Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

automotive

Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

by

intel connected car

Intel will invest an additional than $250 million into developing autonomous driving technology, says CEO Brian Krzanich.

Intel plans to help make fully autonomous driving a reality, acknowledges its decision signifies “how critical the automotive market has become for the company”.

Krzanich, who made the announcement at the LA Auto Show recently, says the new investment is part of the company’s ongoing work with automakers and system suppliers to help integrate advanced technologies into cars.  [Read more…] about Intel commits $250 million extra to autonomous driving technology

Samsung buys Harman to enter connected and autonomous car race

by

The biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world has signalled its intention to enter the globally accelerating connected and autonomous car race.

Samsung, which makes the Galaxy phone among others, has agreed to buy Harman, the manufacturer of incar entertainment equipment and other products.

The total value of the purchase is will be $8 billion, according to Samsung, which says Harman will continue operation as a standalone business, albeit as a subsidiary.  [Read more…] about Samsung buys Harman to enter connected and autonomous car race

Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

by

The US automotive manufacturing industry is probably going through some angsty times right now, what with president-elect Donald Trump reiterating his campaign pledge to repeal or at least renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and any other free-trade deal previous administrations have signed up to. 

For a highly globalised industry like the automotive sector, which sources parts from all over the world and may assemble its vehicles in any number of countries simultaneously based on a common platform, this is perhaps one election promise which it would rather not be kept.

However, Trump has already produced a presidential address style video in which he says: “I am going to issue a notification of intent to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster for our country.

“Instead, we will negotiate fair, bilateral trade deals that bring jobs and industry back onto American shores.”  [Read more…] about Huge reboot: What Trump’s aversion to trade blocs could mean for the US robotics, automation and manufacturing industries

Video: Industrial robots market

by

The industrial sector is currently the largest market for robots – with applications in automotive; electronics or electrical; metal fabrication; and other segments.

According to the International Federation of Robotics, the market for industrial robots is at record levels.

In 2015, robot sales increased by 15 per cent to just over than 250,000 units sold worldwide. China was estimated the biggest buyer.  [Read more…] about Video: Industrial robots market

Connected cars: A massive new market for chipmakers

by

The Benz Patent Motorwagen, invented by Carl Benz in the 1880s, is regarded as the first motor car ever made. 

It was a purely a mechanical machine with no electronics.

It wasn’t until the 1930s that electronics started playing a part in cars, which had become much more complex and more powerful since the original motorwagen.

And electronics have played an increasingly large role ever since.  [Read more…] about Connected cars: A massive new market for chipmakers

Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin

by

Michelin, the tire manufacturer, has selected Swisslog warehouse and distribution solutions to automate a new distribution center in the US.

The order value of the automation project amounts to a high multimillion-dollar range and was booked in the second quarter of 2016.

The new distribution center will supply passenger and truck tires throughout North America, allowing the company to meet its ambitions for responsible logistics.  [Read more…] about Swisslog signs ‘major contract’ with tire manufacturer Michelin

Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

by

harman-tcushield_0

Harman, a provider of connected technologies for automotive markets, and Airbiquity, which specialises in connected vehicle services, have launched what they claim is the first automotive grade end-to-end intrusion detection system for connected vehicles.

The companies say that with the increasing dependency on software to power vehicle systems and features, cybersecurity has become a threat to connected vehicles and the introduction of new driving assistance, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and autonomous driving capabilities.

By combining Harman’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention System inside the vehicle with Airbiquity’s cloud-based Choreo service delivery platform and software and data management solution, the two companies say they now deliver “the most robust connected vehicle security threat detection and response capability for automotive customers and their consumers alike”.  [Read more…] about Harman and Airbiquity launch ‘first end-to-end cyber intrusion detection system’ for connected vehicles

Qualcomm confirms it is buying NXP for $47 billion

by

qualcomm-snapdragon

Qualcomm and NXP Semiconductors have announced a definitive agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, under which Qualcomm will acquire NXP.

Qualcomm will pay $110 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of approximately $47 billion.

NXP is a specialist in high-performance, mixed-signal semiconductor electronics, with innovative products and solutions and leadership positions in automotive, broad-based microcontrollers, secure identification, network processing and RF power.  [Read more…] about Qualcomm confirms it is buying NXP for $47 billion

Qualcomm could become king of the road if it buys NXP

by

qualcomm headquarters

Mergers and acquisitions happen quite frequently these days, and there’s a lot of interest surrounding them. 

For example, there are currently strong rumours that US smartphone chip giant Qualcomm is about to buy NXP Semiconductor for $40 billion.

NXP itself last year bought Freescale for $12 billion. The deal gave NXP access to the market for micro-controllers, in which Freescale is one of the leading companies.

And in a separate, similarly large deal, Japanese communications colossus SoftBank recently agreed to buy the British chip designer ARM for $32 billion.  [Read more…] about Qualcomm could become king of the road if it buys NXP

Suzuki and Toyota to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies

by

Environment, safety, and information technology fields to also feature prominently in the new business partnership

Suzuki and Toyota have agreed to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies, although the details were not discussed. 

The companies say they have started exploring ideas that are directed towards a business partnership.

In a statement, Toyota and Suzuki say they recognise the environment surrounding the automotive industry has been changing “drastically and rapidly in an unprecedented fashion”.  [Read more…] about Suzuki and Toyota to collaborate on advanced driver systems and autonomous vehicle technologies