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Amazon to open logistics facility in New York

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Amazon, the online retail giant with a growing range of business units, one of which is Amazon Robotics, is opening a new logistics facility in New York.

The Staten Island warehouse will create 2,250 new jobs for humans but it’s not clear how many robots Amazon will integrate into the facility.

So far, Amazon is said to have manufactured 100,000 logistics robots, which are small autonomous vehicles used to move boxes and shelf units around.  [Read more…] about Amazon to open logistics facility in New York

‘World’s first’ fully automated port terminal opens in Melbourne

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The Port of Melbourne is the site of what is said to be the world’s first fully automated container handling terminal.

The system was developed and delivered by Kalmar, part of Cargotec, and Navis, part of Kalmar Business Area within Cargotec.

The automation solution is called OneTerminal, and was supplied to International Container Terminal Services Incorporated at the Port of Melbourne, Australia.  [Read more…] about ‘World’s first’ fully automated port terminal opens in Melbourne

Mercedes to showcase EQ electric and autonomous concept car at Frankfurt motor show

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Mercedes will be showing off the latest version of its electric and autonomous concept car, the EQ, at the Frankfurt motor show, IAA 2017. 

Mercedes says the smart vision EQ fortwo provides a new vision of urban mobility and individualised, highly flexible, totally efficient local public transport.

The company claims the autonomous concept vehicle picks up its passengers directly from their chosen location.  [Read more…] about Mercedes to showcase EQ electric and autonomous concept car at Frankfurt motor show

Nissan integrates ProPilot autonomous tech in Leaf electric vehicle

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Nissan has launched the new version of Leaf, which the company claims is “world’s most advanced mass-market electric vehicle”. 

The new Nissan Leaf is the company’s first car in Europe that will embrace the early steps of advanced driver assistance, and is packed with cutting-edge innovations such as e-Pedal, allowing humans to drive and brake in “a totally new and seamless way”.

Nissan says the new vehicle can also go further, with a range of 378 km on a single charge, and has been redesigned for a new generation, with a sleeker look inside and out.  [Read more…] about Nissan integrates ProPilot autonomous tech in Leaf electric vehicle

Audi to showcase autonomous driving technology at Frankfurt motor show

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Audi is to showcase its autonomous driving technology at the Frankfurt motor show, IAA 2017, staring later this week.

The auto giant says it has been making progress on many levels and is concentrating on providing level 3 automation as standard on its luxury A8 model.

Level 3 is what is called “conditional automation” on the SAE’s five levels of automation. It means the car can manage itself but can notify the human driver when they are required to intervene.  [Read more…] about Audi to showcase autonomous driving technology at Frankfurt motor show

Denso creates consortium for network and computing infrastructure of automotive big data

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Denso, the main supplier of automotive components to Toyota, is part of a new consortium which will develop infrastructure for driving data.

As well as Denso, other companies in the consortium are Ericsson, Intel, NTT, NTT Docomo, Toyota InfoTechnology, and Toyota Motor.

Together, the companies have initiated the formation of the Automotive Edge Computing Consortium.  [Read more…] about Denso creates consortium for network and computing infrastructure of automotive big data

Canvas Technology launches ‘world’s first self-driving carts’ for factories and warehouses

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A company called Canvas Technology has launched what it claims is the world’s first self-driving industrial cart.

The company says the logistics robot brings driverless vehicles to workplaces “long before self-driving vehicles hit street”.

Canvas says its carts are also the first self-driving vehicles to use 3D vision to map and navigate dynamic indoor workplaces.  [Read more…] about Canvas Technology launches ‘world’s first self-driving carts’ for factories and warehouses

Coca-Cola orders robotic warehouse system from Swisslog

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Swisslog has secured an order for the first of its PowerStore intralogistics systems from Coca-Cola Malaysia.

As part of Coca-Cola Malaysia’s investment of RM500 million ($119 million) to expand the size and production capacity of its current plant at Bandar Enstek, the company has commissioned Swisslog for a flexible, robotic, data-driven automated warehouse for intralogistics.

This will make it the first Swisslog PowerStore system in South East Asia.  [Read more…] about Coca-Cola orders robotic warehouse system from Swisslog

US politicians approve driverless car bill

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The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to create a national framework for the development and testing of driverless cars. 

Until now, the situation has been that each individual state deals with automakers which want to test and develop autonomous cars in their area.

The new measure would allow automakers to acquire permits for up to 25,000 vehicles without meeting existing auto safety standards, according to Reuters.  [Read more…] about US politicians approve driverless car bill

Samsung acquires permission to test autonomous vehicles in the US

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Electronics giant Samsung has acquired a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, according to a report by Reuters. 

The company is spending $8 billion acquiring Harman, which makes in-car entertainment technology and other car components.

Harman is what is called a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive trade, which means that they are one of a relatively small group of companies which supply parts or systems directly to car manufacturers.  [Read more…] about Samsung acquires permission to test autonomous vehicles in the US