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Perspective: Learning from urban mobility systems in the Middle East

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By Ralf Baron, Thomas Kuruvilla, Morsi Berguiga, Michael Zintel, Joseph Salem, and Mario Kerbage

The Middle East may have been late to urbanization, but this has provided a unique opportunity to shape its urban mobility strategies.

Rather than adopting a piecemeal approach, leaders such as Dubai are following an ecosystem model that addresses mobility holistically.

In this article, contributed by experts at consultancy Arthur D Little, the authors explain this new model and the lessons it provides for other cities across the world as they struggle to meet their own urban mobility challenges.  [Read more…] about Perspective: Learning from urban mobility systems in the Middle East

Collaborative robotic system makes ‘monotonous and physically demanding tasks’ at BMW easier

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bmw dingolfing kuka robot
A worker at BMW Dingolfing, with the Kuka collaborative robot

The employees at BMW Group’s Dingolfing Plant have a new, highly responsive assistant: an LBR iiwa lightweight robot from Kuka, which they say takes over “monotonous and physically demanding tasks”. 

Previously, BMW employees had to lift a differential case which weighed up to 5.5 kg, and had to manoeuvre it with millimeter-precision, in the assembly of the front axle.

Now the robot is taking over this “ergonomically demanding work”.  [Read more…] about Collaborative robotic system makes ‘monotonous and physically demanding tasks’ at BMW easier

General Motors produces new fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles

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Company claims to be the first company to use mass-production methods for autonomous and electric vehicles

General Motors says it has completed production of 130 Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles equipped with its next generation of self-driving technology at its Orion Assembly Plant located in Orion Township, Michigan.

The vehicles will join the more than 50 current-generation self-driving Bolt EVs already deployed in testing fleets in San Francisco; Scottsdale, Arizona; and metro Detroit.

GM CEO Mary Barra says: “This production milestone brings us one step closer to making our vision of personal mobility a reality.

“Expansion of our real-world test fleet will help ensure that our self-driving vehicles meet the same strict standards for safety and quality that we build into all of our vehicles.”  [Read more…] about General Motors produces new fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV test vehicles

Epson showcases new Flexion industrial robot and printer built using SCARA robot

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Flexion at tradeshow
Epson’s Flexion 6-axis industrial robot

Epson Robots is showcasing a range of new technologies for a wide variety of applications in factory automation at the Automation Technology show, ATX East.

ATX is currently under way, running from June 13-15, and is being held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, in the US. Epson’s booth is number 2405.

Epson’s showcase will feature the new and “revolutionary” Flexion N2 6-Axis robot as well as an assembly demo of an Epson Point of Sale printer built with a high precision SCARA robot and a compact 6-Axis robot.  [Read more…] about Epson showcases new Flexion industrial robot and printer built using SCARA robot

ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot rings opening bell at Nasdaq stock market

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Collaborative robot YuMi was the – arguably oblivious – guest of Robo Global, creator of the world’s first robotics and automaton investor index series

ABB’s YuMi dual-arm, collaborative robot rang the opening bell today at the Nasdaq MarketSite Studio in Times Square in New York City to start the trading day.

YuMi was a guest of Robo Global, which offers The Robo Global Robotics and Automation Index Series, the world’s first benchmark index series to track the global robotics and automation market.

Greg Scheu, president of the Americas region for ABB, joined YuMi and Robo Global executives at the podium for the ceremony.  [Read more…] about ABB’s YuMi collaborative robot rings opening bell at Nasdaq stock market

Universal Robots and partners to demonstrate ‘next generation’ collaborative robot technology at ATX East

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jacob-javits convention centre

Universal Robots is planning to showcase a range of new technologies and partnerships at ATX East, said to the largest annual design and manufacturing event on the US East Coast.

This year, the keynote speaker at the event will be Steve “Woz” Wozniak, co-founder of Apple and currently chief scientist at Primary Data.

Attendees at UBM’s ATX East in New York City, June 13-15, will be greeted by three collaborative robots from Universal Robots at the expo entrance.  [Read more…] about Universal Robots and partners to demonstrate ‘next generation’ collaborative robot technology at ATX East

Boeing to test self-flying plane technology next year

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Jason Clark, Vice President of Boeing 777 and 777X Operations, points to a model during a media tour of the 777 Wing Horizontal Build Line at Boeing's production facility in Everett, Washington, US. June 1, 2017. Reuters / Jason Redmond
Jason Clark, vice president of Boeing 777 and 777X operations, points to a model during a media tour of the 777 wing horizontal build line at Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Washington, US. June 1, 2017. Reuters / Jason Redmond

By Alwyn Scott, Reuters

Boeing is looking ahead to a brave new world where jetliners fly without pilots and aims to test some of the technology next year, the world’s biggest plane maker said in a briefing ahead of the Paris Airshow.

The idea may seem far-fetched but with self-flying drones available for less than $1,000, “the basic building blocks of the technology clearly are available”, said Mike Sinnett, Boeing’s vice president of product development.

Jetliners can already take off, cruise and land using their onboard flight computers and the number of pilots on a standard passenger plane has dropped to two from three over the years.  [Read more…] about Boeing to test self-flying plane technology next year

Boeing streamlines aircraft production systems at largest factory

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A Boeing 787 is pictured at Boeing's production facility in Everett, Washington
A Boeing 787 is pictured at Boeing’s production facility in Everett, Washington, US June 1, 2017. Reuters / Jason Redmond

By Alwyn Scott, Reuters

Boeing is streamlining its aircraft production systems at its largest factory – Everett, Washington – trying to cut costs to compete with rival Airbus and chip away at the near-$30 billion deficit created by its 787 Dreamliner.

Dozens of complex robots are replacing humans for such mundane tasks as drilling and riveting, and Boeing is reordering some of its assembly steps to speed up the process.

The savings, part of a long-term cost-cutting drive at the world’s biggest plane maker that also includes substantial staff reductions, comes as Boeing has spent heavily to develop new aircraft models.  [Read more…] about Boeing streamlines aircraft production systems at largest factory

Apple unveils home automation device and the most expensive desktop computer ever

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apple ceo tim cook
Apple CEO Tim Cook welcomes developers from 75 different countries to WWDC 2017

So the rumours were true about the home automation device. Some of the other rumours ahead of the ongoing Apple Worldwide Developers Conference were also true, but then there have been some surprises as well. 

First, the home automation device. Apple has launched what it calls HomePod – a voice assistant much like Amazon Alexa-enabled Echo and Google Home – within which Siri will live.

The question with such voice devices is always, how good are they at conversation with humans? In general, natural language processing technology is not yet able to understand human speech well enough to make such devices easy to use.  [Read more…] about Apple unveils home automation device and the most expensive desktop computer ever

China’s fast-growing automotive market presents opportunities for all

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China’s auto market is creating “explosive growth opportunity” for companies prepared to adapt their approach, according to a new report by Gao Feng. 

The report, Rising Opportunities in China’s Automotive Independent Aftermarket, was produced by Bill Russo, Jason Zhang, Jackie Tang and Peter Hu.

The authors say China’s automotive market has “entered a new phase” which brings “enormous opportunities”.  [Read more…] about China’s fast-growing automotive market presents opportunities for all