Transportation
Driverless cars set to take to the roads much faster than anticipated as Colorado passes first law regulating the technology
The sheer speed with which driverless cars have gone from a fanciful notion to soon-to-be real-world, mainstream standard technology might be bewildering to some and slightly worrying to others.
But for proponents and supporters of the technology – of which there are many, both inside the industry as well as in society at large – the driverless car was always clearly on the horizon, and it’s imminent arrival is not a moment too soon.
Colorado has become the latest state to pass a law which allows the development of autonomous cars as long as the developers observe existing laws of the road. [Read more…] about Driverless cars set to take to the roads much faster than anticipated as Colorado passes first law regulating the technology
Logistics automation startup Grabit ships products to two Fortune 100 companies
Grabit, a startup automation systems provider to the manufacturing and warehouse logistics industries, has shipped multiple units of its material handling robot, Stackit, to what it says is “an industry-leading athletic shoe and apparel company”.
Grabit also shipped multiple units of Meterit, its “intelligent conveyor system”, to a “global leader” in express package delivery services.
To date, Grabit has secured $25 million in financing from investors and strategic partners. This funding is being applied to develop flexible robotic automation solutions that leverage Grabit’s electroadhesion technology and machine learning software to provide up to 20x productivity improvement for its customers’ operations. [Read more…] about Logistics automation startup Grabit ships products to two Fortune 100 companies
Swisslog Americas forms automotive group
Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions Americas has formed an automotive group and appointed Terry Krantz as vice president of sales and consulting.
Swisslog Warehouse and Distributions Solutions Americas, a Member of the Kuka Group and leading provider of best-in-class intralogistics solutions, announces the formation of a new automotive business unit focused on developing and delivering intralogistics automation to tier one suppliers and original equipment manufacturers.
Markus Schmidt, president of Swisslog WDS Americas, says: “Tier one suppliers and OEMs have already been turning to Swisslog and benefiting from our turnkey solutions designed to streamline their work-in-process manufacturing, kitting, and parts storage. [Read more…] about Swisslog Americas forms automotive group
Groupe PSA and nuTonomy partner to test autonomous Peugeot cars in Singapore
Driverless car software developer nuTonomy will integrate its self-driving software and sensor system into the new Peugeot 3008 for on-road testing later this year.
The ultimate goal of the partnership between the two companies is the deployment of thousands of fully autonomous cars in cities worldwide.
nuTonomy and Groupe PSA– which owns the Peugeot brand – say the system will initially use the Peugeot 3008s for on-road testing of fully autonomous cars in Singapore. The Peugeot 3008 was recently named 2017 European Car of the Year.
Under the initial phase of the partnership, nuTonomy will install its software, along with specialized sensors and computing platforms, into Peugeot 3008 vehicles that have been customized by PSA’s innovation teams. [Read more…] about Groupe PSA and nuTonomy partner to test autonomous Peugeot cars in Singapore
Bosch and Mercedes partner on driverless car technology
Two of the largest car technology companies in the world have formed a partnership which is very likely to accelerate the development of autonomous vehicles.
Bosch and Daimler – parent company of Mercedes – claim they can launch fully driverless, or “Level 5”, cars as early as 2020.
Global engineering organisation SAE International’s levels 2-5 range from partial to full automation. The full list of can be viewed here.
Rianne Ojeh, a spokesperson for Bosch, told Independent.co.uk: “The aim is to launch a production-ready and reliable driving system for fully-automated and driverless driving. For two years the systems will be used exclusively in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. After that the products can be supplied to third parties.” [Read more…] about Bosch and Mercedes partner on driverless car technology
General Motors names Kuka Systems its supplier of the year
Kuka Systems recognized by General Motors as 2016 Supplier of the Year winner for powertrain and body shop equipment
Kuka Systems was named a “General Motors Supplier of the Year for Powertrain and Body Shop Equipment” by GM during its 25th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held recently in Orlando, Florida.
GM recognized 118 of its best suppliers from 15 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value or brought new innovations to the company.
The announcement represented the most suppliers GM has recognized since debuting the Supplier of the Year event in 1992. This is the second time Kuka Systems has received the award. [Read more…] about General Motors names Kuka Systems its supplier of the year
Apple acquires permit to test autonomous vehicles in California
By Jessica Resnick-Ault, Reuters
Apple has secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, fuelling speculation that it is working on self-driving car technology in a crowded arena of companies hoping to offer those cars to the masses.
The permit allows it to conduct test drives in three vehicles with six drivers, the state Department of Motor Vehicles said on Friday. The vehicles are all 2015 Lexus RX450h, according to the DMV.
Although it has never openly acknowledged it is looking into building an electric car, Apple has recruited dozens of auto experts in recent years, and the permit pulls the curtain back a bit on any possible plan. [Read more…] about Apple acquires permit to test autonomous vehicles in California
Toyota demonstrates robot to make elderly people walk faster
By Naomi Tajitsu, Reuters
Japanese automakers are looking beyond the industry trend to develop self-driving cars and turning their attention to robots to help keep the country’s rapidly graying society on the move.
Toyota said it saw the possibility of becoming a mass producer of robots to help the elderly in a country whose population is ageing faster than the rest of the world as the birthrate decreases.
The country’s changing demographics place its automakers in a unique situation. Along with the issues usually associated with falling populations such as labor shortages and pension squeezes, Japan also faces dwindling domestic demand for cars.
Toyota, the world’s second largest automaker, made its first foray into commercializing rehabilitation robots on Wednesday, launching a rental service for its walk assist system, which helps patients to learn how to walk again after suffering strokes and other conditions. [Read more…] about Toyota demonstrates robot to make elderly people walk faster
Universal Robots partners with Nissan to increase manufacturing productivity through collaborative robots
Universal Robots says Nissan has simplified processes, reduced relief worker costs and stabilised production output through deployment of the company’s UR10 cobots
Universal Robots says the Nissan Motor Company has successfully deployed Universal Robots’ UR10 robot arms at its Yokohama factory.
The automaker joins other global automotive manufacturers including BMW and Volkswagen who are using Universal Robots’ collaborative robots (cobots) to automate their processes.
Universal Robots says that through the deployment of its cobots, Nissan has enhanced its production processes, resulting in a higher level of output and stability as well as time and cost efficiencies. Nissan’s ageing workforce also enjoy a reduced workload, and were redeployed to less strenuous tasks. [Read more…] about Universal Robots partners with Nissan to increase manufacturing productivity through collaborative robots