assistance

Intelligent image processing supports production workers in Industry 4.0 applications

July 3, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Automation plays a major role in Industry 4.0. Cost reduction, increased productivity and zero-defect quality are factors that are increasingly prompting companies to digitise their processes.

But often full automation also means high investments. At the same time, the focus will continue to be on the human being in the interaction between man and machine.

Given the prevailing shortage of skilled workers and high standards of industrial safety, this is no easy task for companies. [Read more…] about Intelligent image processing supports production workers in Industry 4.0 applications

Comau launches mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers

June 15, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Comau has launched a mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers.

The company’s “in.Grid/Link” is part of its Smart Digital Restart plan and internet of things platform developed in collaboration with Microsoft.

A light version of the application will be available for free for a period of six months, first in Italy and then in other countries. [Read more…] about Comau launches mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers

Continental builds new US plant to make advanced driver assistance systems

February 6, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Continental is to build a new plant to make advanced driver assistance systems.

The new plant will be located in New Braunfels in the US state of Texas.

The purpose of the new building is to expand its capacity for the production of radar sensors, says Continental. [Read more…] about Continental builds new US plant to make advanced driver assistance systems

Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape

February 5, 2020 by David Edwards Leave a Comment

Automotive accidents and road mishaps and the subsequent injuries and fatalities present a significant global concern today.

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 1.25 million people succumb to road accidents every year, which equates to an average of almost 3,287 deaths a day.

Despite the alarming statistics however, strong technological evolution across the industrial landscape, particularly in the automotive domain, is ensuring that things take a turn for the better. [Read more…] about Advanced driver assistance systems: Disrupting the global automotive safety landscape

ZF unveils ‘SHI’ new cockpit

January 30, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Automotive systems supplier ZF has unveiled a new driving environment, or “cockpit”, as car interiors are increasingly called these days.

The companies say the new “Safe Human Interaction Cockpit” enables human drivers and electronic drivers enhances to work better together.

This “seamless” integration enables “enhanced safety” and easy operation of complex driving systems, wether they are human-controlled or autonomous, say the companies. [Read more…] about ZF unveils ‘SHI’ new cockpit

New consortium to develop a common computing platform for autonomous vehicles

October 11, 2019 by Sam Francis

A group of leading companies from the automotive and computing industries have formed collaborative effort toward making fully self-driving vehicles a reality.

The new Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC), officially launched recently at Arm TechCon in San Jose, brings together industry leaders from automotive, automotive supply, semiconductor and computing to serve as the leading organization for autonomous computing expertise.

Together with the consortium’s growing membership, the initial AVCC members Arm, Bosch, Continental, Denso, General Motors, Nvidia, NXP Semiconductors and Toyota will collaborate to help solve some of the most significant challenges to deploy self-driving vehicles at scale. [Read more…] about New consortium to develop a common computing platform for autonomous vehicles

Magna opens $50 million electronics facility in Michigan

September 5, 2019 by David Edwards

Automotive components and parts supplier Magna has formally opened a new electronics manufacturing facility in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan.

The facility consolidates three nearby locations into a single “state-of-the-art facility that combines 21st-century manufacturing with people-first workplace design and functionality”, says Magna.

By opening the 230,000-square-foot facility with an investment of nearly $50 million, Magna says it is solidifying its presence in Grand Blanc Township and is positioned to continue its leadership in vision-based driver assistance systems. [Read more…] about Magna opens $50 million electronics facility in Michigan

ADAS: Features of advanced driver assistance systems

July 1, 2017 by Sam Francis

This is a long list of features of advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS as it’s called in the automotive industry.

ADAS is an umbrella term. Its individual technologies are basically small autonomous systems.

Taken together, ADAS is essentially a self-driving system, but it’s not promoted as such because of regulatory reasons. [Read more…] about ADAS: Features of advanced driver assistance systems

Kuka to build personal assistance robot business with Midea

June 19, 2017 by Sam Francis

Midea-products — Some of the products Midea manufactures

Kuka, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robotic arms, is planning to expand into the area of personal assistance robotics.

This is according to an article on FT.com, which quotes Kuka chief executive Till Reuter.

Reuter told the FT that he sees potential for using Midea’s reach into the household appliances market to develop more complex, intelligent machines which can help with household tasks. [Read more…] about Kuka to build personal assistance robot business with Midea

Continental expands advanced driver assistance systems business in Asia

September 25, 2016 by Abdul Montaqim

Continental is expanding its advanced driver assistance systems business in Asia and expects sales to reach $2.2 billion a year by 2020.

The company says it is on course to achieve €1 billion in sales this year, and is aiming to capitalise on this growth by developing its Asian operations.

Continental says it will increase production capacity for radar sensors in the Philippines and China, and accelerate its knowledge transfer and staff expansion.

Continental is estimated to be the market leader in advanced driver assistance systems, which is in essence autonomous car technology.