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advanced driver assistance systems

Torc Robotics links up with NXP on self-driving car technology

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Torc Robotics is partnering with NXP Semiconductors to integrate next-generation radar into its self-driving vehicle fleet.

NXP is one of the world’s largest chip suppliers to the automotive industry, for advanced driver assistance systems.

Torc CEO Michael Fleming says: “For over a decade, Torc has been working with partners across multiple industries to make the world a safer place through the commercialization of our autonomous technology.

“Combining our end-to-end software stack with NXP’s innovative radar hardware is another step towards reaching that goal.”  [Read more…] about Torc Robotics links up with NXP on self-driving car technology

Advanced driver assistance systems market to treble in 10 years

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The global market for advanced driver assistance systems is set to treble over the next decade, according to figures seen by Robotics and Automation News. 

Although the numbers are from two different reports, they provide a broad overview of a market which is set for exponential growth.

The overwhelming majority of vehicles on the road today do not have ADAS, while new cars are mostly produced with some elements of ADAS included.

This means that the scope for growth is huge. Moreover, the technology essentially transforms entirely mechanical machines into intelligent machines, or robots on wheels.

advanced driver assistance systems
Briefing: Advanced driver assistance systems, free to subscribers

Robotics and Automation News has produced a briefing on ADAS which is available now, free to subscribers. It reports some of the latest news, and many of the most important companies in the sector.

Wabco to buy Sheppard as it looks to expand advanced driver assistance offering

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Wabco is looking to expand its advanced driver assistance systems by acquiring Sheppard, a supplier of commercial vehicle technologies, including vehicle steering capabilities.

The purchase price is $145 million. Sheppard had sales of $130 million in 2016.

A tier-one supplier in North America, Sheppard offers a suite of power-steering gears for heavy-duty commercial and specialty vehicles.  [Read more…] about Wabco to buy Sheppard as it looks to expand advanced driver assistance offering

Denso creates new company for advanced driver assistance systems

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Denso, the main supplier of electronics to Toyota, is establishing a new company to make components for autonomous driving. 

The new company has been named NSITEXE, and it will develop electronics for advanced driver assistance systems as well as next-generation autonomous vehicles.

More specifically, NSITEXE will design and develop semiconductor intellectual property cores, and systems on chips, or SoCs, which will then be licensed to manufacturers.  [Read more…] about Denso creates new company for advanced driver assistance systems

A giant company built on tiny components: Interview with Bosch industrial internet boss

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In this interview, Stefan Hartung, a senior member of the board at Bosch, talks extensively about the industrial internet, detailing some of the components and devices the company uses to give old machines a new lease of life, and provides some insight into the company’s plans going forward

Bosch is as relevant in today’s computerised world as it was after the end of the first industrial age, and the company’s main concern now is keeping it that way. 

Its relevance comes from making the power tools and household appliances most readers will be familiar with, and also from its development of ideas and technologies which are likely to shape a future which many of us haven’t even thought about yet.

Nowadays, all the talk is of Industry 4.0, an umbrella term to describe a range of technologies which have at their centre two tiny components: sensors and chips – both of which are Bosch’s essential stock in trade.

And if you want someone to blame for the Industry 4.0 phrase, look no further than Bosch, because it was part of the working group of German industrial giants which coined the term in 2011.  [Read more…] about A giant company built on tiny components: Interview with Bosch industrial internet boss

Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple

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Bosch – one of the world’s largest industrial companies, producing a wide variety of engineered products, from automotive components to home appliances – has reported increased sales for the year 2016. 

In a press conference last week to launch the German giant’s annual report, Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner listed the key figures:

  • sales rose from €70.6 billion in 2015 to €73.1 billion last year; and
  • earnings before tax in 2016 reached a total of €4.3 billion.

Sales in all business segments and geographical regions had increased, added Denner.

As positive as the figures may seem, Denner said the company was nonetheless undergoing “profound transformation”, partly brought about by a range of new technologies which are changing the global industrial landscape, and because diesel engines may be phased out.  [Read more…] about Bosch reports increased sales of €73 billion. Wins massive new sensor contract from Apple