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ZF launches its ‘most advanced’ autonomous emergency braking system for commercial vehicles in China

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Automotive systems manufacturer ZF is preparing for volume production of its most advanced autonomous emergency braking assistance system in China. OnGuardMAX will be installed in new truck models by two leading Chinese manufacturers from this year.

Sophisticated data integration with state-of-the-art camera and radar sensor helps the system autonomously detect, classify and react on moving and stationary vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles.

The system warns the driver of imminent collisions and, if necessary, can autonomously bring the vehicle to a complete stop. This advanced object detection and autonomous braking capability further enables the new ZF system to help avoid or mitigate accidents involving pedestrians. [Read more…] about ZF launches its ‘most advanced’ autonomous emergency braking system for commercial vehicles in China

Toyota launches new cars equipped with ‘Advanced Drive’

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Toyota has launched two new cars – the Lexus LS and Mirai – equipped with what it describes as “Advanced Drive”, which sounds somewhat similar to an advanced driver assistance system, or ADAS, a widely known term to mean a range of automated or autonomous driving functions.

Toyota says its Advanced Drive “enables drivers and cars to drive together”, and that the company is seeking to enrich people’s lives through mobility.

Advanced Drive has five technology characteristics: Intelligent, Reliable, Perceptive, Interactive, and Upgradeable. [Read more…] about Toyota launches new cars equipped with ‘Advanced Drive’

Denso develops advanced driver assistance system for new Lexus LS and Toyota Mirai

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Denso has developed products for Advanced Drive, an advanced driver assistance technology featured on the new Lexus LS and the new Toyota Mirai, which were both recently released in Japan. 

Denso’s newly developed products used in Advanced Drive include: [Read more…] about Denso develops advanced driver assistance system for new Lexus LS and Toyota Mirai

DFI brings accurate indoor positioning for e-commerce warehousing

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DFI’s embedded computers have helped the largest e-commerce platform in Taiwan to realize a more accurate indoor positioning in smart warehouse.

Affected by the raging Covid-19, the public avoids going out in fear of infection. Not only has e-commerce orders surged, but significant e-commerce companies must also expand the deployment of more advanced robots, such as shuttles between shelves, to increase the floor area ratio and improve storage efficiency.

Based on the needs of a top e-commerce company in Taiwan, DFI quickly customized the EC700-BT system and added an expansion card to provide a COM port compatible with RS-232/422/485 protocols and with galvanic isolation protection. [Read more…] about DFI brings accurate indoor positioning for e-commerce warehousing

ANA and Toyota test autonomous towing vehicle at Tokyo airport

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All Nippon Airways, Japan’s largest airline, is partnering with Toyota Industries to conduct a test of the latest autonomous towing tractor in the restricted area at Tokyo Haneda Airport from March 29 to April 2, 2021. These trials be the first to take place at Haneda Airport.

Masaki Yokai, senior vice president of ANA, says: “Our work with Toyota Industries has led to several successful autonomous towing tractor tests that we have continually learned from.

“We are excited about the opportunity to take this technology one step further by running trials at Haneda Airport. As we work with Toyota Industries to create the Simple & Smart airport of the future, ANA remains committed to integrating advanced technology in order to improve the travel experience.” [Read more…] about ANA and Toyota test autonomous towing vehicle at Tokyo airport

Mitsubishi Electric extends supervisory control and data acquisition range

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Mitsubishi Electric has extended its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) lineup for EMEA markets, now offering two additional types of software for system monitoring and process control under the series name “GENESIS64”, complementing the existing “MAPS” SCADA software.

The new lineup will meet the diversifying IoT needs, covering a wide variety of purposes from small production line monitoring and control to multi-site monitoring and business intelligence (BI) for plant-wide systems, process automation as well as utility and building automation.

The “GENESIS64 Basic SCADA” is an entry-level software with essential functions for small production lines, and the “GENESIS64 Advanced Application Server” is a full SCADA suite for large-scale monitoring of factories, buildings, and utilities. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric extends supervisory control and data acquisition range

Comau launches new high-speed collaborative robot

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Comau has launched its Racer-5-0.80 collaborative robot – or Racer-5 Cobot – which it describes as “a new paradigm in collaborative robotics” that meets the growing demand for fast, cost-effective cobots that can be used in restricted spaces and in different application areas.

Countering the belief that collaborative robots are slow, Racer-5 Cobot is a 6-axis articulated robot that can work at industrial speed up to 6 m/s. With a 5 kg payload and 809 mm reach, it ensures optimal industrial efficiency while granting the added benefit of safe, barrier-free operations.

Furthermore, the cobot can instantly switch from a collaborative mode to full speed when operators are not around, letting its 0.03 mm repeatability and advanced movement fluidity deliver unmatched production rates. [Read more…] about Comau launches new high-speed collaborative robot

Denso and KDDI begin testing 5G networks for autonomous vehicles

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Denso and KDDI have begun researching 5G’s use in automated driving to achieve “safe and secure mobility, free from traffic accidents and congestion”, say the companies.

In the verification project, Denso and KDDI will build a 5G environment in a test course at Global R&D Tokyo, Haneda, a research and development center for automated driving operated by Denso.

The two companies will verify driver assistance technologies in automated driving vehicles using high-definition in-vehicle cameras and roadside sensors. [Read more…] about Denso and KDDI begin testing 5G networks for autonomous vehicles

Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

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Okuma, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial equipment, has introduced “conversational programming” as standard on its CNC machines.

Okuma says its Advanced One Touch (AOT) conversational programming software enables shops to “easily create programs without the need for highly-trained programmers, achieve faster setup times, and increase machine productivity”.

Okuma America says that select machines from Okuma’s core product line now come equipped with the Advanced One Touch-Interactive Graphics Function (AOT-IGF), the conversational programming software designed for Okuma’s lathes, machining centers and multitasking machines. [Read more…] about Okuma makes ‘conversational programming’ standard on its CNC machines

JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project

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JPB Système, a manufacturer of efficiency-enhancing technology solutions for aerospace, aeronautic and other industries, has received funding from the French government’s Ministry for Economy and Finance to support a project to establish a new purpose-built, state-of-the art production facility in Villaroche, south of Paris.

The grant was secured through the government’s Francerelance plan, part of its Territoires d’Industrie programme designed to accelerate industry growth and help manufacturing companies revive operations amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For JPB Système, the funding will contribute towards its ambitious JPB Villaroche 2025 project – an initiative valued at more than €30 million that will see the company establish an advanced factory of the future adjacent to its current facility. [Read more…] about JPB Système secures government funding for new €30 million project