Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

Automotive

Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

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The way manufacturers set up their production lines hasn’t fundamentally changed much in decades. For example, automakers use a linear assembly line where the bodies of cars are sometimes suspended above a linear production line and moved along slowly as robots or workers perform various tasks all the way along the line.

This method has been the main method of assembly for around a century, but autonomous mobile robots are now challenging this status quo.

Instead of using what could be described as an ground-based or overhead conveyor to move the cars along the assembly line, autonomous mobile robots could carry them along instead. [Read more…] about Factories yet to realise full potential of robotics

Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

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Mitsubishi Electric says it will start construction of a new plant on the premises of its subsidiary Mitsubishi Electric Automotive India in Gujarat, India.

The company’s new plant, along with one in Manesar, Haryana, will enable MEAI to expand its output of products such as motor-control units for electric power steering, exhaust gas recirculation valves and giant magnet-resistance sensors.

The demand for these components is expected to grow in line with increasing sales of vehicles offering enhanced fuel efficiency and reduced emissions in the Indian market. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric’s new plant in India to produce automotive products

New consortium to develop a common computing platform for autonomous vehicles

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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

Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

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Senseye, the industrial software company, is rolling out its suite of technologies and methodologies in automotive manufacturing facilities in the US.

Senseye’s technology suite, Senseye PdM, is used by global automotive manufacturers to monitor the condition of machinery in real time.

It spots emerging problems with monitored assets and identifies when they are most likely to fail by using machine learning algorithms to analyse data relating to key condition indicators such as vibration, pressure, temperature and torque levels. [Read more…] about Senseye extends automotive footprint with new US installations

MIPI Alliance releases specs for advanced and autonomous automotive applications

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The MIPI Alliance, an international organization that develops interface specifications for mobile and mobile-influenced industries, has announced key advancements and activities designed to enhance advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous driving systems (ADS) and other automotive applications.

Trends such as the proliferation of camera, display, radar, lidar and other sensors are creating growing demand for high-performance wired interfaces in vehicles.

While drawing on its existing specifications for mobile devices, MIPI is developing and enhancing automotive specifications to meet the stringent requirements of automotive original automotive applications, Tier 1 suppliers, SoC designers and other industry providers in areas such as reliability, functional safety and low electromagnetic interference (EMI). [Read more…] about MIPI Alliance releases specs for advanced and autonomous automotive applications

Denso Hokkaido to expand semiconductor sensors production plant

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Denso says it will expand the plant of its semiconductor production plant which it operates under the name Denso Hokkaido, one of its group companies.

The measure is part of Denso’s efforts to increase production of semiconductor sensors, enhance its domestic production system and boost Denso group’s competitiveness.

Denso will invest about 11 billion yen ($103 million) by 2025 to complete the expansion and increase production. [Read more…] about Denso Hokkaido to expand semiconductor sensors production plant

Delta Electronics starts construction of new office building in Netherlands

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Delta Electronics has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of its new building in the “Automotive Campus” in Helmond, the Netherlands.

Delta is a large, Taiwan-headquartered company which provides a huge range of industrial technologies including robotic arms.

The new building will become the base for its industrial automation business in Europe, Middle East and Africa. [Read more…] about Delta Electronics starts construction of new office building in Netherlands

SEMICON Europa 2019 expands intelligent applications showcase

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SEMICON Europa, the largest European event that links the entire supply chain for electronics design and manufacturing from innovation to application, will take place from November 12 to 15, 2019 at the Munich Exhibition Center, parallel to productronica 2019.

This year, SEMICON Europe offers exhibitors and visitors many synergies, and an even greater range of information through unique exchange opportunities.

The exponential growth of the industry in the following “smart” industries will be presented:

  • Automotive;
  • Medical;
  • Design and Fabless;
  • Smart Manufacturing;
  • MEMS and Sensors;
  • Image Processing;
  • Materials; and
  • Workforce Development.

Registration is now open to visitors and exhibitors at the following link: http://www.semiconeuropa.org/register
Connect. [Read more…] about SEMICON Europa 2019 expands intelligent applications showcase

Denso partners with BlackBerry to launch integrated automobile HMI platform

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Denso and BlackBerry are working together to develop the first integrated Human Machine Interface digital cockpit system with BlackBerry QNX technology has shipped in the first vehicles by leading Japanese automotive manufacturer, Subaru.

The technology, named Denso “Harmony Core” will be available first in the United States from Autumn 2019 in the all-new 2020 Subaru Legacy and Outback (US model).

Co-developed by BlackBerry and Denso, in collaboration with Subaru, this leading-edge digital cockpit solution uses BlackBerry QNX Hypervisor (virtualization) technology to enable integrated control of in-vehicle HMI systems. [Read more…] about Denso partners with BlackBerry to launch integrated automobile HMI platform

Infineon and Synopsys partner to develop AI chips for automotive applications

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Artificial intelligence and neural networks are becoming a key factor in developing safer, smart and eco-friendly cars.

In order to support AI-driven solutions with its future automotive microcontrollers, Infineon Technologies has started a collaboration with Synopsys.

Next generation Aurix microcontrollers from Infineon will integrate a new high-performance AI accelerator called Parallel Processing Unit (PPU) that will employ Synopsys’ DesignWare ARC EV Processor IP. [Read more…] about Infineon and Synopsys partner to develop AI chips for automotive applications