Robotics & Automation News

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Transportation

ABB powers tourists to the Niagara Falls with first US-built all-electric vessels

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Visitors to Niagara Falls will soon be able to experience one of the US’s top landmarks emission-free.

Two new Maid of the Mist passenger vessels will be powered entirely by high-capacity battery packs, becoming the first all-electric vessels ever built in the US.

The new vessels will benefit from ABB’s zero-emission technology when they start operating later this year, allowing guests to experience Niagara Falls undisturbed by engine noise, vibration or exhaust fumes from a conventional diesel engine.

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Amsterdam launches ‘largest smart electric vehicle charging network’

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A consortium of public-private companies and organisations in Amsterdam has launched what it claims is the “largest smart electric vehicle charging network” in the city.

Vattenfall and the City of Amsterdam, together with grid owner Liander, the infrastructure competence center Elaad, and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, launched what they call “Flexpower”.

They say it is the largest public smart charging network for electric vehicles in Amsterdam, and add that the innovative solution enables faster charging, maximal use of renewable electricity and more efficient use of the electric grid in Amsterdam.

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Xyrec painting robot to bring a world of colour to aircraft

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Dutch robot manufacturer Xyrec has successfully demonstrated a breakthrough in aircraft painting technology by printing a large digital image on an Airbus A320 fuselage. The demonstration took place in Hamburg, Germany.

This new and unique solution for decorating aircraft uses inkjet technology for digital printing and ink instead of paint.

The printer will be introduced in Xyrec’s Automated Paint Robot for aircraft, and will be the largest robot in the world, says the company.

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VW unveils cutaway model of electric Golf car

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Volkswagen has demonstrated a cutaway model of an electric version of its popular Golf model of car, calling it “eGon”.

Volkswagen released details of the multifaceted program in store for visitors at IdeenExpo in Hannover, Germany from June 15 to 23.

eGon, the cutaway model of an e-Golf, is one of Volkswagen’s highlight projects to be showcased at Germany’s largest youth event for science and technology.

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First JAL A350-900 rolls out of Airbus paint shop

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The first A350 XWB for Japan Airlines (JAL) has rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, France.

The A350-900 is the first ever Airbus aircraft to be produced directly for JAL and features a special A350 XWB red logo on the fuselage.

The aircraft will now proceed to ground and flight tests, before delivery to JAL in early summer.

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Nikola and Bosch develop fuel cell powertrain for new truck

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Nikola Motor Company has showcased its hydrogen-electric powered semi-truck, the Nikola Two, at its Nikola World event.

Bosch technology and expertise helped Nikola to realise the fully functional Nikola Two hydrogen-electric truck with industry-ready heavy-duty truck components and systems.

The trucks feature innovations in automation, connectivity and electrification enabled with Bosch’s assistance.

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Top 20 electric vehicle charging station companies

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Electric cars lost their image of being flimsy, slow and perhaps slightly embarrassing a long time ago.

The public’s priorities have changed. A lot of people, especially the younger generations, consider looking after the environment more important than roaring down the freeway in a fantastic muscle car.

The second option sounds good though.

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Bosch to cooperate in large-scale production of fuel cells for trucks and cars

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Bosch is entering the market for mobile fuel cells and paving the way for the breakthrough of this technology in trucks and cars.

A crucial component is the stack. As the core of the fuel cell, is converts hydrogen into electrical energy.

To further improve and manufacture these stacks, Bosch has now formed an alliance with Powercell Sweden AB, the Swedish manufacturer of fuel-cell stacks.

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Alstom commissions the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway industry

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Alstom‘s Le Creusot site in France has unveiled the highest-capacity welding robot in the railway sector, developed and manufactured by its supplier Farman, a subsidiary of the Galilé group, which specialises in robotic installations.

This investment in innovation of over a million euros is aligned with the development strategy for the Alstom site in Le Creusot, the group’s centre of excellence for bogie design and production.

The site’s expertise is deployed in major rail projects such as the new-generation RER and Avelia Horizon, the fifth generation of TGV.

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WeRide to launch first commercial autonomous taxi service in China

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A startup called WeRide is set to become the first company to launch a commercial autonomous taxi service in China, according to a report on Nikkei.

WeRide is developing Level 4 technology, which is “full autonomy with human”, and is the second-highest level of autonomy, or L5, on engineering association SAE’s list.

WeRide will demonstrate its L4 sensor suite and pre-commercial solutions during the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference, scheduled for late June.

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