Audi has been demonstrating its advanced manufacturing technologies, much of which went into building its newly opened smart factory in Mexico, where the automaker’s Q5 vehicle is being produced. [Read more…] about Audi shows off its smart factory technologies
Logistics
Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays
By Thomas R. Cutler
Consumer spending trends suggest this holiday season for retailers and logistics companies will drive an improvement of 15 per cent year-over-year.
With retail sales in the US expanded 0.8 per cent in October after a strong 1 per cent gain in September, the Wall Street Journal’s Josh Mitchell reported, in the best two-month stretch of sales in at least two years.
The brisk spending is a strong sign that the economy is picking up steam, with both wages and employment rising. The expansion, mostly e-commerce, proves that once again online sales are growing at triple the rate of overall retail sales. [Read more…] about Consumer demand, and the demanding consumer, for the holidays
Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin
Michelin, the tire manufacturer, has selected Swisslog warehouse and distribution solutions to automate a new distribution center in the US.
The order value of the automation project amounts to a high multimillion-dollar range and was booked in the second quarter of 2016.
The new distribution center will supply passenger and truck tires throughout North America, allowing the company to meet its ambitions for responsible logistics. [Read more…] about Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin
The Rubik’s Cube phenomenon: One for the all-time pop charts
lockTo date, more than 400 million Rubik’s Cubes have been sold around the world. As such, the puzzle game is one of the biggest-selling products in history.
Not bad for a toy which its inventor, Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, says he didn’t even plan to make.
He was working as a professor of architecture at the Budapest College of Applied Architecture at the time, in 1974, and built the cube with the intention of “searching to find a good task for my students”. [Read more…] about The Rubik’s Cube phenomenon: One for the all-time pop charts
Rodriguez Automation launches MiR100 mobile logistics robot
Rodriguez Automation has signed a deal to distribute the MiR100 platform of mobile robots for the automation of internal transport.
The company says this new generation of advanced mobile robots is designed to optimise workflows, free-up staff resources for more valuable tasks and allow users to increase productivity, shorten delivery times and reduce costs.
Indeed, high operational efficiency means that return on investment can be achieved within 12 months in many instances. [Read more…] about Rodriguez Automation launches MiR100 mobile logistics robot
Robots are positively impacting our world, says Aethon
By Anthony Melanson, vice president of marketing, Aethon
Robotics headlines are everywhere: “China’s Impending Robot Revolution”, “IFR Report Offers Good News for Robot Developers,” and “Can Robotics Spark a Renaissance in American Manufacturing”.
There’s little question that self-driving robots, drones and other automated vehicles are integral to the present and future success of organizations in a wide-variety of sectors.
Self-driving cars are on a tremendous innovation curve and it will be exciting to see them develop. From healthcare to industrial material handling, robots are positively impacting our world. [Read more…] about Robots are positively impacting our world, says Aethon
Cargoways using Gatehouse Logistics telematics to monitor truck fleets transporting racing cars
Cargoways controls routes with the ghTrack telematics portal of Gatehouse Logistics to monitor 170 trucks carrying racing cars every day with the technology
It’s been a breakthrough year for forwarding company Cargoways Logistik & Transport, winning the business of transporting race cars to venues.
The first contract was to transport Formula E equipment using 35 trucks from London to Paris and the success of that operation led to Formula 1 enquiries.
Cargoways specializes in transports to islands. Currently, its core business is between Italy and England, but opportunities are now opening up to the firm in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany. [Read more…] about Cargoways using Gatehouse Logistics telematics to monitor truck fleets transporting racing cars
Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci
Robotics and automation giant Denso says it’s become the lead investor in Thinci
Denso says its investment in startup will help accelerate next-generation automotive technology, using innovative deep learning and vision processing silicon and software.
The company adds that its investment will lead to advancements in driver assistance and autonomous driving, improve the efficiency of thermal systems, and optimize the productivity of the vehicle’s powertrain.
Tony Cannestra, Denso International America’s director of corporate ventures, says: “Denso has been researching new developments in the area of computer vision processing. We strongly believe that Thinci’s technology will soon become a key component of next generation autonomous driving systems that require advanced computing techniques combined with deep learning capabilities. [Read more…] about Denso invests in deep learning and vision processing startup Thinci
Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market
Mercedes has revealed a futuristic van which it says will feature at the centre of an autonomous, or at least, highly automated delivery system.
The “Vision Van”, which apart from its shape looks nothing like your usual van, is equipped with drones which integrate into the system through the internet of things.
Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz vans, says: “The Vision Van embodies the intelligent, clean and fully connected van of tomorrow – with electric powertrain, fully automatic cargo space, integrated delivery drones and innovative communication features.” [Read more…] about Logistics automation: Mercedes looking to capitalise on growing e-commerce market
Logistics robots: The way you move
As Joni Mitchell once sang, and Janet Jackson reiterated, “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone”.
So it was when Amazon bought Kiva Systems in 2012 for a chart-topping $775 million.
Now one of the world’s largest online retailers, Amazon is also growing its logistics business, with 30,000 Kiva robots working away at its warehouses all over the world. [Read more…] about Logistics robots: The way you move