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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

Grimme marks 80 years since first automated potato harvesting machine

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grimme potato machine

In Germany alone, over 10 million tonnes of potatoes are harvested each year. Worldwide, the total even exceeds 341 million tonnes.

More than 80 years ago, Grimme developed the first potato harvesting machine. A great deal has happened since that time, and now Grimme is said to be the world market leader in potato harvesting technology.

Besides the actual harvesting, efficient storage technology is equally important to ensure that potatoes remain available in top quality to meet demand.  [Read more…] about Grimme marks 80 years since first automated potato harvesting machine

Equashield to open new $30 million manufacturing facility

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equashield

Equashield, a provider of Closed System Transfer Devices for the handling of hazardous drugs, has broken ground to mark the beginning of the construction of a new manufacturing plant.

The company will invest an estimated $30 million to build the new plant to meet the growing market demand for manual and automated hazardous drug compounding devices.

The new manufacturing facility will be built on a 3 acre plot with an option to expand by another 1.5 acres.  [Read more…] about Equashield to open new $30 million manufacturing facility

Robotic co-pilot autonomously flies and lands a simulated Boeing 737

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Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (Alias) program (Picture: Aurora Flight Sciences)

Aurora’s Alias system performs various flight scenarios, further demonstrates capabilities

Aurora Flight Sciences’ work on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (Alias) program has further demonstrated its automated flight capabilities with various successful flight scenarios in a Boeing 737 simulator.

These accomplishments build on Aurora’s successful installation and testing of Alias components on a Diamond DA42, Cessna 208 Caravan, UH-1 Iroquois, and DHC-2 Beaver aircraft.

Aurora’s Alias technology demonstration system is designed to function as a second pilot in a two-crew aircraft, enabling reduced crew operations while ensuring that aircraft performance and mission success are maintained or improved.  [Read more…] about Robotic co-pilot autonomously flies and lands a simulated Boeing 737

Seegrid expands Supervisor API to provide interoperability across automation systems

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Seegrid, a provider of flexible automated materials handling solutions, has expanded its Supervisor application programming interface to offer more advanced, connected solutions for customers.

Seegrid says the new API delivers on the promise of automation beyond materials movement, providing real-time interoperability to improve facility operations.

Interconnectedness is critical for automation systems, and Supervisor’s API addresses that growing demand, says Seegrid.  [Read more…] about Seegrid expands Supervisor API to provide interoperability across automation systems

If you enjoy doing the laundry, this could be your nightmare come true

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threadrobe VerticalUnit_DoorOpen

Startup company ThreadRobe launches “automated wardrobe”, eliminates laundry chores

There are few chores that Americans hate more than laundry, according to ThreadRobe, the Alexandria-based startup which aims to change millions the drudgery of the chore by introducing an automated piece of furniture that eliminates the need to fold, hang, and put away laundry. 

Users place loads of clean clothing from the dryer directly into the automated wardrobe’s bin – no sorting, folding, or hanging required.

The wardrobe separates, identifies and stores them. When you want clothes back, select an outfit in the mobile app, which notifies the wardrobe to retrieve and steam those items to your specifications.  [Read more…] about If you enjoy doing the laundry, this could be your nightmare come true

Zymo and Hamilton Robotics develop new system for genetic testing

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Hamilton robotics zymo

Zymo Research and Hamilton Robotics have agreed an ongoing collaboration that teams Zymo Research’s DNA methylation detection and quantitation products and RNA and DNA extraction products with Hamilton’s high-throughput automation platforms.

Zymo Research has already created optimized methods for microbiomics and RNA isolation for use on Hamilton’s automated liquid handling workstations, including a timesaving and robust automated method for non-biased extraction of DNA and RNA.

Additional integrated workflow methods will be released to the academic, biopharma and diagnostics markets in the future.  [Read more…] about Zymo and Hamilton Robotics develop new system for genetic testing

Trump administration will be a catalytic converter for autonomous cars, says Chao

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Newly appointed US Transport Secretary Elaine Chao says the Trump administration will have a catalysing effect on the autonomous car industry. 

Chao made her first public remarks on the subject while speaking at the National Governors Association, as reported by Reuters.

Chao said: “This administration is evaluating this guidance and will consult with you and other stakeholders as we update it and amend it, to ensure that it strikes the right balance.”

She added that the Trump administration wanted to ensure it “is a catalyst for safe, efficient technologies, not an impediment. In particular, I want to challenge Silicon Valley, Detroit, and all other auto industry hubs to step up and help educate a skeptical public about the benefits of automated technology”.  [Read more…] about Trump administration will be a catalytic converter for autonomous cars, says Chao

5G Automotive Association and European Automotive Telecom Alliance to develop new connected car standards

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The 5G Automotive Association and the European Automotive Telecom Alliance have entered a cooperation deal in the field of connected and autonomous driving solutions as well as standardisation, spectrum and related use cases. 

5GAA and EATA say they are dedicated to prioritising the use cases identified by the two organisations in order to establish the technical requirements that need to be addressed, both in the short and in the long term.

In order to better support standards for connected and automated driving, standardisation prioritisation for standards bodies such as ETSI, 3GPP and SAE is necessary as well.  [Read more…] about 5G Automotive Association and European Automotive Telecom Alliance to develop new connected car standards

Transport secretary Elaine Chao needs to update DoT policy, says automation expert

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Newly appointed US transport secretary Elaine Chao is being asked to go out and “do better” than the previous administration and “explain in plain language” her recipe for success.  

In particular, Chao is being asked to give the testing and regulation of autonomous cars a national framework rather than allow the technology to be introduced in a haphazard way, with each state making its own rules as it goes along.

This is the suggestion of many experts from the world of business and academia, including one particularly outspoken expert Timothy Carone, an associate teaching professor in the Department of IT, Analytics, and Operations in the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.  [Read more…] about Transport secretary Elaine Chao needs to update DoT policy, says automation expert