Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

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Automotive factories to incorporate artificial intelligence robots built on new Isaac platform from Nvidia

BMW Group has selected the new Nvidia Isaac robotics platform to enhance its automotive factories – utilizing logistics robots built on advanced AI computing and visualization technologies, the companies announced today.

The collaboration centers on implementing an end-to-end system based on Nvidia technologies – from training and testing through to deployment – with robots developed using one software architecture, running on Nvidia’s open Isaac robotics platform.

BMW Group’s objective is to enhance logistics factory flow to produce custom-configured cars more rapidly and efficiently. Once developed, the system will be deployed to BMW Group factories worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

Locomation partners with Transport Research Centre to conduct driverless truck testing

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Locomation, the world’s first trucking technology platform to offer human-guided autonomous convoying, has agreed to conduct research project with the Transportation Research Center, a testing, research, and innovation center for the automotive industry located in East Liberty, Ohio.

Locomation will actively test at TRC to advance its autonomous truck platforms alongside TRC’s extensive research and development team in order to drive further innovation on the testing and validation of Locomation’s autonomy technology.

TRC has been an independent partner of the world’s leading automotive and technology companies for more than 45 years, helping them test and perfect their products. [Read more…] about Locomation partners with Transport Research Centre to conduct driverless truck testing

IDS releases cameras with ‘extremely high-resolution sensors’

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Imaging Development Systems has release camera systems with “extremely high-resolution sensors”.

IDS says its cameras perform well “when even finest details matter”.

The uEye SE cameras with 20 MP Sony sensor¤uEye SE camera variants now with 20 MP sensor available. [Read more…] about IDS releases cameras with ‘extremely high-resolution sensors’

RoboDK partners with RobCo SWAT to offer robotic simulation software solutions to automotive industry

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Canadian robot software provider RoboDK has teamed up with automation specialists RobCo SWAT from Bulgaria to provide the world’s leading automotive experts with advanced Industry 4.0 solutions.

Albert Nubiola, RoboDK’s co-founder and CEO, says: “We’re honored to partner with RobCo SWAT to provide flexible and efficient automation systems for global automotive car manufacturers such as Audi, Volkswagen, Lamborghini and Porsche.”

RoboDK offline programming and simulation software gives automation cell designers unprecedented robot simulation possibilities and supports simultaneous simulations of bespoke hardware devices alongside leading robot brands. [Read more…] about RoboDK partners with RobCo SWAT to offer robotic simulation software solutions to automotive industry

Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

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Gatik, a Palo Alto-based startup developing autonomous vehicles for business to business short-haul logistics, has launched a new platform to serve the supply chain’s so-called middle mile – the autonomous box truck. (See video below.)

Gatik’s self-driving fleet of multi-temperature box trucks range in size between 11 and 20 feet long. This makes Gatik the first company to develop autonomous box trucks capable of delivering ambient, cold and frozen goods.

Retailers today face unprecedented challenges in the supply chain, and autonomous delivery vehicles address two of the essentials: safety and reliability. [Read more…] about Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

Reinventing the Wheel: ThyssenKrupp intensifies sales and marketing activities for carbon wheels

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Giant industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp is putting its not inconsiderable weight behind a new type of wheel, or rather, a new material being used for motorcycle wheels – carbon.

The lightweight expert ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components and the chassis specialist ThyssenKrupp Bilstein say they have intensified their joint promotion and sales of premium tuning components for motorcycles made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

As a first step, the target of the cooperation between the ThyssenKrupp business units is the North American Free Trade Area countries – USA, Canada and Mexico. [Read more…] about Reinventing the Wheel: ThyssenKrupp intensifies sales and marketing activities for carbon wheels

Xilinx and Avnet combine to provide solutions for autonomous car developers

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Webinar: From ADAS to AVs: Powering Next-Generation Automotive Solutions
URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l8b-1DVXS6a6SbsW1EBocg

Chipmaker Xilinx and Avnet, a designer and distributor of electronics components, have combined to offer a range of solutions for autonomous car development.

Xilinx is a big name in the industrial sector and has found many new customers in markets which are relatively new to the company – as well as to everyone else.

Specifically, the emerging and fast-growing area of autonomous car development, which Xilinx groups under the category of “Advanced Product” in its financial reports. [Read more…] about Xilinx and Avnet combine to provide solutions for autonomous car developers

ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

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ABB says it has “simplified” the use of its popular SCARA robots by giving users the ability to commission and control the robots from their PC through RobotStudio, ABB’s simulation and offline programming software.

Robot Control Mate is an add-on to RobotStudio, enabling users to jog, teach and calibrate robots from their computer, making it easier than ever to control a SCARA robot’s movements.

For the first time, ABB’s offline programming software can be used to control the physical movements of a robot in real-time. Robot Control Mate also makes robot programming possible when a FlexPendant is not in place. [Read more…] about ABB expands RobotStudio with ability to control SCARA robots from PC

The Future of Self-Driving Construction Equipment

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The global self-driving vehicle market is expected to reach $1 million this year, with a projected growth rate of $1.6 million by 2025, according to Allied Research Market.

We have seen driverless shuttles being utilized in exhibition areas, logistics, and even in transporting goods.

In the construction industry, the development of on-site equipment is incorporating robotics and AI technology to make them more efficient when used on construction sites. [Read more…] about The Future of Self-Driving Construction Equipment

Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’

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Brain Corp, a developer of artificial intelligence systems for the robotics industry, has raised $36 million in Series D funding to “help meet the growing demand for autonomous mobile robots”.

The company says the growth is being generated by retail, healthcare, airports, education and other industries now on the front lines of the coronavirus health crisis.

The round was led by returning investor SoftBank Vision Fund 1, and includes new investors ClearBridge Investments, and Satwik Ventures, and an additional investment from Qualcomm Ventures. [Read more…] about Brain Corp raises $36 million to meet ‘growing demand for autonomous robots’