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Honda aiming for Level 4 automated driving capability by 2025

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Honda says it is targeting the year 2025 for the introduction of vehicles with highly-automated driving capability – or autonomy – in most driving situations (SAE Level 4).

Full list of SAE levels of automation, or autonomousness, available here.

This new goal builds upon earlier-announced plans for Honda and Acura vehicles to have highly-automated freeway driving capability (SAE Level 3) by 2020.

Honda says these are “critical steps” in its commitment to contribute to a “collision-free society”.  [Read more…] about Honda aiming for Level 4 automated driving capability by 2025

SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

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Company says its new, “multi-million-dollar” European plant enhances process equipment manufacturing capability 

SPX Flow has expanded its manufacturing capability in Europe.

The company – which offers an extensive range of hygienic valves, plate heat exchangers, pumps, homogenizers and process systems designed for use in dairy, food, beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care production – says the expansion is part of its “continued commitment to excel in service, quality and delivery”.

The new SPX flow facility in central Europe is designed for “manufacturing excellence” in terms of efficient production of high quality products with reliable and competitive lead times, says the company.  [Read more…] about SPX Flow launches ‘multi-million-dollar’ European manufacturing facility 

Boeing completes prototype parts for 777X wing at new billion-dollar advanced manufacturing facility

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Boeing says it has completed prototype parts for the wing of its new 777X Dreamliner aircraft. 

The company is using advanced manufacturing methods, including additive or 3D printing, in the construction of the passenger plane at its new $1 billion Everett, Washington facility.

When completed, the wing for the 777X will be the largest wing Boeing has ever built.  [Read more…] about Boeing completes prototype parts for 777X wing at new billion-dollar advanced manufacturing facility

Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

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Delta Electronics has launched a new series of programmable logic controllers which it claims enables “easy and advanced programming” for sectors such as electronics manufacturing, labeling, food packaging and textile machines.

The AS300 PLC series covers most automation applications at a very attractive price, says Delta.

Delta adds that the AS300 series Compact Non-backplane Mid-range PLC is a “high performance multi-purpose controller designed for all kinds of automated equipment”.  [Read more…] about Delta launches new PLC series enabling ‘easy and advanced programming’

Robotics industry will be bigger than car industry, says Michio Kaku

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One of the world’s most famous scientists says the robotics industry will be bigger than the auto industry within decades. 

Professor Michio Kaku, who lectures at the City University of New York Institute of Advanced Study, is a familiar face who’s known for explaining complex science to the average person.

Kaku has written many articles in a variety of scientific journals and is a contributor to hundreds of documentary films and television programmes. He is also the author of numerous books, including his most recent, The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind.  [Read more…] about Robotics industry will be bigger than car industry, says Michio Kaku

Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

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intel connected car

Intel will invest an additional than $250 million into developing autonomous driving technology, says CEO Brian Krzanich.

Intel plans to help make fully autonomous driving a reality, acknowledges its decision signifies “how critical the automotive market has become for the company”.

Krzanich, who made the announcement at the LA Auto Show recently, says the new investment is part of the company’s ongoing work with automakers and system suppliers to help integrate advanced technologies into cars.  [Read more…] about Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

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The US automotive manufacturing industry is probably going through some angsty times right now, what with president-elect Donald Trump reiterating his campaign pledge to repeal or at least renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and any other free-trade deal previous administrations have signed up to. 

For a highly globalised industry like the automotive sector, which sources parts from all over the world and may assemble its vehicles in any number of countries simultaneously based on a common platform, this is perhaps one election promise which it would rather not be kept.

However, Trump has already produced a presidential address style video in which he says: “I am going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country.

“Instead, we will negotiate fair, bilateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores.”  [Read more…] about Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

US will regain top spot from China in manufacturing by 2020, says report

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The United States will regain its lead as the world’s most competitive manufacturing nation by the year 2020, according to a report by economic analyst Deloitte. 

Deloitte made its forecast after surveying the opinions of manufacturing industry executives for its 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index.

Deloitte says “executives expect the US to assume the top position before the end of the decade”.  [Read more…] about US will regain top spot from China in manufacturing by 2020, says report

China making ‘30 per cent more industrial robots’

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cctv propaganda

China made 30 per cent more industrial robots in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the Communist government’s propaganda outlet CCTV. 

CCTV quoted a “ministry of industry and information technology official”, who was speaking at the Shanghai Industry Fair last week, when providing the figure.

China is already thought to be the world’s largest market for industrial robots, but it wants to become a maker of the machines as well.  [Read more…] about China making ‘30 per cent more industrial robots’

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing? What’s the difference?

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“Additive manufacturing” is increasingly used interchangeably with “3D printing”, so they essentially mean the same thing. The only difference seems to be that “3D printing” is used more by maker communities – hobbyists and inventors – and still retains some sort of novelty value, whereas “additive manufacturing” – despite being the newer term – is more likely to be preferred in industry circles, perhaps because it has the sound of an established technology. 

But it’s not really an “established” technology in the sense that it’s only been around for a relatively short time.

According to 3DPrintingIndustry.com, it was only in 2007 that a 3D printer was available for less than $10,000 – from a company called 3D Systems, which is today one of the most well-known providers of the technology.

The most advanced 3D printers still cost quite a lot of money, especially those used by high-end manufacturers, but there are good-quality, entry-level machines available today for as little as a few hundred dollars.  [Read more…] about Additive manufacturing or 3D printing? What’s the difference?