.

The company says the “fast and flexible” planning of new workstations in production is made possible by virtual reality and digitized 3D factory data.

It’s still a learning process but augmented reality technologies is making it possible to design training courses without any coding knowledge.

It also enables comparison between the camera image and CAD models for fast, straightforward quality checks of parts and vehicles. 

Full story below… 

[Read more…] about BMW highlights application of virtual and augmented reality in production

Hahn Group strengthens its digital capabilities

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Hahn Group has established a new division called Hahn Digital as the center of excellence for digital transformation.

The company says it has a “start-up character”, and is agile, flexible and fast moving to further develop innovation and digital technologies to the benefit of their clients.

Hahn Digital combines the entire digital expertise of all Hahn Group’s subsidiaries in order to eliminate silos and refine digital solutions for customers worldwide. [Read more…] about Hahn Group strengthens its digital capabilities

Traxens joins French ‘Smart Port in Med’ initiative to facilitate digital transition of Port of Marseille Fos

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Traxens, a company providing data and services for the supply chain industry, is joining the French Smart Port in Med initiative as an associate partner. Traxens is the only IoT company supporting the association.

The project was officially launched in October 2018 as part of First Smart Port Challenges by the port authority of Marseille Fos, the Marseille Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Aix-Marseille University, with the aim of supporting the digital transformation of the Port of Marseille Fos.

Key strategic objectives include the economic and environmental improvement of the port and its ecosystem, the creation of new job opportunities, the strengthening of the relationship between the port and the local community, and positioning the Port of Marseille Fos as an innovative digital port in the Mediterranean. [Read more…] about Traxens joins French ‘Smart Port in Med’ initiative to facilitate digital transition of Port of Marseille Fos

Industry group developing standards for exoskeletons

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ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is developing global standards for exoskeletons.

The group’s proposed “Exoskeletons Guide” aims to provide tools that help assess and ultimately improve the usefulness and usability of exoskeletons and exosuits.

Kevin Purcell, an ergonomist at the US Army Public Health Center’s Aberdeen Proving Ground, says: “Exoskeletons and exosuits can open up a world of possibilities, from helping workers perform industrial tasks while not getting overstressed, to helping stroke victims learning to walk again, to helping soldiers carry heavier rucksacks longer distances. [Read more…] about Industry group developing standards for exoskeletons

Siemens partners with ExOne for industrial 3D printing and Industry 4.0 initiatives

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ExOne, a specialist provider of industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology, has formed a partnership with engineering giant Siemens that the two companies say “will benefit industrial customers in the foundry, aerospace, automotive, energy and other markets”.

Siemens’ Digital Enterprise Portfolio of software and automation technology including MindSphere are fully implemented on the all-new S-Max Pro sand printer, which is said to be capable of achieving print speeds of up to 135 l/h (18 s/layer).

The S-Max Pro was launched at the 2019 GIFA International Foundry Trade Fair last week. [Read more…] about Siemens partners with ExOne for industrial 3D printing and Industry 4.0 initiatives

Isorg and Sumitomo Chemical partner to develop organic photodetectors

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Isorg, a developer of organic photodetectors and large-area image sensors, and Sumitomo Chemical, a provider of OPD materials production and other fields, have agreed a partnership to develop new OPD products for use as smartphone fingerprint sensors and hybrid organic CMOS image sensors.

This agreement expands the existing collaboration between Sumitomo Chemical and Isorg that began in 2013.

Isorg will license its technology processes to its OEMs, while Sumitomo Chemical will manufacture the dedicated organic semiconductor material, as well as support Isorg in terms of production technology and marketing. [Read more…] about Isorg and Sumitomo Chemical partner to develop organic photodetectors