Transportation

How is Robotics Shaking Up the Tire Industry?

July 7, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Robots will be playing a key role in kickstarting the economy in the post-Covid-19 world, as stated in a survey by Automatica.

This will be the case in a plethora of industries, including warehouse operations, plastic injection molding, and tire manufacturing and design. Take the example of tire giant Goodyear.

The company is currently using data, AI and “digital twins” to create more reliable, sophisticated tires that will usher tires into the future. [Read more…] about How is Robotics Shaking Up the Tire Industry?

Horiba Mira offers simulation platform to autonomous car developers

July 6, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Automotive engineering and development consultancy Horiba Mira says it is providing its new “co-simulation” platform to helps US Connected and Autonomous Challenge organisers get through the Covid-19 lockdown.

With the coronavirus pandemic causing disruption across the industry, Horiba Mira’s forward-thinking Horizon Scanning team has provided critical support to the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge (EcoCAR), using its new Component-in-the-Loop (XiL) co-simulation platform, DigiCAV, to help EcoCAR safely carry on developing its vehicles despite the recent lockdown.

As one of the world’s leading competitions for creating concept vehicles for future mobility, the EcoCAR Challenge is a four-year scheme managed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), a multidisciplinary science and engineering research centre based in Chicago. [Read more…] about Horiba Mira offers simulation platform to autonomous car developers

Autonomous cars and intelligent road systems improve road safety

June 22, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Last year, there was a 2 percent reduction in the number of road fatalities in the US. One of the reasons for this drop is the increasing use of automated driver assistance systems now fitted into most new vehicles.

By minimizing the effects of human error, these additions can help to reduce the number of crashes, and the development of fully self-driving cars could improve safety even more.

As the adoption of autonomous vehicles spreads, roads could be made even safer and more efficient with intelligent infrastructure and traffic management systems, such as smart traffic signals, and even robot traffic controllers. [Read more…] about Autonomous cars and intelligent road systems improve road safety

AImotive becomes ‘most-funded’ automated driving software supplier in Europe

June 22, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

AImotive claims it has become “the most-funded automated driving software supplier in Europe” after its latest investment round.

AImotive, an automated driving technology company, says the new funding round has raised $20 million, and comes despite amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

The round was led by Lead Ventures, a Budapest based scale-up investor. [Read more…] about AImotive becomes ‘most-funded’ automated driving software supplier in Europe

BMW and Mercedes blame ‘timing’ for abandoning plan to jointly develop autonomous cars

June 19, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

German auto giants BMW and Mercedes are blaming “timing” for abandoning a plan to jointly develop autonomous cars.

The two companies had reached an agreement in July last year to enter into a “co-operation” agreement on the development of autonomous cars, or “automated driving”, as the two companies call it.

The developments are intended to build vehicles that are classed as “Level 4” – or “full autonomy with human” – on the SAE’s categorisation. [Read more…] about BMW and Mercedes blame ‘timing’ for abandoning plan to jointly develop autonomous cars

Tips for looking after your car during lockdown

June 15, 2020 by Polly Leave a Comment

While we may all be getting used to this new normal that lockdown living has brought, if you’re one of the estimated six million to be furloughed during this pandemic you might be having to keep a closer eye on your finances than usual.

If the thought of receiving an unexpected mechanic’s bill because your car has been sitting idle for weeks fills you with dread, there are some things you can do to keep your car in good running order for when lockdown measures are lifted. [Read more…] about Tips for looking after your car during lockdown

Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

June 4, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom is to trial what could be described as “fully driverless trains” in Germany.

The company has going ahead with a test project to implement Automatic Train Operation technology in the daily passenger operation of regional trains.

The project will begin in 2021 in partnership with the Regional Association of the greater area of Braunschweig, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin). [Read more…] about Alstom to test fully driverless trains in Germany

Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

June 1, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The haulage industry is an essential part of the network that is keeping the economy going, but for the last decade, there have been whispers of big changes that will ultimately change and revolutionise the way that day-to-day haulage works.

Huge corporations like UPS and Daimler have been investing in automation technology, working closely with robotics companies to create a standard for the haulage industry that will speed up the process of transporting freight across the world.

There have even been estimations made that 1.2 million lorry driver jobs will be eliminated. But will automation really make the lorry driver obsolete? [Read more…] about Will Automation Make Lorry Drivers Obsolete?

Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

May 29, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

PlanetM, the State of Michigan’s mobility initiative, is awarding a round of its technology activation grant program to companies addressing the challenges presented by the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

Five companies received more than $280,000 in funding to aid in the development and deployment of solutions that address the mobility challenges Covid-19 presents in Michigan.

The five companies are:

The mobility challenges include contactless automated delivery within the statewide retail supply chain, disinfecting technologies in West Michigan and barriers to protect transit workers in Detroit. [Read more…] about Five companies awarded $280,000 to develop mobility solutions in Michigan

Robo taxis to accelerate autonomous public transportation

May 14, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

The race to advance and autonomous mobility and transportation is heating up. In recent years, the world has witnessed a revolution in the taxi industry with the emergence of ride-booking applications.

Following the trend, various existing firms have updated their offerings by presenting new taxi booking applications. However, this hasn’t been enough for them.

The advent of artificial intelligence has offered taxi companies the opportunity to bring on new and innovative ideas. One such an innovative idea has turned to be robotic taxis, or robo taxis, the next step of innovation for public transport. [Read more…] about Robo taxis to accelerate autonomous public transportation