Robotics & Automation News

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Symbio Robotics raises $30 million and launches computing platform to make robots ‘more intelligent’

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Startup company Symbio Robotics has raises more than $30 million in funding and has launched a computing platform to make robots “more intelligent”.

Symbio says it is “pioneering the next frontier of manufacturing” through a combination of artificial intelligence and industrial robotics.

Symbio officially launched the company today, armed with $30 million and a goal of “modernizing industrial manufacturing by breathing new life into existing industrial robots – making them faster, more capable and more flexible”. [Read more…] about Symbio Robotics raises $30 million and launches computing platform to make robots ‘more intelligent’

Bosch partners with Microsoft to develop cloud platform for vehicles

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Bosch is teaming up with Microsoft to develop a software-defined vehicle platform to enable the “seamless integration” of cars and the cloud.

The companies say the goal of this collaboration is to simplify and accelerate the development and implementation of vehicle software throughout a car’s lifetime in accordance with automotive quality standards.

The new platform, which will be based on Microsoft Azure and incorporate software modules from Bosch, will enable software to be developed and downloaded to the control units and vehicle computers. [Read more…] about Bosch partners with Microsoft to develop cloud platform for vehicles

Visteon partners with ECARX and Qualcomm to develop ‘intelligent cockpits’ for automotive industry

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Visteon, ECARX and Qualcomm Technologies have launched a joint initiative to develop intelligent cockpit solutions across conventional and electric vehicle applications. 

Visteon and ECARX, using Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms, are working together to develop these intelligent technologies and sharing research to commercialize an integrated cockpit project for a variety of vehicle platforms starting in 2021.

Sachin Lawande, president and CEO of Visteon, described digital content as “the battleground” for OEMs as human interfaces becomes more complex and connected technologies are increasingly important to improve the cockpit. [Read more…] about Visteon partners with ECARX and Qualcomm to develop ‘intelligent cockpits’ for automotive industry

NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

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NXP Semiconductors has launched new devices within its KW3x range of microcontrollers (MCUs). The new KW39/38/37 MCUs add Bluetooth 5.0 long-range capabilities and expanded Bluetooth advertising channels.

These enhancements are made while offering seamless migration with hardware, software and tools compatibility with the previous generation of devices, KW34/35/36.

The connectivity MCUs allow Bluetooth LE devices to communicate at distances of more than a mile and increase the amount of Bluetooth advertising channels and advertising data within the Bluetooth standard, the predominant IoT protocol. [Read more…] about NXP unveils new chips featuring enhanced Bluetooth capabilities for automotive and industrial markets

Quality Auditing in the Automotive Industry

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Every industry requires stringent quality control and certification for improved product quality.

The automotive industry is no different. In fact, in particular, the industry cannot afford to miss. Not just for enhanced customer experience but also the safety of the vehicle owners and pedestrians.

When it comes to the automotive industry, standards can become complicated or obsolete real quick as customer expectations frequently change with technology trends and craving for new hanging personalized experiences. [Read more…] about Quality Auditing in the Automotive Industry

Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

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Ibeo Automotive Systems and SICK Sensor Intelligence are partnering in what is described as the “largest ever LiDAR co-operation agreement”. The technology partnership between Hamburg-based automotive LiDAR specialist Ibeo and SICK will result in a 3D solid-state LiDAR sensor for industrial applications.

The technology, developed by Ibeo to automotive standards, is based on a new photon laser measurement technology and is entirely free of moving parts. An additional, camera-like reference image adds a “fourth dimension” to the measurement provided by the sensor.

The market for autonomous and semi-autonomous systems in an industrial context is predicted to grow at above-average rates. There is particular demand for durable, small, and cost-efficient sensor solutions. [Read more…] about Ibeo and SICK partner in ‘largest ever’ LiDAR co-operation agreement

Cox Automotive acquires computer vision company Fyusion

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Cox Automotive has acquired Fyusion, a computer vision company and provider of immersive vehicle imaging solutions for automotive and other industries.

This acquisition will deepen the collaboration between Manheim – a Cox subsidiary – and Fyusion, which have worked together for years to give clients the wholesale industry’s best mobile imaging and condition capture tools in the Manheim Express app.

Steve Rowley, president, Cox Automotive, says: “Anywhere a car can be imaged, we believe the new technologies that Cox Automotive and Fyusion create together will translate to big benefits for our clients across the auto industry. [Read more…] about Cox Automotive acquires computer vision company Fyusion

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

How robotics is helping those with disabilities

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Government statistics show that 14.1 million people reported a disability in the UK in 2018-19 – a figure that equates to 21% of the population. Of course, disabilities can range in severity and further data from the authorities reveals 4.1 million disabled people are in work.

Although that represents almost 30% of all disabled people, Scope’s 2019 disability price tag study found that on average, those with a disability face extra living costs of nearly £600 per month.

The encouraging news is that plenty is being done to improve the quality of life for disabled people, to help them enjoy the sense of freedom and independence that more able members of the population may take for granted. [Read more…] about How robotics is helping those with disabilities

Kuka receives ‘major order’ from VW for production of ID.Buzz

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Kuka has received what it describes as a “major order” for body-in-white production robots and systems of the ID.Buzz from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

VW is focusing on electromobility and with the ID.Buzz brings its classic, the Bulli, to the road as a fully electric version.

Kuka is responsible for the planning, delivery, assembly and commissioning of a fully automated body shop system for the underbody of the all-electric ID.Buzz. [Read more…] about Kuka receives ‘major order’ from VW for production of ID.Buzz