Robotics & Automation News

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automakers

Liminal launches automated system for battery inspection in manufacturing

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Liminal, a specialist in electric vehicle battery manufacturing intelligence, has launched its EchoStat platform, a fully-automated commercial-ready manufacturing inspection solution based on ultrasound and machine learning.

Scheduled to be fully operational in 2023, this in-process inspection innovation is a groundbreaking, critical advancement toward helping EV battery manufacturers achieve the accelerated production ramp rates and cost reduction required to catalyze EV adoption at scale.

EchoStat’s core technology has been validated across 50 different cell types by six EV OEMs and seven cell manufacturers.

Anders Thor, director of communications at Northvolt, says: “We see potential in the automated EchoStat platform, enabling in-process control of saturation quality and prediction of cell performance and cycle life. The in-line inspection solution provides opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, saving resource, cost and time.” [Read more…] about Liminal launches automated system for battery inspection in manufacturing

How Automation is Influencing the Automotive Industry Today

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Last year, robot orders were up by 67 percent in comparison to the previous year. And according to the International Federation of Robotics, 1 in every 2 industrial robots sold globally is bought by US automakers. This goes to show just how much the auto industry appreciates the benefits of automation.

Automakers have always been pioneers of automation; they started using sensor technology and industrial robots in their assembly plants years ago to increase efficiency and productivity. Want to know how automation is influencing the automotive industry today? Read on. [Read more…] about How Automation is Influencing the Automotive Industry Today

DeepRoute.ai unveils ‘most advanced robotaxi fleet’

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DeepRoute.ai, an international autonomous driving technology company, announces a leading-edge robotaxi fleet equipped with its distinctive Level 4 autonomous driving solution, Driver 2.0.

Engineered for mass production and adoption by automakers, this advancement in autonomous vehicle technology previews what’s to come in the transportation industry and the future of L4 consumer vehicles.

Composed of 30 SAIC Motor Marvel R SUVs, the robotaxi fleet will deploy in Shenzhen, China, in the coming months. [Read more…] about DeepRoute.ai unveils ‘most advanced robotaxi fleet’

Sonatus unveils platform for building software-defined vehicles

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Sonatus, a developer of software defined vehicle technology, has released the next generation of its Sonatus Digital Dynamics Vehicle Platform, which “lives both in-vehicle and in the cloud”, says the company.

Following a successful debut in the Genesis GV60, Sonatus has further enhanced the cloud-side of its platform to bolster automakers’ ability to build software-defined vehicles that can be updated with new features and functionality throughout their entire lifetimes – without requiring new software development.

Given the time and resources required to develop new software, removing this barrier significantly accelerates innovation and bolsters agility, claims Sonatus. [Read more…] about Sonatus unveils platform for building software-defined vehicles

Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

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Autonomous vehicles are currently more hype than substance, given the significant technological, financial, and regulatory barriers to their widespread use, according to GlobalData.

In its latest report, Tech, Media, & Telecom Predictions 2022, the data and analytics company predicts that focus will shift onto “lower-level” autonomous vehicles that require greater human supervision, while mergers and acquisition activity will continue to be driven by transport technology such as robotaxis.

Amrit Dhami, thematic analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on these predictions. She says technological barriers will shift focus onto lower-level autonomous vehicles. [Read more…] about Autonomous vehicle development will be stalled by technological and regulatory barriers, says report

Symbio Robotics unveils software update to ‘further modernize manufacturing assembly’

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Symbio Robotics, the provider of a platform that enables AI-powered automation solutions, launched SymbioDCS 2.0, which the company describes as “a major update” to the company’s flagship middleware and python programming framework.

With a streamlined automation solution development and deployment process, the updated platform contains a series of breakthrough features to support accelerated electric vehicle timelines and emissions-reduction goals by automakers through real-time robot-controlled apps such as insertion, fastening, and moving lines.

Max Reynolds, Symbio CEO and co-founder, says: “The demand for Symbio’s technology continues to increase as mounting pressure on automotive companies to change their factory footprint and increase production of EVs grows. The recent Ford and GM announcements to put billions into EV-focused factories is hard evidence of this. [Read more…] about Symbio Robotics unveils software update to ‘further modernize manufacturing assembly’

Hyundai’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics can reinforce its position in smart mobility, says GlobalData

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Hyundai Motor Group has agreed to acquire approximately 80 percent stake in American engineering and robotics design company Boston Dynamics from SoftBank Group for $1.1bn.

The move can fuel Hyundai’s long-term goal to become a smart mobility solutions provider by leveraging Boston Dynamics’ robots such as bipedal and quadruped equipped with 3D vision, navigation and advanced intelligence, says data and analytics company GlobalData.

Venkata Naveen, senior disruptive tech analyst at GlobalData, says: “Hyundai’s move to acquire major stake in Boston Dynamics polarizes with many automakers competing to add their name to the me-too stack of autonomous carmakers by purchasing self-driving tech startups. [Read more…] about Hyundai’s acquisition of Boston Dynamics can reinforce its position in smart mobility, says GlobalData

Electric vehicles drop in price, but ‘most remain unprofitable’, says Lux Research

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Electric vehicles have fallen in price, but “most remain unprofitable”, according to Lux Research.

The automotive industry is under pressure to reduce emissions, both from government regulations and from consumers who are growing more conscious about the environmental impact of their vehicles.

Electrified powertrains are a promising avenue to reduce or eliminate vehicle emissions for automakers. [Read more…] about Electric vehicles drop in price, but ‘most remain unprofitable’, says Lux Research

$50 billion merger of leading automakers creates global behemoth

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Leading automakers Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA have agreed a $50 billion merger, creating the biggest automaker in Europe and the fourth-largest in the world in the process.

Completion of the proposed merger is expected to take place in 12-15 months, subject to regulatory requirements and approval by both companies’ shareholders.

Carlos Tavares, chairman of the managing board of Groupe PSA, says: “Our merger is a huge opportunity to take a stronger position in the auto industry as we seek to master the transition to a world of clean, safe and sustainable mobility and to provide our customers with world-class products, technology and services. [Read more…] about $50 billion merger of leading automakers creates global behemoth

Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events

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Magna held two grand opening ceremonies last month in China, for new factories in Changsha and Shanghai.

The new plant in Changsha, a joint venture with GAC subsidiary GAC Component Co., Ltd. (GAC Component), began production of composite liftgates for a global automaker’s crossover vehicle in late 2018.

Last month, Magna’s plant in Shanghai started production on active aerodynamic grille shutters for an American brand producing multiple vehicle platforms for the China market.

[Read more…] about Magna celebrates growing footprint in China with two grand opening events