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Infrastructure

Omron starts a virtual tour to its automation center

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Omron will commence a virtual tour to its Automation Centre (ATC), a factory automation (FA) technology center where customers join with Omron to find solutions to their manufacturing issues.

Allowing customers from around the world to view on their computers the virtual content that features facilities and demonstration machines at the flagship Automation Centre Tokyo (ATC-Tokyo), the largest of 37 ATCs across the globe, this new service gives global customers the most realistic experiences of Omron’s state-of-the-art FA technology anytime, anywhere.

By using digital transformation (DX), Omron is capable of accelerating its unique solutions without the “three Cs,” namely, closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings, thus safely contributing to solutions to customers’ issues on the production floor. [Read more…] about Omron starts a virtual tour to its automation center

Japanese infrastructure company selects ABB’s Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers

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ABB’s newly launched Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers have been selected by Japan’s e-Mobility Power (eMP) to modernize the infrastructure for the country’s electric vehicle market and accelerate the nation’s shift towards sustainable mobility.

Financial details of the order were not disclosed.

The project is part of a broader push in Japan to increase the share of electric and plug-in hybrids to between 20-30 percent by 2030, from just 1 percent in 2018. [Read more…] about Japanese infrastructure company selects ABB’s Terra 184 electric vehicle chargers

Hanwha Energy celebrates completion of ‘world’s first and largest’ hydrogen fuel cell power plant

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Hanwha Energy hosted an event at its Daesan Industrial Complex in Seosan, Korea to celebrated the completion of a hydrogen-fuel-cell power plant that only uses recycled hydrogen.

At the event, Hanwha Energy CEO In-Sub Jung was joined by South Korea’s Prime Minister Sye-kyun Chung, Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Seung-il Chung, Chungcheongnam-do Governor Seung-jo Yang, Member of the National Assembly Myung-sun Kim, and Seosan Mayor Jeong-ho Maeng.

Built by Hanwha Engineering & Construction, the new byproduct-hydrogen-fuel-cell power plant cost $212 million. It occupies 20,000 sq m of the Daesan Industrial Complex. [Read more…] about Hanwha Energy celebrates completion of ‘world’s first and largest’ hydrogen fuel cell power plant

Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

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The State of Michigan is planning to redesign its road network to accommodate driverless cars, according to a report on CNN.

Authorities in the state refer back to the area’s history as the home of some of the world’s largest automotive companies and factories.

The city of Detroit, Michigan used to known as “Motor City” in decades gone by, inspiring the name of the famous record label “Motown”, which launched the careers and made global stars of singers such as Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu, and Michael Jackson. [Read more…] about Michigan to redesign road network to accommodate driverless cars

Toyota and Mazda to invest extra $830 million into US factory

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Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda are planning to invest an additional $830 million into a manufacturing facility in the US, according to a report on Nikkei Asian Review. 

The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing site in Huntsville, Alabama will build sports utility vehicles and the total investment in the facility is estimated to be more than $2.3 billion.

The original plan, announced a couple of years ago, forecast investment to be $1.6 billion, and production was scheduled to start in 2021. Now, says Nikkei, production is expected to start in 2022. [Read more…] about Toyota and Mazda to invest extra $830 million into US factory

Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

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Drivers of electric vehicles will have more locations to recharge their vehicle’s batteries as they travel across Michigan because of $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

The EGLE made the funding available for direct current fast chargers located along well-traveled routes. It says this will “make it more convenient for drivers to reach their destinations”.

EGLE says it is committed to the future of mobility through investment in infrastructure that is needed to support EVs and it has identified “optimal charger locations” across Michigan. [Read more…] about Michigan awards $1.7 million in grants to expand electric vehicle charging network across the state

ThyssenKrupp sells its elevator business for more than $17 billion

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Giant industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp says it has successfully completed the sale of its elevator business, marking a further important milestone in the transformation of the company.

The transaction closed after all the responsible authorities had approved the sale to a bidding consortium led by Advent International and Cinven.

ThyssenKrupp had reached an agreement with the consortium on the purchase of the elevator business earlier this year. With the closing, the company has received the contractually agreed purchase price, which was reported to be $17.2 billion. [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp sells its elevator business for more than $17 billion

Circle K to build fully automated store in partnership with Standard Cognition

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Circle K, a large grocery chain in America, is to build a cashierless store in partnership with Standard Cognition.

Alimentation Couche-Tard, which operates close to 14,500 convenience stores worldwide, including the Circle K chain, has selected Standard Cognition to pilot touchless, autonomous checkout technology for its stores.

Together, the two companies will launch what they claim will be the world’s first convenience store retrofitted with artificial intelligence technology, located in the Phoenix, Arizona area, with other stores to follow. [Read more…] about Circle K to build fully automated store in partnership with Standard Cognition

Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

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The Japanese government is planning to develop common standards for robots in workplaces such as offices, shops and other environments where they would be working with humans, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The country’s industry ministry will lead the initiative and will establish a public-private partnership under the working name Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

The group will define common telecommunications standards as well as produce guidelines on creating object shapes that are easier for robots to grip, pick up, hold, move and so on. [Read more…] about Japanese government to develop common standards for robots in workplaces

US tightens restrictions on Huawei

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The US government has tightened its restrictions on doing business with Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier Huawei.

The US had already effectively banned American companies from providing a platform for Huawei, which led to the company being unable to put its products and services on the Android operating system used by the majority of smartphones around the world.

Although Android is an open-source operating system, Google, Samsung and many others have developed their own versions for their smartphones based on the original code and, therefore, can call it their own and prevent others connecting to it or using it. [Read more…] about US tightens restrictions on Huawei