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Bleum launches warehouse and logistics robotic system

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A company called Bleum has unveiled its integrated warehouse robotics solution at the grand opening of its new showroom in Denver, Colorado. 

Bleum says that logistics robots are able to deliver cost savings of 70 per cent or more for warehouse operations, adding that the market is expected to grow to $22.4 billion by 2021.

The company says early adopters of logistics robots have found their “benefits extend beyond cost savings”, enabling greater agility to scale up and down operations to meet the ebbs and flows of demand, and significantly improve the speed and throughput of distribution centers.  [Read more…] about Bleum launches warehouse and logistics robotic system

Suning launches ‘basically unmanned’ automated warehouse with plans to use 1,000 robots

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A company called Suning Commerce Group has unveiled its automated warehouse (video below) as part of what it calls its “smart retail” strategy.

Suning is a Fortune Global 500 company owned by Suning Holdings Group.

The company has put its automated guided vehicle warehouse into service in Fengxian District, Shanghai, “boosting its capabilities in the field of smart logistics”, according to Suning.  [Read more…] about Suning launches ‘basically unmanned’ automated warehouse with plans to use 1,000 robots

Rohm supplies silicon carbide power modules to Formula E racing team Venturi

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Rohm Semiconductor is providing the full SiC [silicon carbide] power modules to the Venturi Formula E team in the FIA Formula E 2017–2018.

Probably the only racing series for electric vehicles in the world, and very likely the largest, the Formula E competition started in the last couple of days in Hong Kong.

The module Rohm is supplying will support further improvements in the car’s performance under racing conditions.  [Read more…] about Rohm supplies silicon carbide power modules to Formula E racing team Venturi

Infineon supplying chips for Audi A8, said to be ‘world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features’

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Infineon Technologies is supplying computing technology for the Audi A8, which is claimed to be “the world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features”.

Infineon says it supplies key components for the Audi A8 which gives the car level 3 automated driving capabilities.

The ability of cars to self-drive is split into a number of different levels, as defined by the international engineers’ association, SAE.  [Read more…] about Infineon supplying chips for Audi A8, said to be ‘world’s first series production car with autonomous driving features’

Denso and Symbio to establish technology innovation center in Finland

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Denso, one of the world’s largest suppliers of robotics and automation technologies, is partnering with software company Symbio to establish a technology innovation centre in Finland.

Denso, the main supplier to Toyota and one of the leading automotive component manufacturers in general, says the innovation center in Finland is a joint enterprise based at Symbio’s premises in Espoo, Finland.

Symbio is a technology research and development company with expertise in robotics, automation and internet of things systems.

It’s likely that the first products to emerge from the collaboration will relate to connected, autonomous and electric cars and other vehicles.  [Read more…] about Denso and Symbio to establish technology innovation center in Finland

Baumüller demonstrates compact drive system for an ‘electric, multifunctional municipal vehicle’

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Baumüller has developed a compact drive system with a very high level of energy efficiency for a fully electric municipal vehicle.

The vehicle is designed in series production for a speed of up to 80 km/h and has a range of 100 kilometers.

An emission-free, environmentally-friendly and low-noise multifunctional municipal vehicle has been created in conjunction with other companies.  [Read more…] about Baumüller demonstrates compact drive system for an ‘electric, multifunctional municipal vehicle’

Rio Tinto demonstrates autonomous freight train featuring Ansaldo technology

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Ansaldo STS says its technology and delivery capability were key to the success of mining giant Rio Tinto’s fully autonomous freight rail trial.

Ansaldo is a specialist supplier of driverless technology for metro, rail solutions.

The company says it has now proven its expertise in autonomous heavy freight rail, following Rio Tinto’s recent successful trial of Australia’s first fully autonomous heavy haul train journey (main picture).  [Read more…] about Rio Tinto demonstrates autonomous freight train featuring Ansaldo technology

Locus Robotics raises another $25 million in funding

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Locus Robotics has raised $25 million in its latest funding round. 

Locus makes autonomous, mobile robots for use in e-commerce fulfillment warehouses, today announced it has secured $25 million in Series B funding led by Scale Venture Partners, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm investing in the future of work.

Existing investors also participated in the round.  [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises another $25 million in funding

Volvo unveils driverless truck aimed at ‘hub-to-hub’ intralogistics operations

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Volvo has unveiled a new driverless truck which it says is an “innovative transport solution to drive safety and productivity”.

The company says that the self-driving truck, driving autonomously from one hub to another, is part of a development project exploring how automation can contribute to increased productivity, enhanced safety and lower environmental impact.

Volvo says that, in showing the truck, such aims and goals have for the first time been demonstrated to a broader audience.  [Read more…] about Volvo unveils driverless truck aimed at ‘hub-to-hub’ intralogistics operations

ZF testing driverless tractors and combine harvesters using new AI computing device

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ZF, the German company known worldwide for its automotive technology, has launched a new computing device specifically aimed at making combine harvesters, tractors and other farming vehicles more autonomous.

The new device, which features artificial intelligence, is called the “ZF ProAI” processor unit.

The company will be demonstrating the new technology at Agritechnica, an event to showcase agricultural machinery.  [Read more…] about ZF testing driverless tractors and combine harvesters using new AI computing device