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Westworld: Second season of epic sci-fi robot show ends run

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A look back at the second season of Westworld, which recently ended its run on HBO

There are so many amazing stills from Westworld that it was difficult to choose one as the featured image for this article. 

In the end, I chose what I think is the creepiest, but there are just so many creepy and bothersome things in Westworld, that I can only point you to the other images in this article and let you decide if I made a good choice or not.

And certainly I would suggest you watch the show if you’ve ever been a fan of TV.

Westworld is by far the most terrific television series ever. Maybe that’s an exaggeration but I haven’t watched much TV in years because nothing else intrigued me enough to spend as much time as I have watching this show and a few others as part of my job here at Robotics and Automation News.  [Read more…] about Westworld: Second season of epic sci-fi robot show ends run

NXP contributes to smart city initiative in Columbus, Ohio

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NXP Semiconductors N.V.  has announced the next phase in its Smart City collaboration with Columbus, Ohio. NXP will contribute key technologies for smart and safe mobility to the Smart Columbus Experience Center, which opened on June 30, 2018.

The centre allows visitors to see how new mobility options, such as connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles, can help make Columbus a more connected community.

Hands-on educational experiences and technology demonstrations aim to show visitors how technology and innovation in transportation can grow the local economy and create ladders of opportunity for central Ohio residents.

[Read more…] about NXP contributes to smart city initiative in Columbus, Ohio

Toyota offering up to $2 million to each and every selected robotics startup

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Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Toyota AI Ventures unveiled a global “call for innovation” today in partnership with the Toyota Research Institute.

Designed to spur entrepreneurial innovation by identifying key technology gaps, the initiative uses a call-and-response approach to offer promising startups the opportunity to secure from $500,000 to $2 million in venture capital funding from Toyota AI Ventures, as well as the possibility of partnering on a proof of concept project with TRI.

The first call, developed in conjunction with TRI’s world-class robotics group, focuses on improving mobile manipulation technology for assistive robots that can help people in and around the home.  [Read more…] about Toyota offering up to $2 million to each and every selected robotics startup

BASF leads $4.4 million funding round for Re’flect augmented reality startup

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BASF Venture Capital has invested in Re’flect, a Munich and San Francisco-based Augmented Reality startup that provides enterprise customers content creation and remote expert solutions.

BASF Venture Capital’s opening investment of €3.75 million ($4.4 million) follows Bosch’s investment in the company in 2015.

“The investments from two of the world’s largest industrial companies validate our leading position in the Augmented Reality market,” says Re’flect CEO and founder Wolfgang Stelzle. “With the new funding, we will continue our strong growth and further invest in our team and products. ” [Read more…] about BASF leads $4.4 million funding round for Re’flect augmented reality startup

STMicroelectronics releases ‘super-high-resolution’ motion-tracking sensor for automotive applications

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STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor company, has introduced the automotive-grade ASM330LHH six-axis inertial sensor for “super-high-resolution motion tracking in advanced vehicle navigation and telematics applications”.

STMicroelectronics says the sensor is designed to serve demands for continuous, accurate vehicle location to support automated services, and “lets advanced dead-reckoning algorithms calculate precise position from sensor data if satellite signals are blocked”.

This often happens in urban canyons, tunnels, covered roadways, parking garages, or dense forests, says STMicroelectronics, adding that its advanced, low-noise, temperature-stable design enables dependable telematics services such as e-tolling, tele-diagnostics, and e-Call assistance.  [Read more…] about STMicroelectronics releases ‘super-high-resolution’ motion-tracking sensor for automotive applications

Daimler obtains road test licence for highly automated driving in Beijing

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Daimler has become the first international automaker to receive a road test licence for highly automated driving research vehicles (level 4) in Beijing, marking a major new milestone in the company’s research and development efforts in China.

Urban traffic is one of the biggest challenges to autonomous driving. With this approval, Mercedes-Benz test vehicles will now begin real road tests to further perfect the technology in the Chinese capital of Beijing, a metropolis with unique and complex urban traffic situations.

Daimler has already obtained automated driving test licences in Germany and the U.S., and has continuously pushed forward automated driving development in China, working together with its local partners to adapt its technologies to China’s traffic environment.

[Read more…] about Daimler obtains road test licence for highly automated driving in Beijing

New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

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The BMW Group‘s Dingolfing plant began series production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé, the sportscar that will launch the BMW model offensive in the luxury segment.

A large number of digital innovations have also been integrated into the production process, including self-driving transport systems and smart devices.

Intelligent lightweight construction, with a clever mix of materials, including steel, plastic, aluminium and carbon fibre, is used in the body of the new sportscar.

[Read more…] about New BMW 8 Series Coupé in production at Dingolfing plant in Germany

Hasbro developing robot cats and dogs to keep people company

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Hasbro, one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, is developing robotic cats and dogs that it says will be better able to keep people company. 

The company is working with Brown University on the project to add more artificial intelligence to Hasbro’s Joy for All range of companion pets, whose slogan is “No vet bills, just love”.

The robot pets appear to be aimed mainly at the elderly, although there doesn’t seem to be any reason that they could not appeal to younger people.

The National Science Foundation of the US has awarded a grant of $1 million to develop the toy companions, especially the cats, to be more responsive and lifelike, according to a report on The Independent website.

MIT demonstrates four-legged robot that can jump like a cheetah

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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has demonstrated a four-legged robot that can jump around like a cheetah. Indeed the robot itself is called Cheetah and is being developed as a first responder to help in emergencies.

This is the third version of the Cheetah robot and it looks like other four-legged robots being developed by companies such as AnyBotics and Boston Dynamics.

They look like hugely complex machines and the manoeuvres that they can perform – from simple walking to jumping around – are highly sophisticated and represent great technical achievement.  [Read more…] about MIT demonstrates four-legged robot that can jump like a cheetah

Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live

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The largest European energy storage system using second-life and new electric vehicle batteries in a commercial building was made live in Amsterdam at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, home ground of the famous Ajax football club.

This unique project is the result of collaboration between Nissan, Eaton, BAM, The Mobility House and the Johan Cruijff ArenA, supported by the Amsterdam Climate and Energy Fund (AKEF) and Interreg.

The 3 MW storage system provides a more reliable and efficient energy supply and usage for the stadium, its visitors, neighbours and the Dutch energy grid.

[Read more…] about Europe’s largest energy storage system with electric vehicle batteries now live