Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Autonomous Vehicles

Motional operates driverless vehicles on public roads in Las Vegas

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Motional is operating driverless vehicles on public roads, becoming one of the world’s first companies to do so. The inaugural testing took place in Las Vegas this month and consisted of multiple driverless vehicles safely navigating intersections, unprotected turns, and interactions with other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

In pursuit of this milestone and a future of safer roads, Motional set a high bar for the industry. The company’s driverless operation follows decades of innovation, 1.5 million miles, and a two-year self-imposed safety evaluation process that took hundreds of employees more than 100,000 hours to complete.

During this process, Motional proactively sought external review. TÜV SÜD, a world-leading independent technical service provider with extensive experience assessing driverless technology, was given access to the company’s proprietary systems, technology, and operations. [Read more…] about Motional operates driverless vehicles on public roads in Las Vegas

Einride and Electrolux enter innovation partnership to electrify transport

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Autonomous and electric truck developer Einride and home appliance giant Electrolux have agreed a partnership to “electrify transport”.

Operations are planned to start in the second half of this year.

The companies say their partnership will save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 within the first three years, compared to diesel freight. It also signifies a crucial first step for two companies deeply invested in technological innovation and sustainability. [Read more…] about Einride and Electrolux enter innovation partnership to electrify transport

Welding Automation Equipment

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The gradual growth of technology has led to the inventions of some very efficient welding automation equipment throughout the years.

All these new devices have made the job of welders much easier. Their work has become more productive. It has also helped them gain higher accuracy and quality results.

Before discussing all the automation equipment of welding, I would like to remind my fellow welders how significant it is to use the right welding helmet before you pick up your devices to weld. [Read more…] about Welding Automation Equipment

Mercedes’ autonomous truck developer Torc Robotics selects Amazon as preferred cloud provider for self-driving truck fleet

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Autonomous truck developer Torc Robotics, part of automotive giant Daimler Mercedes-Benz, has selected Amazon Web Services as its preferred cloud provider to handle the scale and speed needed for data transfer, storage, and compute capacity as the company prepares to launch its fleet of next-generation self-driving test trucks in New Mexico and Virginia.

Torc says that, with the growth in test fleet size, number of routes, and sensor capability, there is an increase in data ingestion and analysis needs by engineering teams in the US and in Germany.

Torc is an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck, responsible for commercializing a Level 4 autonomous system that will be offered to trucking customers. As defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), under Level 4 autonomy, a vehicle is capable of performing all driving functions under specified operating conditions. [Read more…] about Mercedes’ autonomous truck developer Torc Robotics selects Amazon as preferred cloud provider for self-driving truck fleet

ZF builds on technology portfolio with acquisition of WABCO

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ZF is building on its technology portfolio with the recent acquisition of US truck maker WABCO.

ZF says it is poised to be “the leading technology partner to the commercial vehicle industry” with the addition of WABCO’s capabilities. The company is playing a pivotal role in the industry’s drive towards a more sustainable, connected, automated safer future.

The company says WABCO’s Autonomous Driving Open Technology (ADOPT) software platform increases safety, efficiency and operational productivity. ADOPT provides automated vehicle operations with “advanced vehicle motion control”. [Read more…] about ZF builds on technology portfolio with acquisition of WABCO

‘Artificial intelligence will employ next wave of truck drivers’, says survey

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A new survey suggests artificial intelligence could be the catalyst for over half of Americans to become truck drivers – if the job could be performed autonomously and remotely – suggests people would attend college to obtain employment

Einride, a Swedish technology company that develops and provides freight transport solutions based on electric and autonomous vehicles, released today the results of a survey conducted with OnePoll on the state of the trucking industry.

The survey examines the sentiments of American respondents around the intersection of artificial intelligence and industry-wide employment. [Read more…] about ‘Artificial intelligence will employ next wave of truck drivers’, says survey

Hyundai unveils new ‘Ultimate’ autonomous vehicle concept

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Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled what it describes as the “Ultimate” autonomous vehicle concept, with the word “ultimate” used part of the category name the company has created. (See video below.)

The TIGER – which stands for Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot – is the company’s second “Ultimate Mobility Vehicle”, or UMV, and the first designed to be uncrewed.

The “transforming” intelligent ground excursion robot is designed to carry various types of payload while traveling over challenging terrain, says Hyundai. [Read more…] about Hyundai unveils new ‘Ultimate’ autonomous vehicle concept

Baidu launches ‘world’s first’ multi-modal autonomous driving mobility-as-a-service platform

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Baidu, a driverless car developer and China’s equivalent of Google, has launched a multi-modal autonomous driving mobility as a service (MaaS) platform that will provide AI-driven city transportation services in Guangzhou, a city a hundred miles north-west of Hong Kong.

Utilizing a fleet of Apollo Robotaxis and Robobuses along with three other model types of autonomous vehicles, this initiative will allow local users to order smart transport services on demand, starting in the Chinese New Year holiday period.

The implementation of both Baidu Apollo and the ACE Transportation Engine is a testament to the promising commercialization prospects of smart transportation in the intelligent era. [Read more…] about Baidu launches ‘world’s first’ multi-modal autonomous driving mobility-as-a-service platform

Kia to develop autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore

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Kia is planning to develop a variety of technologies including autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore.

The company has begun to lay the groundwork for its “Purpose Built Vehicle” (PBV) business, partnering with cold chain start-up S.lab Asia to break into Singapore’s last-mile delivery market.

The two companies have signed an agreement aimed at launching a pilot project in Singapore using the e-Niro and evaluating the potential for a future PBV-based business model. [Read more…] about Kia to develop autonomous vehicles for last-mile delivery in Singapore

ZF providing safety technology for Zoox autonomous shuttle

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Automotive components giant ZF is providing safety technology for the Zoox autonomous shuttle.

The company says it is providing “advanced occupant protection systems” and “high-quality chassis components” for the vehicle.

ZF says future mobility will encompass ride-hailing solutions and robo-taxis to move people comfortably and safely through the megacities of the globe. [Read more…] about ZF providing safety technology for Zoox autonomous shuttle