Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Daimler selects Xilinx chips to drive AI-based automotive applications

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Chipmaker Xilinx and auto giant Daimler are collaborating to develop an in-car system using Xilinx technology for artificial intelligence processing in automotive applications.

Powered by a Xilinx automotive platform consisting of system-on-a-chip devices and AI acceleration software, the scalable solution will deliver high performance, low latency and best power efficiency for embedded AI in automotive applications today.

Xilinx says it has a strong pedigree in automotive. For more than 12 years the company has shipped over 40 million cumulative automotive units to automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.  [Read more…] about Daimler selects Xilinx chips to drive AI-based automotive applications

Honda to supply Formula One power units to Red Bull Racing

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Honda and Red Bull Group have signed an agreement whereby Honda will enter into a partnership with Red Bull Racing to supply it with power units for two years from the start of the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship.

This will be in addition to its current agreement with Red Bull Scuderia Toro Rosso.

The two Red Bull-owned teams will run identical specification Honda Power Units.

Takahiro Hachigo, president and representative director of Honda Motor, said: “Having established a good relationship with Scuderia Toro Rosso, we have decided to extend our Formula One involvement to the other team in the Red Bull family, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, as from the 2019 season. Having two teams means we can access twice as much data as previously.  [Read more…] about Honda to supply Formula One power units to Red Bull Racing

Opinion: Accelerating innovation in China’s automobility sector

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By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory

China’s National Development and Reform Commission recently announced the elimination of foreign equity restrictions on special-purpose vehicles and new energy vehicles in 2018, on commercial vehicles in 2020 and on passenger vehicles in 2022.

In addition to the opportunity to own their own manufacturing ventures, foreign automakers are no longer restricted to having only two joint ventures in China.

The 50:50 joint venture equity rule dates back to 1994. The government hoped a domestic industry would emerge whereby the Chinese domestic companies would learn from their partners and eventually emerge as successful global automakers in their own right.  [Read more…] about Opinion: Accelerating innovation in China’s automobility sector

‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

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2017 was a bumper year for robotics investment, with even more funds to come, according to a report by ABI Research

The robotics industry continued to go from strength to strength as 2017 represented the largest year of investment, with the total amount adding up to $2.7 billion, according to ABI Research, a market-forecast advisory firm.

Rian Whitton, research analyst at ABI Research, says: “While the growth in investment from 2016 to 2017, at 23.2 per cent, slowed from growth between 2015 and 2016, this was affected by applying a narrower understanding of robotics, leaving out categories like autonomous cars.

“Had the same definition of robotics been used as in previous years, total investment would have exceeded $5 billion.”  [Read more…] about ‘Growing confidence in robotics’ leads to $2.7 billion in venture capital funding, says report

30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

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It took a while to get going, but after many years of relatively slow progress, now, the market for logistics and supply chain robotics and automation is in good flow. 

A significant number of companies have developed systems for automating warehouse operations – both in the area of software and hardware.

But while Amazon has taken the lead in warehouse automation by building its massive logistics operation around the Kiva Systems robots it acquired, other companies are catching up.  [Read more…] about 30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

Spherical robot designed and developed by Airbus, IBM and DLR to be launched into space later today

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Later today – at 5.42am EST to be exact – a spherical robot designed and developed by IBM, Airbus and DLR will be launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida aboard a SpaceX rocket on a journey to the International Space Station.

The robot, called “Cimon”, is said to contain “next-level intelligence” and will take part in many scientific experiments on the ISS mission.

Cimon – which is pronounced “Simon” and stands for Crew Interactive Mobile Companion – is about the size of a basketball and will accompany German astronaut Alexander Gerst.  [Read more…] about Spherical robot designed and developed by Airbus, IBM and DLR to be launched into space later today

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

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CNC machine shop has “increased speed and adaptability” with collaborative automation solution

Fitzpatrick Manufacturing, a CNC machine shop and custom manufacturer, has installed a Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot at its Sterling Heights, Michigan, facility to increase operational efficiency and to counterbalance a tight labor market.

Founded in 1952, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing supplies parts to more than a dozen sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical equipment and oil and gas.

The company is noted for its innovation and regularly brings new technology into the factory to increase speed, improve efficiency and remain competitive.  [Read more…] about Fitzpatrick Manufacturing ‘increases efficiency’ with Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer collaborative robot

Kuka collaborates with architecture organisation and supercar maker McLaren on art project

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Industrial robot manufacturer Kuka has teamed up with an architectural organisation and the supercar maker McLaren on an art project, as part of what is called the “McLaren Summer Boutique”.

At the McLaren Summer Boutique in Zurich, Kuka, in collaboration with McLaren Zurich and the Association for Robots in Architecture, is presenting an art project based on the latest generation of industrial robots.

The installation symbolizes the fusion of first-class vehicle design with state-of-the-art automation technology and maximum precision.  [Read more…] about Kuka collaborates with architecture organisation and supercar maker McLaren on art project

Hyundai Motor agrees partnership with AI startup and signs deal with Baidu on driverless tech

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Hyundai Motor has agreed a new partnership with Chinese startup DeepGlint, which provides artificial intelligence products and solutions for the security and transportation market.

Hyundai says the DeepGlint partnership will enable it to utilize AI technology in multiple layers of its business and improve product quality as well as customer experience.

Hyundai has also signed a separate deal with Baidu to jointly develop autonomous driving technology.  [Read more…] about Hyundai Motor agrees partnership with AI startup and signs deal with Baidu on driverless tech

EPHJ announces four winners of the ‘Watch Medtech Innovation’ challenge

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The first “Watch Medtech Innovation” idea development challenge, jointly organised by the EPHJ-EPMT-SMT Trade Show and Fondation Inartis, has honoured four winners who will be helped to complete their impressive projects.

The main aim of the “Watch Medtech Innovation” challenge is to foster, support and assist new transdisciplinary projects based on harnessing collective intelligence.

Following a call for projects in the medtech sector addressed to current and previous exhibitors at the trade show, the challenge jury, chaired by Benoìt Dubuis, the chairman of Fondation Inartis, assessed the many entries and selected the following four winners:  [Read more…] about EPHJ announces four winners of the ‘Watch Medtech Innovation’ challenge